Old Home Site - 1825 Halfpenny & a Dandy!

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Just thought I'd share with you what I found at an old home site in Millhaven, Ontario yesterday. The house that used to stand here was built around 1830 - 40 and was demolished in July. I always thought the house was built around 1940 because of the aluminum siding that covered it. Much to my surprise, I noticed its early limestone construction underneath the siding as the workers started to remove it during demolition. I've hunted the property just to the east and have been waiting impatiently for the construction fence to be taken down. I even remember another detectorist I met in the adjacent field telling me, "that he'd already detected the property and hadn't found anything"! So, when I drove past yesterday on my way to Kingston and noticed the construction fence had been removed and the grass had been cut, I knew it was my lucky day!

The first and only coin I dug here was a mere 2" deep. I've identified it as an 1825 Lower Canada Halfpenny - 'To Facilitate Trade'. The British government minted these coins to stimulate trade between the settlers in the colonies of Upper & Lower Canada and Quebec. The second relic I found was the brass toe-tap; it was followed by the 'Dandy Button'. I really had to resist the temptation to do any in field cleaning of these finds, as I felt they might be something special. Let me tell you, when I washed the dirt off the flat button at home and saw the detail and the gold wash that was left, it really took my breath away!

Millhaven, Ontario was first settled by the United Empire Loyalists in 1784, making it one of the oldest communities in Ontario. Discharged soldiers from Jessup's Rangers were the first settlers. The economic development of the community was enabled by a sheltered harbor and road connections with Kingston stimulated economic development. The government sawmill at Millhaven was the first to provide sawed lumber to Loyalist settlers. By mid-century Millhaven & Bath were prosperous ports of trade. By 1804, the whole village had been prepared for settlement and surveyed.

Thanks for looking,
Dave

 

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[pl8man]

Sweet finds Dave !
Glen

 

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[BuckleBoy]

Beautiful condition on that Token. Seriously, that's a great find that would look good in anyone's collection on the basis of condition alone!

 

[Iron Patch]

Beautiful condition on that Token. Seriously, that's a great find that would look good in anyone's collection on the basis of condition alone!

So hit it with electrolysis?

 

[Michiganne]

Congrats on that nice halfpenny token. Fine button, too. Keep digging!

HH

 

[CRUSADER]

excellent condition on the token, can't hope for much better - congrats!

 

[pepperj]

Nice going on the finds from the hunt at the house site, and I was wondering about that one and was going to take a drive out to see the demo process.
CONGRATS! on the token is a beauty for sure as is the button, the soil is very kind in those parts.
Last time I hunted the east end area there was 4" water laying around after the rains, still lots of potential for the area.

 

[sscindercoop]

Nice digs!!

 

[Chuxter]

Just thought I'd share with you what I found at an old home site in Millhaven, Ontario yesterday. The house that used to stand here was built around 1830 - 40 and was demolished in July. I always thought the house was built around 1940 because of the aluminum siding that covered it. Much to my surprise, I noticed its early limestone construction underneath the siding as the workers started to remove it during demolition. I've hunted the property just to the east and have been waiting impatiently for the construction fence to be taken down. I even remember another detectorist I met in the adjacent field telling me, "that he'd already detected the property and hadn't found anything"! So, when I drove past yesterday on my way to Kingston and noticed the construction fence had been removed and the grass had been cut, I knew it was my lucky day!

The first and only coin I dug here was a mere 2" deep. I've identified it as an 1825 Lower Canada Halfpenny - 'To Facilitate Trade'. The British government minted these coins to stimulate trade between the settlers in the colonies of Upper & Lower Canada and Quebec. The second relic I found was the brass toe-tap; it was followed by the 'Dandy Button'. I really had to resist the temptation to do any in field cleaning of these finds, as I felt they might be something special. Let me tell you, when I washed the dirt off the flat button at home and saw the detail and the gold wash that was left, it really took my breath away!

Millhaven, Ontario was first settled by the United Empire Loyalists in 1784, making it one of the oldest communities in Ontario. Discharged soldiers from Jessup's Rangers were the first settlers. The economic development of the community was enabled by a sheltered harbor and road connections with Kingston stimulated economic development. The government sawmill at Millhaven was the first to provide sawed lumber to Loyalist settlers. By mid-century Millhaven & Bath were prosperous ports of trade. By 1804, the whole village had been prepared for settlement and surveyed.

Thanks for looking,
Dave

Awesome finds!

 

[mr helton]

What is the thing in this picture with the holes? I just found one last weekend at my grandparent's old house and have no clue what it is.

 

[ironhorse]

What is the thing in this picture with the holes? I just found one last weekend at my grandparent's old house and have no clue what it is.

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=860021"/>

The thing with the holes(brass) is a toe protector off an old shoe or boot, back when there were only leather soled footwear, these were applied to keep the toes or heels made of leather from wearing out to quickly or before their time

 

[mr helton]

Wow that is so cool. Any idea when they might have stopped making those?

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I'd love to find one of those halfpennies... and that dandy button is in awesome shape!

Thanks very much for your post Evolution!
I've probably found a 10 of them in the past 3 years, some British and some Canadian.
Dave

Great finds.

Thank you!

Good hunting Dave , post some more on

You kill me buddy!
Thanks!

Congrats on a Excellent hunt and Awesome Half Penny !

TommNJ

Thank you very much for your post Tom!
Best of luck to you my friend,
Dave

Nice trade token! Funny, I found a 1854 Northern Canada Trade Token yesterday outside Buffalo NY! Also 2 1920 Canadian silver 5 cent pieces fashioned into cufflinks! Planning on posting shortly!

Congrats & HH!

Thanks for your post Jimmy!
The token you found is likely an 'Upper Canada' Trade Token. These were made in England for use here in Canada and circulated from 1850 - 57. I'd love to see a pic of those 1920 Canadian silver 5 cent pieces fashioned into cufflinks!

Best of luck to you,
Dave

I've never seen that coin before, so thanks for posting--it's a beaut! You've got a real nice site there...and as your history lesson proves, there should be much more to find in that settlement! A big congrats to you for keeping your eyes open on the construction site!

Thanks very much for your kind words and for your post ggossage!
As I'm sure you well know, metal detecting is very competitive and it all comes down to the timing . . . if you snooze you lose!

Best of luck to you my friend!
Dave

Sweet finds Dave !
Glen

Thanks Glen, you and Carson are having an awesome year too!
Hope your families cabin in the Sierras made it through safely!
Dave

Beautiful condition on that Token. Seriously, that's a great find that would look good in anyone's collection on the basis of condition alone!

Thanks for your post BuckleBoy!
I can't believe how nice it came out either, considering it's probably been in the ground for 175+ years!
Dave

Congrats on that nice halfpenny token. Fine button, too. Keep digging!

HH

Thanks very much Anne!
Hope you're finding lots of Michigan treasure!
Dave

excellent condition on the token, can't hope for much better - congrats!

Thank you Cru!
This is my oldest coin find to-date and I still can't believe the shape it's in!
Dave

Nice going on the finds from the hunt at the house site, and I was wondering about that one and was going to take a drive out to see the demo process.
CONGRATS! on the token is a beauty for sure as is the button, the soil is very kind in those parts.
Last time I hunted the east end area there was 4" water laying around after the rains, still lots of potential for the area.

Sorry about getting to this site before you J!
But after seeing how old the home was after the aluminum siding was pulled off I just couldn't resist!
I think you're right about both of these sites still holding lots of potential!
Dave

Nice digs!!

Thank you sir!

Awesome finds!

Thanks Chuck!

Wow that is so cool. Any idea when they might have stopped making those?

I would assume these would've been made up until at least the early 1900's.
Best of luck to you mr helton,
Dave

 

[wv hilljack]

Nice stuff

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Nice stuff

Thank you!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I'd love to find one of those halfpennies... and that dandy button is in awesome shape!

Thanks very much my friend, sorry for taking so long to get back to you!

Best of luck to you,
Dave

 

[Gridwalker306]

Really nice coin! I hate seeing those old houses disappear, but good job on reading the signs and finding the goods!

 

[Old Dude]

Everyone seems to be liking your trade token, Dave, but I REALLY like your flat button. Apparently our ancestors felt adornments on their clothing should reflect the prominence and affluence of the wearer. I am happy to be living in our time as I never was the one for flash or pomp, lol. That site looks to be a very nice size and hopefully you can give it another look.

 

[ColonialDude]

Nice finds...and a spot I recognize! I got permission to hit that area a couple of years back. Not directly by the house but to the east as you stated. The area looked like Vimy Ridge...absolutely destroyed. There were literally 2 foot holes that were dug out in the grass area and not filled in. It was a mess. I wanted to leave because I didn't want anyone walking their dog to think that I did it. I did my best to fill the trenches (they were everywhere)...and continued on hunting as a site is never "hunted out". Clearly whoever was there before me didn't know what they were doing...not only with their digging but with the detector as well. I found at least 12 colonial coins that day. Over half a dozen were 1812ish tokens. 5 were George III halfpenny's and I pulled a spanish silver out of there as well. I also dug a couple of 1790's artillery buttons, a shoe buckle and a couple more odds and ends. The house site was fenced off back then even. I knew it was an oldie as well but wasn't about to jump the fence.

I was fortunate to be there when they scratch plowed the other side of the field. I did quite well that day too. She's trashy over there though!

I should also mention...I'm not suggesting here it was you that blew the field up like that. I'm sure quite a few detectors have hit that area. In fact I've seen several guys post about hunting that spot.

 

[treasurehunter313]

Great coin and awesome condition. Pretty amazing to think it could of been sitting there 190 years waiting to be discovered... If you really stop to think and appreciate that fact it's mind blowing. Life was so different back then. I always ponder placing someone from the 1800s into today's world; what would they think? Haha HH, looking forward to going out tomorrow... I can truly say metal detecting is my number one passion in life right now!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Really nice coin! I hate seeing those old houses disappear, but good job on reading the signs and finding the goods!

Thanks for your post my friend, really enjoy your posts and your finds too!
Best of luck to you bud,
Dave

Everyone seems to be liking your trade token, Dave, but I REALLY like your flat button. Apparently our ancestors felt adornments on their clothing should reflect the prominence and affluence of the wearer. I am happy to be living in our time as I never was the one for flash or pomp, lol. That site looks to be a very nice size and hopefully you can give it another look.

Thanks very much for your post Dave, I love the engraved flat button the best too ... but your finds put my finds to shame buddy!
This site sits next to a sit that apparently was very productive as far as early 19thc finds go. Unfortunately, I didn't locate this site until late last year, so I missed out on a large number or early Canadian pre-Confederation tokens! Hey, better later than not at all eh!

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Nice finds...and a spot I recognize! I got permission to hit that area a couple of years back. Not directly by the house but to the east as you stated. The area looked like Vimy Ridge...absolutely destroyed. There were literally 2 foot holes that were dug out in the grass area and not filled in. It was a mess. I wanted to leave because I didn't want anyone walking their dog to think that I did it. I did my best to fill the trenches (they were everywhere)...and continued on hunting as a site is never "hunted out". Clearly whoever was there before me didn't know what they were doing...not only with their digging but with the detector as well. I found at least 12 colonial coins that day. Over half a dozen were 1812ish tokens. 5 were George III halfpenny's and I pulled a spanish silver out of there as well. I also dug a couple of 1790's artillery buttons, a shoe buckle and a couple more odds and ends. The house site was fenced off back then even. I knew it was an oldie as well but wasn't about to jump the fence.

I was fortunate to be there when they scratch plowed the other side of the field. I did quite well that day too. She's trashy over there though!

I should also mention...I'm not suggesting here it was you that blew the field up like that. I'm sure quite a few detectors have hit that area. In fact I've seen several guys post about hunting that spot.

Thanks very much for the info on the site CD! I always wondered what went on here prior to me detecting this location. I first hunted the old house site that you refer to the east of here in the spring of 2013 and only found a brass 1808 - 1811 US Infantry Button on this site. I met another detectorist from Napanee on the site in 2013, he told me "that he had found 80+ early 19thc tokens and at least one Spanish Silver coin" found at this site over the past few years. Here's a pic of the button I found there last spring.

I was back to both of these sites a couple of times last year, but didn't find anything of interest!

Best of luck to you,
Dave

Great coin and awesome condition. Pretty amazing to think it could of been sitting there 190 years waiting to be discovered... If you really stop to think and appreciate that fact it's mind blowing. Life was so different back then. I always ponder placing someone from the 1800s into today's world; what would they think? Haha HH, looking forward to going out tomorrow... I can truly say metal detecting is my number one passion in life right now!

I hear you buddy and thanks for your post! Every site is a new adventure, whether it be a modern park or an old homestead site!

I also heartily agree with your analogy, "placing someone from the 1800s into today's world; what would they think"? Every time I find a relic from the past, I think about how it might've been lost or the situation in which it was lost.

Thanks for your post and good luck to you,
Dave