Patchbox Sunday #6 Sheetz

 The following patchbox rubbings are from rifles made by the Sheetz Family of gunmakers. 

The following three patchboxes were made by Michael Sheetz of Charles Town WV.  Michael was born February 28, 1781, and died July 9, 1836.  He was the son of Henry Sheetz.  Michael's son Jacob built guns in Hampshire County. 

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                                Michael signed his rifles in block letters M. Sheetz

M. Sheetz

The following patchboxes were made by Jacob Sheetz of Hampshire County

The image at the top in the above rubbing is a capbox. These rectangular cheekside capboxes are almost exclusive to Hampshire County and we seldom see them on percussion rifles from other areas.  For clearer reference see the image below.

The following patchbox rubbings were taken from rifles made by Frederick Sheetz. 

                                                                                    

The patchbox below is attributed to John Jacob Sheetz of Shepherdstown, son of Philip and brother to Martin.  John Jacob most likely apprenticed to Martin since Philip died when John Jacob, was only 8 years old.                                                             

                                                                                

Cheek Side Relief Carving

The following group were made by William Miller Sheetz sr.  He was the son of John Jacob Sheetz.  William Miller Sheetz made his rifles in the Sheetz Shop in Shepherdstown. this was the same shop where his grandfather Philip & Uncle Martin worked.  William died in 1866 of typhoid fever at 55 years of age. 

                                                                                 

                             W M Sheetz numbered his rifles, this one may be #59 

                                                                                     

                                                                                  
                                   Hope you enjoyed viewing these, JDM & BMS
                                               Our First Patchbox Sunday

                                                    

Thanks Pops,

But I Really Had My Heart Set On A  Fullstock

Patchbox Sunday #5 John Crummey

Patchbox rubbings from John Crummey rifles.  John Crummey born 1788 died 1857.   He was a gunsmith in the early 1800s in Rockingham County Virginia.  He is listed as a gunsmith in tax records from 1805-1832.  From the book "Historic Harrisonburg", " The ball & fish weathervane mounted atop the courthouse built in 1833-34 was made by John Crummey assisted by George Logan".   In the 1851 and 1854 census records of Iowa, there is a John Crummey born 1788 from Virginia.  In 1852 this John Crummey married Sarah Robbins in Iowa City.  In the 1856 census of Iowa, John is 68 and Sarah is 58.  He died August 5, 1857, in Iowa City.   More research is needed & if you have any more information on him, please let us know.   

                                                                 Click Image to Enlarge

                                          See photos of a  John Crummey rifle. 

                                     Hope you enjoyed this, JDM & BMS

                                                                             FB

A Rebel's Rifle

 

When the Civil war began, men and boys from these hills of Western Virginia, grabbed their hunting rifle and headed off to the cause.  Of course, many times they need not venture far, as the conflict may be at their doorstep.  Every time I handle an antique longrifle  I wonder who the early owners were, where it has been, and what it may have experienced.  The ole adage, "if this gun could only talk".   Well, the rifle we present today, has some provenance engraved to it, so in a sense, it can speak, sharing a little of its history, while keeping the identity of the soldier who carried it into battle a secret.  This rifle has witnessed the bloodiest day on American soil. Shortly after the rebel combatant fell or was captured, his rifle came into possession of the Gosnell's. The Gosnell's had it engraved and gifted it to their uncle, Samuel Ward, a veteran of the War of 1812.  This gift was a way for the nephews to honor their uncle’s loyalty and service to our country during America's Second War of Independence.  Samuel Ward's nephews were his sister's sons.  Samuel Ward lived in the Baltimore area.  Samuel died in 1867 at the age of 82 & was referred to as an " Old Defender" of Baltimore in the War of 1812.  The Gosnell's were also residents of Maryland. 

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The side plate is engraved, “A Rebels Rifle captured on the battlefield of Antietam 17 Sept. 1862.”

                                                                          

The patchbox door bears a presentation inscription, “Presented to Samuel Ward / Soldier of the War of 1812 by his nephews / L.W. Gosnell, M.T. Gosnell, / & Wm. L. Gosnell.”

                                                                                 

                                                  C. Robbins Flintlock converted to percussion

                                                                                 

W E in script 

The percussion longrifle was made by William Evick (1803-1886) of Pendleton County and signed W E in script on top of the barrel. The Evick's were prominent gunmakers in Franklin. I believe the rifle was originally percussion & used a repurposed lock, that was originally flint and converted to percussion.  The rifle is approx. 40 cal, and has a 32-inch barrel, obviously cut down from an original length of 40-44 inches.  The rear sight has been moved from its original location to the breech tang to suit the aiming practice or eyesight of some owner. For more information on EVICKS

 

                     

 

                                                  Thanks to the owner for sharing.

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Patchbox Sunday #4 George Young

                    Here are three patchbox rubbings taking from signed George Young rifles.  

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For more information click G. Young

Here is our Our First Patchbox Sunday

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George Young Rifle

 This George Young Rifle recently came out of a collection in West Virginia.  Thanks to the owner for allowing us to handle this rifle and post a few photos.  We depend on owners of these old rifles to have material to post here.  

                                                                       

Flintlock 40 Inch 40 Caliber Rifled Barrel

                                                                     Stocked In Maple

                                                    Nicely Engraved Pierced Brass Patchbox

                                                                                 

                                                               Signed G Young in Script

This rifle was built by George Young in Romney WV circa 1830s.   George Youngs shop was on lot 17.  This location is on Bolton & Main Street, where Voit's Garage is currently located.  For more information on George Young and his rifles see George Young

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Joshua Good Gunsmith, Singer Sewing Machine Agent & Inventer

 Joshua Johnson Good was born in Albemarle Virginia in 1834.  He was the son of Jacob Good (1799-1881) and Lucy Wiggington (1799-1880).  His grandfather was Felix Good SR of Hampshire County. 

                                                                                   

                                                                     Joshua Johnson Good

In the 1850 census the Goods are living in Hampshire County,  Joshua is 16 years old and his father Jacob's occupation is listed as a miller.  In the 1860 census, Joshua is in Atchison, Kansas listed as a Gunsmith.  He is listed as a gunsmith in the 1860 Atchison City Directory.  In June 1863 there was a Joshua G Good listed on the registration for the draft in Butler Ohio.  His occupation is gunsmith, so I presume the G is a misprint.  In 1867 Joshua married Mary E Renaker in Harrison Kentucky.  In the 1870 we find him & Mary, with two children in Cynthiana Kentucky.   In this census he is listed as a Singer Sewing Machine Agent and Gunsmith.  In the 1880 census,  Joshua is listed as a Sewing Machine Agent.

Joshua was also an inventor and held several patents, including one for,  safety fenders for locomotives, autographic register improvement, improvement for plows & a machine for folding strips of paper. 

Joshua's wife Mary died in 1886, he died in 1900, both of them are  interred at Battle Grove Cemetery in Cynthiana Kentucky. 

 So now the question, whom did he apprentice to and how many guns did he make here in Hampshire County, or in Kentucky?  

The rifle pictured has a commode lid cap box on the cheek side, similar to a couple of  Benjamin F Shane's rifles.  Another candidate, is Evan P Ward.  The Good family lived close to the Wards.  J J Good had a son named Evans P Good, possibly named after Evan P Ward?  How many guns did he make while living in Hampshire county?  Finding a Hampshire county rifle made by Good would be difficult,  he wasn't here more than eight years after he completed his training.  There should be more guns existing while he lived in Kentucky, but we have not seen any.   

 We hope that more rifles  by J J Good will surface and please send us photos if you have one , we would love to see it.  Thanks to James Whisker for the use of his photo & all the help he has been to us.  BMS

Update 7/20/2024 Recently discovered.

Joshua Good percussion rifle and signed J G. The lock is a repurposed flintlock lock. The rifle was always percussion. 

                              

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Thanks to a descendant of Joshua for the use their portrait.