Collection Highlights
William Walton (1706-1768)
ca. 1750
1902.3
Oil on canvas
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
British military button found in New York City
Object name
British military button found in New York City
Date
1770-1783
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
Overall: 1 in. ( 2.5 cm )
Description
Pewter British military button; disk with regimental number and British crown on front.
Credit Line
Gift of John D. Crimmins, 1893
Object Number
1893.5h
Marks
stamped: (1893.5h), front of button: "44" (44th British Regiment, East Essex)
Gallery Label
This button was found in February, 1893 inside the buried hulk of a vessel during digging for a power house on the cable road at Front Street, between Broad and Whitehall Streets in Manhattan. The 44th Regiment arrived in New York in 1776, fought at the Battle of Long Island, and encamped at Fort George on 192nd Street until its departure for Canada on May 15, 1780. The button was worn on an enlisted man's coat. The ship was probably sunk as ballast for landfill between 1770 and 1820.
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
