Horse tack?

[McCDig]

Dug this today at a homesite established in the 1830s. Earlier this year I dug a plated bridle rosette that is mid-19th century. I don't know if this piece is also some form of horse tack but it has four tabs (one missing) on back, obviously meant to attach to a strap. First of its kind I've dug so I am at a loss. Inscription reads "Nannie Trail" "Frederick, Md".

 

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[ANTIQUARIAN]

Now that is a very cool looking find!
It almost looks like a sash buckle, but as you mentioned it more likely was attached to leather due to the bent clips on the back.
The stye is unusual as well, I'm having trouble determining what the date might be?

Hope you get an answer to your questions,
Dave

 

[DCMatt]

My first thought was "Nannie Trail" was a place. Now I'm thinking she was a person. Trail is not too common, but is a last name.

I searched for "Nannie Trail" in Frederick but came up empty. Then it occurred to me that Nannie is likely a nickname - for Nancy? For Granny?

Either way, I think it's a name tag off a piece of luggage or a travel trunk.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Matt, for your consideration and suggestion. As a name, 'Nannie' could be used as a variation on Anne (Ann) or Nancy (Nan). I will have to look into your idea of luggage tag and also research the family history of the homesite to see if there's a connection with a Trail family.

 

[McCDig]

Thank you, Dave. I did find a sash buckle on this site (in pieces). Of the sash buckles I've dug none have a name plate per se. As to the date, I can only narrow the range to the time the homesite was used and that is 1835 - 1920.

 

[creskol]

Thanks Matt, for your consideration and suggestion. As a name, 'Nannie' could be used as a variation on Anne (Ann) or Nancy (Nan). I will have to look into your idea of luggage tag and also research the family history of the homesite to see if there's a connection with a Trail family.

https://www.peoplefinders.com/peopl...MIvdrIuImc5wIVwp6zCh1ySAmtEAMYASAAEgLwhvD_BwE

 

[DCMatt]

Thanks Matt, for your consideration and suggestion. As a name, 'Nannie' could be used as a variation on Anne (Ann) or Nancy (Nan). I will have to look into your idea of luggage tag and also research the family history of the homesite to see if there's a connection with a Trail family.

Maybe this will help put you on the right "trail" (sorry...).



Sadly, my Ancestry subscription has lapsed and I can't access the record.

 

[DCMatt]

Well, it looks like the Trail family was prominent in Fredrick, MD during the 19th C.

https://www.fredericknewspost.com/n...cle_9b6326fe-7d88-52aa-9298-23797ac8f09a.html

As a name, 'Nannie' could be used as a variation on Anne (Ann)

Or Ariana?

The Daily News, Frederick, Maryland, 11 March 1892The remains of the late Mrs. Ariana M. Trail, who died at Marseilles, France, on the 8th of
January last, will arrive in Frederick this afternoon, accompanied by her son-in-law, Rev.
John B. Harding. The funeral to which we are requested to invite the friends and relatives
of the family, will take place from her late residence to-morrow afternoon at half-past two o’clock. Interment will be made at Mt. Olivet cemetery.

 

[DCMatt]

I can't prove it (yet) but my gut tells me your piece may be connected to Florence or Bertha Trail (daughters of Edward E. and Ariana).

Florence was a well respected educator, writer, and women's rights activist (suffragette) of her time. She was highly educated and very well traveled for a woman at the turn of the 20th century. Bertha was active in community affairs and animal welfare.

 

[A2coins]

Great info never stops amazing me

 

[McCDig]

Union button is also a puzzle as the family here sided with the Confederacy.

 

[McCDig]

That is plausible, Matt, as this family was wealthy and socially prominent, entertained, known to have guests and had a home that was built for this.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks for the link, creskol.

 

[DCMatt]

Union button is also a puzzle as the family here sided with the Confederacy.

No. Charles E. Trail was a Unionist. He was lieutenant-colonel in the 1st Maryland Infantry (which is interesting as he was a slave owner). In fact, in 1869, General Sherman stayed with the Trail family during a visit to the Sharpsburg battlefield.

 

[McCDig]

Since sons of the Baltimore County family fought for the South, this button may have been picked up on the battlefield or may have been dropped at the site by Union soldiers seeking to arrest one of the sons on leave.