New site proves to be unexpectedly interesting

[Bill D. (VA)]

Back in the fall I researched a site that contained a couple of 1600s land patents. When I met the elderly owner I found out we were 3rd cousins, and he knew many of my long-gone relatives including my great-grandfather who I never met. So that cool connection helped me to get unlimited access to his property, and I checked one portion of it that day. I couldn't find any evidence of an early homesite, but he promised to take me to a remote area another time and show me where a rundown old house was in the edge of the woods with a cemetery in the adjacent field. We finally got together today, and the first structure he showed me was an abandoned turn-of-the century house. I figured that would date the site so it wasn't going to be of any interest to me. But next he showed me another old collapsed house a few yards from the first one, and told me it was put together with pegs. He also mentioned having a copy of the deed for the property dating to the early 1840s. Sorry, but that still didn't stir my colonial fancies. But when he showed me part of a colonial hoe someone had found in the woods there it started to knock my interest level up a couple notches. After he left I started scanning the field between the older house and the cemetery, but things were rather quiet at first. But soon I started to see a few brick and black glass frags so I slowed down and decided to grid a 100' x 75' area. My first target was a 1918 wheatie, but soon a couple early 1800s flat buttons appeared. And a short while later I got into some late 1700s buttons so this was starting to look more interesting. But what really got me going was the recovery of part of a mid-1600s spectacle buckle. Maybe this was in fact the site of a dwelling on one of the original land patents?? I only stayed about 90 min as the farmer was supposed to show up to spray the field at any time, but I plan to make a return visit sometime next week. And I was told that peanuts would be planted this year so this will be an easy and fun field to hunt next fall.

 

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[Msbeepbeep]

Nice relics! It's really great you have a family connection with the site ! Congrats! Hope you find something really awesome from the past!

 

[voodoo]

very nice ! let us know if you find more great relics. Thanks for sharing the story and your finds.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

And the hunt is on. Sounds like that site has huge potential Bill. I can't wait to see what you descover when you get to spend some serious time there. By the way, I love penuts.
ZDD

 

[blugotti1]

sweet finds!

 

[Rick (Nova Scotia)]

Pretty good for an hour, and a half.
Hurry back, I'll be waiting to see what you get.
No doubt the earliest inhabitants go back farther than anyone can remember, and newer stuff built in the same area.

 

[GreenHat]

Awesome finds. Umm... where'd you say that was again?

 

[Evolution]

Sounds promising. Hopefully you'll get a few more 1600's artifacts from that site.

 

[terpfan]

Looks promising, Bill. Very promising! Good luck on the return trip.

 

[tennessee digger]

Looks like you are on yet another OLD spot Bill. I know you will find something really good there! Good post.

 

[park pirate]

That's a bunch of good stuff...

 

[joeyfresh]

The unexpected sites are the best because you go in with zero expectations. Hopefully you'll be able to get back in there tomorrow....being that you have nothing else to do. Great job and good luck!!

 

[joe_dirt]

Seems you might be on to something. I'm excited just reading about it, good luck!

 

[mangum]

Looks like a promising site, nice finds! 1840 house not old enough? You're spoiled rotten Bill! Lol! I too love the colonial relics, although we don't have the abundance you have there in Eastern Va. I would love the opportunity to dig something from the 1600s but it's not going to happen in my neck of the woods (unless it was a lost family heirloom). As always, I enjoy your posts & can't wait to see what the next hunt will bring.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

The unexpected sites are the best because you go in with zero expectations. Hopefully you'll be able to get back in there tomorrow....being that you have nothing else to do. Great job and good luck!!

I already have something to do tomorrow - I'm hitting another new site.

 

[Bill D. (VA)]

Looks like a promising site, nice finds! 1840 house not old enough? You're spoiled rotten Bill! Lol! I too love the colonial relics, although we don't have the abundance you have there in Eastern Va. I would love the opportunity to dig something from the 1600s but it's not going to happen in my neck of the woods (unless it was a lost family heirloom). As always, I enjoy your posts & can't wait to see what the next hunt will bring.

There are so many pre-1800 sites around here that I don't want to waste time on those "newer" places. Older is definitely better.

 

[joeyfresh]

I already have something to do tomorrow - I'm hitting another new site.

Good luck! Keep me updated on your finds. Hopefully you pull out some more oldies

 

[Ahab8]

Looks like another promising site Bill. Really cool that you met a relative with a connection to some of your family that you weren't able to spend any time with. I love learning more about my ancestors. My moms geneaology is great and I love having archives that tell the story of my family

 

[BDinutah]

Bill, thanks for sharing! I'm a firm believer in taking the time to do the research on potential sites, can't wait for you to report on your future finds there.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I'm surprised more of your sites aren't multi-timeframe sites there (i.e. later sites built on earlier ones). I thought you were going to say that the 1840s house was on the same site as the 1600s one.

Nice signs there. I bet there will be a goody to recover at that spot.

Cheers,

Buck