Engraved in a presentation plaque is PRESENTED BY COMMODORE TATNALL TO J.H. MONAHEN. The shotgun is marked J.P. White & Marin. My research finds White & Marin listed in the September,1865 Savannah, Georgia newspaper as Gun Makers and Machinists located on the West side of Market Square on the corner of Barnard and St.Julian streets in Savannah, Georgia. Southern made firearms particular Georgia are very rare.

Commodore Josiah Tatnall III, born November 1795 in Savannah, Georgia at his father's Bonaventure Plantation Commodore Tatnall was a distinguished Naval officer serving in the War of 1812, Second Barbary War, Mexican War, Second Opium War and as a Confederate Naval Captain during The War Between the States. With the outbreak of hostilities Tatnall resigned his commission on in February 1861. a week later Georgia Governor, Joseph E. Brown commissioned Tatnall as the senior flag officer of the Georgia Navy and later he was commissioned into the Confederate States Navy and commanded the James River Squadron. Tatnall commanded the Confederate ironclad Virginia ( formerly the Merrimack) after her battle with the USS Monitor. After the war Commodore Tatnall returned to his native city of Savannah, Georgia and passed away on January 14, 1871 at the age of 75 and is buried in the Bonaventure cemetery near Savannah.

J.H. Monahen is somewhat elusive and his connection to Commodore Tatnall even more so. Using Ancestry I was able to find a probable match in the 1860 census. A James Mounahan age 45 and his son by the same name age 17. The father was a Savannah businessman and Commodore Tatnall may have reason to gift him a fine shotgun. The other possibility Tatnall could have come into contact with the younger Monahan who served in the 22nd Georgia Heavy Artillery and was part of the defenses of Savannah. Commodore Tatnall may have had some contact with him when he was in command of the Savannah defenses. The gun is in fair condition with pitting on most of the iron parts with the exception of the barrel which has an overall dark patina. More research is needed.