Well how about that. My ancestors are from Rhode Island. I found two Continental soldiers on the Muster Roll: one ensign Daniel T..., and one private Cuff T.... The latter was African-American.
We are supposedly all descended from one ancestor who arrived in Rhode Island in 1643. Were the African-Americans slaves? Former slaves? Private Cuff is in a different company from Ensign Daniel.

As far as the quality of the bayonets, I would venture to guess that French technology and industry was rather well established at the time. England wanted to use the colonies for their resources, not as an industrial center. We were not very well established for mass production at the time. It would be interesting to compare French and American bayonets from the same period for their quality. Even if they do compare on that point, the French would have the edge on production numbers.

If I had to guess, it was a stash to be dug up at a later time, should the need arise. Something else arrived (better) to replace them.

That is a cool find. Considering alternatives, maybe they were for a weapon type they didn't have, though that raises the question of why they would have had so many (unless they were captured from the British or the Hessians, and they didn't capture any or enough of that type of weapon).

If they were modifying them, they may not have fit either the original or the new, but who would modify 30 without testing the first few to be sure?

quote:

Originally posted by BamaJeepster:
If you are into genealogy you can check the muster rolls of Valley Forge and see if you have a relative who may have been there.

http://valleyforgemusterroll.org/

I searched the list and found a Joseph Britton and a Hugh Smiley. Our records of the Britton family are from North Carolina so that probably isn't a match, but we don't know where our Hugh Smiley orginated. I think his son was born in Kentucky about 8 to 10 years after the war, so that might have been him. Guess it's time to do some more research!

George Washington buried them, he was saving them for Gettysburg.

very cool