Bill D. (VA)
Silver Member
My buddy Joey managed to get the day off on Friday so we could take advantage of the great weather and give it another try at an early land patent site. This is the same field that gave up the incredible Lord Baltimore sixpence on our first trip there. We were lucky to go when we did as winter wheat being drilled into the field as we arrived, and this would be the last day this season we would be able to access the site. Joey gave some of the background to our hunt in his recent post, so I'll just get right to it. As before, the site was not loaded with targets as it had been hit hard over the years, but we were steadily making a few finds. And they continued to be very early as we believe this site was only occupied from the mid-1600s to the very early 1700s based on our recoveries. Although no coins were found this time, this turned out to be quite a day for me in the buckle dept. I was able to walk over 2 very deep spectacle buckles that were complete with the exception of the tangs which are almost always rusted away. The smaller of the 2 is the oldest, and according to my reference book it dates to between 1550 and 1650. The larger one is identical to one I dug several years ago at the site where I recovered the 2 scattered caches of hammered silver coins, and dates to about 1680. I also dug a couple pieces from 17th century trapezoidal buckles along with a big, decorated piece from some kind of heavy frame buckle. I also recovered a complete stem from a 1600s latten trifid spoon. I looked everywhere for the matching bowl but it was not to be. A variety of interesting lead items appeared again as well, and I'm stumped as to what many of these are. Joey found a few of these also. I did recover one pipe stem with a very large bore which dates to 1620-50 which helped to confirm the early occupancy of the site. I also eyeballed part of the base of an early pipe bowl with the flat heel design. These are quite early as well, and unfortunately this example did not include a makers mark which are fairly common. Regardless, it was another great day to be outdoors and spend my birthday recovering history and help to document what early colonial life was like here in eastern Virginia. Had a great time Joey, and am looking forward to getting out again soon.
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