Castineman1779
Sr. Member
Thanks so much for your remarks about relics and coins I have found in Castine, Maine from the "Penobscot Expedition. A little known Revolutionary War site I was able to hunt for 14 years up until 2009 and 5 days in May of this year. The next relic that came from the same woods close to Ft George as the 1/5 cut real Gen. McLean ordered to be cut is an American Indian one. This was a dual site and an outwork from the fort that late in the siege the Americans were able to get about 150 feet from the fort and had a small engagement with the Brits. So both American and British relics have been found there.
I and others had hunted this piece of woods that indeed was a relic and coin mine. Many King George coppers, a few cannon balls, grapeshot, mortar fragments and dropped musket balls were found. To include that 1/5 cut real I posted earlier. Even though it was pretty well hunted out I kept being drawn back to listen for those deep targets . One day I found a small piece of brass with a hole in it and like a partial half moon and like all things I find kept in case it could be Ided later. Two weeks later I decide it's time to do some sifting and brought in my hand made sifter. So I am, down about 10 inches and on the side of the hole I feel a metal object and gently pull it out. In my hand is what looks like a half moon piece of brass in terrible condition and then. It took me a few minutes but then I realized it was good piece of a gorget. Gorgets were used by the French, British and American officers and worn around the neck.. This one was plain and of French design and quite large. Remembering the other small piece found 2 weeks earlier at about 5 inches deep when I got home put them together to complete it.
Of interest the Penobscot Indians allied themselves with the Americans and a small group fought side by side with them in this siege. It is my opinion only since the two pieces were found about 12 inches apart and at different depths most likely the Indian was killed in that small skirmish and probably from a musket ball or grapeshot.. However that is just my opinion but from my knowledge of gorgets this one was probably made during the French & Indian war and given as a gift to the I
ndian who wore it.
Here are three pictures of the gorget as it looked when found, lightly cleaned and then fully cleaned. Thanks for reading.
I and others had hunted this piece of woods that indeed was a relic and coin mine. Many King George coppers, a few cannon balls, grapeshot, mortar fragments and dropped musket balls were found. To include that 1/5 cut real I posted earlier. Even though it was pretty well hunted out I kept being drawn back to listen for those deep targets . One day I found a small piece of brass with a hole in it and like a partial half moon and like all things I find kept in case it could be Ided later. Two weeks later I decide it's time to do some sifting and brought in my hand made sifter. So I am, down about 10 inches and on the side of the hole I feel a metal object and gently pull it out. In my hand is what looks like a half moon piece of brass in terrible condition and then. It took me a few minutes but then I realized it was good piece of a gorget. Gorgets were used by the French, British and American officers and worn around the neck.. This one was plain and of French design and quite large. Remembering the other small piece found 2 weeks earlier at about 5 inches deep when I got home put them together to complete it.
Of interest the Penobscot Indians allied themselves with the Americans and a small group fought side by side with them in this siege. It is my opinion only since the two pieces were found about 12 inches apart and at different depths most likely the Indian was killed in that small skirmish and probably from a musket ball or grapeshot.. However that is just my opinion but from my knowledge of gorgets this one was probably made during the French & Indian war and given as a gift to the I
ndian who wore it.Here are three pictures of the gorget as it looked when found, lightly cleaned and then fully cleaned. Thanks for reading.
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