Colonial creekfront site revisited

Bill D. (VA) · Nov 17, 2011

This is one of my all-time favorite sites, and I've been going back periodically looking for colonial and indian pottery as well as metallic relics dating from the 1600s to the 1800s. This was the site of a colonial tavern (based on my finds), and eventually was a late colonial thru CW era homesite. My main mission on this latest visit was to rake in the low tide muck in search of the elusive whole black glass bottle. Over the years I've found well over 100 spouts and bases to colonial onion and mallet bottles here, and I know there has to be a nice complete specimen hiding there somewhere. I even purchased a special rake to make it easier to get through the muck, but my results were unsuccessful on this attempt. While the tide was low I went ahead and scanned the beach with the detector and my eyeballs. As usual, I found quite a few pieces of shell-impregnated native american pottery from the Woodland period and now have over 1000 pieces from this very short stretch of beach. A number of colonial pottery and glass shards were found as well. I have many boxes of this stuff, and have been successful at some partial reconstructions especially with several circa 1740 chamberpots. I've also recovered many buttons and coins from early colonial thru the CW from the beach, especially after a storm has eroded the creek bank. The first pic below shows what this beach looks like at low tide. Its filled with loads of oyster shells, brick, iron and all types of pottery. The next 2 pics are of the finds from my last visit, and the remainder of the pics show a few examples of some of my other finds from this site from over the years. I may do a lengthy post at some later date, or maybe even a magazine article, describing my adventures at this spot over the last 15 years. Enjoy, and HH to all ..... Bill

CMDiamonddawg · Nov 17, 2011

check it out ! is that A cannon ball !

you guy's diggin' these mud banks are slaying the relics . Rum bottles = early watering hole or Inn . Spoons and chamber pots are wonderful relics . Many nice finds esp. that big old spoons . :laughing7:

Well Done ! 8) dawg

steelheadwill · Nov 17, 2011

Awesome site and finds!
Fancy buckle and raised center button are great

Anyone have info on this style button? date etc.. :help:

(I have one too..)
The intact pewter spoons are a prize, look closely on that dognose for a William III
Bust, these were popular around 1700.
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php?topic=396039.0
Cannonball! :hello2:

Best wishes for more from that site ! :thumbsup:

metalev4 · Nov 17, 2011

Good post Bill. I dont remember you telling me about that Cannon ball! Hopefully a complete bottle will surface one day.
-Evan

Burdie · Nov 17, 2011

Good luck on finding that elusive bottle. Looks to be a great site.

Burdie

allen · Nov 17, 2011

looks like you have a great spot to detect there for a long while !!

Steve in PA · Nov 17, 2011

You have gotten some great shards there Bill and made some nice reconstructions. Time for an intact bottle, but it's probably deep in the muck. I like the nipple button and the buckle from this latest trip. The nipple button is in great shape.

dwayne sueno · Nov 17, 2011

i could spend all day at a place like that.
great post- hope that bottle happens for you soon. :thumbsup:

Valley Ranger · Nov 17, 2011

Very nice Bill. After you dig as many finds as you can, I believe I'd go back with a shovel and a sifter and see what else might be there. Looks like it has fantastic potential!

Desertvet · Nov 17, 2011

Insane finds! Nice job! That cannonball is a trip!!! :hello2:

Woodland Detectors · Nov 17, 2011

Wow, true Colonial Bill. :hello2:

very nice, and I'm sure that complete bottle is there too. I can't wait to see it when you dig one

joeyfresh · Nov 17, 2011

That's a wonderful spot you have there Bill and I would really enjoy reading a detailed write up it. I love just being on the banks of these old water ways in Virginia especially off of the James and York Rivers. There is no place like it if you love really old settlements that span hundreds to thousands of years.

HISPAN · Nov 17, 2011

Very nice American Mudlark hunt !!!! :hello2:

H

gravediggermax-vabeachva · Nov 18, 2011

the lear is coming

hot goose

Bill D. (VA) · Nov 18, 2011

joeyfresh said:
That's a wonderful spot you have there Bill and I would really enjoy reading a detailed write up it. I love just being on the banks of these old water ways in Virginia especially off of the James and York Rivers. There is no place like it if you love really old settlements that span hundreds to thousands of years.

Thanks Joey. I know what you mean - it doesn't get any better than living (and hunting) in the oldest and most historic part of the country. I love staying close to the major waterways as well as nearly all the early sites were located on or near them. Sounds like you're also in SE Virginia. Like to see some of the early artifacts you've managed to recover. Good luck this season ..... Bill