Treasure Trove.
Rev. William Bently of
Salem kept a diary for many years, making note of many interesting events and occurrences.
Here is one that ‘seems like picking up money’:
In removing a stone wall in Mystic or Medford in 1783, there were found under it a large collection of brass pieces, nearly square, mixed with the smallest coins of Europe, the whole 1 peck.
A few round ones have a fleur-de-lis stamped on each side of them.
The figures on the others were confused, but represented no character.
The stone had lost all appearance of having ever been moved and there is no recollection of the currency of such pieces which appears to have been of use.
Dr. Bently made his record in 1787, as something unusual and of especial interest because of the circumstances and nature of the find.
We wish he had told more.
