Noah Walker button and more

[McCDig]

We ventured into the watershed today (6/29) to an old home site neither of us had ever detected. It wasn't too long before some relics were found.

My first good find was a round ball. By the end of the hunt I had 9 counting a buckshot. Add to this a smashed bullet that shows the cannelure rings.

I did find one copper but it is unreadable. I did manage to dig a button and the printing on it opened up a story in Baltimore to me, that of Noah Walker.

His obituary in the Washington Evening Star read "

Obituary, Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), February 4, 1874: "NOAH WALKER, esq., died at his country seat 'Dumbarton,' in Baltimore county, near Pikesville, Md., early yesterday morning. Mr. Walker was born in Carroll county, Md., in 1796, went to Baltimore in 1809, and commenced the clothing business in 1827. He was unusually successful, the house which he established becoming one of the most extensive, and one of the strongest, in the country. The firm had for many years numerous branch establishments throughout the west and south, including the well-known clothing house of Noah Walker & Co. in this city. He retired from active participation in the affairs of the firm some fifteen years ago, and left it entirely in 1871, putting the establishment under the control of nephews, who now conduct it. He leaves but one child, a son, Patrick Henry; his second son, Noah, was killed on the Confederate side at the battle of Chancellorsville, after having served with bravery from the beginning of the war."​

Noah Walker commissioned the making of a statue to George Washington and this was placed outside his store in 1880 to mark the 150th anniversary of the city of Baltimore.
This same statue was later relocated to Druid Hill Park.
His clothing store was on Baltimore Street and is shown on this trade card.
The opening of his Baltimore store in 1826 coincides with the known habitation time-frame of the site we detected.


Another bit of Baltimore history was opened up for me today, more life stories and a connection to me, the site and its inhabitants, and a merchant in Baltimore.

 

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[Professor of Engineering]

Congratualtions on the nice finds!

 

[McCDig]

Thanks Professor. Figured we'd find some relics. Always an extra bonus to find something with writing on it.

 

[TomW244]

What a wonderful post! I love it when the history behind the finds is included. Nice work!

 

[McCDig]

Thanks much Tom. I'd will send you a private message to explain how the site we searched has a link with Noah Walker.

P.S. This was my fourth hunt with the Equinox 600. Was using Park2 mode.

 

[thrifty76now]

Awesome button ,and great research on it in your post.

 

[McCDig]

Thanks much. The research sure is so much easier with a digital library and your fingertips. I would say that what I've learned about Baltimore history has for the most part came through detecting.