4th Find at 18th century farm, need help IDing. Thanks!

[WHK621]

Found this at an 18Th century Farm dig today and it appears to be some type of door key-way plate of some kind. I was hoping you great folks would help me out with this. Yesterday I posted my first unknown fine on this forum and was amazed how quickly everyone responded to what turned out to be the inside part of a harmonica called the "Draw Reed". In any case, since my digging at this farm is to perserve the history of it when the standing structure is restored, having and accurate description of the artifacts that will be on display will be very important to this project. Thanks in advance for everyone help on this forum. Without a doubt the best group of people I have every run into.

Thanks! --Bill--

 

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[Lafitte]

Looks like a key frame for a small chest to me.

 

[DCMatt]

I think it's too big for a key hole. I'm guessing it's a rope guide or tie-down or something similar...

DCMatt

 

[SamN]

cool find. Anything else found at that site?

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

a guide of some sort, a rod of the same shape as the opening was inserted through it?
or a key hole plate for something BIG, I've seen brass keys that big before, they are short stubby keys, just big!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

jail key?

 

[QUICKSILVER (appletree)]

Possible! Look at the size of this key hole! its from the front door of a church!

 

[WHK621]

Thanks gang, I appreciate you taking a look at this. The person who posted the picture of the large keyhole I think is on to something. There was a chapel built on the east wing of the house sometime around 1780. As history would have it, this was a very special chapel in that the first Bishop of the Methodist faith was ordained in this Chapel, (i.e., Francis Asbury: Founder of American Methodism). The Chapel was build around 1780 and was torn down in the mid 1800s. I fire destroyed about 60% of the house in 1854, but was restored by the original owners grandson. The house was sold in the last 1800s and the land which used to be over 1100 acers, has now been reduced to 4. See picture of house as it stands today.

To answer the other fellows question about finding anything else...Yes, so far several farm tool pieces, old shotgun shell brass casings, part from a old harmonica and a 1.5" square nut that appears to have been part of a horse and carriage setup. Today I found an 1888 Indian Cent. Will be back out on the trail tomorrow.