Home / Archive / VOL. V NO. 21 11/01/2024 / Feature: Finding Treasure in Otis

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Feature: Finding Treasure in Otis

On October 26, 2024, I had a wonderful day treasure hunting with my daughter, Sydney. We dug up in a cellar hole in the Otis area and found a real Berkshire treasure. It was a hand-forged ax head made by Jeremiah Stuart (1785 -1856). 

The ax head is cast steel, and it is signed — Jeremiah Stuart!!!

Stuart came to Stockbridge in 1830 when he was 45 years old and remained until his death in 1856. He is buried in Stockbridge Cemetery. During in his life, he was a blacksmith and tool make with a shop on Stockbridge Main Street.

Tom Esko, fellow treasure hunter, serious collector, and historian of axes and early tools, said, “This might be the only one known to exist.” 

Syd also dug part of an octagon barrel of an early 19th century rifle.

I have been treasure hunting with my daughter since she was nine years old. The first time out, we found an ancient clay pipe and it was intact! That was a great day too.

Sidney Flint with an early 19th century rifle barrel found in Otis.

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