Mystery British Rev War and Colonial Mix

[Lost Signal]

Went back to the same site where mbcuce and I found the matching 64th Reg. buttons last week. (He posted them already.) Today I found a few interesting things, including part of the smallest folding knife I think I've seen and an oval pewter buckle with tongue still in place.

But, the find that I'm most curious about is the pewter button with a British crown and maybe some kind of animal. I would think that it would be military, but maybe not. I've searched every book and resource I can find, with no luck. I've included multiple views, hoping that someone might be able to figure out the writing.

Thanks for looking.

 

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[The Rebel]

No idea on the button but great finds!

 

[Silvermonkey]

Sorry...I have no idea...Looks quite old, and in the Rev War time period. ... Someone should know.

 

[toasted]

That knife is probably colonial. Found an identical one on an early colonial site

 

[Digger RJ]

Went back to the same site where mbcuce and I found the matching 64th Reg. buttons last week. (He posted them already.) Today I found a few interesting things, including part of the smallest folding knife I think I've seen and an oval pewter buckle with tongue still in place.

But, the find that I'm most curious about is the pewter button with a British crown and maybe some kind of animal. I would think that it would be military, but maybe not. I've searched every book and resource I can find, with no luck. I've included multiple views, hoping that someone might be able to figure out the writing.

Thanks for looking.
View attachment 1995994View attachment 1995995View attachment 1995996

Nice!!!! Congrats!!!! Early Buttons!!!

 

[BennyV]

Looks like neither a fox, otter, or beaver.

 

[CRUSADER]

Crocodile?
So something to do with Jamaica?

 

[CreakyDigger]

Looks like an S and a P above the crown....

 

[CreakyDigger]

Crocodile?
So something to do with Jamaica?

I was wondering the same about the creature.

 

[CreakyDigger]

Here's a different look at it.

 

[CRUSADER]

I was wondering the same about the creature.

99% sure its a Jamaican Button from the late 18th C - to circa 1810. (just needs someone to narrow it to either the Militia or Customs etc...)

 

[Lost Signal]

That knife is probably colonial. Found an identical one on an early colonial site

Thanks, toasted. I agree. It's one of my favorite recent finds.

 

[pepperj]

SPE A? Have been looking but still pulling a nothing for the ID.
Very nice recoveries indeed-hope a knowledgeable member will recognize the buttons.

 

[Lost Signal]

Thanks, Cru! The animal had me stumped. Having lived around alligators, I always picture them dragging their stomachs, but this is how they walk and how they are represented on the Jamaica seal.
I can research a Jamaica connection. The history of this property is pretty well documented.

I was debating whether it might be a livery button, but it seems too early and I wondered if that particular crown could have been used on a livery button.

It wasn't far from British Rev War buttons, we recently dug. I'm going to research in that direction some.

 

[Lost Signal]

SPE A? Have been looking but still pulling a nothing for the ID.
Very nice recoveries indeed-hope a knowledgeable member will recognize the buttons.

Thanks for giving it some fresh eyes. I think SPE for sure.

 

[CRUSADER]

I was debating whether it might be a livery button, but it seems too early and I wondered if that particular crown could have been used on a livery button.

It's NOT a Livery Button but I see why you think that as it has an animal standing on a rope boarder thing. (forget the true name of it but most Livery Buttons have it)
It has a Royal British connection with the Crown, most likely Military but might be other Govt related organisations.

Heraldry of the World (HOTW) - the largest site on heraldry

www.heraldry-wiki.com

 

[Almy]

First time I've seen an alligator on roller skates! Nice recoveries of old pewter buttons and good pictures. It's a very interesting site.

 

[Lost Signal]

I've been all over the place with my research. Trying to determine if any British-Jamaican regiments were in SC during the Rev War and looking for any family connections to Jamaica. Haven't found anything definite on these fronts.
But, based on Cru's assessment, I did find an example of a Jamaican button with a similar arrangement. This is a constabulary button found on kellybadges.co.uk. The site says that it dates from 1902-1952. My button looks to be 18th century, but this one looks like a descendant.

 

[CreakyDigger]

I've been all over the place with my research. Trying to determine if any British-Jamaican regiments were in SC during the Rev War and looking for any family connections to Jamaica. Haven't found anything definite on these fronts.
But, based on Cru's assessment, I did find an example of a Jamaican button with a similar arrangement. This is a constabulary button found on kellybadges.co.uk. The site says that it dates from 1902-1952. My button looks to be 18th century, but this one looks like a descendant.

View attachment 1996260

That's a great start! Yours is definitely cruder and older, but now you're in the ballpark.

 

[mbcuce]

Really cool find. My research shows the Governor of Jamaica sending folks to the Charleston after the siege trying to conscript people into service. That would line up with the 64th regiment being in that same area around that time. Would love to know the whole story.