Continuing with my articles, I’ve attached an image of another hammer poll axe in my collection.
This axe has a more “traditional” tomahawk style blade and a, somewhat, interesting history.
The axe is hand forged with an elongated octagonal poll, dating to the late 18th century. Light weight, slightly over 1 pound.
It was owned, at one point, by an individual with an Acadian surname from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Interestingly, that family surname was inter-married with other Acadians loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. Almost seems counter-intuitive after the 1755 removal of Acadians. Nevertheless, these loyal Acadian family provided intelligence, acted as guides, and interpreters to the British Crown prior to 1783, were at Fort Howe, otherwise “served in Canada”, being recommended for land grants in the 1783 Studholm Report.
Was this axe part of a loyalist guide’s kit?, a gift from the Royal Fencible American Regiment? Or perhaps carried by an interpreter for the British Indian Department?
Interesting to ponder…
