16th Regiment wood trunk

[RickL]

Greetings,

I picked up this trunk today at a local auction for $70. Printed on the front is "COMPANY G 16th REGT 2nd BRIGADE ERIE PA." Would love to know your thoughts on this. I can find information about the 16th Reg., but nothing about a connection to Erie, Pa.

Thanks

 

[Allyn]

Could this refer to the 16th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (161st Volunteers), 2nd Brigade? It recruited in Erie County, PA.

 

[RaggedAssSecond]

It could refer to any of the 16th Infantry Regiment's from the War of 1812 to the Civil War. Someone with more knowledge about the construction of the chest might be able to help to narrow down the time period.

16th Infantry Regiment (United States) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[RickL]

Could this refer to the 16th Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry (161st Volunteers), 2nd Brigade? It recruited in Erie County, PA.

It would make sense that this was some sort of tack box, and I couldn't find any info about the 16th infantry being in or from the Erie area. Thanks for the info.

 

[RickL]

It could refer to any of the 16th Infantry Regiment's from the War of 1812 to the Civil War. Someone with more knowledge about the construction of the chest might be able to help to narrow down the time period.

16th Infantry Regiment (United States) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanks for the info. I have been able to find several of this style box, all from the Civil War period, and most being described as carpenter boxes. The paint definitely seems to match quite a few items I have from the 1812 to 1865 time period. The research continues. Thanks again for the info.

 

[James Brenner]

Was there a post-war 16th Reg't, National Guard unit from Erie? Pre-1900?

 

[lupaglupa]

Company G of the 16th was recruited in Hanover, PA which is nowhere near Erie. There was no 16th artillery or reserve corps. There was a 16th regiment in the 1862 militia. I don't see a link to Erie there but there's little info on that company.

 

[RickL]

UPDATE

I started doing a closer look at the construction of the box and found a faded signature under the lid.
It looked to read "James Fruton Erie City Penna"

I did find a Cpl. James Trutton in the 16th Cav. Company F and G. However I still can't find a reference to Erie.

 

[lupaglupa]

James L. Trutton in the 1860 Census was a resident of Delaware, PA, which is northwest of Harrisburg. He was living in that same place in 1863 when he was put on the draft rolls.

 

[RickL]

James L. Trutton in the 1860 Census was a resident of Delaware, PA, which is northwest of Harrisburg. He was living in that same place in 1863 when he was put on the draft rolls.

James L Trutton, it seems, started in the 126 Pa Inf Co F in 62, was wounded at Chancellorsville and mustard out in May 63. Mustered into the 16th Cav as a vet in Dec of 63.

Everything seems to match up with the exception of the Erie Pennsylvania thing.

 

[RickL]

James L Trutton, it seems, started in the 126 Pa Inf Co F in 62, was wounded at Chancellorsville and mustard out in May 63. Mustered into the 16th Cav as a vet in Dec of 63.

Everything seems to match up with the exception of the Erie Pennsylvania thing.

I also found that he may have been in the 34th Pa co K from July to August of 63.

 

[Stryker65]

I also found that he may have been in the 34th Pa co K from July to August of 63.

That would have been the 34th PA militia, which was a one-month regiment.

 

[Allyn]

I don't think Trutton is the name. I can't decipher the whole name, but I think it might begin with F. Just a suggestion. It's hard to tell with writing on wood.

 

[R. Porter]

I didn't see a reference to Erie, PA, except on the penciled signature. Is there a clear image of a painted reference to Erie, PA? Also, what is that number 14 painted on the outside and penciled on the inside about? Or those blue circles? The box reminds me of those built to ship firearms or swords in but without the internal parts. Could this have been a box of weapons for a particular unit shipped to a particular location for distribution to that unit originally, and then used afterward for something else?

 

[RaggedAssSecond]

I'm concerned about the round headed nails used in it's construction.

 

[RickL]

I didn't see a reference to Erie, PA, except on the penciled signature. Is there a clear image of a painted reference to Erie, PA? Also, what is that number 14 painted on the outside and penciled on the inside about? Or those blue circles? The box reminds me of those built to ship firearms or swords in but without the internal parts. Could this have been a box of weapons for a particular unit shipped to a particular location for distribution to that unit originally, and then used afterward for something else?

I don't think Trutton is the name. I can't decipher the whole name, but I think it might begin with F. Just a suggestion. It's hard to tell with writing on wood.

I thought the same thing. I'm definitely open for suggestions. The research is the fun part.

 

[RickL]

I didn't see a reference to Erie, PA, except on the penciled signature. Is there a clear image of a painted reference to Erie, PA? Also, what is that number 14 painted on the outside and penciled on the inside about? Or those blue circles? The box reminds me of those built to ship firearms or swords in but without the internal parts. Could this have been a box of weapons for a particular unit shipped to a particular location for distribution to that unit originally, and then used afterward for something else?

Erie Pa is referenced in the faded area just under 2nd Brigade. If you can enlarge the image it will definitely help. I can post a better one if you like.
The 14 is definitely a curiosity for sure, but the blue circles are where the blue paint ran through cracks in the wood. I bet it would be a great box for transporting tack.

 

[RickL]

I'm concerned about the round headed nails used in it's construction.

View attachment 561358

You can definitely tell much of the hardware had been replaced at a later time, including the addition of more modern nails to help hold it together. I did find what appears to be the original hammered bolts that held the original hardware. They put the strap hinges over the old holes. I'll see if I can get a photo of the other nails. The bolts appear to have been cut and left in the wood.