THE ONSLOW COMPANY
No original documents relating to the Onslow Company have been found to date, but the following accounts were told by John Smith and Anthony Vaughn Jr. in 1848 to Robert Creelman of the Truro Company.
1804
The Money Pit was dug by workers past the 30-foot level where there were regularly spaced oak log platforms approximately every 10 feet, along with coconut fiber, two layers of a putty-like substance, layers of small stones and charcoal.
At 90-feet, a flat stone with an unusual inscription was found face down. At the end of each day, the workers used a metal rod to test if there was another wooden platform 10 feet below. Late on a Saturday, the testing suggested a platform at 98 feet. Work ended for the week, and when they resumed on Monday the shaft had filled with 60 feet of water. A steam powered pump was brought in but could not handle the volume of water and burst.
1805
Shaft 2 was dug 14 feet east of the Money Pit to a depth of 110 feet. Their plan was to tunnel between Shaft 2 and the Money Pit and remove the treasure from below the 90-foot level. They managed to get within a few feet of their objective before the tunnel began to flood, barely allowing the men to escape with their lives and leaving the Onslow Company with two shafts full of water and no treasure.
This marked the end of operations for the Onslow Company.
1804
The Money Pit was dug by workers past the 30-foot level where there were regularly spaced oak log platforms approximately every 10 feet, along with coconut fiber, two layers of a putty-like substance, layers of small stones and charcoal.
At 90-feet, a flat stone with an unusual inscription was found face down. At the end of each day, the workers used a metal rod to test if there was another wooden platform 10 feet below. Late on a Saturday, the testing suggested a platform at 98 feet. Work ended for the week, and when they resumed on Monday the shaft had filled with 60 feet of water. A steam powered pump was brought in but could not handle the volume of water and burst.
1805
Shaft 2 was dug 14 feet east of the Money Pit to a depth of 110 feet. Their plan was to tunnel between Shaft 2 and the Money Pit and remove the treasure from below the 90-foot level. They managed to get within a few feet of their objective before the tunnel began to flood, barely allowing the men to escape with their lives and leaving the Onslow Company with two shafts full of water and no treasure.
This marked the end of operations for the Onslow Company.
Contributor: Paul Troutman
Oak Island Company Name: The Onslow Company
Also Known As: The Onslow Syndicate
Company Formation date and location: 1802 by Dr. Simeon Lynds, a young physician from Onslow, N.S.
Initial Company Shares per Price: Unknown – 25 to 30 financial backers from Onslow and Truro N.S.
Oak Island Leased by: John Smith
Years Active on Oak Island From 1802 to 1805
Deaths as a result on Oak Island: 0
Names of Company Members:
John Smith of Chester, N.S.
Anthony Vaughan of Chester, N.S.
Daniel McInnis of Chester, N.S.
Dr. Simeon Lynds of Onslow, N.S. (he also referred to as Dr. David Barren Lynds in some accounts)
Colonel Robert Archibald, director of operations
Captain David Archibald of Pictou, N.S.
Sheriff Thomas Harris of Pictou, N.S.
Mr. Mosher of Newport, N.S., mechanic
Oak Island Company Name: The Onslow Company
Also Known As: The Onslow Syndicate
Company Formation date and location: 1802 by Dr. Simeon Lynds, a young physician from Onslow, N.S.
Initial Company Shares per Price: Unknown – 25 to 30 financial backers from Onslow and Truro N.S.
Oak Island Leased by: John Smith
Years Active on Oak Island From 1802 to 1805
Deaths as a result on Oak Island: 0
Names of Company Members:
John Smith of Chester, N.S.
Anthony Vaughan of Chester, N.S.
Daniel McInnis of Chester, N.S.
Dr. Simeon Lynds of Onslow, N.S. (he also referred to as Dr. David Barren Lynds in some accounts)
Colonel Robert Archibald, director of operations
Captain David Archibald of Pictou, N.S.
Sheriff Thomas Harris of Pictou, N.S.
Mr. Mosher of Newport, N.S., mechanic
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Image Courtesy "Oak Island and its Lost Treasure"