Engraved Name Plate at 1826 House, Need Help

[grasshopper]

I found this today at a house built into the 1820s. It was in the small village adjacent to my town that has a row of 5 mansions built by the wealthiest townspeople in the late 1700s/early 1800s. At one of those houses I have been to about 5 times before i came across this artifact. It's about 3 inches long and reads "Wm D Ross", and underneath, Essex (name of the village). William D Ross is the name of the man who built the house and lived there until he died in the 1840s.

I was extremely excited to find this, as it is something that can be directly related to our local history. I only have one question....what the heck is it? First thought is buckle, but why would someone wear a buckle that bears his name and town of residence? Second thought, an identifying plate from a trunk. This man was a merchant and it seems likely to me that this was from a piece of his cargo that could be traced back to him should he lose it.

Looking for your opinions on what this might be. The current homeowner is very interested, as am I.

Thanks!

Also found am 1820 large cent (which needs a cleaning when I get home and have the proper tools, along with an 1924 Merc, and 5 wheaties.

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[Calabash Digger]

dont know but its a cool find!

 

[Mr. Digger]

I gonna guess bridal rosette. I've never seen one posted that was personalized like that you never know. Great find!

 

[Gridwalker306]

Personalized finds are the best, just adds so much interest. Congrats on your finds

 

[vpnavy]

..: Moved from Today's Finds! over to Our Discoveries > What Is It? for more exposure :..​

 

[DCMatt]

If he was a man of means it may be from his wallet or pocket book. Sometimes called a purse back then. I'm looking for a pic of a personalized one. No luck, yet...

 

[grasshopper]

If he was a man of means it may be from his wallet or pocket book. Sometimes called a purse back then. I'm looking for a pic of a personalized one. No luck, yet...

That makes sense. He was a merchant and supposedly very wealthy. Thanks for the suggestion

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[DCMatt]

I found a few embossed or personalized wallets from the late 18th C. None had an engraved brass medallion but having them personalized must have been fairly common.

 

[DCMatt]

Another:

 

[Mackaydon]

Personalized paper weight?
Don....

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Is it lead filled or are those solder spots on the back? From the pic it looks lead filled with some possible rust spots from iron mounts on it, similar to a CW era cartridge box plate in construction.

With him being a man of means I would imagine that he traveled and I would wonder if it's not from a leather travel bag

 

[grasshopper]

It's not lead filled, but it looks like it used to be....

Is it lead filled or are those solder spots on the back? From the pic it looks lead filled with some possible rust spots from iron mounts on it, similar to a CW era cartridge box plate in construction.

With him being a man of means I would imagine that he traveled and I would wonder if it's not from a leather travel bag