Revolutionary War documented musket ball and relics recovered from Bunker Hill site in 1847

Being offered are three documented relics from the Battle of Bunker Hill.  An article in the Boston Times in 1847 reports of a discovery of “interesting relics” from the Battle of Bunker Hill. Workmen were in the process of digging a well in that area and discovered several entire human skeletons along with a number of other articles. The spot was identified as the depository of soldiers who fell in the battle of the 17th of June 1776.

It reported “Quite a number of metal buttons – 43 to 52 were thrown up. The other articles consist of knee buckles, musket balls, copper coins, ….”. It goes on to report “The place where these remains and relics were found, is supposed to have formed a part of the main entrenchments at the time of the battle and that the bodies were covered up where they fell, or were thrown in immediately after the conflict – Boston Times, 1847”

In the 5 ½” x 5 ½” wood and glass display case are a piece of flint, musket ball, and a brass button (bent). In “Collector’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution” by Neumann & Kravic are examples of these types of artifacts.

The relics offered here are from the well-digging find that the Boston Times reported in 1847. They were passed down through the immediate family of one of the workmen present at that site of the recovery. I am one of two people who acquired these artifacts, so without this hand-signed and embossed certificate, it is NOT from this well site.

Along with this COA is a signed and embossed Bunker Hill emblem and a copy of the original newspaper clipping of the 1847 event. Any documented relics from Bunker Hill are just about impossible to find today.

With the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding this year, interest in the Revolutionary War and its relics are significantly increasing. This renewed enthusiasm is driving the demand for virtually all Revolutionary War artifacts, further contributing to their scarcity and rising prices.