Tough, it is

I suspect IronSpike is correct - some sort of 'winding' key.
I have been trying to pin the name down on Google; angling for an 'occupation' of a WITINGER,
found two or three early families in the States, one ex Germany, possibly 1867 arrival.
If someone here is a paid up member of ancestry.com there is more info there on the New York Passenger Lists 1820-1957.
Also found two other earlier families, including one gent born in ca. 1762, ( presume Germany ? ) Christopher, his wife Anna Marie (nee Haner). The other name that cropped up, was John, the reference to year 1844.
Of course, the piece of treasure

might have originated in Germany.
Mike
Mike the last known person that lived on this site was John Dickinson of chowan co. nc. he died around 1817 in his 30s.they were well to do family.