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Edmund Hewitt's Powder Horn

DateSeptember 5, 1776

Maker Edmund Hewitt

OriginAmerica, New York, Constitution Island

MediumHorn, wood, and iron

DimensionsOverall: 13 3/4" Diameter of plug: 3 7/16"

Credit LineGift of Ketra Hewitt Toda

Object number2021-14

DescriptionPowder horn of conventional form with flush base plug secured by iron tacks, a wire strap staple, and a faceted spout with a raised band at either end.

Engravings include a large mermaid holding a fish as the central motif and two progressions, one of animals and the other of watercraft. Both wild and domestic creatures are featured and include fish, a duck or goose, a dog, a doe, a buck, a horse and a fox. A pair of "whale" or "Durham" boats with prominent oarlocks follow a single-masted sloop which trails behind a double-masted Brigantine. Displaying an impossible thirty-three cannon mounted on two decks, the latter sails past the fork of a river.
Label TextPrecious few artifacts carried by common Revolutionary War soldiers have survived with the level of understanding which accompanies this remarkable powder horn. Not only a spectacular example of early American folk art, it descended straight from the man who created it in late summer 1776 to the donor who gifted it to Colonial Williamsburg in 2021.

Edmund Hewitt was born in Stonington, Connecticut on November 19, 1755 and moved to Stephentown, New York sometime before the Revolution. As word of the battles of Lexington and Concord arrived, Hewitt volunteered for the "rebel" cause. Between April 1775 and late 1777 Hewitt found himself in the service of New York, and at the tail end of his military career, in the service of Connecticut.

In his second year of soldiering, Hewitt was posted to Constitution Island, along the east bank of the Hudson River directly opposite West Point. With a commanding downriver view, the island was then being fortified against any attack from British-held New York City, some 55 miles to the south. During that posting Hewitt was primarily employed in barrack construction and the repair of Fort Constitution, in addition to the usual duties military life required. While there he decided a new gunpowder vessel was required, perhaps inspired by the abundance of horn left over from the large quantities of beef consumed by the garrison. This unique and highly personalized horn is the result.

Hewitt's ownership inscription carries the abbreviated date for September 5, 1776, certainly marking the completion of the new horn. Engraved in two bordered lines, it appears that more than one hand may have done the lettering, or perhaps Hewitt lost interest and put less effort into the tail end of the insciption. From the great care he took in decorating the balance of the horn we see what was important to him on a personal level; creatures of land, sea, and air, in addition to a variety of watercraft. A large, scaly mermaid with an intense stare and a fish clutched in her left hand is the central device. She is flanked by fish and a progression of boats on one side and an array of wild and domestic animals on the other.

From that day forward, with this wonderful horn on his hip, Edmund travelled between postings, spent much time on guard duty, and had some dangerous adventures "chasing & taking Tories," and skirmishing "with British & Indians" as he put it. By his twenty-third birthday Edmund had served the Patriot cause for a total of two non-contiguous years and returned to civilian life. After marrying Hannah Peckham of Westerly, RI in 1779, Hewitt eventually settled in Galway, Saratoga Co. New York and had at least one son, also named Edmund. He died there on September 7, 1836 in his 81st year and was buried in Galway's Village Cemetery, where his grave can be visited today.

Four years earlier, Congress passed an Act authorizing the payment of benefits to Revolutionary War veterans, and their survivors, should they be able to provide proof of their service. With no formal discharge papers on hand, Edmund Hewitt had to rely on his memory and the sworn testimony of those he served with to secure an $81.66 annuity from the United States Government. Amongst the surviving paperwork relating to Hewitt's Revolutionary War pension application is his statement, dictated under oath on September 5, 1832, exactly 56 years from the day he finished his powder horn at Fort Constitution.

Below is Hewitt's account of his Revolutionary War service, unedited and in his own words;

DECLARATION OF EDMUND HEWITT, given at Saratoga County Court (NY) on September 5, 1832;

"That in the month of April 1775 he resided in Stephentown Rensselaer County New York. That at this time he enlisted as a volunteer in a company of State troops commanded by Captain George White, (His Lieutenant was Jarvis Mudge). He marched first to Albany where his company drew arms, marched up the North River through Stillwater Saratoga Fort Edward, Fort George to Crown Point, Colonel Ethan Allens regiment was there, Arnold the traitor was there also. Staid at Crown Point a few days & Marched back to Fort George staid there till December following. was engaged during the summer in boating chiefly in carrying provisions & troops to Ticonderoga.

In the month of December 1775 He went with the company in boats to St. Johns, staid a few days opposite to St. Johns to recruit & marched by land to Montreal. In the latter part of December before his first term of Enlistment had expired He enlisted in a company of State troops commanded by Captain Spencer. Staid at Montreal till about the Middle of winter, was engaged in keeping guard, then marched back to St. Johns, stationed in the North Fort, another company was stationed in the South Fort. His term of service expired on the 13th of April 1776 a few days after which he left there for home. Out about a year.

In the month of April 1776 immediately after he got home He volunteered again in a company of State troops commanded by Captain Caleb Bently. Marched to the north river & went on board a sloop down the river to Fort Constitution on the East side of the River below Fish Kill He staid there till the last of November 1776. He assisted in keeping guard, repairing the fort & building Barracks. He was out about seaven months & a half & returned home in the sloop.

In the spring of 1777 He was drafted into a Militia company commanded by Captain Ichabod Turner, went to Albany then up the north river. Joined Colonel Warners Regiment on the way. Went to a place then called Jessup’s patent on the East side of the river. Kept guard there. Went back to Saratoga Colonel Van Schaik commanded. He was orderly Sergeant of the company. He was out about a month & went home.

*In 1777 Aug or sept Drafted again in the company of Capt. Turner, went through Albany up the North River to Ft. Edward then joined a part of the army, started for Fort Ann. Most of the army retreating. Went back to Fort Edward. Then was engaged between Fort Edward & Fort Ann in scouting & filling what the needs there were(?) continental troops at Fort Edward, retreated down the river in front of Burgoyne’s Army as far as Saratoga. skirmished with British & indians. After staying(?) about a month & a half & was dismissed & returned home.

During the fall of the year 1777 he resided at Stephentown Rensselaer County & was engaged a great part of the time in chasing & taking tories.

After Burgoyne was taken he went back to New London County Connecticut & the same season that New London was burnt by the British he went out as a substitute for Christopher Cray who was drafted in the Militia company of which was commanded by Lieutenant Hall. He marched to a place called New London great neck. The British at this time laid off in the Sound. He kept guard. Staid a month was dismissed & went home."
InscribedWithin two lines of ribbon, inscribed "EDMAN HEWIT HIS HORN MAID AT FC" over "FORT * CONS * SE 5 AD 1776." The central motif is labelled "MER*MAID" below her right elbow and the stag has a "D" above its back.

The base plug is inscribed "EDMAN" over "HEWIT."
ProvenanceBy direct decent from Edmund Hewitt through five generations, to the donor. Passed down through the male line, all of whom had Edmund in their name;

1. Edmund Hewitt II (1755-1836)
2. Edmund Hewitt III (1788-1868)
3. Charles Edmund Hewitt (1836-1911)
4. Herbert Edmund Hewitt (1871-1944)
5. Major Carter Edmund Hewitt (1907-1992)
6. Peter Edmund Hewitt (b.1935)
7. The Donor