1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!

[{Sentinel}]

1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!

This weekend we went back to a place that I had knocked at a couple years ago and got no answer... but this time we did! We had the opportunity to secure exclusive permission to hunt at one of the oldest houses still standing in Virginia. As Jeff stated, this land was a land grant given by the King of England in the 1600s and was owned by Mr. Finn who was the British Tax collector for the crown. As we come to find out, Captain Finn had a hand in kicking off the Revolutionary War in Virginia as it were when he decided to hide the overall Commander of all British forces in Hampton Roads from being attacked by the locals. The British Commander was trying to make it to his frigate in the open channel in a little schooner when the American Colonials besieged him and he was forced to go into hiding at Captain Finn's home which was one of the first official acts of Rebellion in the State of Virginia; this is the home we hunted this weekend!
The owner admittedly said that a couple guys had metal detected it back long ago but that no one had permission to dig there since he's owned it for over 20 years. I never pay this any nevermind as there's always something that's been missed! Also in addition to the great colonial connection, this property was also used as a Confederate and Union Campsite during the Civil War and in fact there's a Confederate Soldier buried in the front near the old cemetery. This man was a Captain in the Virginia Infantry and as you can see in the photos, my chapter of the S.C.V. had bestowed the Southern Cross of Honor to this man's grave site, tantamount to the U.S. Medal of Honor.
The finds were nice, the first day we hunted the Civil War camps in the woods and out in part of the front field and dug several bullets, 2 GS Eagles, 1 Eagle "I" but the definite find of the day that day was the Confederate States' "Brandy Station" Spur that I popped out! I was incredibly happy and surprised when I saw this beauty come up from only about 3" down! (Some of this stuff is sooo shallow...I literally found a 3 Ringer on the surface the same day.)
Today, when we first got there, we focused around the 1720 Finn House and I got a CRUEL signal...it was hitting in the silver range and it sounded like a DEFINITE Two Reale Signal.....My Blood was pumping, I was getting ready for it...dug down about 8"...SAW THE SILVER MILLED EDGE...and then Popped out a 1927 STANDING LIBERTY QUARTER at a 1720 House!! Normally, a Standing Liberty would be a good find, but here at one of the oldest standing houses in America, it was well...not expected. I couldn't believe it and prayed to the metal detecting gods to rectify it before the day ended. Well after while I wandered over to the other side of the field and I got another good silver signal! When I plugged it and saw what it was, I had to rub my eyes because I didn't believe it....it's a find that I've never dug and haven't heard of many being dug: a Solid Silver Button with the Silver mark of "RM" on the back and what looks to be a Script "R" on the front. Even the shank is silver!
Towards the end of the afternoon today and after many hours of digging the last couple days and NO Reales I thought we weren't going to dig any....Seemed like the other guys had harvested them all as all we had was the small quarter piece of a half reale...BUT at around 5PM a glimmer of hope.... got a faint silverish signal (but not strong at all) dug down about 8-9 inches and I saw a little silver disc roll back down into the hole as I scooped the sandy dirt out! FINALLY....popped out a 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale! Thought we were going to be REALE skunked! But not this time

ALL FINDS FOUND ON PRIVATE PROPERTY WITH CONSENT OF THE OWNER


Here's the pics:



Captain Finn's Home Circa 1720
















Cemetery and Graves where Confederate Soldier and others are buried (Dates to the early 1800s):


















Finds:



Confederate States "Brandy Station" Spur (You can also find one in Crouch's Book on pg. 122)

First Day Finds

Yesterdays Finds:



Solid Silver Colonial Button (Backstamped "RM" and crude Script "R" or "B" on front)

1777 Carolus III Half-Reale (Fresh from the Dirt)

1702-1714 Queen Anne Alnage lead Seal MAG REGINA BR FRA ET HIB. Used to show that tax had been paid for cloth

1858 Flying Eagle Cent

1865 Indian Head

Nice Ornate Piece (Cleaned) (Had something Blue inlaid into it that's since fallen out)

"PARIS" Marked Suspender Buckle (Have dug these dated in the 1850s also. In addition, this one is the only one I have ever dug that still has some of the Black finish remaining)

GROUP SHOT (Collection of the best stuff from the weekend)

 

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[Woodland Detectors]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Simply Amazing!
The chemistry you have as a team is rare and hard to come by.
Great pictures , story and finds guys

Mike

 

[jcooking]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Great finds, thanks for sharing. Congrats on an awesome few hunts!

 

[KRAZYHORSES]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

sweet site!!!! site like that i think i be there all winter!! have fun good luck and keep digging scott

 

[umrgolf]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

I have a feeling your silver button is nearly as old as the house.. I'll never forget you showing me that find. Something I'll never ever see again. Congrats pard

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Simply Amazing!
The chemistry you have as a team is rare and hard to come by.
Great pictures , story and finds guys

Mike

Thanks Mike...We work well together. Glad you liked the pics

I have a feeling your silver button is nearly as old as the house.. I'll never forget you showing me that find. Something I'll never ever see again. Congrats pard

Jeff, I HAD to show it to you because I didn't believe what I was seeing Thanks my friend. Here's to many more diggin adventure for us in the future! Who KNOWS whats in store??!

 

[BobinSouthVA]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Great finds and pics.

Kind of sad to see the tombstones in such disarrary.

 

[Bramblefind]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Awesome finds! Amazing! That site is beautiful

Do you think the "Queen Anne Shilling Pressed Lead or Seal" could be something like this?

Description : A complete two-piece lead alnage seal of the early 18th century. The obverse shows the bust of Queen Anne facing left, and has the legend MAG BRI REGINA. The reverse has a double rose with the figure 8 above.
The 'alnage' was a tax levied on cloth, and the purpose of the alnage seal was to provide evidence that the tax had been paid and the cloth was legally saleable. The seals were applied by officials ('alnagers') appointed by the Crown to oversee the process. It is likely that the figure 8 on the reverse of the present seal indicates that the tax in this case was eight pence.
The alnage, which had been levied since medieval times, was finally abolished in 1724. However, although this marked the end of their use for taxation purposes, lead cloth seals continued to be used for quality control purposes until the 19th century. (this information courtesy of Rod Blunt UK Detector Finds Database se) see UKDFD Ref. No. - 2824

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Awesome finds! Amazing! That site is beautiful

Do you think the "Queen Anne Shilling Pressed Lead or Seal" could be something like this?

Description : A complete two-piece lead alnage seal of the early 18th century. The obverse shows the bust of Queen Anne facing left, and has the legend MAG BRI REGINA. The reverse has a double rose with the figure 8 above.
The 'alnage' was a tax levied on cloth, and the purpose of the alnage seal was to provide evidence that the tax had been paid and the cloth was legally saleable. The seals were applied by officials ('alnagers') appointed by the Crown to oversee the process. It is likely that the figure 8 on the reverse of the present seal indicates that the tax in this case was eight pence.
The alnage, which had been levied since medieval times, was finally abolished in 1724. However, although this marked the end of their use for taxation purposes, lead cloth seals continued to be used for quality control purposes until the 19th century. (this information courtesy of Rod Blunt UK Detector Finds Database se) see UKDFD Ref. No. - 2824

Indeed, its VERY similar and believe it to be the same thing. Thanks bud

 

[bookfisher]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Excellent Finds! What a great opportunity it is the hunt a site like that. I think you've got to hunt every inch of that property, including those woods behind the field, and all adjoining property in the area.

 

[Mr Tuff]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

sweet site great finds!!!!!!!!!!!! MR TUFF

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Great finds and pics.

Kind of sad to see the tombstones in such disarrary.

Yeah I know Bob. If you notice in the photo, the descendants of those people still come from across the water and put Flowers on those tombstones. That's why there's those nice new flowers in front of each headstone. Pretty dang honorably if you ask me.

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Excellent Finds! What a great opportunity it is the hunt a site like that. I think you've got to hunt every inch of that property, including those woods behind the field, and all adjoining property in the area.

Yes you're right about that Bookfisher. We've been working diligently at it. I'm comfortable knowing that the owners told me that they would not give permission to anyone else so I know that I at least have some time to really search through the different areas and take my time.

 

[ModernMiner]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Holy smokes Josh for a place that has been hunted you two did FANTASTIC. Those are some spectacular finds! Nice variety too. I would of never guesses that house to be that old by looking at it.
Most excellent hunt guys!
-Doug-

 

[MonkeyBoy]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Nice spur!!! Gotta love those!! Digging that tax seal and silver button too...

HH

MB

 

[Colonial Copper Zeus]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Thanks for sharing the detailed and amazing history from this site. I could just picture the angry colonists looking for the Brit. Very long history of this site considering the 150 or so years worth of finds. Usually our sites were about 20 or 30 years of dropped targets before the log structure was either burned down or abandoned.
Chris

 

[teleman 2525]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

excellent finds from a very cool site

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Exciting hunt and great finds! HH, Mike

 

[jamesbibb]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Wow guys WYG on all your finds and a fantastic looking site WTG
HH
James

 

[{Sentinel}]

Re: 1720 Finn House: C.S. Spur, SOLID SILVER Button & 1777 Carolus III Half-Reale!!

Holy smokes Josh for a place that has been hunted you two did FANTASTIC. Those are some spectacular finds! Nice variety too. I would of never guesses that house to be that old by looking at it.
Most excellent hunt guys!
-Doug-

That NEVER means much to me when I here that someone has "hunted" a site. From what I understand, all they did was Easter Egg hunt for a day or two and then weren't allowed to return...and that was back in the late 60s, early 70s (with inferior machines). The owner then wasn't too fond of people and liked his privacy so only let them stay for a short time from what the present owner says. He knew the previous owner quite well and in the near 30 years he has owned it, no one has detected it.
Thanks Man , yes its a nice variety, almost EVERY single site here in this part of Virginia you can GUARANTEE that if it was a colonial site, it will also be a Civil War site. That's just how it goes here and that's why we nearly always have the two intermingled in our posts.

Hey Doug, in the pic above, the original house is only that part on the left with the darker bricks. Also, I need to post some close-ups of the bricks, they are eroding away from age if you see them close up. Take a look at this pic you might be able to see: