civil war name plate?

[vancedigger]

I found this brass engraved name plate at a civil war campsite near moorefield wv. Can anyone give me further information or where would be the best place to start researching.
Thanks

 

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[BuckleBoy]

Could we see a close-up of the engraving?

 

[vancedigger]

As far as i can figure the last name is "hockaday"

 

[Breezie]

I'm trying to judge the size by the paper size in the first pic. If it were flat, how many inches long would it be? What is the width?

Since it is only one name on the plate; last name, I'm thinking it could be a name plate for a box (lap desk, stationary, silver flatware, pistol box, etc.) Back during that time, brass plates were used to ID the family belongings. There's also a possibility it could be a dog collar plate.

Neat find, Breezie

 

[vancedigger]

1/2 wide by 3 1/4 long. Thanks!

 

[RELICDUDE07]

William HOCKADAY (s/o sol ... Mr.Hockaday was a farmer and owner of slave property

 

[Breezie]

William HOCKADAY (s/o sol ... Mr.Hockaday was a farmer and owner of slave property

Huh? Was there a post before this one that was deleted? I think I must have missed something? How do you know his first name was William? Are you thinking this is a slave tag? To my knowledge, those tags have only been found in SC. Breezie

 

[RELICDUDE07]

not a tag but part of a shackle showing ownership-to hockaday

 

[Breezie]

not a tag but part of a shackle showing ownership-to hockaday

Oh, I see now. Thanks for the clarification. The size is 3 1/4 inches long, which isn't large enough to fit around an ankle or wrist. Breezie

 

[vancedigger]

After further research i think that i was an i.d tag for some type of box or canvas bag. Thanks for all the help. BREEZIE

 

[RELICDUDE07]

May be it is to small??Just looks to thick to be a tag---and the shape that its bent in.. put it on your wrist & take a pic?lol

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

View attachment 734539 not a tag but part of a shackle showing ownership-to hockaday

It would be best to post the link(s) showing William Hockaday and the slave shackles so we can read them. Is William from West Virginia? Also the part you circled is most likely iron and the name tag is brass.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I would have someone do a search to see how many Hockadays served during the Civil War and fought in your area or if any lived in Moorefield. Its not a common name. Nice find.