War of 1812 – Brass "Dispatches" Tag & Buttons

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I met up with my buddy pepperj at a site in Eastern Ontario on Friday morning that he had found by researching old maps. He was then successful in getting permission to detect from the landowner, which includes over 900 acres which includes at least five other homesteads in the area!


Good portions of the lands in this area were offered as Land Grants to loyal War of 1812 veterans who served in the British Military. United Empire Loyalists who arrived in 1784 from the United States first settled this area. Townships were often set aside for specific soldiers, for instance Township 8 (Elizabethtown Township - Brockville) was set aside for Jessup's Loyal Rangers. In 1788, western Leeds County was opened for settlement, in the 1790's the rear townships were opened. Settlement was slow until after the war of 1812 when disbanded soldiers and British emigrants settled in the area. A majority of the British emigrants were from Scotland and arrived in 1816. Even more settlement occurred during the 1820's after the construction of the Rideau Canal.


Pepperj made the first find of the day with a beautiful #3 crotal bell with very clear maker’s marks; he then quickly followed that with a War of 1812 button and a Brock Memorial token. Meanwhile, my only find so far was an old brass tag that said, “DISPATCHES TO THE CARE OF THE AGENT NEW YORK”. I’m hoping this tag might have ties to the War of 1812 but I’m not sure. I am very curious as to the history of this piece. It took about an hour of digging square nails before I finally found my first War of 1812 button, then it was button after button!

New Information:
'Agents' are connected with Indian supplies during the 1812 - 1815 years.
This is related to the military and the Agent responsible for delivering goods to the Indians.


I also found a large musket ball, a small cuff button with shank, a beautiful little brass chain and a horseshoe. From what I can make out the maker’s marks on the thin 1812 button reads, “I. McCOWAN - GERRARD - LONDON” (Gerrard Street, London 1810) and on all three of the thicker cast buttons, “DOLAN & SONS — LONDON”. If any of the War of 1812 button experts can assist me in identifying what division of the British Military these button are from I would greatly appreciate it.

I've also included pics of pepperj’s finds from the site, as well as, a brass mailbox door slot and an iron doorknob face-plate, which I found at a site close to my home last weekend.

Thanks very much for looking,
Dave

 

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[Appalachianman76]

Awesome finds! I love finding old buttons! Looks like you have a large area with multiple sites that you will be able to go back to time and time again! Keep the finds coming!

 

[Diamondman307]

900 acres?!?! That will take a long time to hunt!

 

[cambria09]

Hello Antiquarian. Those are some excellent finds. Sounds like you have a spot to go back there. Good Luck. C9

 

[trapperart]

Congrats on a nice assortment of finds

 

[Rogue Relic Hunter]

would love to see a youtube video of these finds. amazing. congrats! finds like that is what makes this hobby more than a hobby!

 

[digging440yrs]

Nice finds ! In my opinion your bell was made by Joseph Shipman, born 1779, died 1859. Imo made between 1801 and 1830 in New Britain Conn. ---Initials I.S or J.S. with I.S. being older---

 

[Iron Patch]

You two had a great day. The buttons are Royal Regiment of Artillery, and you guys equaled my 15 year total in one day... my 4th coming about a week ago. I like the tag too... something to research for sure.

 

[pepperj]

Nice finds ! In my opinion your bell was made by Joseph Shipman, born 1779, died 1859. Imo made between 1801 and 1830 in New Britain Conn. ---Initials I.S or J.S. with I.S. being older---

Thanks for the information on the crotal bell, it's a #0 and still has retained most of the tinning color.

 

[pepperj]

Hey Dave you were cutting buttons out of the ground like mad in the last hour. Like you said too bad we finished off at that site. Good news it's snowing and I think the site will be safe now till the next spring. I got the Navy button yesterday during the rushed return trip going past the gate. There's signals all the way down to the corner so I'll have to get the farmer to cut some of the waist high grass down. Pleasure hooking up with you, glad to see that flapping chicken settled down. 6 military buttons, two coins, a bell, and one kick ass brass tag, says we hit a good one. Till the next time buddy.

 

[Ahab8]

Man am I happy to see you boys back! Glad you got together and really glad you fellas had an amazing hunt. Those buttons are incredible, that's a killer bell and I'm dying to know more about that brass tag. Looks like it's going to be something really nice to me. You boys put a smile on my face this afternoon....thanks

 

[romeo-1]

Those are some awesome finds...that tag will be fun to research...good luck and keep us in the loop!

 

[OutdoorAdv]

Incredible hunt and post ANTIQUARIAN! Love the buttons and the bell, but that tag sure looks awesome. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

 

[Diggin Dude]

Great post! Nice finds!! Congrats and HH

 

[Dave N Japan]

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Awesome finds! I love finding old buttons! Looks like you have a large area with multiple sites that you will be able to go back to time and time again! Keep the finds coming!

Thanks very much for your kind words App!
Hopefully we'll get a break in the weather again before the 'big freeze' sets in for good.

Best of luck to you,
Dave

900 acres?!?! That will take a long time to hunt!

As I'm sure you well know, most of the finds will be made within 100' of each homestead.
Dave

Congrats on a nice assortment of finds

Thanks very much Trap!
Dave

would love to see a youtube video of these finds. amazing. congrats! finds like that is what makes this hobby more than a hobby!

Thanks for your post RRH and for your advice, but you won't be seeing my mug on YouTube anytime soon!
Dave

Nice finds ! In my opinion your bell was made by Joseph Shipman, born 1779, died 1859. Imo made between 1801 and 1830 in New Britain Conn. ---Initials I.S or J.S. with I.S. being older---

Thanks very much for the info Sir.
I'll pass this onto my buddy pepperj as he was the lucky dog who dug that bone!
Dave

You two had a great day. The buttons are Royal Regiment of Artillery, and you guys equaled my 15 year total in one day... my 4th coming about a week ago. I like the tag too... something to research for sure.

Thank you so much for the information regarding my buttons, i was hoping that you would chime in.
Hope you've had a good year on the island,
Dave

Thanks for the information on the crotal bell, it's a #0 and still has retained most of the tinning color.

Thanks for clarifying that J, but I thought with the #3 on the top and due to the size that it would be a '#3 size' bell?
Of course, I'm only guessing at this point.

Thanks again for the invite and for sharing your site with me buddy... I can see more ratchet straps in your future!
Dave

Hey Dave you were cutting buttons out of the ground like mad in the last hour. Like you said too bad we finished off at that site. Good news it's snowing and I think the site will be safe now till the next spring. I got the Navy button yesterday during the rushed return trip going past the gate. There's signals all the way down to the corner so I'll have to get the farmer to cut some of the waist high grass down. Pleasure hooking up with you, glad to see that flapping chicken settled down. 6 military buttons, two coins, a bell, and one kick ass brass tag, says we hit a good one. Till the next time buddy.

Thanks again for sharing my friend. There was obviously quite a bit of post-War of 1812 activity going on here for years following the wars end.
If you look closely at the Google Map pic taken from the vehicle on the road looking into the field that I posted, you can see the grass is short, having been pasture for the cows at one point.
It sure would be nice if the farmer wouldn't mind cutting that for hay in the spring or letting us have at it when his cows have been out there for a few weeks.

Maybe the offer of a loan of one of my pieces of equipment might entice him?
Dave

Man am I happy to see you boys back! Glad you got together and really glad you fellas had an amazing hunt. Those buttons are incredible, that's a killer bell and I'm dying to know more about that brass tag. Looks like it's going to be something really nice to me. You boys put a smile on my face this afternoon....thanks

Thanks for your post and for your kind words Abe!
It has been a long time since I posted here, but it's been a busy a productive year for detecting just the same.

Hope you're having another great year my friend,
Dave

Those are some awesome finds...that tag will be fun to research...good luck and keep us in the loop!

Thanks very much Patrick!
I just posted the tag in the What is It forum, hopefully we'll both have an answer soon.
Dave

Incredible hunt and post ANTIQUARIAN! Love the buttons and the bell, but that tag sure looks awesome. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post Sir!
The four British Royal Regiment of Artillery buttons I found were nice, but I like the brass tag much better!

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Great post! Nice finds!! Congrats and HH

Thanks for your post Dude!
Dave

 

[The Patriot]

You guys had one heck of a run there...Love it when a plan comes together...good to see both of you out!

 

[ironhorse]

Tag!
You're it!
those buttons are nice too

 

[Aureus]

Amazing finds! Congratulations!

 

[deershed]

I'd take a day like that any day, Awesome hunt!!
Love the Crotal bell, looks bigger then the average bells I find.