Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Horn, Powder |
Catalog Number |
2003.40.7 |
Date |
ca. 1770 |
Material(s) |
Horn/Wood/Leather/Iron |
Dimensions |
H-12 W-6 D-3 inches |
Description |
This curved powder horn has no engraved decoration on the body. The 3" long spout has a 7/8" bottom end with a beaded edge that tapers slightly to a strap or lanyard groove. Between the lanyard groove and the recessed mouth tip are two central rings. The ½" recessed mouth tip is plain and loosely wrapped in wire. There is no spout plug. The wood butt plug is a high, dome-shaped with a small beaded bottom edge. The dome top has a depressed center. There is a beaded edge around the outside of the depressed center. A turned wood plug knob screws into the threaded hole in the base of the depressed center. The plug is secured to the horn with seven iron nails. A leather lanyard is secured to the wood knob on the butt plug and around the groove in the spout. |
Notes |
William Calk (1740-1823), from Prince William County, Virginia, came to Kentucky in 1775. Calk lived initially at Boonesborough, but eventually erected a cabin and later a house near Hinkston Creek in present day Mount Sterling, KY. Calk was a surveyor, merchant, and land speculator. According to family tradition, he went on frequent hunts around Boonesborough with Daniel Boone. A powder horn held black powder in an easy-to-pour form for loading and priming a muzzleloading firearm. According to family tradition, William Calk helped survey the new town of Boonesborough, as described in his journal entries for April 21-22, 1775. Richard Henderson, leader of the land company that owned the town, named one of the new avenues Calk Street in his honor. Calk later became a deputy surveyor in the counties of Fayette, Madison, and Bourbon. |
Collection |
Calk Family Collection |
People |
Calk, William, 1740-1823 |
Subjects |
Horns (Animal) Ammunition Containers Gunpowder |
Search Terms |
Boonesborough (Ky.) Early Kentucky settlers Mt. Sterling (Ky.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |