Colonial era Michigan fort reveals more of its secrets

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A recently uncovered letter written by Thomas Jefferson described how the battle of Bunker Hill impacted the American Revolution and the 'history of mankind'. The letter was once published in the 1880s but had been 'lost to time' until being found by a historical preservationist.

Archaeologists have uncovered more fascinating artifacts from a colonial-era fort in Michigan.

A silver brooch and a large piece of creamware were unearthed during a recent archaeological excavation at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The artifacts were found in the remains of a cellar at the site.

Fort Michilimackinac is an 18th-century fort and trading village on the straits of Mackinac. Built by the French in 1715, the fort was taken over by the British in 1761.

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“The large piece of feather-edged creamware that has been sticking out of the root cellar since last season has finally been excavated,” explained Dr. Lynn Evans, curator of archaeology at Mackinac State Historic Parks, in a statement. “As anticipated, it was the final piece of the plate that was mostly excavated last summer. The way the sherds were found in relation to each other indicates that the plate was broken elsewhere and then deposited in the cellar.”

The silver circle brooch that was recently excavated at Colonial Michilimackinac. (Mackinac State Historic Parks)

Evans noted that the find was particularly exciting because archaeologists rarely find complete ceramic vessels at Michilimackinac, even in pieces.

The silver brooch was the fourth to be excavated from the cellar, according to Evans. “Both the creamware plate and trade silver pin are excellent markers for the British occupation,” she said.

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The cellar where the discoveries were made was part of a house once occupied by French-Canadian trader Charles Henri Desjardins de Rupallay de Gonneville, and, later, by an as-yet-unidentified English trader.

The creamware excavated from Colonial Michilimackinac. (Mackinac State Historic Parks)

Last year a sword handle, an unusual brass thimble, a knife, tin-glazed Earthenware and Chinese porcelain were also discovered at the site.

In 2017, a Revolutionary War-era knife was found at Colonial Michilimackinac. The knife, which has an intact blade, dates back to 1781 or older. Other artifacts found at the site include a colonial lock and a piece of silver.

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In July 2017, an 18th-century crucifix was also found near the location, according to MLive.

File photo - Colonial Michilimackinac is revealing more of its secrets. (Mackinac State Historic Parks)

Recent discoveries have shone a spotlight on America’s early days. The wreck of what appears to be a British ship destroyed during the siege of Yorktown in 1781 was recently discovered in Virginia.

A letter written by Founding Father Thomas Jefferson that had been lost to historians for over a century recently surfaced. The letter, which is priced at $80,000, is up for sale at Ardmore, Pa.-based historical document dealer Raab Collection.

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Just in time for the Fourth of July, an extremely rare 1776 printing of the Declaration of Independence has gone on public display for the first time in over a century at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.

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In December 2018, the remains of the famous Revolutionary War frigate USS Bonhomme Richard were discovered off the coast of the U.K., more than 200 years after it sank following a naval battle.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers