With the application of lanolin to the horns surface, I discovered many more details in the scrimshaw work. There are a total of six three masted sailing ships that are three across in two rows. They run from the butt plug end sailing towards the spout end. Each of these ships are done quite "folky" but highly detailed with rigging and open sails. All along the base plug circle, that is if you were to stand the horn on it's base plug end, there are trees scrimmed all the way around the base. The two dates I was looking for came to light fairly well. Thomas Wiltshare (Wiltshire) was born in Catalina in the year of our Lord 1837 Old Seals Beware of his Long Gun April 14 1871. This I believe to be the message in it's entirety. With the modern wonders of the internet, I quickly found references to a Thomas Wiltshire born in Catalina Newfoundland off of the Grand Banks. Catalina is a small fishing village along Trinity Bay. Thomas died on Dec. 16, 1907 and was buried in the United Methodist Church cemetery, Catalina. I could not find exact birth records for him, but he is listed as being 73 years of age at his death. That would put him in the 1834 date but 1837 would have made him 70. A persons age can get a might confusing over the coarse of a lifetime!
Thomas was married three times. He also had several children. First marriage to Amelia Jane not recorded. Son John born to her July 30,1864. Second son William born Oct. 7, 1868, third son Francis born Sept. 7, 1873. Thomas Wiltshire's second marriage to Agnes Lodge is recorded Mar. 2, 1884. Third marriage to Laura M. Hayward Dec. 25, 1886. A William Wiltshire born 1831 died Aug. 29, 1911 is very possibly a brother to Thomas. There is also recorded a lot of information about the children of the Wiltshire clan. Many many deaths at very young ages with a couple going on the same date. I can easily paint a grim picture of the life of a late 19th century fisherman\hunter.
