Revolutionary Era small dug items

[AntiqueMeds]

few more odds and ends...

a napkin ring woven from silver wire. Buckle fragment with gold wash.

 

[AntiqueMeds]

Bone handle fork. big ole iron key. A brass clock key.

 

[AntiqueMeds]

2 brass buckles..

dont think they threw anything away back then unless it was broken.

 

[AntiqueMeds]

more cuff links . Some had glass lenses with silver/mercury foil behind them. The blue one is an egpytian type faience. Another has an amethyst paste stone.
Another spanish coin quartered (where quarter comes from).

 

[AntiqueMeds]

A pewter buckle (left) , brass on right.

 

[Steve/sewell]

Matt great stuff,I have grape shot from Fort Mercer in New Jersey a very important battle was fought at Red Bank New Jersey present day National Park Gloucester county New Jersey Fort Mercer wa slocated on the New Jersey shore of the Delaware, not far below Philadelphia, which in 1777 had a garrison under the command of Colonel Christopher Greene, of Rhode Island. After Howe had taken possession of Philadelphia, in September of that year, he felt the necessity of strengthening his position; so, in the middle of October, he ordered Gen. Sir Henry Clinton to abandon the forts he had captured in the Hudson High-lands, and send 6,000 troops to Philadelphia. He had just issued this order, when pews of the surrender of Burgoyne and his army reached him. He then perceived that he must speedily open the way for his brother's fleet to ascend the Delaware to Philadelphia or all would be lost. He ordered Count Donop to take 1,200 picked Hessian soldiers, cross the Delaware at Philadelphia, march down the New Jersey shore, and take Fort Mercer by storm. He obeyed, and at the same time the British vessels of war in the river opened a furious cannonade on Fort Mifflin, opposite. Already the works at Billingsport, 4 miles down stream, had been captured, and a narrow channel had been opened through obstructions above. This admitted British vessels to approach near enough to cannonade the two forts.

On the approach of Donop (October 22), Greene abandoned the outworks of Fort Mercer, and retired into the principal redoubt, At the edge of a wood, within cannon-shot of the fort, Donop planted a battery of ten heavy guns, and late in the afternoon demanded the instant surrender of the fort, threatening that, in case of refusal and resistance, no quarter would be given. Colonel Greene had only 400 men back of him, but he gave an instant and defiant refusal, saying, "We ask no quarter, nor will we give any.†Then the besiegers opened their heavy guns, and, under their fire, pressed up to storm the fort. They were received by terrible volleys of musketry and grape-shot from cannon, while two concealed American galleys smote them with a severe enfilading fire. The slaughter of the assailants was fearful. Count Donop instantly fell, and many of his officers were slain or mortally wounded. At twilight the invaders with-drew, after a loss of 208 men. The Americans lost thirty-seven, killed and wound-ed. Donop died three days after the battle. He said, " I die a victim to my ambition and the avarice of my sovereign.

"Here is some grapeshot I found where you can still metal detect today with out worry.The area which still yields good finds including cannon balls is located just south of the State boundry of the Battle field.I try and go at least four or five times a year. I always find something from the battle that is how much is still buried here.

 

[Steve/sewell]

number 2

 

[Steve/sewell]

Number 3

 

[Steve/sewell]

Number 4 These grape shot are the size of a pea. I bet you they hurt when they hit you at close range []

 

[Steve/sewell]

A colonial map of Ft Mercer and the area inside the red football shaped disc where you can still dig with out worry.