Large maker-marked Padlock, dug at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield

This is another nice piece being offered, it is an excavated large padlock. It measures5” x 3 ½” in its open position. and on the brass swivel keyhole cover is “WW&Co” which stands for William Wilcox Company. They were located in Middletown, Connecticut and were in business from 1845-1875. It was excavated at the Sailor’s Creek Battlefield, Virginia Battlefield.

The battle took place when General Robert E. Lee's army was retreating from Richmond to Petersburg. Here, on April 6, 1865, Union General Philip Sheridan cut off and beat back about a quarter of Lee's army. Eight Confederate generals surrendered, and 7,700 men were lost. This was the last major engagement of the war in Virginia; Lee's surrender at Appomattox occurred three days later.

This lock was part of a large compilation of artifacts from a long-time relic hunter who searched primarily in the Sailor’s Creek Virginia area in the late 1960s into the mid-1970s. Going by the size of this lock, it would not have been for personal use. It was probably used on an ammunition crate or limber. It is frozen in the open position, but there is some slight movement with the brass keyhole cover. Overall, it is a solid piece with no chipping or flaking.