Collection Highlights
Cake board
Date:
1825-1835
Object Number:
1937.1562
Medium:
Wood (possibly mahogany)
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Framed set of buttons and sleeve-links (41) excavated at Sneeden's Landing
Object Number:
INV.6227.1-41
Date:
1770-1783
Medium:
Pewter, brass, silver
Dimensions:
largest: 1 in. ( 2.5 cm )
Marks:
stamped: (15-21), front of button: "USA" (Continental Army)
stamped: (22-24), front: "MASSA. /2/REG." (2nd Massachusetts Regiment)
stamped: (25-26), front: "MASS. /3" (3rd Massachusetts Regiment)
stamped: (27), front: "MASSA. /IV/REG." (4th Massachuset
Description:
Pewter, brass, or silver buttons and sleeve-links; pewter military buttons have the number, symbol, or emblem of their regiment on front: two buttons have crossed swords below their regiment number, two have a pair of flags and a drum below their number, and one has a skull and crossbones below its number; three other military buttons have floral designs, but no numbers; brass sleeve-links: one pair is oval-shaped and the other is octagon-shaped; both have floral designs; other buttons: one large pewter button has a small circle of engraved lines in the center; a brass button is decorated with a floral design; another is silver-plated.
Gallery Label:
These buttons were excavated by the Field Exploration Committee at Sneeden's Landing, a blockhouse on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York. Built in 1780 by a French officer, the blockhouse was garrisoned by French and American troops. The American military buttons were worn by privates, and the three decorated military buttons were worn by French troops. The British buttons were worn by prisoners-of-war, or were taken from the uniforms of captured or dead soldiers.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
