This sword and plug bayonet were found in a buckskin covered wooden trunk, in 1957, in an attic by the grandmother of Alfred H. Seibel, Jr., of North Merrick, N.Y. The grandmother told Alfred that the trunk had been passed down through the John L’Hommedieu family and was given to her when she was in her teens. The sword and dagger ( plug bayonet ) when discovered, were wrapped in decaying linen cloth and the trunk was lined with news papers dated 1801 and 1803. The sword has a white bone or ivory hilt with a spiral design carved into it and a lovely wide, open work brass guard. The blade is 26 & 5/8 inches long with a fuller cut into the top. The plug bayonet has a 9 & 5/8 inch blade and a 4 & 3/8 inch hilt with nice dark patina to the wood and brass. They are both in excellent condition and the sword still has it’s original leather scabbard. A document from the owner to me, attest to the provenance. Captain Samuel L’Hommedieu, along with six brothers, Ephraim, Grover, Henry, Hudson, John and Mulford, all served in the Suffolk County militia on Long Island. Samuel, was a Captain under Col. Josiah Smith, Suffolk County Militia, and fought in the battle of Huntington in 1776, along with his brothers. He lived a long life and died at the age of 87 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery, Bar Harbor, Suffolk County, N.Y. A picture of his grave is included below as well as John’s tombstone in Cheshire, Ct. Since it was more common for officers to carry a saber, I believe the sword belonged to Samuel and not John, who was a private.
OAKLAND CEMETERY
OAKLAND CEMETERY
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