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

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                                                    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. 

  

Patchbox Sunday #3

           The following patchbox rubbings were taken from rifles made by  Benjamin Franklin Shane.

                                                                        

Benjamin Franklin Shane was a Hampshire County gunmaker on Cold Stream Road near Capon Bridge circa 1850.  For more info BFS.     

                                                    Hope You Found These of Interest.

                                                           Thanks, JDM & BMS...

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Patchbox Sunday # 2

The following group of rubbings  were taken  from rifles made by the  Lauck Gunsmiths of Winchester Virginia.  The Lauck family  were active in the gunmaking trade in Winchester from 1788-1875.  Simon Lauck was born  1760 in Pennsylvania and became a gunsmith while living there.  He opened his shop in Winchester in 1788 and died in 1815.  Several of his sons were trained gunsmiths and worked in the Lauck shop until about 1875.  Simon trained many apprentices and employeed journeymen gunsmiths that carried his style throughout the valley and westward.  Hampshire County gunsmiths, Frederick Sheetz and George W Glaze worked in Lauck's shop.  (1) Nicholas Chisler from Morgantown, Monongalia County also worked in Laucks shop. (1) Other Virginia makers who were at  Lauck's shop before going to other areas of Virginia to practice the art of gunsmithing, were John Sheets, Augusta County,  Jacob Funk and Henry Stair. 

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Hope you enjoy these images, Thanks JDM

(1) Van Pitman Research 

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A Scottish Traveler Visit With Zebulon Sheetz

 Zebulon Sheetz was one of Hampshire County's finest gunsmiths.   We have seen his rifles and we know them well,  we hope the following  will shed some light on Zebulon the man.  The following pages came from "Pedestrain Tour of A Scottish Emigrant" , describing his visit to Hampshire County in 1826. 

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This is a little hard to see, you may need your spectacles. 

In the mid-1830s Zebulon Sheetz family moved West.   Zebulon and his family were given a letter of dismissal from their church at Cold Stream to move "to any Presbyterian church in the West, whose neighborhood God might cast his lot.  “He was given a testimonial of appreciation of the high community regard for his church service.

BMS

For more information on Zebulon Sheetz O&Z Sheetz

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