Another True Tale of Buried Gold Found in Pelham

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Regarding Pelham I have written before:  "Likely due to the storied history of our town, there are a surprising number of legends and stories about buried treasure, forgotten treasure, and found treasure in our region."  Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog relates yet another true account of the discovery of buried treasure in our Town.  

I have written about legends and actual discoveries of hidden treasure in and about Pelham on numerous occasions.  For a few examples, see:  

Wed., Sep. 23, 2015:  Yet Another Tale of Buried Treasure in the Town of Pelham.

Thu., Aug. 20, 2015:  Pre-Revolutionary War Pewter Plates Were Discovered in Pelham in 1938.

Mon., Jan. 26, 2015:  Hidden Treasure that Once Belonged to the Father of John Hunter of Hunter's Island in Pelham Found in a Discarded Chest in the 19th Century.

Thu., Feb. 19, 2015:  Another Account of Gold and Silver Treasure Found in a Pelham Manor Backyard in 1889.

Wed., Jun. 11, 2014:  Buried Treasure Off the Shores of Pelham: The Legend of Pirate's Treasure.

Wed., Oct. 14, 2009:  1879 News Account Provides Additional Basis for Some Facts Underlying Ghost Story of Old Stone House in Pelhamville (tells legend that Mrs. James Parish hid gold on the grounds of the home).

Mon., Apr. 06, 2009:  Paper Recounts Burial of the Bell of St. Paul's Church in Eastchester To Save it from the British During the Revolutionary War.

Mon., May 01, 2006:  The Legend of the Recovery of Pirate's Treasure on an Island Off Pelham.

Mon., May 16, 2005:  The Discovery of a Gold and Silver Treasure in the Backyard of a Pelham Home in 1889.

In August, 1884, newspapers in New York City, White Plains, and Mount Vernon were abuzz with a story of found treasure.  That summer, a laborer named James Pine was working at the home of Elisha Guion near Pelham Bridge.  While working in the cellar of Guion's home, Pine was excavating the floor and struck something that seemed metallic.  He brushed away the dirt and unearthed "an old iron pot."  

Pine dug into the pot and discovered treasure!  Inside were "some six hundred dollars in old Spanish gold coin" (nearly $20,000.00 in 2015 dollars).  

Local newspaper accounts about the discovery of the Spanish coins were brief.  Several newspapers, however, reported on the discovery.  Below are such accounts.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

Detail from Engraving Published in 1884 Showing Old Iron

Pelham Bridge.  Source: "PELHAM PARK, NEW YORK. --

DRAWN BY CHARLES GRAHAM.", Harper's Weekly,

Vol. XXVIII, No. 1442, 1884, pp. 514 & 521. NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.  

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"VICINITY NOTES . . . 

While James Pine was working in the cellar of Elisha Guion, at Pelham Bridge, recently he unearthed an old iron pot, containing some six hundred dollars in old Spanish gold coin."

Source:  VICINITY NOTES, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Aug. 29, 1884, Vol. XL, No. 21, p. 2, col. 3.  

"SUBURBAN NEWS.

-----

NEW YORK. . . . 

Pelham Bridge.--As James Pine was working in the cellar of Elisha Guion he unearthed an old iron pot, which was found to contain between five and six hundred dollars in old Spanish coin."

Source:  SUBURBAN NEWS -- NEW YORK, The Evening Post [NY, NY], Aug. 19, 1884, Second Edition, p. 1, col. 8.

"CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM . . . 

"Some workmen digging in the cellar of Mr. Guion, at Pelham Bridge, recently, dug up an old iron pot, containing between $500 and $600 in old Spanish coin."

Source:  CITY ISLAND AND PELHAM, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], Vol. XV, No. 779, Aug. 22, 1884, p. 3, cols. 3-4.

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