🥇 BANNER Second Seminole Indian War Finds

[Reed Lukens]

Great finds I loved your story, definitely a banner and then some! Wild Gator meat is still my favorite of every type that I've ever eaten so far. I love the feeling that comes with the flavor when eating a great carnivore like a wild gator even though I've been gator starved this winter in Arizona

 

[Huntster54]

@Col.Dan.
Fantastic finds and commendable work for others.
I know it's an older thread, but I was just curious if the anchor was ID'd in any way. If this was an inland lake, I was wondering what kind of craft that would be.
Thanks and keep up the good work.

 

[ColonelDan]

@Col.Dan.
Fantastic finds and commendable work for others.
I know it's an older thread, but I was just curious if the anchor was ID'd in any way. If this was an inland lake, I was wondering what kind of craft that would be.
Thanks and keep up the good work.

The Second Dragoons used small supply boats to navigate the lakes and rivers that run throughout Florida as shown below. Our research leads us to believe that this anchor was from one of those boats. Most all of our finds came from the vicinity where the anchor was found. We think that the boat sank or over turned spilling its contents on the lake bed. Obviously, we can't confirm this but the circumstantial evidence points in that direction.

 

[sandfisherman]

Also I might add to Col.Dan's reply that the inland like is connected and part or a major inland river system used for 100's of years as the primary way to travel and transport supplies.

 

[ColonelDan]

My hunting buddy, Sandfisherman, aka "Scary Hands" found this button Friday with his CTX 3030 at the Seminole Indian War site we've been working. He was in ankle deep water and the button was approximately 9 inches deep in the lake bed.

 

[ColonelDan]

We've identified Sandfisherman's button!

Gary used his microscope and the President of the local historical society, who sponsors the museum where our finds are displayed, brought his extreme close up lens and between them, we were able to make out the lettering. I was then able to look up buttons made by Armitage and found the exact match as shown below. A great and most rewarding day all around.

The button was made by George Armitage of Philadelphia between 1810 - 1820. Gary, aka "Scary Hands" found a significant 200 year old artifact of that area and era.

A salute to my good friend and hunting buddy.

 

[ColonelDan]

Won't be going to the site anytime soon. We've had a lot of rain, the water level has risen significantly and the lake has been somewhat "angry."

The museum however, has reopened so if you visit Geneva, FL you can see our finds.

Geneva Historical Museum

 

[tomclark]

Lake start with a "T"? !!! lol....

 

[EagleEye1]

Won't be going to the site anytime soon. We've had a lot of rain, the water level has risen significantly and the lake has been somewhat "angry."

The museum however, has reopened so if you visit Geneva, FL you can see our finds.

Geneva Historical Museum

I know the EXACT Fort and area and amazing finds and have seen in the museum! Thank you for preserving this for future generations.

Are anymore volunteers needed on dates you do the hunts? I know this is a non-metal detecting area (per sign at entrance and ground keeper), but it is owned by the Museum society and you all have the permission clearly. FYI, I have as recently as the last month or two noticed individuals detecting there.

I have a few questions on this area and possible 411 and yes, noticed all the wood as well. I figured remains from the Fort somehow, however we all know the Fort was further set back and very interesting on the sunken boat theory as sounds accurate based on what I have seen.

I have been studying history on this and other nearby areas for awhile now. One of my big interests are NON-metal items as well and the Military roads and exactly how they were traveled and locations etc. This Fort per a Military Map of that era appears to have gone NNW, then west and then down over a smaller river towards another Fort. I imagine it follows a modern day road exactly except for a missing link in an unincorporated community....Lot of interesting things about this area.

 

[billb]

ColonelDan I’m so so lucky to be able to stop here and see your amazing work ,,Im Locked in and looking forward to seeing your discoveries in the future

 

[ColonelDan]

ColonelDan I’m so so lucky to be able to stop here and see your amazing work ,,Im Locked in and looking forward to seeing your discoveries in the future

Thank you for those kind words. I'll continue to post our progress. We're currently waiting for the water level to recede so we can access the most productive areas.

 

[ColonelDan]

The little museum in Geneva Florida has resumed normal hours of operation: 2nd and 4th Sundays. All our finds thus far at the Fort Lane site can be seen there. If you’re ever in the area, it’s worth a visit.

Geneva Historical Museum

 

[EagleEye1]

I have been in contact with Colonel Dan, Gary and the Geneva Museum regarding this 2nd Seminole War location. I have a lot of experience in Native American artifacts, but have turned my attention on to one of my favorite "parks" I am used to finding non-metal items. Water levels are low as is often the case here in Florida this time of year and walking areas that are under water most of the year today, I found the following. Bottom of a Wine/whiskey bottle of 1800's era (notice the bubbles in the glass). I have seen the same style(s) on display at Fort King (A MAJOR Fort during I think all 3 Seminole Wars in Ocala, FL area) and pretty certain this was a bottle of the time period of the Fort Occupation (3 Months) during the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842). This find as well as a few bricks that were used at the Fort will be turned in to the Museum here shortly upon confirmation of the bottle.View attachment 1916990View attachment 1916991View attachment 1916992View attachment 1916993View attachment 1916994View attachment 1916995View attachment 1916996View attachment 1916997

 

[ColonelDan]

Update: 11 May 2021

My hunting buddy and I invested a few hours at our Seminole War site today. Since the water level was higher than we would like, we stayed fairly close to the shoreline. Gary, aka Scaryhands, had the find of the day. A pewter trouser button not 10 feet from shore and only a few inches down.

This trouser button was found in the same area as the ring (post #1) and the George Armitage officers cuff button (post #45)

Good job Scaryhands!

 

[dognose]

wow those area some nice finds