ENGRAVED POWDER HORN OF ELIPHALET AUSTIN, DATED 1776.

This horn measure about 14" and 10-1/2" across the bow. It has a relief cone-shaped spout section and the main body is engraved with a chicken-like turkey, several rope designs and a large flowering plant. It is inscribed "E A 1776" in large crosshatched block letters. According to the consignor, this horn was purchased from a descendant of Col. William Goodwin, who fought in the New Haven Alarm in 1779. It came with three letters from his son Harley dated 1819, 1822, 1840, and a poem, which all still accompany the powder horn. Research shows that Goodwin’s daughter married into the Austin family and Eliphalet Austin served in the New Haven Alarm with Goodwin. The only man serving in that company with the “EA” initials, so it is evident that this horn was most likely his. Austin has an extensive military record of which a copy is included, along with . When he moved to Ohio, he founded Austinburg, Ohio and became its first mayor. CONDITION: Some cracks to the spout section and reinforcing ring at spout is absent. The horn retains a pleasing brown honey patina, with scattered marks from use. The original convex wooden plug shows some losses to surface and has four period nails, two are rose heads, for strap attachment. A very nice folk art powder horn with a desirable date and extensive history. DMG