Lid? Telephone part?

[RelicHunter97]

I found this at a former 1730's Fort/Stockade site. It reads PAT. MAR. PAT. MAY 1876. The only thing that I can think of is that it is a lid to something.
There is new evidence that this may be a part of one of the first telephones. The patent date is the same as the first telephone and a bell from a telephon was found in the same field, days apart.
All help appreciated.

HH

RH97

 

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[Broken knee]

Re: Lid?

Could you post something for size reference it looks like a lead seal?
Broken Knee

 

[traderoftreasures]

Re: Lid?

Thats the same month and year that the telephone was invented

 

[RelicHunter97]

Re: Lid?

it it not made of lead, it is thin brass.

and TOT, its funny that should be the case, because my cousin found a bell from a telephone in the same field, like the one shown in this picture