Some unexpected 1886 church finds

watercolor · Sep 13, 2007

Last Saturday I received permission to MD a church site that dates back to the mid 1840's. The existing church at this site was built in 1886 after the two previous churches that occupied the same footprint were destroyed by fire.

My first 2-hour hunt at this site was rather disappointing. When I started swinging the coil, I had visions of finding Seated dimes and Indian Head pennies (we all dream don't we?) but ended up with only modern clad. . .10 quarters, 8 dimes and 4 Memorials, all found in the last 30-minutes of my hunt.

Today my luck improved when the church care-taker invited me to hunt the parsonage house property near the church where he and his wife are now living. He mentioned this house was at least as old as the church and was also a one-room school house at some point in time.

My only highlight when hunting his front yard was a 1945-D Wheat penny. The back yard was a different story. About 50-feet from the back of the house I started getting strong, mixed signals and not wanting to take any chances, I dug everything. I found trash but, it was old trash about 7" to 9" deep. . . scraps of copper, square nails, mason jar lids, chunks of old brick and coal. As I concentrated in these areas, these are some highlights of what I found. . .

Oil lamp part (?) and "Improved Giant Grip" buckle

1898 National Peace Jubilee - Chicago medal and Comic-Coin #4

"M" High School class of 1917 Watch fob / medallion (?) and Rothmoor Coats

Well, that's it. . .
if anyone has any additional info on the medallions (wife calls it junk) I would love to hear.

Thanks for looking!

mark43 · Sep 13, 2007

i think back then their trash was placed behind the main house. at least thats what i was told when me and my wife got to do a historical dig here where we live......and just like they said, we dug up some pretty cool stuff that dated back to the late 1700's early 1800's. just some info. for you to help in future digs...

gmsparky · Sep 13, 2007

loved the chicago jubilee & 1917 MS medal. very nice!

history hunter · Sep 13, 2007

That belt buckle looks like the sterling (Hickok) buckle I found this year. Very nice finds!! WTG

tymcmurray · Sep 13, 2007

Very nice finds.
Looks like you have got a nice place to hunt.

goldencoin · Sep 13, 2007

Very cool finds! I love the HS medal

HH
-GC

CRUSADER · Sep 13, 2007

Yeap, top of oil lamp.

I love the Chicken coin.

Skinny Puppy · Sep 13, 2007

Way to go Watercolor!

Nice finds. Better ones will come.

watercolor · Sep 13, 2007

mark43 said:
i think back then their trash was placed behind the main house. at least thats what i was told when me and my wife got to do a historical dig here where we live......and just like they said, we dug up some pretty cool stuff that dated back to the late 1700's early 1800's. just some info. for you to help in future digs...

Mark, that does sound encouraging, thanks for the info!

When I was out there yesterday, I was able to cover maybe about 20% of the backyard area where most of these things were found so hopefully, I'll continue finding more old stuff during my next visit(s).

Thanks everyone for your comments!

halfdime · Sep 13, 2007

Those both look like great places to hunt, and they still might be, but if you aren't finding old coins pretty easily it's been searched before.

ivan salis · Sep 13, 2007

seems you got a early zipper pull --the scottie dog -- from the coat --be careful theres a guy somewhere round here that collects / likes zipper pulls ---

Ivan

River Rat · Sep 13, 2007

Super sweet finds, WC! Should be more "treasures" there...keep on diggin.

RR

Colonial KirkPA · Sep 13, 2007

The tags look cool, buddy.

watercolor · Sep 13, 2007

Gibbsium said:
Neat pieces of history Here's a little snippet from the net on the 1898 National Peace Jubilee

FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE WITNESS LAUNCHING OF PEACE JUBILEE
Chicago's Great Event Was Opened in the Midst of a Heavy Drenching Rain. WEATHER DID NOT DAMPEN THE SPIRITS OF THE CROWD The Appearance of President McKinley in the Auditorium the signal for a Great and Prolonged Demonstration. ELOQUENCE OF JUDGE EMORY SPEER, OF GEORGIA, CAUGHT HIS HEARERS Hall Was Packed to Its Utmost and the Addresses by Distinguished Americans Were Applauded to the Echo--President Responds to Calls and Speaks Briefly to the Throng. CHICAGO'S GREAT PEACE JUBILEE

The Atlanta Constitution (1881-2001) - Atlanta, Ga.
Date: Oct 19, 1898

Gibbsium, thanks for that interesting snippet!

ivan salis said:
seems you got a early zipper pull --the scottie dog -- from the coat --be careful theres a guy somewhere round here that collects / likes zipper pulls --- Ivan

Ivan,

Hmmm, I think I'll take that with me to the CTH next month.
We'll bury it and tell him it's out there, 3-inches deep, and somewhere on the back 40

halfdime said:
Those both look like great places to hunt, and they still might be, but if you aren't finding old coins pretty easily it's been searched before.

You're right, it has. When I spoke with the Pastor the other day, he did mention that it had been searched in the past but, how well is a good question.