Description
Antonia Ford Willard volunteered to act as a civilian spy for the Confederate cause. She was the daughter of secessionist Edward R. Ford and lived in Fairfax Court House, Virginia. She circulated among Union officers and gathered intelligence, which she passed on to J.E.B. Stuart and John S. Mosby. In 1863 she was betrayed by a counterspy named Frankie Abel. She was arrested and incarcerated in the Old Capitol Prison. Released a few days later, she was arrested again by Joseph Willard and sent back to prison. She then took the Oath of Allegiance and in 1864 married her captor, Union Major Joseph Clapp Willard. The couple had three children.
This Antonia Ford Willard mug is part of our Civil War Series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
- Shipping charges are lower when buying multiple mugs.
