1700'S Search Site

[VA DIGGER]

Just got permission to search from what I understand, is a un-searched 1700's home site in northern Virginia south of Harpers Ferry area. Attached is a photo of the house, barn and a well or spring house. Can anyone give any pointers as to how far trash dumps and other key areas would normally have been for a homestead this old. I have not had the opportunity to see the site first hand but would like to learn more of how home sites from this era were laid out. Any pointers or insight would be greatly appreciated as I have never searched a site this old.

 

[brnn53]

No help with the layout but that would be a choice spot to hunt if indeed it is really unhunted. I would branch out into the woods and fields nearby as well.
Mike

 

[GRAY GHOST]

woohoo! vadigger got him a hotspot! it's making us drool, my friend. just hit it as well as you can, and get in the woods too. i know it's gonna be hard at first to detect it in the traditional way, in straight lines, but i believe there's some good stuff there. old dumps and privies ain't usually that far from the main house... just think... how far would you walk to dispose of the trash or take a leak on a cold winter's night? haha, just kiddin'. prolly not far. good luck on your hunt, vadigger, and hh,

 

[1859large]

They did not have OUR artificial light, they had candles and lamps that where not that bright. So they tended to do a lot of work outside the house and barn. Obvious places for work in the spring and fall are places out of cold winds, the warm side of the house or barn the opposite is true in warm weather. Shaded areas are good spots at that time of year. Next to that paths to back fields, sheltered sides of stone fences, and of course the fields themselves. The current roads may not have been the main roads back then. Your search area might have an old road crossing it that is no longer visible.

I am new to this game too but I have found most of my coins on old paths and trails and along side old house sites and areas that are protected from the prevailing winter winds which blow from the northeast where I come from. The west side of stone fences and small hills seem to be more prolific than the east or north sides.

You have to imagine how people moved across the terrain and what they where doing. Where the laundry was washed and hung. Where they might stop and take in the view.

Looks like you have a very nice spot there! A place like that could take years to cover well.

Good luck1

HH

1859

 

[FrankieG.]

That's an awesome site, you're very lucky to be the first to search it! No telling what you'll find there, one can only imagine- coins from the Colonial period and later, various relics. Be sure to post your finds and good luck!

 

[johnreb1980]

n/t

 

[VA DIGGER]

Thanks to all for your ideas. Looking to make my first trip in about three weeks. I'll keep everyone posted

 

[king-ghidorah]

Wow! That's a MD's dream site. Let us know how you do on this. I'm drooling just looking at the pics and my imagination is running wild!

Hard to believe that no one has hit that place yet. If you do not find nothing then you'll know for sure someone has hit it already but hopefully not. That place was built pretty sturdy. It still looks pretty livable.

 

[waltship]

We had a outhouse where I grew up. It was about 15 yards straight out from our back door. My wife's fam had one about 10 yds and out to a 45 degree angle from thier back door.