Notes
This is a one piece cast pewter button with a domed face. Pewter was an alloy used throughout the eighteenth century, and was comprised of tin and either copper, antimony, or lead. The low melting point of pewter meant that it was easy to cast in molds. Evidence of the casting process can be seen on this example on the back of the button where a raised seam was formed where the two halves of the button mold joined. In this example, the shank, the stem and loop by which the button could be attached to clothing, was cast with the rest of the button, a common style by the mid-eighteenth century. Such pewter shanks were fragile, however, and often broke.
Readily visible on the surface of the button are the letters “H” and “P” in cast relief. As opposed to a decoration, it is possible the letters are a maker’s mark. If so, the individual or workshop responsible has yet to be identified.
In the eighteenth century, buttons came in a variety of shapes and sizes. Sometimes this variation can be used to identify which articles of clothing a button may have been used in the past. The diameter of this button indicates it was likely for use on a waist coat.
Object Type
ButtonsHas it Been Conserved?
Yes
Where Was It Found?
Project Site: House for Families [more details]
Material
Manufacturing Technology
Form
Shape
Completeness
Decorative Technology
Date
Country of Origin
Dimensions
15.44mm x 12.57mm x 15.9mm (W x H x L)
Illustration shows object in comparison to the size of a quarter
Weight
5.4 gram(s)
Object Number
1789039
DAACS Number
1789039
Project: House for Families
The structure identified as the “House for Families” on the 1787 Vaughan plan likely housed the majority of the enslaved population living at the Mansion House Farm for much of the second half of the eighteenth century. The building was in existence from circa 1760 until it was demolished in late 1792 or early 1793. The archaeological evidence for the structure consisted of a brick-lined storage cellar (44FX762/40-47) measuring roughly six feet by six feet. Historically the cellar served as a handy trash receptacle once it ceased to be used for its original storage function, and through extensive excavation has yielded an extremely rich assemblage of household refuse. The analysis of these remains offers the opportunity to study important aspects of the daily lives of Mount Vernon's enslaved community.
See All Objects From this Dig