For every Revolutionary War Camp item that I recover, I can never help my mind from wandering to: "What was this soldier/militia man doing when he lost this item? Preparing to march to a distant skirmish or battle? Filling the day with drills and foraging? Countless stories can come to mind. Remember the 'chewed musket ball' on the cover page? What do you think was going on the instant that individual bit down on that ball of lead?
For this very same reason, I have been asked to come to old home sites of owners that appreciate the history span of their property. It may be a Colonial home that at the time of the Revolution, its owners allowed troops to encamp on a regular basis while in travels. Or, maybe a home site that is located on a three mile long documented skirmish site. Home sites along Battle Road from Concord Massachusetts back toward Boston come to mind here. (The British retreat from the 'battle' at Lexington/Concord, April 19, 1775). It makes for a wonderful conversation piece that has a direct historical relation to the property. I even have property owners contact me to recover whatever I can. The owner knows their dwelling has been occupied for 100, 200, or possibly even 300 years (possibly by the same family) and wants to see what may have been lost over the past centuries of inhabitance. The photograph below shows the outcome of one such request.
To the left: A pair of Colonial shoe buckles (one has a piece of the original leather attached), Colonial Sterling silver butter knife, Sterling oval buckle, 18th Century cane handle and tip, cloak clasp, flint striker, musket balls, Tudor Rose insignia pin, and a signed brass trunk hinge dated 1697.
Over time, from searching numerous yards and other areas, recoveries begin to accumulate. The time-span to recover the conglomerate of finds pictured to the left was one good March thru November season. Colonial coins, two cent pieces, three cent pieces, liberty 'V' and Buffalo nickels, large cents, silver coins from dimes thru dollars, a nice variety of relics and a decent collection of gold and silver jewelry are among the recoveries.
Should you have any interest in knowing what lies beneath your old home-site grounds, simply go to the contact link and tell me about your place. I am a professional, so a well groomed lawn remains a well groomed lawn after recoveries are made. References are available upon request. Property owners and their insurance carriers are totally free of any injury liability if in the extremely unlikely event that I were to suffer some sort of injury (from stubbing a toe to breaking an arm because I tripped, etc.). You are guaranteed this in writing.
To the left: A pair of Colonial shoe buckles (one has a piece of the original leather attached), Colonial Sterling silver butter knife, Sterling oval buckle, 18th Century cane handle and tip, cloak clasp, flint striker, musket balls, Tudor Rose insignia pin, and a signed brass trunk hinge dated 1697. 
Over time, from searching numerous yards and other areas, recoveries begin to accumulate. The time-span to recover the conglomerate of finds pictured to the left was one good March thru November season. Colonial coins, two cent pieces, three cent pieces, liberty 'V' and Buffalo nickels, large cents, silver coins from dimes thru dollars, a nice variety of relics and a decent collection of gold and silver jewelry are among the recoveries. 
