Info about my muzzleloader

[Fleck]

I am new to the site and joined to see if I could find out some information about my muzzle loader. It was given to me by my father and was he said it was made by one of my relatives. I was told it was made my a "Billy Chilcote"? I had read some information  on huntingpa.com forum a while ago about Chilcote rifles at a display in Huntingdon, Pa. I posted on the huntingpa forum but haven't gotten the info I'm looking for.
I will attach a picture of it as there are not any specific markings on it, sorry for the cell quality pictures. I can take better pics if it will help identify and date the gun. I basically just want to know possibly who made it, when it was made, and maybe an estimated value? To me it is a priceless gun that I want to keep in my family.

Thank you in advance.

[eddillon]

Here is a link to Wm. Chilcote.  May be helpful.

http://kentuckyriflefoundation.org/pennsylvania/chilcote-william-s/

[eddillon]

Looks like William died in his prime.  Aged 37.  Therefore, if you have a Chilcote, it was made between 1850 and 1887.  Most likely between 1871 and 1887.  Apprenticed to James Stapleton.  Nice looking rifle.  Looking forward to some better pix.

[klb67]

Abner Stapleton was my great great grandfather and James Stapleton was his brother.  I have met and spoken to another heir and he had some great family history.  He published an article about James and the family.  Billy Chilcote was James' nephew and was his apprentice around 1870 at age 20. He had a gunshop in Hustontown Fulton Co. and died in August 1887.

I'm just learning PA long rifles and can't speak to your gun.  I checked Jim Whisker's book covering Huntingdon guns and unfortunately didn't see images of Chilcote guns.  Several from James Stapleton are shown.

Not intending to hijack but if anyone knows of a James Stapleton gun available I would love to acquire one.

[JBW]

from my book on gunsmiths of Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon & Somerset Cos., PA
William S. Chilcote (1849-1887). gunsmith. William was a son of Solomon and Margaret Chilcote of Todd Township, Huntingdon County [U.S. Census of 1860]. In 1870 William was apprentice gunsmith, living in the household of James Stapleton, gunsmith of Todd Township.  In 1880 he was a gunsmith in Broad Top City, Huntingdon County. He and his wife Martha [age 27] had a son William [6] [U.S. Census]. He died on 16 August 1887 in Hustontown, Fulton County [Orphan's Court Book VII, 98].

[JBW]

I assume FLECK is last name of person who posted. Fleck is name of 2 Huntingdon Co, PA, gunsmiths

George Fleck (1796- ). gun- and blacksmith. 1840-77, Shirley Township, Huntingdon Co.; 1880, Mt. Union boro. 1850, George, gunsmith, 54; Martha, his wife, 43; Elizabeth, 23; Mary, 19; Dan, 15; Franklin, 8; Washington, 5, all born in Pa. U.S. Census of 1870, Shirley Twp., Huntingdon Co., George, gunsmith, 69, value $350 real estate and $150 personal; Martha, 65; Frank, 23, works for railroad. 1880, Mt Union boro, George K. Fleck, gunsmith, 79; Martha, 75, his wife and her sister Jane Bouserman, 57. He died after 1880. To date no relationship has been established between Valentine and George Fleck.

Valentine Fleck (1805-1882). gun- and blacksmith. 1850, Shirley Twp., Huntingdon Co.; 1861-80, Union Twp., Mifflin County. 1850, Shirley Twp., Valentine Fleck, gunsmith, 45; Elizabeth, 36; Benjamin, 14; Valentine, Jr., 11; George, 16, laborer. 1861, Menno, Mifflin Co., noted in Boyd's Pa. State Dir., 1861. 1860, Union Twp., Mifflin Co., Valentine Fleck, 60; Elizabeth, 53, his wife; Valentine, Jr., 30, laborer; Andrew, 18; Mary J., 15. 1880,Union Twp., Mifflin Co., Valentine, 73, gunsmith; Anne, 63, his wife; Ida, 2. Valentine Fleck born about 1809; died August 11, 1882 in Brown Township, Mifflin County [Census; family].

[Fleck]

@ JBW - Yes, you are correct.

@eddillon - Thank you andI will try to get some better pictures posted.

@ everyone - Thanks so much for the information. With this information i am trying to track down Billy/William Chilcote's (the gunsmith's) relationship to me. I will also post if I find anything else out.

[Fleck]

Ok. I think I got it all figured out. William Chilcote was my great great uncle (through marriage). If I traced that right, if not feel free to correct my calculation. Below is how he died. Along with some other relationship facts to Daniel, Martha, and George. In case anyone else wanted to know. Hoping to keep this history alive in my family for many years to come.

William Chilcote
Obituary: From unknown newspaper
Died by Poisoning.
On Sunday a week, the14th inst., William Chilcoat, living at Hustontown, went to the woods and gathered what he supposed were mushrooms, took them home, and prepared and ate them. In a little while he became very sick, and went out and procured lobelia to act asan emetic. This gave him no relief, however. He vomited and purged violently and seemed to be burning with a consuming thirst. He drank copiously of water and this gave temporary but not lasting relief. Dr.Hill was sent for but not till the unfortunate man had been suffering many hours, and when he arrived he could give no relief. On Tuesday afternoon the sufferer was taken with severe cramps from which he suffered till Wednesday morning about 5 o'clock when he died. Deceased was about forty years of age, and leaves a son to mourn his death. He was a native of Trough Creek Valley, Huntingdon County, but had been working at his trade--gunsmithing--at Hustontown for several years.

Billy Chilcote's wife Martha "Mattie" B. Fleck, b.3 Oct 1852, d.11 Mar 1882 buried  I.O.O.F. Cem., Broad Top, Pa. Martha was a sister to my dad's great-grandfather Andrew Grub Fleck, b. 22 Feb 1840.

Martha (Mattie) and Andrew Grub Fleck's father was Daniel Fleck Jr. He was the son of Daniel Fleck Sr. who was the father of George K. Fleck. Daniel Fleck Jr. and George K. Fleck were brothers, both sons of Daniel Fleck Sr.

Thanks everyone!

[jdm]

Sounds like a bad way to go! Interesting information . That's the kind of info on these gunsmiths that make them come alive. Thanks for posting.    JIM

[Fleck]

Thanks, My friends have enjoyed the story about him as well, even though it would have been a tragic and untimely death for his family.

On a side note anyone have a idea of estimated value of this gun?

[mr. no gold]

Sad story and end, to a fine rifle maker. His misfortune is a good reason to stay out of the woods and leave the mushrooms alone. He must have eaten Amanita phaloides which destroys the liver in record time. Oftentimes the only cure is a full liver replacement. We have had a number of people out west who have had the same illness after eating wild mushrooms. Most have not made it, either.
Thank you for showing your heirloom. I have enjoyed seeing it. Maybe only the second Chilcote gun I have ever seen.
Dick