Humbling find at colonial cellar hole

tj.cama

Jr. Member
Jan 2, 2013
77
64
New Jersey
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Minelab Excal II
Primary Interest:
Beach & Shallow Water Hunting
Today I went back to my family farm which has about 1900 acres to one of the largest cellar holes on it. I have been told that at this particular foundation, the British during the Revolutionary War, locked relatives of my family in the house and burnt it down. I found this item today in the cellar hole and was immediately brought over with a sense of sorrow. When I got home, I looked up the hallmark inside of the ring, which dates it to 1763 and I have reason to believe is most likely from one of my late relatives.

I'm sharing this because of the historical significance and was very apprehensive to writing this. Please be respectful in your responses. Thank you.

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Upvote 23
very beautiful hand crafted ring. dating to 1793, it would of course be post revolution and it doesn't appear to show any signs of fire damage so at least it was not worn during the time of your relative's murder. it would be really cool if you could trace it back to an individual relative and place a name with it, but that will most likely remain a mystery. outstanding find!
 

what a wonderful find! To hold something that may have been worn by a relative 200 yrs. ago would be so exciting. So far I have only been able to find square nails at my families homestead which was built right before the civil war.
 

Awesome find and sorry to hear how your relatives got involved in the war so sad.
 

very beautiful hand crafted ring. dating to 1793, it would of course be post revolution and it doesn't appear to show any signs of fire damage so at least it was not worn during the time of your relative's murder. it would be really cool if you could trace it back to an individual relative and place a name with it, but that will most likely remain a mystery. outstanding find!

I stand corrected, I did not realize that I had hit 9 on my keyboard accidentally instead of a 6. Should have been 1763 in the initial post. That was an typo on my part. I did spend 2 hours today cleaning and polishing it to show the final result.
 

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The ring is beautiful even though it has a sad story behind it.
 

It would certainly be very rewarding if you can connect this to your relatives. The words "fate" and "destiny" come to my mind. I am sure this will hold a piece of your heart until the day when the "fate" and "destiny" of the beautiful little ring continues. Thank you for sharing the story and the pics.
 

That's what I would call a priceless heirloom!
 

Finding a piece of family history is the best kind of history to find. Congrats on a beautiful ring.
 

Every artifact has a story some are more poignant than others. Surely your passed relations are glad that the unfinished business of the lost ring is now resolved and it is safely in the the hands of a family member so that its story can go on. Thank you for sharing your hunt with us :award_star_gold_3:

Sincerely, CARM
 

I wish I was there to get this on film!
 

Every artifact has a story some are more poignant than others. Surely your passed relations are glad that the unfinished business of the lost ring is now resolved and it is safely in the the hands of a family member so that its story can go on. Thank you for sharing your hunt with us :award_star_gold_3:

Sincerely, CARM

I agree 100%. Very nice ring with personal / family history. That ring, with that history would be my best find forever. I couldn't wait to pass it along to the next generation. Outstanding job on research, recovery in ever sense!!
 

Can you please show close ups of the hallmarks , and of the ring in general ? Thank you for sharing this story !
 

It's always great when you can save some of your family's history. I'm sure you will cherish it for years to come & make sure it stays in the family!
 

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