Colonial America
1761-Dated Engraved Massachusetts Powder Horn

With Named Soldier of French & Indian War Period
April 9, 1761-Dated, French & Indian War / Colonial Era, Hand-carved Engraved Massachusetts Powder Horn, 13 “ Long, Choice Very Fine.
This is an authentic “Museum” quality, original Hand-carved Engraved Powder Horn: “I - (J)ACOB - DV(U)NBAR - HIS HORN - HINGHAM - APRIL 9 1761.” This horn has a carved raised ring on its spout tip. It is beautifully, highly decorated with crosshatching with compass style medallion borders. There is a 1/2” extended horn end tab that has partially broken, for attachment of a strap on large end with its original wooden pine endcap intact, held in place with its original cap nails. One trivial pin hole size insect hole located on the side of horn, being fairly well hidden within the design. There is actual wear and all of the design types are correct to the period.

According to the reference “Hingham Military History,” by Walter L. Bouve, during the French and Indian War a Private, named Jacob Dunbar, was listed in the company of soldiers from Hingham, Massachusetts. In 1759, they were commanded by Jotham Gay. Bouve writes of the enlistees, in part:

"... at least fifty of these reenlisted, fifteen served three times, four four times, and one man seems to have been a recruit on five different occasions... In glancing at these old company rolls we notice the frequent recurrence of certain family names having a large representation among the present inhabitants, while others, then borne by a considerable number of persons, have entirely disappeared from the town. Of the former, the Lincolns, with seventeen names on the lists, easily lead, while the Cushings and Dunbars each furnish nine..."

A genealogy search finds that “Jacob Dunbar” was born in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1741. He married Abigail Gardner (born 1740, in Hingham, Massachusetts). Their only known child was Mary Dunbar (born in 1765, in Hingham, Massachusetts).