Did a Sawpit start the Legend?

[Armchair detective]

The first obvious question is "Where did the lumber go?"

The poll tax records are about ownership of property, not residency. If memory serves there was a census 1797? listing one cabbage farmer for all oak island.

Miscellaneous factoid: the names you mentioned don't appear to have any connection to ownership of any plots on OI.

Do you suppose the sawpit output was destined for the Lunenburg shipyard?
Was it in operation at the time?

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[Crow]

The first obvious question is "Where did the lumber go?"

The poll tax records are about ownership of property, not residency. If memory serves there was a census 1797? listing one cabbage farmer for all oak island.

Miscellaneous factoid: the names you mentioned don't appear to have any connection to ownership of any plots on OI.

Do you suppose the sawpit output was destined for the Lunenburg shipyard?
Was it in operation at the time?

if I was to guess that some timber at least was sold as income returns as farmers back then was not great.

Thus by August 1787 it was no surprise when the Halifax newspaper noted the arrival in port of "a handsome brig built in Lunenburg." ( one might ask did some if the timber come from oak island?) By the 1830s, Lunenburgers owned one ship, six brigs and 68 schooners — the lure of the Banks fishery, with its need for smaller, faster and more agile vessels, had begun. In 1861, during the Golden Age of Sail, there were eighteen vessels on the building stocks in Lunenburg at one time.

Noted pioneer shipbuilder David Smith built his first vessel there in 1862 and continued until 1898. After Smith died in mid-January 1899, The Halifax Herald reported that "he had launched from his yard 104 vessels; and re-built 13. His yearly expenditure was from $15,000 to $20,000. At times there were from 30 to 40 teams a day unloading timber, and he had paid out $1,000 a day for stock."

A few days later, The Halifax Herald again commented on shipbuilding in Lunenburg, under the banner headline 'Boom is on in Lunenburg Shipbuilding', announcing that fifteen vessels were then on the stocks in Lunenburg County — ten on the LaHave River, four in Lunenburg and one in Mahone Bay.

On a side thing Here is the 1793 poll tax census.

They were all dirt poor. You can see how much cattle and sheep. most of their income was subsistence farming at best. Ball struck it big in 1797 being paid 100 pounds. The others did no fare so lucky.

Your question: Miscellaneous factoid: the names you mentioned don't appear to have any connection to ownership of any plots on OI.

I do not understand your reasoning there? are you saying the 1791, 1793, 1995 poll tax records are wrong? below shows where they living. if they was living anywhere else they would not have been noted as oak island.

Did you ever read the names? good grief!
Samuel ball, Donald McINNES. Anthony Vaghan , all had properties at one time on Oak island. John Smith was owner of site where the money pit was was lots 18 or 19. by 1818. One thing you must realize these blocks of land was changing hands over time. 1818 below

Here is Donald Daniel McINNES on land grant he had born 1758 died 1827. Here is part of his land grant.

Donald's middle name was Daniel. that why there was confusion. in 1810 he still had ownership. but by 1818 it appears he was done with Oak Island. He died in Mahone bay Luneburg in 1827 aged 68-69. SUPPOSEDLY buried in western shore cemetery.

Here is his returns for 1827 the last year of his life. Sorry just showing part of document as it fire burnt. he at the time had a farm near Chester. By the time of his death we just an average farmer not not rich not totally poor either.

The story of Oak island was first told to the Liverpool transcripts first written from alleged accounts by john Smith. owner of the land the money pit was on. And Vaughn jr that twisted the story.

The story of finding the site was totally make believe. But hey why let truth get in way of good story? With attention seeker every self styled promoters adding to the BS. Till we get what we got today the same crap being regurgitated being regurgitated over and over. And ever since then every want to be treasure seeker blindly followed each other deceiving each other as means to an end. Blowing shit loads of money.

The oak island treasure saga is interesting amigo. Not because there was any real treasure ever been there? But of the foolishness of treasure hunting with blind faith, blinded by greed of supposed dollars and not reality.

Oak island I love all treasure yarns amigo. but realty is Oak island has become a faith based cult with the blind following blind. Even with The curse of Oak island I was prepared to give them some benefit of the doubt. But in fact they have fully discredited the the credulity of the story MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. but now they just milk it for ratings looking for any angle to flog a dead house.

The horse is not ONLY just dead but a decomposed ONE amigo. I do not know how they keep a straight face on that show.

Ask yourself this if there was slightest hint of treasure actually being there? The government and archeologists would be all over it like maggots on a dead horse.

That said I will comment no more on this topic. Except one more thing in regards to Samuel ball. Your time is your own as with everyone else. For me there is much more productive real treasures our there to find amigo.




Crow

 

[Crow]

Apparently Samuel Ball made a living on the island growing cabbage mainly. Bought Hook Island from Anthony Vaughan, who later would be SB's Executive over his estate. The question is did he make a good living off the cabbage or did he maybe find something of value!! Not sure how well off he was but good enough to have had a butler.. Also supposedly owned hundreds of acres of land in the area and 36 on OI alone.. That's a lot of "cabbage"

Samuel Ball it appears got paid 100 pounds in 1797. By the government by the comander in cheif in Novia Scotia.

The average wage in England in 1790 was 13.8 shillings Wages remained relatively constant throughout the 18th century. For example, building laborers in Oxford earned an average of 2s per day from 1700 to 1770. 20 shilling to a pound. so that would be in effect roughly 142 weeks pay

So some one reviving a god awful amount of 100 pounds paid to him 1797?

That was source of his wealth not buried treasure on oak island. Except perhaps selling cabbages to the various syndicates searching for treasure?

Crow

 

[Armchair detective]

if I was to guess that some timber at least was sold as income returns as farmers back then was not great.

Thus by August 1787 it was no surprise when the Halifax newspaper noted the arrival in port of "a handsome brig built in Lunenburg." ( one might ask did some if the timber come from oak island?) By the 1830s, Lunenburgers owned one ship, six brigs and 68 schooners — the lure of the Banks fishery, with its need for smaller, faster and more agile vessels, had begun. In 1861, during the Golden Age of Sail, there were eighteen vessels on the building stocks in Lunenburg at one time.

Noted pioneer shipbuilder David Smith built his first vessel there in 1862 and continued until 1898. After Smith died in mid-January 1899, The Halifax Herald reported that "he had launched from his yard 104 vessels; and re-built 13. His yearly expenditure was from $15,000 to $20,000. At times there were from 30 to 40 teams a day unloading timber, and he had paid out $1,000 a day for stock."

A few days later, The Halifax Herald again commented on shipbuilding in Lunenburg, under the banner headline 'Boom is on in Lunenburg Shipbuilding', announcing that fifteen vessels were then on the stocks in Lunenburg County — ten on the LaHave River, four in Lunenburg and one in Mahone Bay.

On a side thing Here is the 1793 poll tax census.

View attachment 2177014

They were all dirt poor. You can see how much cattle and sheep. most of their income was subsistence farming at best. Ball struck it big in 1797 being paid 100 pounds. The others did no fare so lucky.

Your question: Miscellaneous factoid: the names you mentioned don't appear to have any connection to ownership of any plots on OI.

I do not understand your reasoning there? are you saying the 1791, 1793, 1995 poll tax records are wrong? below shows where they living. if they was living anywhere else they would not have been noted as oak island.

View attachment 2177031

Did you ever read the names? good grief!
Samuel ball, Donald McINNES. Anthony Vaghan , all had properties at one time on Oak island. John Smith was owner of site where the money pit was was lots 18 or 19. by 1818. One thing you must realize these blocks of land was changing hands over time. 1818 below

View attachment 2177026

Here is Donald Daniel McINNES on land grant he had born 1758 died 1827. Here is part of his land grant.

View attachment 2177025

Donald's middle name was Daniel. that why there was confusion. in 1810 he still had ownership. but by 1818 it appears he was done with Oak Island. He died in Mahone bay Luneburg in 1827 aged 68-69. SUPPOSEDLY buried in western shore cemetery.

Here is his returns for 1827 the last year of his life. Sorry just showing part of document as it fire burnt. he at the time had a farm near Chester. By the time of his death we just an average farmer not not rich not totally poor either.

View attachment 2177074

The story of Oak island was first told to the Liverpool transcripts first written from alleged accounts by john Smith. owner of the land the money pit was on. And Vaughn jr that twisted the story.

The story of finding the site was totally make believe. But hey why let truth get in way of good story? With attention seeker every self styled promoters adding to the BS. Till we get what we got today the same crap being regurgitated being regurgitated over and over. And ever since then every want to be treasure seeker blindly followed each other deceiving each other as means to an end. Blowing shit loads of money.

The oak island treasure saga is interesting amigo. Not because there was any real treasure ever been there? But of the foolishness of treasure hunting with blind faith, blinded by greed of supposed dollars and not reality.

Oak island I love all treasure yarns amigo. but realty is Oak island has become a faith based cult with the blind following blind. Even with The curse of Oak island I was prepared to give them some benefit of the doubt. But in fact they have fully discredited the the credulity of the story MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. but now they just milk it for ratings looking for any angle to flog a dead house.

The horse is not ONLY just dead but a decomposed ONE amigo. I do not know how they keep a straight face on that show.

Ask yourself this if there was slightest hint of treasure actually being there? The government and archeologists would be all over it like maggots on a dead horse.

That said I will comment no more on this topic. Except one more thing in regards to Samuel ball. Your time is your own as with everyone else. For me there is much more productive real treasures our there to find amigo.




Crow

Don't think you should let up on the trail yet.

My point about ownership of property is you don't show up and start chopping, sawing, selling wood ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY unless instead you:
1) own the property,
2) have permission, or
3) are on "wild" not owned yet property.

Lot 18 "the pit" was bought by John Smith in 1795 from Casper Wollenhaupt. The prior history of the property's ownership is the next thing to establish to try to determine WHO sawed and sold the wood.

It would be ironic if McGinnis was in the pit, came back later after it partially refilled itself, said to his buddies "let's play a prank".

Oh and thanks for sharing your research.
Poll tax is not property tax as I was thinking.

 

[Crow]

Don't think you should let up on the trail yet.

My point about ownership of property is you don't show up and start chopping, sawing, selling wood ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY unless instead you:
1) own the property,
2) have permission, or
3) are on "wild" not owned yet property.

Lot 18 "the pit" was bought by John Smith in 1795 from Casper Wollenhaupt. The prior history of the property's ownership is the next thing to establish to try to determine WHO sawed and sold the wood.

It would be ironic if McGinnis was in the pit, came back later after it partially refilled itself, said to his buddies "let's play a prank".

Oh and thanks for sharing your research.
Poll tax is not property tax as I was thinking.

Poll tax in not property tax it is per person. however the poll tax in 1791 clearly states to where they was believed living. Some was in Chester four or five marked out on the poll as 'Oak island.' Indicating where they was living.

In regards to Casper Wollenhaupt's owner of lot 18 the alleged site of the money pit. If we dig a little deeper in Casper Wollenhaupt's family you will find in the Passenger Lists for Ships Carrying the
"Foreign Protestants" to Nova Scotia states the following 123 Families 12 Jun 1751 on the ship "GALE"
Thomas Casson, Master to Nova Scotia. Wollenhaupt, Conrad 26 Hesse Weaver was one of passengers. He was Casper Wollenhaupt's father.

Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt (1733–1769) died
Feb 1769 • Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
His wife Gertrude Wolfe (1735–1778) died 8 AUG 1778 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' Birth was in 1755 n Chester, Lunenberg county Nova Scotia, Canada. ( note this may imply the his parents for a time lived in Chester?)

* NOTE I can not confirm the identity of Casper Wollenhaupt's wife. But he did marry and had children.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had a son Peter Paulas Wollenhaupt (1778–) 1778 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Jasper Wollenhaupt (1782–1805) 5 Jun 1782

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Henry Caspar Wollenhaupt (1788–1822) 6 Sep 1788 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. So we cam confirm he was living in Chester at those dates.

However Casper Wollenhaupt' Residence in 1792 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

this can be confirmed in ova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838

Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1793 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1794 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
in 1794 Casper Wollenhaupt petiion to
Trustees For A Lunenburg Common. Granted 3160 Acres in the Township of Lunenburg For A Public Common.
Mention of Caspar Wollenhaupt was involved petition is in the Nova Scotia, Canada, Land Petitions, 1765-1800
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1795 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed in Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1800 was Living
Lunenburg County: Lunenburg: Nova Scotia.

Source Terrence M. Punch, Nova Scotia Vital Statistics from Newspapers, 1769-1812, Genealogical Committee of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, Halifax.

It should be noted Lunenburg is a port town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded in 1753, the town was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia.

Historically, Lunenburg's economy relied on the offshore fishery, and today it hosts Canada's largest secondary fish-processing plant. The town experienced prosperity in the late 1800s, small shipbuilding as fishing smacks and schooners and many of its architectural gems date back to that era.

It interesting to note Chester was officially founded in 1759 during the French and Indian War by Timothy Houghton. It was the Shoreham grant, although French fishermen had already built a few houses on the site. The first permanent European-descended settlers was a group of New England Planters from Massachusetts who came to the area in 1761.

During the American Revolution, led by militia captain Jonathan Prescott (1725-1807), the village avoided a raid by American Privateers wherein the townswomen, young and old, garbed in cloaks with their red lining worn outwards (to resemble the uniforms of the British soldiers) marched around the blockhouse (now the Wisteria Cottage House) in the early morning of 30 June 1782 to successfully convince American Privateers lying offshore to find another place to pillage. The following day the privateers successfully executed the Raid on Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (1782).

Seccombe’s diary proves that the ship sailed in July, 1761, after the above deals were completed. On 24 August a town meeting was held in Chester, and Capt. Timothy Houghton elected moderator. They drew lots for land. Clearing of land and construction of homes began[.

Among the Crown grants registered in the Adjutant General’s office in Halifax, NS, is one dated October 31, 1765, in which is given to Rev. John Seccombe, Jonathan Prescott, Timothy Houghton, Simon Floyd, James Webber, Abraham Bradshaw, George Collicutt, Robert Melville, and many others under the seal of Governor Wilmot, a tract of twenty-nine thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Chester Twp., Shoreham grant.

NS, each share to consist of five hundred acres, on condition of paying a free yearly quitrent of one shilling sterling every Michelmas day, for every expiration of ten years, beginning with the date of the grant, for every fifty acres so granted, and so on, in proportions of fifty acres, forever. The grantees promise to plant two acres with hemp [for the making of Naval rope] and a like quantity to be “improved.” One family, at least, with proper stock and material for said improvement, to be settled on every five hundred acres on or before the last day of November, 1767.
It was from one of 65 guarantees land was acquired over time by the Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt and later his son Casper Wollenhaupt. Oak island plot was just one of them.
Now armchair think about this. If there was stories circulating about buried treasure on lot 18 on oak island owned by Casper Wollenhaupt. Why did the son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt. sell the land to John Smith in 1809?
That was 14 years of rumors of treasure being buried there? And The alleged Onslow Company operated on Oak Island in the early 1800s, from 1804 to 1805
(No original documents relating to the Onslow Company have been found to date, but the following accounts were told by John Smith and Anthony Vaughn Jr. in 1848 to Robert Creelman of the Truro Company.)

Smith claims who bought the property in 1809 and claimed in 1804 The Money Pit was dug by workers past the 30-foot level where there were regularly spaced oak log platforms approximately every 10 feet, along with coconut fiber, two layers of a putty-like substance, layers of small stones and charcoal.

At 90-feet, a flat stone with an unusual inscription was found face down. At the end of each day, the workers used a metal rod to test if there was another wooden platform 10 feet below. Late on a Saturday, the testing suggested a platform at 98 feet. Work ended for the week, and when they resumed on Monday the shaft had filled with 60 feet of water. A steam powered pump was brought in but could not handle the volume of water and burst.

In 1805 Shaft 2 was dug 14 feet east of the Money Pit to a depth of 110 feet. Their plan was to tunnel between Shaft 2 and the Money Pit and remove the treasure from below the 90-foot level. They managed to get within a few feet of their objective before the tunnel began to flood, barely allowing the men to escape with their lives and leaving the Onslow Company with two shafts full of water and no treasure.

So Armchair if this was all going on ? Was it with land owners permission or done in secret? There is no evidence he the then owner lot 18 Casper Wollenhaupt or his son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt was part of this treasure hunt or had any agreement. Which seem mighty strange having people digging the crap out of your land?

Some claim John Smith made money? But it was perhaps having control; of land he just kept getting wide eyed hopeful investors and kept making money. As fame grew more money poured in. Better to be selling dreams of riches rather than being a snake oil salesman?

That is why today because of oak island we have Definition of 'Money Pit" meaning a major drain on one's financial resources.

Crow

 

[TruthbeTold]

Poll tax in not property tax it is per person. however the poll tax in 1791 clearly states to where they was believed living. Some was in Chester four or five marked out on the poll as 'Oak island.' Indicating where they was living.

In regards to Casper Wollenhaupt's owner of lot 18 the alleged site of the money pit. If we dig a little deeper in Casper Wollenhaupt's family you will find in the Passenger Lists for Ships Carrying the
"Foreign Protestants" to Nova Scotia states the following 123 Families 12 Jun 1751 on the ship "GALE"
Thomas Casson, Master to Nova Scotia. Wollenhaupt, Conrad 26 Hesse Weaver was one of passengers. He was Casper Wollenhaupt's father.

Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt (1733–1769) died
Feb 1769 • Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
His wife Gertrude Wolfe (1735–1778) died 8 AUG 1778 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' Birth was in 1755 n Chester, Lunenberg county Nova Scotia, Canada. ( note this may imply the his parents for a time lived in Chester?)

* NOTE I can not confirm the identity of Casper Wollenhaupt's wife. But he did marry and had children.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had a son Peter Paulas Wollenhaupt (1778–) 1778 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Jasper Wollenhaupt (1782–1805) 5 Jun 1782

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Henry Caspar Wollenhaupt (1788–1822) 6 Sep 1788 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. So we cam confirm he was living in Chester at those dates.

However Casper Wollenhaupt' Residence in 1792 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

this can be confirmed in ova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838

Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1793 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1794 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
in 1794 Casper Wollenhaupt petiion to
Trustees For A Lunenburg Common. Granted 3160 Acres in the Township of Lunenburg For A Public Common.
Mention of Caspar Wollenhaupt was involved petition is in the Nova Scotia, Canada, Land Petitions, 1765-1800
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1795 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed in Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1800 was Living
Lunenburg County: Lunenburg: Nova Scotia.

Source Terrence M. Punch, Nova Scotia Vital Statistics from Newspapers, 1769-1812, Genealogical Committee of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, Halifax.

It should be noted Lunenburg is a port town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded in 1753, the town was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia.

Historically, Lunenburg's economy relied on the offshore fishery, and today it hosts Canada's largest secondary fish-processing plant. The town experienced prosperity in the late 1800s, small shipbuilding as fishing smacks and schooners and many of its architectural gems date back to that era.

It interesting to note Chester was officially founded in 1759 during the French and Indian War by Timothy Houghton. It was the Shoreham grant, although French fishermen had already built a few houses on the site. The first permanent European-descended settlers was a group of New England Planters from Massachusetts who came to the area in 1761.

During the American Revolution, led by militia captain Jonathan Prescott (1725-1807), the village avoided a raid by American Privateers wherein the townswomen, young and old, garbed in cloaks with their red lining worn outwards (to resemble the uniforms of the British soldiers) marched around the blockhouse (now the Wisteria Cottage House) in the early morning of 30 June 1782 to successfully convince American Privateers lying offshore to find another place to pillage. The following day the privateers successfully executed the Raid on Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (1782).

Seccombe’s diary proves that the ship sailed in July, 1761, after the above deals were completed. On 24 August a town meeting was held in Chester, and Capt. Timothy Houghton elected moderator. They drew lots for land. Clearing of land and construction of homes began[.

Among the Crown grants registered in the Adjutant General’s office in Halifax, NS, is one dated October 31, 1765, in which is given to Rev. John Seccombe, Jonathan Prescott, Timothy Houghton, Simon Floyd, James Webber, Abraham Bradshaw, George Collicutt, Robert Melville, and many others under the seal of Governor Wilmot, a tract of twenty-nine thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Chester Twp., Shoreham grant.

NS, each share to consist of five hundred acres, on condition of paying a free yearly quitrent of one shilling sterling every Michelmas day, for every expiration of ten years, beginning with the date of the grant, for every fifty acres so granted, and so on, in proportions of fifty acres, forever. The grantees promise to plant two acres with hemp [for the making of Naval rope] and a like quantity to be “improved.” One family, at least, with proper stock and material for said improvement, to be settled on every five hundred acres on or before the last day of November, 1767.
It was from one of 65 guarantees land was acquired over time by the Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt and later his son Casper Wollenhaupt. Oak island plot was just one of them.
Now armchair think about this. If there was stories circulating about buried treasure on lot 18 on oak island owned by Casper Wollenhaupt. Why did the son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt. sell the land to John Smith in 1809?
That was 14 years of rumors of treasure being buried there? And The alleged Onslow Company operated on Oak Island in the early 1800s, from 1804 to 1805
(No original documents relating to the Onslow Company have been found to date, but the following accounts were told by John Smith and Anthony Vaughn Jr. in 1848 to Robert Creelman of the Truro Company.)

Smith claims who bought the property in 1809 and claimed in 1804 The Money Pit was dug by workers past the 30-foot level where there were regularly spaced oak log platforms approximately every 10 feet, along with coconut fiber, two layers of a putty-like substance, layers of small stones and charcoal.

At 90-feet, a flat stone with an unusual inscription was found face down. At the end of each day, the workers used a metal rod to test if there was another wooden platform 10 feet below. Late on a Saturday, the testing suggested a platform at 98 feet. Work ended for the week, and when they resumed on Monday the shaft had filled with 60 feet of water. A steam powered pump was brought in but could not handle the volume of water and burst.

In 1805 Shaft 2 was dug 14 feet east of the Money Pit to a depth of 110 feet. Their plan was to tunnel between Shaft 2 and the Money Pit and remove the treasure from below the 90-foot level. They managed to get within a few feet of their objective before the tunnel began to flood, barely allowing the men to escape with their lives and leaving the Onslow Company with two shafts full of water and no treasure.

So Armchair if this was all going on ? Was it with land owners permission or done in secret? There is no evidence he the then owner lot 18 Casper Wollenhaupt or his son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt was part of this treasure hunt or had any agreement. Which seem mighty strange having people digging the crap out of your land?

Some claim John Smith made money? But it was perhaps having control; of land he just kept getting wide eyed hopeful investors and kept making money. As fame grew more money poured in. Better to be selling dreams of riches rather than being a snake oil salesman?

That is why today because of oak island we have Definition of 'Money Pit" meaning a major drain on one's financial resources.

Crow

Excellent summary Crow!

The fact that the only proof of digging/90 foot stone/log platforms/etc. is only heresay further proves the oak island fantasy. Couple that with no records of an onslow company have ever been found.

I always look forward to your detailed, research filled posts!

 

[Crow]

Don't get me wrong The oak island is fascinating saga. but if its physical treasure you seek? look elsewhere.

You have to look at the context of the time. Life was hard and brutal. You was a success if you lived long enough to breed. The average lot of everyday people was hard and bleak. back braking work from sun up to sun down.

Captain Kidd story of buried treasure captured the imaginations of new Englander's. Just see how many places in new England places claiming to have have Captain Kidd's treasure buried there?

As defeated loyalists of the American revolution moved to nova Scotia facing the harsh realities of the shoreham grantees.

To be given land only if you can find a wife. then with in a certain time have it as productive farm or lose it. Oak island lots was not exactly a good deal. too small to farm the only asset there was its trees. No wonder many of lots was never developed as they too small to farm separated from the mainland.

Many who came up that was single men. The requirement was to be married and you develop the land given you. Most of settlers came up many had nothing. As usual many lots ended in in hand of a few enterprising people.

Donald Danial Macinins illiterate did not get his land until 1810. you can see for yourself below.

So where was he living between 1791 and 1810. that 19 years! He like others paid a shilling a year to live on others people granted land as tenant farmer's or farm worker and build for themselves in what ever a hovel they could build themselves. The same system they had in Scotland. Ireland, England and wales tenant farmer. The British did the same system in early Australia with land grants.

if you have not got the money and resources to develop it then tough luck. It was shit system you can rent the land for shilling a year but you do not own the land. you are a tenant. So if you bust your ass cut down the trees down and make it into a working farm. The owner can evict you because its not your land. you do all the hard work. the land owner gets the benefit.

So those granted land would lease out to poor refugees from Europe or from the American war of independence and used them to develop the land for them. Not wonder the desire of buried treasure took hold?

Except as we know, it grew from there and became an enterprise. The more people you can dazzle with its mysteries the more money can be made. Just like a carnival side show.

And even today the TV show is milking it for all its worth. The treasure oak island is not physical treasure it is the What if? Its the mystery itself that's makes the money.

So we have Kidd, Francis bacon,Templar, Roman, Viking. Spanish, Freemason etc... The TV show must used the writers from the TV show Lost?

Crow

 

[Armchair detective]

Poll tax in not property tax it is per person. however the poll tax in 1791 clearly states to where they was believed living. Some was in Chester four or five marked out on the poll as 'Oak island.' Indicating where they was living.

In regards to Casper Wollenhaupt's owner of lot 18 the alleged site of the money pit. If we dig a little deeper in Casper Wollenhaupt's family you will find in the Passenger Lists for Ships Carrying the
"Foreign Protestants" to Nova Scotia states the following 123 Families 12 Jun 1751 on the ship "GALE"
Thomas Casson, Master to Nova Scotia. Wollenhaupt, Conrad 26 Hesse Weaver was one of passengers. He was Casper Wollenhaupt's father.

Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt (1733–1769) died
Feb 1769 • Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada
His wife Gertrude Wolfe (1735–1778) died 8 AUG 1778 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' Birth was in 1755 n Chester, Lunenberg county Nova Scotia, Canada. ( note this may imply the his parents for a time lived in Chester?)

* NOTE I can not confirm the identity of Casper Wollenhaupt's wife. But he did marry and had children.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had a son Peter Paulas Wollenhaupt (1778–) 1778 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Jasper Wollenhaupt (1782–1805) 5 Jun 1782

Casper Wollenhaupt' had another son Henry Caspar Wollenhaupt (1788–1822) 6 Sep 1788 • Chester, Lunenberg, Nova Scotia. So we cam confirm he was living in Chester at those dates.

However Casper Wollenhaupt' Residence in 1792 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

this can be confirmed in ova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838

Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1793 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence 1794 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The can be confirmed Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
in 1794 Casper Wollenhaupt petiion to
Trustees For A Lunenburg Common. Granted 3160 Acres in the Township of Lunenburg For A Public Common.
Mention of Caspar Wollenhaupt was involved petition is in the Nova Scotia, Canada, Land Petitions, 1765-1800
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1795 • Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada.

This can be confirmed in Nova Scotia, Canada, Census, Assessment and Poll Tax Records, 1770-1795, 1827, 1838
Casper Wollenhaupt Residence in 1800 was Living
Lunenburg County: Lunenburg: Nova Scotia.

Source Terrence M. Punch, Nova Scotia Vital Statistics from Newspapers, 1769-1812, Genealogical Committee of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, Halifax.

It should be noted Lunenburg is a port town on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Founded in 1753, the town was one of the first British attempts to settle Protestants in Nova Scotia.

Historically, Lunenburg's economy relied on the offshore fishery, and today it hosts Canada's largest secondary fish-processing plant. The town experienced prosperity in the late 1800s, small shipbuilding as fishing smacks and schooners and many of its architectural gems date back to that era.

It interesting to note Chester was officially founded in 1759 during the French and Indian War by Timothy Houghton. It was the Shoreham grant, although French fishermen had already built a few houses on the site. The first permanent European-descended settlers was a group of New England Planters from Massachusetts who came to the area in 1761.

During the American Revolution, led by militia captain Jonathan Prescott (1725-1807), the village avoided a raid by American Privateers wherein the townswomen, young and old, garbed in cloaks with their red lining worn outwards (to resemble the uniforms of the British soldiers) marched around the blockhouse (now the Wisteria Cottage House) in the early morning of 30 June 1782 to successfully convince American Privateers lying offshore to find another place to pillage. The following day the privateers successfully executed the Raid on Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (1782).

Seccombe’s diary proves that the ship sailed in July, 1761, after the above deals were completed. On 24 August a town meeting was held in Chester, and Capt. Timothy Houghton elected moderator. They drew lots for land. Clearing of land and construction of homes began[.

Among the Crown grants registered in the Adjutant General’s office in Halifax, NS, is one dated October 31, 1765, in which is given to Rev. John Seccombe, Jonathan Prescott, Timothy Houghton, Simon Floyd, James Webber, Abraham Bradshaw, George Collicutt, Robert Melville, and many others under the seal of Governor Wilmot, a tract of twenty-nine thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land in Chester Twp., Shoreham grant.

NS, each share to consist of five hundred acres, on condition of paying a free yearly quitrent of one shilling sterling every Michelmas day, for every expiration of ten years, beginning with the date of the grant, for every fifty acres so granted, and so on, in proportions of fifty acres, forever. The grantees promise to plant two acres with hemp [for the making of Naval rope] and a like quantity to be “improved.” One family, at least, with proper stock and material for said improvement, to be settled on every five hundred acres on or before the last day of November, 1767.
It was from one of 65 guarantees land was acquired over time by the Conrad Wilneff Wollenhaupt and later his son Casper Wollenhaupt. Oak island plot was just one of them.
Now armchair think about this. If there was stories circulating about buried treasure on lot 18 on oak island owned by Casper Wollenhaupt. Why did the son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt. sell the land to John Smith in 1809?
That was 14 years of rumors of treasure being buried there? And The alleged Onslow Company operated on Oak Island in the early 1800s, from 1804 to 1805
(No original documents relating to the Onslow Company have been found to date, but the following accounts were told by John Smith and Anthony Vaughn Jr. in 1848 to Robert Creelman of the Truro Company.)

Smith claims who bought the property in 1809 and claimed in 1804 The Money Pit was dug by workers past the 30-foot level where there were regularly spaced oak log platforms approximately every 10 feet, along with coconut fiber, two layers of a putty-like substance, layers of small stones and charcoal.

At 90-feet, a flat stone with an unusual inscription was found face down. At the end of each day, the workers used a metal rod to test if there was another wooden platform 10 feet below. Late on a Saturday, the testing suggested a platform at 98 feet. Work ended for the week, and when they resumed on Monday the shaft had filled with 60 feet of water. A steam powered pump was brought in but could not handle the volume of water and burst.

In 1805 Shaft 2 was dug 14 feet east of the Money Pit to a depth of 110 feet. Their plan was to tunnel between Shaft 2 and the Money Pit and remove the treasure from below the 90-foot level. They managed to get within a few feet of their objective before the tunnel began to flood, barely allowing the men to escape with their lives and leaving the Onslow Company with two shafts full of water and no treasure.

So Armchair if this was all going on ? Was it with land owners permission or done in secret? There is no evidence he the then owner lot 18 Casper Wollenhaupt or his son Henry Casper Wollenhaupt was part of this treasure hunt or had any agreement. Which seem mighty strange having people digging the crap out of your land?

Some claim John Smith made money? But it was perhaps having control; of land he just kept getting wide eyed hopeful investors and kept making money. As fame grew more money poured in. Better to be selling dreams of riches rather than being a snake oil salesman?

That is why today because of oak island we have Definition of 'Money Pit" meaning a major drain on one's financial resources.

Crow

Wow - you are really plugged in - AWESOME.
I have a completely different take on this, but first there are some dating discrepancies. I may have been conned.
Check out ROBOTS thread this page The Strange, the Bizarre etc #405, a handy list of properties bought and sold 1767 to 1802.
This is where I found John Smith in 1795 buying lot #18 from Wallenhaupt. To make your information work, Wallenhaupt Sr sells to J Smith, who sells to Wallenhaupt JR, who sells to J Smith in 1809. To make things interesting, I have read there are 3 John Smiths - one per generation. Is this right?
To follow up on the sawpit idea, I am trying to focus on the lot #18 land ownership history BEFORE 1795. Why? If it is a sawpit, there must be sufficient time for debris to accumulate in pit to appear like a simple depression for "discovery" in 1795. Also the owner of the pit might have connections with businesses in Lunenburg buying the wood. A long shot, but ya never know.

 

[releventchair]

 

[TruthbeTold]

Wow - you are really plugged in - AWESOME.
I have a completely different take on this, but first there are some dating discrepancies. I may have been conned.
Check out ROBOTS thread this page The Strange, the Bizarre etc #405, a handy list of properties bought and sold 1767 to 1802.
This is where I found John Smith in 1795 buying lot #18 from Wallenhaupt. To make your information work, Wallenhaupt Sr sells to J Smith, who sells to Wallenhaupt JR, who sells to J Smith in 1809. To make things interesting, I have read there are 3 John Smiths - one per generation. Is this right?
To follow up on the sawpit idea, I am trying to focus on the lot #18 land ownership history BEFORE 1795. Why? If it is a sawpit, there must be sufficient time for debris to accumulate in pit to appear like a simple depression for "discovery" in 1795. Also the owner of the pit might have connections with businesses in Lunenburg buying the wood. A long shot, but ya never know.

That’s a big problem referring to a Robot post. Nothing stated backed by history and an author of their own oak island fiction.

 

[n2mini]

Samuel Ball it appears got paid 100 pounds in 1797. By the government by the comander in cheif in Novia Scotia.

View attachment 2177062

The average wage in England in 1790 was 13.8 shillings Wages remained relatively constant throughout the 18th century. For example, building laborers in Oxford earned an average of 2s per day from 1700 to 1770. 20 shilling to a pound. so that would be in effect roughly 142 weeks pay

So some one reviving a god awful amount of 100 pounds paid to him 1797?

That was source of his wealth not buried treasure on oak island. Except perhaps selling cabbages to the various syndicates searching for treasure?

Crow

That is a hard read. Not sure why he is getting the 100 pounds but if it was roughly 3 years worth of money that is not life long wealth. Even today, if someone got 3 years worth of pay this year for some reason out of the blue, that would be awesome but not enough to retire on and or or make much of a difference in their life style for any length of time. That does answer how he bought up all the land and an island he owned, but then apparently made a good living growing cabbage? Maybe he was "renting" the land out as these other posts talked about. That doesn't sound like a get rich scheme either though.

 

[Crow]

For the Nova Scotia Archives you can see land ownership is complex as grants were given on and off again and many could not full requirements.

Nova Scotia, one of the Atlantic Provinces, consists of two parts: peninsular Nova Scotia separated from the mainland by the Bay of Fundy and connected by the narrow Chignecto Isthmus and Cape Breton Island. Originally, first held by France, it was known as Acadia and included what is now New Brunswick. Cape Breton Island was called Île Royale.

The British name Nova Scotia dates from 1621 when a Scot, Sir William Alexander, was given a charter for colonization. French influence dominated the territory until 1710, when the British captured Port Royal and renamed it Annapolis Royal. The surrender of the fortress of Louisbourg in 1745 effectively ended French rule in this region.

The French-speaking Acadians were caught in the conflict between the two countries and then they were expelled in 1755 and 1758. Halifax was founded in 1749 and its small population was augmented by settlers from the American colonies to the south. After the American Revolution, thousands of United Empire Loyalists arrived in 1783-4. New Brunswick and Cape Breton became separate colonies (the latter was re-annexed in 1820).

From 1815 to 1850 there were about 55,000 immigrants, mostly Scottish and Irish, which came to the province. Nova Scotia was a charter member of Confederation in 1867 and by 1876 the railway from Halifax to Québec was completed.

As you can see, the development of Nova Scotia was based on many events and as the population grew the issue of land became an important one.

Another particular situation was present in Nova Scotia that played a large role in the land development. The better timber suited for the construction of ship masts belonged to the crown for the use of the royal navy. The government was hesitant to grant large tracts of land because of this very necessary resource. In the mid-eighteenth century they changed the policy to allow large land grants to associations and individuals who would agree to bring settlers in. This policy at least temporarily locked up much of Nova Scotia’s land.

The years 1760 to 1773 witnessed almost 5½ million acres granted under this system. At that time no more than 13,000 people lived in the colony. In 1774 they decided to stop these free grants and would sell land instead. This only lasted for one year and in 1775 the land granting system started again.

The first contingent of 1,000 United Empire Loyalist men, women and children left Boston, USA, and headed for Nova Scotia in March 1776. By 1783 Nova Scotia saw 30,000 more United Empire Loyalists enter their colony. Some 14,000 settled in Sunbury County (which became New Brunswick in 1874) and the remainder stayed in Nova Scotia. These refugees were given free land grants by the British authorities.

In many places it was difficult to find land not already granted, though there might not be a soul living within miles. Considerable areas had been escheated (taken back) for non-fulfillment of settlement conditions, but frequently Loyalists were placed on land claimed by others. This prompted years of negotiating to clear titles. In the nineteenth century many farmers still lacked clear title to the land they had farmed for years.

In 1790 free grants were cut off again in order to develop land more efficiently and increase revenues. This made immigration more difficult because very few wishing to emigrate had the money needed to actually buy land. Those who did come either squatted or obtained licenses as actual occupying settlers, not property owners.

Explorations were undertaken in the 1800s in Nova Scotia by a pioneer ecologist and surveyor, Titus Smith. He traveled through the interior and appraised the soil and timber resources but reported only small pockets of land where farming could be tried.

In 1808 the granting of land commenced again but a debate between free grants versus land sales continued. In 1827 a system of selling land on a term basis was introduced by the Colonial Office over the opposition of the Atlantic colonies as the colonies realized that their lands were not attractive to potential purchasers.

Note just because Samuel ball had a lot of land. does not make him wealthy in his day. Today we equate wealth to land holdings. Back in Balls time the land was virtually worthless. it was not from him physically buying it was through the haphazard approach with Colonial Authorities.

Crow

 

[TruthbeTold]

Yet another informative post Crow!

Debunking the myth that Samual Ball was wealthy because he found treasure.

The oak island story continues to crumble under scrutiny.

 

[n2mini]

100 pounds does not make SB wealthy for long. Think about it. After reading all the posts on this page about how little money people were making back then in that area and SB has enough "wealth" to have a butler. He liked this butler so much that he is his Estate Will and I think once SB wife at the time died it all went to the butler.. I'm not saying for sure SB found treasure, but I would think very few people living in the area, an especially on OI, did not have a butler. Just another mouth to feed and pay him something on top of that..
So I wouldn't be saying that the SB finding treasure has been debunked based on the info on this page at all... Doesn't mean that he did of course either... I realize that and don't say things as if it's a fact like others on here.

 

[Armchair detective]

100 pounds does not make SB wealthy for long. Think about it. After reading all the posts on this page about how little money people were making back then in that area and SB has enough "wealth" to have a butler. He liked this butler so much that he is his Estate Will and I think once SB wife at the time died it all went to the butler.. I'm not saying for sure SB found treasure, but I would think very few people living in the area, an especially on OI, did not have a butler. Just another mouth to feed and pay him something on top of that..
So I wouldn't be saying that the SB finding treasure has been debunked based on the info on this page at all... Doesn't mean that he did of course either... I realize that and don't say things as if it's a fact like others on here.

The 100 pounds document reads like a mustering out record, officially ending service in the British army. The business about the wife COULD mean as a black you can have a wife? as a reward for your service? Slaves weren't allowed wives or property or ANYTHING. .

 

[n2mini]

From what I've read he was an x-slave as he escaped a plantation in NC at 11 years old. Fought in the Revolutionary War and gained his freedom and this 100 pounds afterwards.. He did marry and remarried at some point and had 3 kids along the way..

 

[Armchair detective]

Yo Crow. Is anything on ROBOT'S post valid? Where would such information come from?

 

[Armchair detective]

Ya know, never gave much thought to who owned the MP lot when any digging was going on, can't recall any thread that mentioned it. Surely this person made some money somehow off of it.
If you consider that this treasure hunt has always had an AUDIENCE,you would just need some way to "charge admission". I nominate John Smith as the joker in this deck - managed to build one house on OI in 1824 (stone in fireplace, remember), and a second one in 1964.

 

[Crow]

100 pounds does not make SB wealthy for long. Think about it. After reading all the posts on this page about how little money people were making back then in that area and SB has enough "wealth" to have a butler. He liked this butler so much that he is his Estate Will and I think once SB wife at the time died it all went to the butler.. I'm not saying for sure SB found treasure, but I would think very few people living in the area, an especially on OI, did not have a butler. Just another mouth to feed and pay him something on top of that..
So I wouldn't be saying that the SB finding treasure has been debunked based on the info on this page at all... Doesn't mean that he did of course either... I realize that and don't say things as if it's a fact like others on here.

Good point

But you have view the the name was he a butler by occupation? or Butler by last name Issac Butler? Many poor people had servants back then. Even people in modest circumstances. It is so easy to take a name out of context.

Servitude was very common in British empire. Basically they had choice to live homeless and destitute on street or live with some one doing the chores to have a roof over your head. You worked for a master for food board and clothing that was it. So it was not back then as we see it today as a rich mans luxury.

So the context of Samuel ball having a butler in context of being rich? Does not hold much ground in the context of the time. When exploitation was rife. And many people was desperate, and much poorer than ball. No social welfare back then? if you was poor it was the choice between the workhouse or servitude.

Ball was indeed a success in the context of black mans life back then. In essence of the Time Ball was not bad off but not as wealthy as some tried make him out to be. Servitude did not die out until about the 1920s and then in hard economic times in 30's re surged. after WW2 it faded.

Even in our current times with cost of living and affordability this will start again. People have houses have non family members or partners in living boarding lodger arrangments.

I have a 29 Philippino maid. She is student nurse going to university on a student visa. she works only part time as per her via requirements. She cannot afford her own apartment. She does the cleaning. washing laundry for free room and board. It was win win arrangement for both of us. It does by no means give any indication of my wealth status.

Nor Samuel Balls.

Crow

 

[Crow]

Yo Crow. Is anything on ROBOT'S post valid? Where would such information come from?

Armchair in answer to your question.

Firstly no one can dispute Robot for his passionate interest on the topic. However his methods of research was frustrating. He would mix facts with assumptions to make them look like facts. He would cherry pick bits and pieces and conveniently ignore what did not fit into his pet theory. Its called cognitive bias and mix that with a little egocentricity.

We all go through that at one time. These days to I try to avoid it as much as possible. Because at end of the day you will never achieve anything. I cannot converse with Robot as I will get banned as he come across as some one with ADD. I am too old and too grumpy to be dealing with people with a attention span of pea.

That said he did find some interesting stuff. But most of it was gleaned from other oak island websites that was written by people with cognitive bias to their pet theories. Anyone can create a website and post what they want and post as facts Does not mean that its true.

I try to find the original documents in some of quoted references in which he does in that referred post you mentioned to me. The land sales records I can find no trace of in Nova Scotia archives?

One reference he gave I have been going through microfilm of loyalists with alleged history's of key people in story I have not been able verify. I cannot said they are right or wrong. The vague references Do not match what has been claimed

Crow