November 17, 2020 Early Arms & Militaria: Age of Exploration, Empire & Revolution
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/17/2020
This important and historic horn was found in an attic in Hamilton, Ohio years ago. It measures about 14" overall and displays the artwork of a Lake George School carver, from the French and Indian War period. It is signed "JOHN CALL HIS / HORN WOOD STOCK MARCH 21 / 1759". Above his name is a two-line verse, "I POWDER WITH MY BROTHER BALL / A HERO LIKE DO CONQUER ALL". There is a nice deep zigzag border design separating the verse from the name panel. There are also numerous faces, symbols, and flowery vines carved on the horn, including a soldier with a powder horn across his chest and holding a rifle in one hand and a sword in the other. Along the top edge of the engraved portion, there is an inscription "JAMES CALL 1759", perhaps denoting that his brother James was the engraver. The flat wood base is secured by wooden pegs and there is an iron staple at the base of the horn for the attachment of a carrying strap. John moved from Massachusetts to Woodstock, Connecticut, Winham County sometime prior to 1759. He was among the men from Woodstock who served under Gen. Wolfe's command at the Battle of Quebec during the French & Indian War. The date carved on John's powder horn of March 21st, 1759, strongly suggests that John entered service at this time and was part of the forces being sent to Quebec during the Spring of that year. The Battle of Quebec marked a major turning point in the war and ended the French control over Canada. John was very much involved in the American Revolution. He served with Captain Lawrence Kemp of Shelburne at Fort Ticonderoga from February 23rd, 1775 to April 10th, 1776. This group was part of Col. Leonard's Regiment whose roll call was sworn to in Suffolk County. John was again back to Fort Ticonderoga from May 10th until it's surrender and evacuation on July 10th, 1777. John was also part of the group marching to the Bennington Alarm in Captain Hugh McClellan's Company of Col. David Field's Regiment. Lois M. Patrie, author of "Patrie's History of Colrain", says, "On August 16, 1777, when the sound of cannon was heard from Bennington, Colrain's Minutemen answered their second "alarm", making all possible haste to the scene of action, but arriving to late to take part in the engagement. In the summer of 1777, the British under the command of General Burgoyne, began a campaign designed to cut off New England from the rest of this new country. John again enlisted on September 22nd, 1777 with Captain McClellan's Company of David Well's Regiment for service of one month, two days, with the northern army with roll call sworn to in Hampshire County. Captain McClellan and his men went to Saratoga Springs near the Hudson River in New York where two important battles were fought. The first battle on September 19th, three days before John's enlistment, was indecisive but the second battle on October 17th, the British force under Gen. Burgoyne surrendered to General Gates. This battle was referred to as the Battle of Stillwater. John Call was discharged on October 18th, 1777. Included with this powder horn is an extensive archive of information regarding John Call, his family history, genealogy, and military records. There is also a transcription of some of John Call's record book dated 1762, which he kept from June 19th, 1762 until 1806, two years before his death in 1808. John Call is also related to Walt Disney, and included is a family tree and the genealogy of the Call family. There are also photographs of John Call's tombstone and the tombstone of Lucy Call, his wife. CONDITION: The horn retains a pleasing dark honey patina on the main body. There is some natural flaking and raised grain. Shows some carrying wear and minor marks from use. Spout has been shortened slightly, possibly during the period of use. There is some minor cracking around the wooden plug. This is a very well documented horn belonging to an important soldier of both the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War. DMG