A Small Piece of History

drac2k · 1st January 2024, 10:14 PM

Recently I bought a grouping of several items and in this lot unbeknown to me was this simple cane with a plaque that stated "Hancock House Massacre 1778."
I was unfamiliar with this event, so I researched it and found that it was an engagement after the American Militia successfully repulsed the attempts of the British Army to transverse the 3 bridges that crossed the Alloway Creek. The Americans confident, left the bridges guarded and some of them bivouacked in the Hancock House. That night 300 Queens Rangers and Tories guided by slaves crossed downriver with boats, traveled through the marsh, and stealthfully entered the Hancock House where they bayoneted 20 to 30 militia soldiers in their sleep under the direction of Maj. Simcoe.
Well, back to the cane; from what I understand, in the early 1930s, some renovations were done to the house, and as a way to raise money some actual pieces of the structure were turned into canes and sold to the public.
If anyone else has one or can shed more light on this walking stick, it would be appreciated.

M ELEY · 4th January 2024, 08:58 AM

Wow! This is a pretty cool piece of Rev War history! Sorry, not much more to add other than to say Simcoe was a very controversial character. Items such as these were popular in past centuries, such as book ends, walking canes and mug coasters made from the wreck of the HMS Royal George, for instance.

drac2k · 4th January 2024, 10:35 PM

Thanks, M ELEY.It caused me to do a little research on the item and I was fascinated by the surrounding background story. I then realized how little I knew about our fight for Independence and the incredible personal sacrifices our Founding Fathers made for us.

Rick · 6th January 2024, 01:08 AM

Rabble in Arms is a great novel of those times; Kenneth Roberts is the author.
Another one of his novels is titled Arundel, about Arnold's march on Quebec.

They take a bit of the dryness out of history.

Here's another souvenir of that period; the cathead cut from the HMS Somerset 74 that was wrecked in what is now Truro Ma.

drac2k · 7th January 2024, 07:05 AM

That is one of the coolest things that I have seen lately!

1st January 2024, 10:14 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	A Small Piece of History Recently I bought a grouping of several items and in this lot unbeknown to me was this simple cane with a plaque that stated "Hancock House Massacre 1778." I was unfamiliar with this event, so I researched it and found that it was an engagement after the American Militia successfully repulsed the attempts of the British Army to transverse the 3 bridges that crossed the Alloway Creek. The Americans confident, left the bridges guarded and some of them bivouacked in the Hancock House. That night 300 Queens Rangers and Tories guided by slaves crossed downriver with boats, traveled through the marsh, and stealthfully entered the Hancock House where they bayoneted 20 to 30 militia soldiers in their sleep under the direction of Maj. Simcoe. Well, back to the cane; from what I understand, in the early 1930s, some renovations were done to the house, and as a way to raise money some actual pieces of the structure were turned into canes and sold to the public. If anyone else has one or can shed more light on this walking stick, it would be appreciated. Attached Images

6th January 2024, 01:08 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Rabble in Arms is a great novel of those times; Kenneth Roberts is the author. Another one of his novels is titled Arundel, about Arnold's march on Quebec. They take a bit of the dryness out of history. Here's another souvenir of that period; the cathead cut from the HMS Somerset 74 that was wrecked in what is now Truro Ma. Attached Images

4th January 2024, 08:58 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	Wow! This is a pretty cool piece of Rev War history! Sorry, not much more to add other than to say Simcoe was a very controversial character. Items such as these were popular in past centuries, such as book ends, walking canes and mug coasters made from the wreck of the HMS Royal George, for instance.

4th January 2024, 10:35 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Thanks, M ELEY.It caused me to do a little research on the item and I was fascinated by the surrounding background story. I then realized how little I knew about our fight for Independence and the incredible personal sacrifices our Founding Fathers made for us.

7th January 2024, 07:05 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	That is one of the coolest things that I have seen lately!