🥇 BANNER 1837 SLAVE TAG & Rev War PEWTER!

Patriot Relics

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Location
Lowcountry, South Carolina / Richmond, Virginia
🥇 Banner finds
5
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CTX-3030, Deus XP II
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Relic Hunting
Hey guys,

Been overseas for 2 weeks and have been itching to get back to the lowcountry and knock the dust of the CTX. While I would have been perfectly happy to walk away with a flat button, I could never have predicted a night like this. This particular site has proven to be a great spot to meet other diggers on TNet. Over the course of the last month, we have had multiple group hunts with amazing success. Affectionately known as the watermelon patch, the dirt is packed with 300 years of history and continues to produce. The evening started out as most do, surface pottery, glass, and brick shards- the normal indicators for a killer site. Given the volume of targets and age of the site, everything dug ends up in my pouch for later identification. After arriving home I had no idea what I had dug. As I was working through my round stuff pocket, I noticed the familiar look of pewter. While only a partial, I carefully tooth picked away the corrosion hoping for a design of some sort...6...7!

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First Revolutionary War button of 2016, and finally an end to a 1 year regimental drought. Curiously, the 67th Regiment of Foot did not serve in North America during the war although 1 other example is noted in Troiani's book as being recovered in SC. Perhaps the soldier was attached to another unit during the occupation.

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At this point I am already running around the kitchen, until I notice a familiar shape in the misc pocket-rectangular and made of brass. May have dug my first plate? After a bit of careful cleaning, my heart started pounding. Could this actually be what I think it is...holy **** its a Charleston Slave TAG! 1837 Servant #573. For me there are no words to express how it feels holding such a piece of history. The stories this discarded object could tell- stories which would have been lost after the site is covered in concrete.

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Among the other digs was a curious pewter spoon with an unknown benchmark, flat buttons, round balls, and a tiny pewter heart. Any ID help with the spoon is great appreciated.

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Certainly a night I will never forget- Rev War Regimental and a Charleston Slave tag at one site. This is why we spend the hours we do digging and swinging. As always, thanks for looking and get out there and save the next piece of history.

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Update- After 48 hours in oil and a light brushing I am happy with the balance of patina and corrosion...after all its been in the ground for 179 years :laughing7:. Thanks to everyone for the kind words and for giving this history the attention it deserves.

After a bit of research I have been able to confirm the tag was manufactured by Charleston silversmith William M. Rouse. He apprenticed until 1834 as a silversmith under John Ewan and subsequently went into business for himself. In 1836 he was awarded the city contract for manufacturing tags. Rouse's tags are unique in that he used a series of small dots around the stamped occupations on his badges from the 1830s. He continued making badges until 1840, size though growing increasingly smaller due to the increased cost of materials or diminishing profit margins. In 1837 he manufactured 3722 tags for a total contract of $8,141. Unfortunately the trail goes cold regarding the poor soul who wore the tag. All records were lost after the Civil War-

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Upvote 112
Not letting this one go past first page :protest:
 

Even though it should be there........IT AIN'T MAKIN' IT! "The powers that be"....for whatever reason, have passed this one by. Maybe they'll give some sort of explanation.....then again.....maybe not. With 3 newer postings making the banner, and this one still in limbo.......it's over I would say. It's had more than enough banner votes by the masses.:protest:
 

Is this find in question somehow?

Why has this find not hit the Banner yet?

:dontknow:
 

I can't figure it out either unless it has some negative connotation associated with what it was used for?
 

Is this find in question somehow?

Why has this find not hit the Banner yet?

:dontknow:

Hey Terry,

I spoke with the Mods and no the find is not being questioned, nor the support being ignored. Jeff is holding the tag off the banner until the other tag drops off.

Cheers,

Jon
 

Such a great find! I would MUCH rather find that tag than a common gold coin, or even, dare I say, a common (relatively) Tree Coin. I already voted Banner, but if I could, I would commit Tnet voter fraud and vote again (hypothetically speaking, of course :laughing7:).
 

What amazing pieces of history you found . Congratulations
 

Hey Terry,

I spoke with the Mods and no the find is not being questioned, nor the support being ignored. Jeff is holding the tag off the banner until the other tag drops off.

Cheers,

Jon

Timing is everything! I didn't suspect that the Mods thought it wasn't Banner worthy, and it clearly received a lot of votes (at least according to the comments). All in due time :thumbsup:
 

Timing is everything! I didn't suspect that the Mods thought it wasn't Banner worthy, and it clearly received a lot of votes (at least according to the comments). All in due time :thumbsup:

Yes indeed, thanks to everyone for the support!
 

Timing is everything! I didn't suspect that the Mods thought it wasn't Banner worthy, and it clearly received a lot of votes (at least according to the comments). All in due time :thumbsup:


I have a Rule I won't compromise on.
no two of the same thing on my banner at the same time .
I wanna see 9 different Items up there .
it actually Earned banner within 24 Hours, but he found it at the Wrong time :dontknow:

anyway Congrats vm_ :thumbsup:
 

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I somehow missed this, congratulations on a find of a lifetime (actually 2 finds of a lifetime IMHO), I see the slave tag is now up on the Banner as well, so it's belated for sure but I don't think I would have seen your post if not for it being put up in the Banner and would have miss seeing and reading about these great relics being rescued!!!
 

I somehow missed this, congratulations on a find of a lifetime (actually 2 finds of a lifetime IMHO), I see the slave tag is now up on the Banner as well, so it's belated for sure but I don't think I would have seen your post if not for it being put up in the Banner and would have miss seeing and reading about these great relics being rescued!!!

Thanks AU, humbled to have dug the tag and glad to get to share it in here:laughing7:
 

Congrats Jon it sure took long enough! Should of been up there the first day.
 

I CANT STOP BAWLING MAN WHAT A HECK OF A BUNCH OF FINE FINE RELICS. POTTERY SHERDS AND TAG , UNREAL .....
 

Congratulations and a well deserved spot for appreciation.
 

Glad to see your tag rewarded with a spot up top....Congrats!!!
 

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