Casket plate. UPDATE!!

[Garabaldi]

When I found this plate, it was folded. What would this have mounted to? I am thinking about trying to find out some info on this person to see if she has relatives living and give this to them. Do you think this would have been secured to a grave stone?

 

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[trikikiwi]

Re: Death plate.

I predict
BigCypressHunter will be all over this

Mike

 

[trikikiwi]

Re: Death plate.

My theory being, it seems to have, a familiar theme and script, to a Big Cy's tag find.

 

[creskol]

Re: Death plate.

Looks like what I have always heard referred to as a casket plate.

Here is a link with a brief history on casket plate:
http://www.thegenealogyspot.com/coffin_plates/

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Death plate.

Does it say - "Almira Sedgwick"?

I found a 1850 census listing for one born ~1808 in Connecticut and living in Massachusetts. She had 11 children listed with her - ages 23 to 1.

I also just checked the family tree section on Ancestry and people have listed her with that exact death date.

Let me know if you would like the info

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Death plate.

My theory being, it seems to have, a familiar theme and script, to a Big Cy's tag find.

Thanks for remembering my coffin tag find or whatever it was. I never did figure it out. Ill compare the script. I would have never thought it was an S (Sedgwick). It looks like the J on my tag. The A is similar script.


Bramblefind is great at researching these old names. Great ID Bramblefind and creskol..

 

[Mackaydon]

Re: Death plate.

Creskol:

I was thinking the same (coffin plate); now more convinced after reading your referenced site; specifically:
The coffin plates were often removed to be kept as mementos by the loved ones of the deceased. This practice started in the late 1840s and peaked in the late 19th century (1880~1899).

Don..

 

[Lucas]

Re: Death plate.

I or J with a loop at the top, lost in the fold, makes S.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Death plate.

Does it say - "Almira Sedgwick"?

I found a 1850 census listing for one born ~1808 in Connecticut and living in Massachusetts. She had 11 children listed with her - ages 23 to 1.

I also just checked the family tree section on Ancestry and people have listed her with that exact death date.

Let me know if you would like the info

Im sure she must have family living in the area with 11 children.

 

[Garabaldi]

Re: Death plate.

Does it say - "Almira Sedgwick"?

I found a 1850 census listing for one born ~1808 in Connecticut and living in Massachusetts. She had 11 children listed with her - ages 23 to 1.

I also just checked the family tree section on Ancestry and people have listed her with that exact death date.

Let me know if you would like the info

Yes please. I would love to return it to the family.
Great Job Bramblefind.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Death plate.

Yes please. I would love to return it to the family.
Great Job Bramblefind.

I would love to see this.

What kind of area was it where it was found and how deep?

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: Death plate.

Yes please. I would love to return it to the family.
Great Job Bramblefind.

Ok! I'm away from my home computer right now but I will PM you some info. later today

 

[Iron Patch]

Re: Death plate.

Yes please. I would love to return it to the family.
Great Job Bramblefind.

I would love to see this.

What kind of area was it where it was found and how deep?

Undisclosed area at about 6 feet.

 

[Garabaldi]

Re: Death plate.

Yes please. I would love to return it to the family.
Great Job Bramblefind.

I would love to see this.

What kind of area was it where it was found and how deep?

Undisclosed area at about 6 feet.

Found it in the local town common about 8 inches.

 

[Garabaldi]

Re: Casket plate.

Ok,
A lot has happened since I posted this. Bramblefind got the game ball on this one. She PM'd me info on a family member. I contacted this guy and he is very active with his family ancestry. He actually created a web site with each family member listed. He found a direct decedent of the Almira Sedgwick, which turns out to be her great great great grand son who is 74 years old. He lives in Colorado. I called him and left a message trying to explain what I had found and how I found it. He never returned my call, so I called again and he answered. He was very skeptical, so I had him talk to my wife who is a social worker in the elderly protective department.

He was fascinated with the story and at the same time wondered how I new so much about him and got his phone number. He wouldn't give me his email address and needed some time to think about this. I told him I just wanted to mail this casket plate to him, no strings attached. I also asked him if it was ok if the Sedgwick in his family gave him a call. He was ok with it. A couple of weeks later I got a phone call from the gentlemen and he was excited to receive the plate and that his distant relative had spoke to him and he was a delight to talk to. Not giving it much thought I used his address on Ancestry.com and mailed it away with a little note, saying I was happy this artifact was in the proper hands. I hadn't heard from him in close to two weeks, then received a message that he wanted me to mail him the plate and left his mailing address. My heart sunk realizing that he no longer lives at the address that I used on ancestry.com.

After all this I couldn't face calling him to tell him. After thinking about this for a few days I mustered up the courage to call him. He chuckled and said "ohe golly". I must say this guy is one of the nicest kind hearted person I have met. He told me he new the folks at his previous address and he would call them. Two days later the plate arrived at my house with "return to sender" on it. I called him and mailed it the next day.

Haven't heard from him, but I am sure hes got it now.
Thanks for all your help and Merry Christmas.

 

[creskol]

Nice Job! I hope you hear from him soon. Hope, too , that you receive Honorable Mention for your good deed!

 

[chetler]

This is a great story. I love it when there is a happy ending. This is the part of metal detecting that really makes the hobby so fun. Shame on all those that act like people that metal detect are greedy and only do it for financial gain. Great job getting it back to a family member...chetler

 

[Bramblefind]

That is fantastic! Happy I was able to assist a little with this. But SUPER job by you in pursuing it and returning this relic to the right people. WTG!