I found out who the Confederate NC Starburst Button I found belonged to! (99% sure)

[mangum]

Hello everyone! I decided to do a little research on the home site where I found the NC Starburst button a couple weeks ago. I found out the home was built in 1840. The tax records indicated a date of 1900 but judging by the construction I knew it was older. I found the house on a website dedicated to historic structures in the area I was searching. It gave me the names of the past owners & the history of the home etc. So... I found out who owned the home during the Civil War. Just out of curiosity I copied the name, pasted it into a google search & added Confederate on the end to see if I could find anything relevant. There were only a few results as his name was not a very common one. Sure enough, some service records came up! The same man who owned this farm where I found the button was a member of the 13th North Carolina Regiment during the war! There was no Civil War activity in the area & I haven't found anymore Civil War related items so I can assume that this button came off of this gentleman's coat. Of course there is no way to prove this 100% because the gentleman is deceased and I can't ask him... However, putting these pieces of the puzzle together makes a very strong case (why I say 99%)! I wish I could share more specifics about name, rank, location but then it would be very easy to find the site I'm currently searching. It is probably about to be torn down so I don't have much time... Hopefully I can find another before this historic property is gone forever! I was very excited to be able to tie a name to this relic! (one of my top 5 finds so far) I love history & so glad that I was able to save it before it was buried & lost forever. Thanks for looking & HH!

 

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[Metal Magnet]

I love it when you can tie relics to actual people or families. pretty awesome, aint it?

 

[mangum]

I love it when you can tie relics to actual people or families. pretty awesome, aint it?

It is pretty awesome! It gives the item a story & makes it a much more significant find IMHO.

 

[JohnnyRebCSA]

I like how you're thinking outside of the box. Thats a neat story right there.

 

[terpfan]

Great research work Mangum. Isn't great when you can make a direct connection with someone from the past? I hope you can find more relics tied to the same gentleman before it is too late.

 

[DanKnug]

Beautiful button! Connecting it to the actual person really makes the history come alive. Mangum, I am traveling to Durham next week if you want to get together for some hunting.

 

[mangum]

Beautiful button! Connecting it to the actual person really makes the history come alive. Mangum, I am traveling to Durham next week if you want to get together for some hunting.

Thanks Dan, I live in Charlotte but sometimes I go back home to visit (near Durham). Send me a PM if you want.

 

[Chuxter]

Awesome research. Must be such a gratifying feeling piecing it all together! Thanks for sharing.

 

[DCMatt]

Nicely done Mangum!

I, too, have a Civil War era button that I was able to track back to the probable owner. I did mine much the same as you - using the land ownership records. He was a Virginia Artillery officer.

DCMatt

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[jewelerguy]

that's a great button

 

[Wldbil]

Very cool research and find... Big Congrats

 

[BuckleBoy]

That's a great find that now has some provenance. More folks should do this with house site dug military relics, IMO.

Congrats,

Buck

 

[wheatfinder13]

Wow, that is so awesome!!!

 

[Sovereignelite]

You know if you have such a short time to hunt and the place is going to be gone maybe you should invite some other people: you may find much more and save items from loss that no one person would be able to find in a short amount of time.

 

[mangum]

You know if you have such a short time to hunt and the place is going to be gone maybe you should invite some other people: you may find much more and save items from loss that no one person would be able to find in a short amount of time.

I have invited other people with me & it has been hunted multiple times before I did. The signals are few & far between... I'm not a person that would be considered greedy, I like to share the sites that I can. The more the merrier!

 

[mangum]

Nicely done Mangum!

I, too, have a Civil War era button that I was able to track back to the probable owner. I did mine much the same as you - using the land ownership records. He was a Virginia Artillery officer.

DCMatt

That's awesome Matt! Was it an artillery button? I'd like to see a pic or thread if you can share. I've been out to this site (and with some friends) multiple times since my original post. I've found a few relics & a few wheaties. I'm going to hit it hard until it's gone and hopefully save some more history! They are clearing the land for a housing development. The fate of the house is still up in the air...

 

[Ifoundit69]

That is awesome man ! I enjoy the research myself because alot of times it opens the door to future spots just by reading the story's and the research !

 

[Trezurehunter]

That's a great button, & great story to go with it.

 

[DCMatt]

magnum,

Sorry for the late reply. I have been out of the country for a few weeks.

My button is a silver ball button unique to Virginia artillery officers very early in the war. It could be from another service or a military school but the makers mark is known for the artillery officer jackets and the house owner's son was a Virginia artillery officer. That's good enough for me.

DCMatt

That's awesome Matt! Was it an artillery button? I'd like to see a pic or thread if you can share. I've been out to this site (and with some friends) multiple times since my original post. I've found a few relics & a few wheaties. I'm going to hit it hard until it's gone and hopefully save some more history! They are clearing the land for a housing development. The fate of the house is still up in the air...