front
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
Contact us for information about using this image.

Detail 1

label levels:

Americans liked saving things from the time of the American Revolution (1775-1783), but sometimes collectors kept things that were really made after the Revolution. This cut-down flintlock gun for hunting birds is said to have belonged to John Aiken of Bedford, New Hampshire. In 1777 Aiken raced with hundreds of other New Englanders to stop a British attack from Canada that was meant to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. However, this could not have been the weapon he carried. It is of a style that is from the 19th century. The makers name on it, "W. Ketland & Co.", is of a London company that lasted from 1804-31, well after the Revolution.

top of page