Our friend Jim in Sturbridge is on a permission roll this summer. He was hunting public land and got approached by a private land owner who was worried Jim was trespassing. He wasn't, and after talking to the guy, found out the owner thought that there had been a British encampment on one of his other properties.
So Jim invited a group of us to detect along with a couple of the property owners sons to see if there was an encampment. Dan was on the list for this hunt, but he had to work and was sorely missed! We were wondering what would happen if him and Howard Hewitt were to discuss history. We suspect a wormhole would get created to the past. ;)
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What we were introduced to was active cattle fields on a slope. The high flat ground across the street was occupied by a modern cemetery, and if there was an encampment, it was probably there. It definitely was not where we were.
But, we did OK at the cattle fields, and even better at Jim's backup permission at a farm field 1/2 mile up the road. Howard got started with an early saddle shield.
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The spot coughed up a variety of finds, especially where the main field was gated to the next. I got a nice silver washed or gilt button, and our friend Rich got a fantastic 1857 Flying Eagle cent. It was amazingly clean, and he gave it to the land owner before we left. I'll have to find a pic of it.
We eventually moved on to Spot #2 to since it was obvious the British weren't on that patch of New England.
Spot #2 was about 5 or 6 acres of hay fields between farm houses. It did OK with the 2'nd half of the day. I managed 2 coppers for sure. 1803 Draped Bust, and undated Braided. I'm calling the 3'rd a coin. It's badly worn and thick as a button, but still giving a 63 VDI.
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My other notable find from that field was my 1'st coin silver spoon. Badly mangled, but Howard was close by and spotted it for what it was right away. There was a monogram on the handle as well. I'm having a hard time nailing down a real date from the maker's mark.
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The find of the day came from Rich again. There was a high, flat spot in these fields that coughed up 2 of my coppers and other good finds. The mid 40's tone on his AT Pro coughed up an 18 karat gold thimble. It's monogrammed as well, not visible in this pic. Carter Gough and Co. Newark NJ.
1841-1850 from the maker's mark. It came out of the ground the same shape it went in. Amazing!
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The sun setting at 4:45 kept us from the place longer, and we never touched the 15 acre field at Jim's disposal. The spot we were on still has goodies in it for next year.
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