Where did they get their lead?

[Jckrabbit]

I was wondering where the old, old, old timers in America got their lead for casting round balls. Did they import it all? Where they able to mine it or quarry it themselves? Reading a great book on George Washington's early years (The Forge of Experience by James Flexner) and it got me wondering...

Thanks in advance,

Jckrabbit

 

[hanshi]

I believe it was virtually all imported.

 

[Oldnamvet]

French trappers were mining lead near Galena Illinois around 1700. Even gave the name of the town to it or it gave the town its name.

 

[ozark57]

I know a least some was imported. There has been more than one ship wreck found with large amounts of lead bars, many times mistaken for silver.

 

[Coot]

As usual, the answer to the question depends on when & where. In Virginia, lead in commercial quantity was discovered in 1756 at what is today Austinville in what is today Wythe County. The lead mines in what was originally called Leadville, were of importance during the Revolution. Later, interest shifted to bigger deposits to the west. There is a preserved shot tower in the area if anyone is visiting. For Texas history fans, guess which Texas historical figure came from a prominent Austinville family? :grin:

 

[necchi]

There is/was local deposits that the natives knew of along fur trade routes in the late 1600's, DeMoines,Iowa = the mines as one example,,
Dirt/soil was tossed on a rolling fire and stoked some more,,when the fire burned out lumps of lead could be picked from the ashes,,

 

[trodgers]

On the upper Mississippi, you could get some from Mr. Dubuque....

Link

 

[Tumblernotch]

As usual, the answer to the question depends on when & where. In Virginia, lead in commercial quantity was discovered in 1756 at what is today Austinville in what is today Wythe County. The lead mines in what was originally called Leadville, were of importance during the Revolution. Later, interest shifted to bigger deposits to the west. There is a preserved shot tower in the area if anyone is visiting. For Texas history fans, guess which Texas historical figure came from a prominent Austinville family? :grin:

Stephen Austin!

 

[dodgecity]

In PA, the sinking valley was an important lead site. Fort Roberdeau is a recreated Revolutionary War Fort that was built to protect the lead mines supplying the continental army. I visited there a few years ago. They also have an interesting web site. www.fortroberdeau.org

 

[hanshi]

I guess all that lead made that valley sink, huh?
Lead is dense, heavy stuff, alright.

 

[dodgecity]

Never thought of that, but I bet that's exactly why the sinking valley sunk. Probably should start keeping an eye on my garden shed. That's where my spare lead is stored.

 

[Rnegelein]

While doing some genealogical research on early Mass.; I have run across a reference to the Nipmucs finding a source of lead, and the Colonial Government sending Ephraim Curtis to attempt to make a treaty for mining rights. This was in the 1670s time frame before the outbreak of King Philip's War.