Case of missing heirloom has been solved
If you've ever taken a walking tour in downtown Lewes, it's a safe bet you've seen at least one Daughters of the American Revolution historical marker plaque on a house or building. They have been used for six decades to designate significant buildings in Lewes.
The backstory of that plaque and the coat of arms of the Town of Lewes, England, is almost lost to history. And what is more incredible is that the story has an almost unbelievable addendum.
The story is one of a lost heirloom found. The one-of-a-kind gold bracelet and medallion was a gift from Robert Kennedy Jr. made especially for his wife, Virginia, to commemorate her as chair of the 1963 Historic Lewes Days. It featured the coat of arms of Lewes, England.
Virginia is a founding member of the local Col. David Hall chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She has also held many state and federal offices. She had the idea to strengthen the ties between Lewes and its namesake in England by using the town coat of arms on historic plaques.
After receiving permission, she and fellow DAR members began the process to select historical structures.
The bracelet was sent to Philadelphia for a minor repair job prior to 2003. The Kennedy’s children, Robert III of Lewes and Janet of Milford, didn’t know the heirloom had been sent away. After their father died in 2007 and their mother in 2006, they started to search for the heirloom. It was nowhere to be found.
The Kennedys were resigned to the fact they may never see it again.
Both Janet and Robert always had the family heirloom in the backs of their minds. “I kept my eye out for anyone wearing it,” Janet said.
“And I checked pawn shops,” Robert added.
“Then like a blue bolt, it appeared,” Robert said.
Susan Keyser of Simon Brothers Co. jewelers in Philadelphia found the missing piece in the company's vault after she and her siblings took over the business. It had a repair ticket attached to it and the only clue where it originated was the name on the ticket, Mrs. Robert Kennedy, 201 Gills Neck Road. Lewes was etched into the medallion as well.
Those clues sent Keyser on a mission to find the owner. And that involves another amazing story.
Keyser actually has a roundabout connection to Lewes thanks to her association with Betsy Reamer, whom she was friends with 40 years ago when they lived in San Francisco.
Keyser said using an internet search, she was able to find Robert and Janet Kennedy who did not have any contact information.
Keyser emailed the Reamers because she knew they were active in Lewes and might recognize the name.
Betsy contacted then Mayor Ted Becker, who sent her contact information for Robert III.
Keyser not only returned the family heirloom, but also did the repair at no cost.
“She didn't have to do any of this. The piece could have easily been melted down,” Robert III said. “It says a lot about her integrity, her persistence and the lengths she would go. The piece meant so much to the family as well as to the DAR.”
The missing heirloom was returned to the family Sept. 8.
About the Kennedys
Robert Jr. worked for J. Howard Smith Co. and its affiliates in the fishing industry for 64 years, eventually moving to Lewes and working for Seacoast Products Co. and Fish Products Co. (locally known as the fish factories) owned by Otis Smith. Virginia also worked for the company for 32 years as Smith’s private secretary.
Robert last served as comptroller and general manager of the companies until they closed in 1974. He then became business manager for Smith’s real estate and farming operations.
Their family home on Gills Neck Road was the company’s office, which was moved from the site along Delaware Bay when the factories closed.
