Sarah E. Gabbett

Sarah Elizabeth Gabbett ( Richardson; 1833–1911) was an American medal designer. She was the first Custodian of the Southern Cross of Honor, and later, she became the honorary custodian for life. Due to her zeal in designing the Cross of Honor, she became one of the most conspicuous women in the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). Wrapped in an atmosphere of a bygone day, cherishing an abiding love for her husband, an Irish emigrant and Confederate States Army veteran, she was all but a recluse. She only interacted with the outside world for causes related to betterment of the Confederate veteran.

Early life Sarah Elizabeth Richardson was born in Savannah, Georgia, on July 16, 1833, and her early days were spent there.

In her later life, she was presented with a large gold cross of honor by the UCV of Georgia.

Personal life Gabbett owned a large amount of property on Bedford Place, and her estate was considered a valuable one. One of Gabbett's possessions was a string of huge amber beads, typically only worn by Ireland's kings. These beads were dug up on the estate of her husband. She was deeply interested in art and music, and spent several years in the music and art centers in Europe. She was an inveterate collector of curios and works of art. Her house on Bedford Place was tilled with rare pictures, valuable silverware, and a large amount of exquisite old Irish lace which had been handed down by the Gabbett family. One of her hobbies was dogs; she had six blueblood pugs. In addition, she had twelve or thirteen canines which she found wandering homeless around the streets. She cared for them and they had a special yard to themselves.

Death and legacy Sarah E. Gabbett died at her home, in Atlanta, on July 16, 1911, after a few weeks of serious illness, although she had been failing in health for a year; interment was in Savannah. She was buried with military honors, and many veterans attended her funeral.

She had no children, and none of her brothers or sisters survived her. She left an estate of or more. Her jewelry was to be sold for the Home of the Friendless, and $500 was left to Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip, in Atlanta. The remainder went to relatives.