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Glen's Loyalists

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Jan 7, 2024
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Yesterday I thought I would take the dog and hit an interesting site other than my old farm that is not far away.
Sometimes it's just nice to go to a different fishing hole, know what I mean?

This is a really hard site to detect. It is very rocky, granite boulder size rocky, and there is about 6" or more of loose but root clogged peat over the ground. Some years back loggers went thru with essentially a bulldozer and upended everything and left dried limbs and branches haphazard everywhere, in some places feet deep.

In the middle of that is the foundation of a house that burned to the ground in the 19th century with all contents inside. I truly hope the people got out, it was a bad fire.

I only found a few good items yesterday, so I will also use this time to show the best of what has come from this site:

IMG_3656.jpg


Here are the two best items from yesterday, I also found a number of spikes, buckles and various iron items not shown.
The suspender buckle, which still works after 150 years in the ground, is marked Paris and Soldie, it would be 1860's to early 1870's. The convex button is an artillery button, with the three cannons in a shield. This would date to the War of 1812 era and is the only one of this type that we have found. We have found later, 2 piece ones at other sites so despite its condition I am well pleased with this.

IMG_3659.jpg
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My son is a collector of military items, so this badge from the 74th is his favorite. He thinks is is most likely from an ammo pouch or something similar.
At the top there should be a crown, we will find that at some point, and the back are traces of the lead backing. The rest would have melted out in the fire.
This again is War of 1812 era.

IMG_3657.jpg
IMG_3658.jpg


What is interesting is that we found a small tin box, 85% disintegrated, that we think was a keepsake box. It was close to where the mantle of the fireplace would have been. The badge above was in that box, along with this:

IMG_3666.jpg


We are certain that this is a tin type photograph, how I wish the image was still there. I think the thin bits of silver also found were part of the folding box frame that these photos are often in. The horseshoe bit in the upper right is double sided, so that may be from something else.

Also in the box were these two thimbles. The smaller thimble on the left is bronze and of very high quality, the metal is really good, especially when considering that these went thru a fire. The large thimble is very good also, but not as good, and you can see that mold was worn when this thimble was made. The waffle pattern top is very distinctive and from some research we have done would place the small thimble to the late 1600's to very early 1700's and the larger one mid to late 1700's. Great Grannies thimbles perhaps?

IMG_3685.jpg
IMG_3686.jpg


As an aside, there is a story about these thimbles. After we bought our old farm, I was detecting there exclusively for months. The first time we went elsewhere again we got these thimbles. The next day I was back on my land, thinking about these thimbles and walking along a path I detected many many times. I got an absolute screamer of a signal that jolted me out of my thoughts, I still can't imagine how I missed it previously. Absolutely true, I thought to myself, 'jealous are you, lets see if you can give me something better than those bronze thimbles', and with that, I dug my only complete silver thimble. I couldn't believe my eyes. Then I looked at the inscription that read 'Forget Me Not' and I had to stop and sit down. One of those great coincidences that happens from time to time. Here it is:

IMG_3691.jpg
IMG_3692.jpg


Also in the box was this old spoon, just as we found it. Complete and flat, although fire damaged. And look at that rat tail. This has to be one of the oldest spoons I have found. There are no marks that I can see.

IMG_3667.jpg


Again, in the box (I should really say box area) was this, the only cross we have ever found. It was either fashioned into a hook or was one all along.

IMG_3672.jpg


This little copper alloy ring was the final item we believe was in the box.

IMG_3674.jpg


Of the buttons that we have found here, apart from the artillery found yesterday, one stands out:

IMG_3661.jpg


Note that this naval button does not have the surrounding shield, this makes it pre 1787 in date, I believe this pattern is from the early 1770's and is an officers button. Originally silver, it has blackened and bubbled due to the fire, but the metal is really good. I am really pleased with this one. There was a button maker named W R Smith (1790 - 1832) making US naval buttons in the early 19th century, I am not sure if it is the same maker. If it is and is after 1790 could it be American? I doubt it with the Prince of Wales marking on the reverse. Here is a good reference https://www.angelfire.com/wa/dianaspage/reference/BritishNavy.html

IMG_3662.jpg
IMG_3663.jpg


Here is a comparison with a later 1795- 1812 Captain / Commander / Lieutenant button that came from my land:

IMG_3693.jpg


Here is a nice clog clasp, as well as the adjoining bit folded up. The Prince of Wales motif likely represents the future George IV when he was acting as regent for the ill George III.

IMG_3677.jpg


These heavy lead pewter tops are likely from a tea service:

IMG_3678.jpg


Here is a perfume stopper and likely a furniture fitting, although it appears to have been gilt at one point:

IMG_3679.jpg


And what is this? It is bronze, heavy for its size, and appears unbroken. I am stumped, any ideas?

IMG_3680.jpg


IMG_3682.jpg


These bronze rings all came out of one hole. Note the cloth attached to some. What would these be for?

IMG_3684.jpg


I assume this to be an aglet of some sort:

IMG_3676.jpg


We have only found one coin to date at this site, and it is an unusual one, a one year only Swedish 1 Kroner from 1719. Very well worn but not really corroded, it was old when lost.

IMG_3670.jpg


Below is a cartridge from a Snider Enfield. It is a .577 caliber. In 1866 the British started converting their 1853 Lee Enfield's to Sniders. By the 1870's they were being replaced by Martini-Henries. We have found a few of these now which is not really surprising as the Halifax Citadel has the worlds largest collection of these guns. You can go there and fire one.

The musket ball beside it has been chewed by something with very small sharp teeth.

IMG_3669.jpg


And my favorite from the site is this wonderful alley. It's huge compared to the 50 cent piece and you can still see the cross hatch marking.

IMG_3688.jpg


IMG_3689.jpg

Non-detectable, I am really pleased with this.

Good luck everyone, I am keen to see your finds.
 

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Upvote 38
Yesterday I thought I would take the dog and hit an interesting site other than my old farm that is not far away.
Sometimes it's just nice to go to a different fishing hole, know what I mean?

This is a really hard site to detect. It is very rocky, granite boulder size rocky, and there is about 6" or more of loose but root clogged peat over the ground. Some years back loggers went thru with essentially a bulldozer and upended everything and left dried limbs and branches haphazard everywhere, in some places feet deep.

In the middle of that is the foundation of a house that burned to the ground in the 19th century with all contents inside. I truly hope the people got out, it was a bad fire.

I only found a few good items yesterday, so I will also use this time to show the best of what has come from this site:

View attachment 2173975

Here are the two best items from yesterday, I also found a number of spikes, buckles and various iron items not shown.
The suspender buckle, which still works after 150 years in the ground, is marked Paris and Soldie, it would be 1860's to early 1870's. The convex button is an artillery button, with the three cannons in a shield. This would date to the War of 1812 era and is the only one of this type that we have found. We have found later, 2 piece ones at other sites so despite its condition I am well pleased with this.

View attachment 2173980 View attachment 2173981

My son is a collector of military items, so this badge from the 74th is his favorite. He thinks is is most likely from an ammo pouch or something similar.
At the top there should be a crown, we will find that at some point, and the back are traces of the lead backing. The rest would have melted out in the fire.
This again is War of 1812 era.

View attachment 2173983 View attachment 2173984

What is interesting is that we found a small tin box, 85% disintegrated, that we think was a keepsake box. It was close to where the mantle of the fireplace would have been. The badge above was in that box, along with this:

View attachment 2173985

We are certain that this is a tin type photograph, how I wish the image was still there. I think the thin bits of silver also found were part of the folding box frame that these photos are often in. The horseshoe bit in the upper right is double sided, so that may be from something else.

Also in the box were these two thimbles. The smaller thimble on the left is bronze and of very high quality, the metal is really good, especially when considering that these went thru a fire. The large thimble is very good also, but not as good, and you can see that mold was worn when this thimble was made. The waffle pattern top is very distinctive and from some research we have done would place the small thimble to the late 1600's to very early 1700's and the larger one mid to late 1700's. Great Grannies thimbles perhaps?

View attachment 2173990 View attachment 2173991

As an aside, there is a story about these thimbles. After we bought our old farm, I was detecting there exclusively for months. The first time we went elsewhere again we got these thimbles. The next day I was back on my land, thinking about these thimbles and walking along a path I detected many many times. I got an absolute screamer of a signal that jolted me out of my thoughts, I still can't imagine how I missed it previously. Absolutely true, I thought to myself, 'jealous are you, lets see if you can give me something better than those bronze thimbles', and with that, I dug my only complete silver thimble. I couldn't believe my eyes. Then I looked at the inscription that read 'Forget Me Not' and I had to stop and sit down. One of those great coincidences that happens from time to time. Here it is:

View attachment 2174034 View attachment 2174035

Also in the box was this old spoon, just as we found it. Complete and flat, although fire damaged. And look at that rat tail. This has to be one of the oldest spoons I have found. There are no marks that I can see.

View attachment 2173996

Again, in the box (I should really say box area) was this, the only cross we have ever found. It was either fashioned into a hook or was one all along.

View attachment 2174005

This little copper alloy ring was the final item we believe was in the box.

View attachment 2174037

Of the buttons that we have found here, apart from the artillery found yesterday, one stands out:

View attachment 2174008

Note that this naval button does not have the surrounding shield, this makes it pre 1787 in date, I believe this pattern is from the early 1770's and is an officers button. Originally silver, it has blackened and bubbled due to the fire, but the metal is really good. I am really pleased with this one. There was a button maker named W R Smith (1790 - 1832) making US naval buttons in the early 19th century, I am not sure if it is the same maker. If it is and is after 1790 could it be American? I doubt it with the Prince of Wales marking on the reverse. Here is a good reference https://www.angelfire.com/wa/dianaspage/reference/BritishNavy.html

View attachment 2174009 View attachment 2174010

Here is a comparison with a later 1795- 1812 Captain / Commander / Lieutenant button that came from my land:

View attachment 2174040

Here is a nice clog clasp, as well as the adjoining bit folded up. The Prince of Wales motif likely represents the future George IV when he was acting as regent for the ill George III.

View attachment 2174011

These heavy lead pewter tops are likely from a tea service:

View attachment 2174012

Here is a perfume stopper and likely a furniture fitting, although it appears to have been gilt at one point:

View attachment 2174014

And what is this? It is bronze, heavy for its size, and appears unbroken. I am stumped, any ideas?

View attachment 2174015

View attachment 2174016

These bronze rings all came out of one hole. Note the cloth attached to some. What would these be for?

View attachment 2174017

I assume this to be an aglet of some sort:

View attachment 2174020

We have only found one coin to date at this site, and it is an unusual one, a one year only Swedish 1 Kroner from 1719. Very well worn but not really corroded, it was old when lost.

View attachment 2174033

Below is a cartridge from a Snider Enfield. It is a .577 caliber. In 1866 the British started converting their 1853 Lee Enfield's to Sniders. By the 1870's they were being replaced by Martini-Henries. We have found a few of these now which is not really surprising as the Halifax Citadel has the worlds largest collection of these guns. You can go there and fire one.

The musket ball beside it has been chewed by something with very small sharp teeth.

View attachment 2174028

And my favorite from the site is this wonderful alley. It's huge compared to the 50 cent piece and you can still see the cross hatch marking.

View attachment 2174031

View attachment 2174032
Non-detectable, I am really pleased with this.

Good luck everyone, I am keen to see your finds.
Wow. Congrats. I’ll agree with your son, I like the 74 item. I’ll try to look up the navy button and revert back if I’m successful.
 

Wonderful finds, great writeup and photos. I greatly enjoyed it!
I wonder whether the cast brass piece is part of a very old gun lock mechanism. Maybe even a replacement piece for a worn original one. If not, I still think it is part of some mechanism that moves, like a clock.
 

Wonderful finds, great writeup and photos. I greatly enjoyed it!
I wonder whether the cast brass piece is part of a very old gun lock mechanism. Maybe even a replacement piece for a worn original one. If not, I still think it is part of some mechanism that moves, like a clock.
Thanks, that little cast piece is a mystery to me but your thoughts make sense.
 

Great post up of the recoveries and information.
What's written on the rim of the button?
Screenshot_20241015_081307_Chrome.jpg


The pile of ringlets could be a real version of a dividing curtain that was in a doorway.
Later versions were the hollow brass rings dug at later homestead sites.
 

wow lots of good finds in that place My son found a white ball just like the one you have in one of your pics looks like the same size too.what is it and what was it used for????I still have it seams like it was made out of some kind of stone????
I assume it is just a big marble or alley as my 90 year old father calls them. And you are correct, it is very hard, like stone, but I am unsure as to its composition.
 

Great post up of the recoveries and information.
What's written on the rim of the button?
View attachment 2174167

The pile of ringlets could be a real version of a dividing curtain that was in a doorway.
Later versions were the hollow brass rings dug at later homestead sites.
I have been trying to determine what is on the rim for some time. It is difficult. I am thinking either an address or Latin motto. If I can determine this evening I will post.
I agree with you on the rings. I had been thinking curtain or the like, although the rings are small.
 

Great post up of the recoveries and information.
What's written on the rim of the button?
View attachment 2174167

The pile of ringlets could be a real version of a dividing curtain that was in a doorway.
Later versions were the hollow brass rings dug at later homestead sites.
That was my thought too.....curtain rings
 

I have been trying to determine what is on the rim for some time. It is difficult. I am thinking either an address or Latin motto. If I can determine this evening I will post.
I agree with you on the rings. I had been thinking curtain or the like, although the rings are small.
Maybe white chalk might highlight the letters.
Possible paper/pencil rubbing also.
 

Can’t find the button in tice or Albert’s. Backmark is maker from Birmingham England. Backmark fell sometime between 1783 and 1852…..in reality it was likely a tighter range, with only actual date I can find is 1800. I know at both 1783 and in 1852 the company was using different marks.

Ring around back says treble gilt and xxx colour. The use of “u” in color means British. The xxx could be “rich”, “orange”, or something else.

Edit: “standard colour”
 

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Can’t find the button in tice or Albert’s. Backmark is maker from Birmingham England. Backmark fell sometime between 1783 and 1852…..in reality it was likely a tighter range, with only actual date I can find is 1800. I know at both 1783 and in 1852 the company was using different marks.

Ring around back says treble gilt and xxx colour. The use of “u” in color means British. The xxx could be “rich”, “orange”, or something else.
Thank you for your help. Your eyes are better than mine. By 1800 or a bit after merchant marines were using anchor buttons as well, and the naval buttons began adding crowns to distinguish them, so perhaps it is a private issue to a merchant marine.
 

Great bunch of finds. Enjoyed the narrative, also! Congratulations and thanks for posting
 

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