Mercer County Powder Horns ©
Foreword: Mercer County [Ohio] powder horns were first recognized as a school of carved powder horns back in August of 2001 when the author published “Mercer County, Ohio, Carved Powder Horns and Their Rooster Headed Eagles” in the The Gun Report magazine. In December of 2016, he published a follow-up article, “The Elusive Mercer County, Ohio Powder Horn Carver, W. D.,” in Muzzle Blasts magazine. Since 2016 additional Mercer County horns have been found, with several being exceptional examples. For anyone unfamiliar with Mercer County horns, a series of Mercer County horns are illustrated below. Horns are dated 1833, 1837, 1845, and 1852, respectively, to provide an overview of the horns’ artistic progression and/or development. Despite the limited number of known examples, Mercer County horns are an important new school of American carved powder horns due to their: 1) carving quality, 2) Masonic imagery, 3) Midwest frontier folk-art, and 3) documentation [name, date, county] of early Midwest Masons.
Figure No.1: This fine Mercer County powder horn has a round cartouche enclosing the words, “Jacob Bigham, Mercer County Ohio, 1852.” The carver’s initials, “W D” for William Dunwoody, are on the reverse side. The horn exhibits all of the best Mercer County characteristics with its strong Masonic symbolism, fine horn body and lathe-turned walnut plug, and documentation of its owner, date, and place of manufacture. Courtesy T. Thistlewaite.
“Mercer County” Name: The name “Mercer County” first appeared in print in 2001 when the school was introduced to collectors in a published article by the author. About a dozen Mercer County horns were then known, with several having “Mercer County Ohio” carved on them. Since that time, horns have been found with “Butler County” and “Darke County” inscriptions, and one with “Fort Defiance” implying the owner lived in Defiance County, but “Mercer County” remains the most frequently seen county. Researching horns with owner’s names but no county name has identified several owners in adjacent Ohio counties, as well as two Indiana counties, all clustered around the Ohio/Indiana state line. However, the preponderance of horns came from Mercer County, making “Mercer County” an appropriate name for the new school.
Horn Carvers: About half the known horns are signed with either the initials “W. D.” or the carver’s full name, “William Dunwoody.” Two horns are signed “Samuel Dunwoody,” and at least one horn has both Dunwoody names. Horns by William and Samuel are very similar, indicating the two men were related and worked together at times. They were probably both sons of Adam Dunwoody of Pennsylvania who served in the Revolutionary War and then moved with relatives to Greene County, Tennessee. Adam died about 1785 in Tennessee. When several of his four sons reached adulthood in Tennessee, they all sold their shares of the father’s estate and moved to Ohio about 1810. William was older than Samuel based on Samuel’s birth date of 1799 and William’s 1810 marriage in Butler County, Ohio. Records show both men first lived in Butler County and later in Mercer County… the two counties most often found on their horns. The earliest known Mercer County horn is dated “1833” with ownership by “David Bell, Butler County Ohio.” While unsigned, it’s carving is undoubtedly the work of William Dunwoody. Samuel’s first known horn is dated “1849,” but he probably assisted William’s horn-making before that time due to his similar carving style. Samuel’s carving years were limited, since he moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, about 1850 and died there in 1852. William continued to carve horns until at least 1856 based on his last known, dated horn.
Figures No.2a (<-) and No.2b (->): The earliest known Mercer County powder horn is dated “May 2, 1833” with the owner’s name “David Bell” and “Butler County Ohio” carved across its face. There are no carver’s initials, but the folky “rooster headed” eagle and neat block letters inside lines were undoubtedly carved by William Dunwoody. There is no Masonic influence in this early horn, unless a simple form of Masonic imagery is buried within the details, unnoticed by non-Masonic viewers.
The horn body deserves comment. It is well shaped with a lathe-turned walnut plug and integral nose button for strap attachment. Even the spout’s strap retaining ring is neatly carved, verifying William Dunwoody was an accomplished horn maker by 1833. But his artistic ability would continue to evolve beyond this initial effort. Private owner.
Mercer County Folk Art: The horns are identified by their similar figures repeated on most horns. Figures include one or more standing men in brimmed hats either holding or leaning on a rifle. A hunting dog is near their feet and a deer is nearby, often with its head turned back over the shoulder. Most horns have a large federal eagle with shielded breast, vine in one claw and three arrows in the other, with either four or eight pointed stars overhead. The eagle is pure Midwest folk art with its childish-shaped wings, body, and head. The eagle’s head has a comb on top, and collectors refer to it as a “rooster headed eagle.” Most [but not all] horns have Masonic imagery that includes the “square & compass” symbol, large all-seeing eye, Masonic lodge, sun, checkerboard arches or pillars, chickens/roosters, and less often a trowel, ladder, hammer, shovel, ruler, etc. Dates are usually prominent and at times include the month and day. Banners with “E Pluribus Unum” often curve over the eagle’s head, and smaller banners may have Masonic slogans, owner’s names or initials, or the carver’s name. Several more elaborately decorated horns have a bust of a man [the horn owner] in an oval cartouche, often with his initials or name nearby. At times two or three large, capital letters/initials are present that may have a Masonic meaning.
Figure No.3a: This early 1837 Mercer County horn has an image of its owner holding a whip with the carver’s initials “W*D” just below in large script. Polychroming is visible in the leaves above the man’s face. Oddly, this horn lacks the expected eagle. Author’s collection.
Figure No.3b: The horn’s reverse has a 3-level Masonic temple for Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master levels, with a garden or row of tall plants below it. Both the turned walnut butt plug and attractive spout show the hand of a skilled hornsmith. Author’s collection.
Figure No.3c: The horn’s owner is identified by the initials “E.B.” just left of his bust. Masonic affiliation is documented by the “square and compass” banner above his initials followed by where he lived: “Ohio Butler County Reiley Town-ship 1837.” The bust of the owner sits just left of the lengthy documentation inscription. Author’s collection.
Tansel Influences: Mercer County horns were made in western Ohio, while the earlier Tansel horns were made next door in Indian. A Tansel influence can be seen in most Mercer County horns. They “borrowed” the large federal eagle as a central figure, hunters with dogs and deer, banners with “E Pluribus Unum” and overhead stars, bulbous lathe-turned butt plugs, and polychroming to highlight details on selected figures. Two known Mercer County horns even borrowed the Tansels’ trademark “fish mouth” step-down separating the horn body from the spout. However, the much folkier artwork and unmistakable Masonic presence clearly separate Mercer County horns from their Tansel cousins.
Figure No.4a: Carvied images include a sun at top left with the slogan “The Sun Shines For All.” Checkered arches frame the eagle and men below. Cartouche: “William Brundidge, 1845, Price $1.00.” Courtesy R. Pierce.
Figure No.4b: The back has a large Masonic temple. Above it in script letters between two lines are the carver’s initials, “W. D.” The eagle is located in the upper left. Courtesy R. Pierce.
Figure No.4c: The eagle on the “Brundidge” horn has the typical shape of all Mercer County eagles with its droopy wings, chubby body, and “rooster comb” on top of the head. A field of 8-pointed stars floats above. Courtesy R. Pierce.
Masonic Connection: Strong Masonic symbolism is present on most Mercer County horns. When owner’s names/initials and dates are researched, most are found to be early Masons in western Ohio and eastern Indiana, strongly suggesting Mercer County horns were part of the Midwest’s Masonic tradition. Some Midwest Masons [who were unaware of the horns] have described the horns as recognition gifts for Masons achieving the next level within the Masonic hierarchy, i.e., Apprentice, Journeyman, Master. However, more recently two Masons were adamant that the horns were recognition gifts for Master Masons when elected as Lodge Masters. This explanation seems to account for the limited number of known horns, and recognition gifts are still given to newly elected Lodge Masters. If the horns were recognition gifts for all Masons in western Ohio that advanced to the Journeyman or Master level, there should be a much larger number of known Mercer County horns… but there isn’t. It is worth noting that most Mercer County horns show little wear, suggesting they were more mementos than actual working horns… although several horns show usage and worn areas.
Figure No.5a: The “Jacob Bighorn” horn is dated “1852” with standing hunter on the far left edge, deer with turned head, and hunting dog. The “rooster-headed eagle” is visible, along with a sun under the slogan, “The Sun Shines For All.” The carver’s initials “W D” are above the deer’s rump. Courtesy T. Thistlewaite.
Figure No.5b: A standing hunter with rifle and brimmed hat is below a typical Mercer County eagle and “E Pluribus Unum” banner. The large initial “B” to the left and “J” [see No.5a] to the right are part of the large Masonic “square & compass” symbol on the opposite side of the horn. Courtesy T. Thistlewaite.
Figure No.5c: A large cartouche is inscribed: “Jacob Bigham, Mercer County, Ohio, 1852.” Bold Masonic imagery is present in the checker-board arch over the “square & compass” symbol. The butt plug is noteworthy for its chip carving around the raised nose with staple. Courtesy T. Thistlewaite.
Summary: Mercer County powder horns are the most recently recognized, and probably the last, major school of important carved American powder horns. French & Indian War horns followed by Revolutionary War horns were the first to be highly regarded and collected, and in the last forty years, the heavily decorated Tansel horns of Kentucky and Indiana have gained national recognition. More recently, Mercer County horns have joined that elite group. While fewer in number and slower to be recognized, their unmistakable carved images and strong Masonic connection make them a unique group of horns that, like all great American carved powder horns, captured small moments of American history for future generations.
Author’s Request:
Anyone with a similar style horn that might be a Mercer County horn is encouraged to contact the author. Documenting new horns adds to our understanding of these fascinating horns and their Masonic connection. Please use the “Comments” box below, or e-mail at sgallien@comcast.net.
Post Script: A complete inventory of Mercer County powder horns known to the author as of 12/31/2023 is attached below.
Horn I.D. No. Date Owner’s Name, Key Figures, and Inscriptions
MC#1 1833 David Bell, Butler County, Ohio, May * 2 * 1833 MC#2 (related) 1834 W E B, W C, non-Masonic, but carving appears related to Mercer County horns. MC#3 (related) 1835 E B D, deer with turned head, probably Mercer Co. MC#4 1837 E. B., Ohio, Butler County, Reiley township, W*D. MC#5 1841 Large eagle, house/temple with furniture, table is set. MC#6 1842 William Dunwoody in script, small horn, limited decoration on lower/basal third, Masonic symbols. MC#7 1845 William Brundidge, Price $1.00, The Sun Shines For All, W*D, very elaborate, heavily carved MC#8 1846 Fine horn with Tansel-style fish-mouth. Fort Defiance, Janus W. Titus, W*D in fancy script inside a round …………………………………………………..cartouche, horn’s butt plug with chip carving around its nose. Ft. Defiance and town of Defiance are in Defiance …………………………………………………..County, Ohio. MC#9 184(7?) Lost about an inch of base, original plug salvaged with chip carved nose. Significant carving loss and partial date. …………………………………………………..Dark County, Ohio March the 4, 184_”(7?), The Sun Shines For All. MC#10 1847 George W. Mann, 1847, no other words. MC#11 1848 Hezek VanTrees, W. D., Jen. Taylor, City of Mexico, Blackhawk, E. Pluribus Unum. MC#12 1849 June Samuel Dunwoody, Mercer County, Ohio, large clock set at 6 o’clock. (PBS Antique Road Show. MC#13 1849 William Halstead; J*G*B; Shelby County, Indiana. MC#14 1850? Jacob Iler; dates circa 1850, small ball horn. MC#15 1850 William Dunwoody, dog, deer with turned head, turkey. MC#16 1852 W*D, owner WV, hunter with bird in hand, deer with turned head, turkey. MC#17 1852 Mercer County, Ohio, 1852, Wm. Dunwoody in large arch over man with rifle, large knife, and dog; small banners: ……………………………………………………“For Samuel Dunwoody” and “The Sun Shines For All.” MC#18 1852 Jacob Bigham Mercer County Ohio 1852, W D, Very fine horn, beautifully carved. MC#19 1853 Ephrim Grant, Ohio, 1853, F H C. MC#20 1854 Phillip Alspaugh; W. D.; Mercer County, Ohio, E. Pluribus Unum. MC#21 1854 Small horn shortened at base with minimal carving loss, eagle without stars, round cartouche with “Thomas ……………………………………………………Down” around inner edges, “1854” in center. Banner with “Liberty,” standing man with rifle. Simple strap ring. MC#22 1854 WHV, WP [miswritten initials for WD?], small horn with image of child being pulled in a dog cart, typical ……………………………………………………standing man with rifle and dog. MC#23 1855 James F. VanTrees; James Mott; J*A*B. MC#24 1856 William Dunwoody, small horn, no other words. MC#25 1856 Large date in oval cartouche; no names or inscriptions. MC#26 1856 Small horn with large date in oval cartouche, lacks names and inscriptions. MC#27 n/a Large, professionally decorated horn with names and date present but not reported; large eagle, house or temple …………………………………………………..with furniture inside; found in northwest Ohio. Reported by J. Anspaugh of Ohio. MC#28 n/a Small horn with damage and replaced plug; rooster headed eagle present; name and date scrapped off.