Item 287. A RARE REVOLUTIONARY
WAR POWDER-HORN, dated 1778, approx. 13in. long,
the body engraved with the Royal Arms, 'GR'
cypher supported by a unicorn and a lion
with the inscription 'Capt. Rich. Duncan /
in John Johnsons / Regt. 1778.', the frontal
aspect of a mansion house, and flowering
foliage, turned nozzle, wooden base mounted
with a brass brooch in the form of a
flower-head, and suspension cord.
Footnote:
Captain Richard Duncan commanded a company
in the 1st Battalion of the King's Royal
Regiment of New York between 1777 and 1783.
The 'Royal Yorkers' were commanded by Sir
John Johnson and operated on the Canadian
frontier where they conducted many
successful campaigns and raids into rebel
territory. Duncan, like many other
loyalists, had been under open arrest during
the early stages of the war and it was not
until late in the campaign season of 1777
that he was able join Royalist forces. One
most notable raid took place in 1778 when a
force drawn from the regiment supported by
Kanehsatake Indians recovered Sir John's
papers from the grounds of Johnson Hall in
Johnstown where they had been buried when he
had been forced to flee two years earlier.
The inclusion of a mansion house in the
decoration on the present powder-horn may be
commemorating Duncan's participation in this
raid. The regiment was disbanded in December
1783 and the troops, being loyal to the
crown, were allowed to winter in barracks in
Montreal whilst preparations were made to
settle them and their families in Quebec
Province away from rebel persecution. A
series of military townships were created in
order that troops could be quickly raised in
the event of American attacks, Duncan's
company occupying Royal Township No.4 at
Williamsburgh. £1000-1500
The detail and
engraved wording is quite remarkable.