Where would you begin search?

[porchdawg]

I have aquired the privaledge to search an old farm. It is circa 1850-1880. I just don't know where to start my search. There are three barns, a large house, large lawn in front and alot of tall grass and briars arourd the perimeter. Woods are directly behind the barns. I can't determine where an outhouse would have been.

Someone still lives in this house but there is no problem with me searching, because I asked her today. I guess I would like everyone's advise as to where to begin my search. I don't want to do this hap- hazardly. I just walked over it quickly today and found several Lincoln pennies and a couple pieces of farm implements. I have included a rough drawing of the property, which is not to scale or elaborate. I just wanted to give yall an idea of layout. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks

[Metalman]

Everyone will more than likely have different Ideas on where to start

If it were me I would start in the front yard, if there is a shade tree probly around it and work my way out from there, I say this based upon the fact that farm life during the era you mentioned, the front yard would have been the central focus for children, picnics, social events, and such things.

the house or at least part of it would more than likely be original structure, the barns may or may not be.

If the house has a drive way, this may also be an area to search, play areas, dirt walkways, or sidewalk edges are also good places to search.

if there is a cloths line be sure and search there.

work small grids, and slow both ways.

Good luck !!! sounds like a winner to me .

By the way no map shows up !!

Rick

[NB Digger]

I would stay away from the barn areas for now. There will be a lot of farm eguipment "junk" in the ground. You can always pick through that later. I would start in the lawn and around the house. Then maybe hit the woods. Should be plenty of CW items in an old place like that, especially there in GA. That is, if it has not been picked over yet. Sounds like a great place and much luck to you!
Travis
PS- is there a spring or stream near by? If so hit that area hard as well. Way back when they would have washed, gotten water and bathed in a spring or stream. Soldiers would have also gone to streams and springs. If the place is that old there has to be a spring close by.

[Joe(TX)]

Hello from Texas. I would start in the barn since I collect old farm relics, also old antique barbed wire may be found in there. Also the barn would have been a very good place to hide a cache, remember the old timers did not trust banks at all. Also kids have always liked to play in the barns especially during bad weather so expect to find a kid's cache. Also barns are known places for hiding guns and other types of weapons. So good luck but I think that I would hit that barn first.

[Wyatt Earp]

I'd be inside the barn too.....and after that, I'd try and convince them to let me do the basement of the house if it has a dirt basement....and some of those places still do. After I was sure there were no caches about...since those are inside buildings 80 percent of the time....then I'd look for the clothesline....the path to the privy....outside the back door (where the dish water was flung).....edges of any sidewalks. Remember also that in the country functions like picnics, reunions and the like were usually front yard affairs....and in the city, they were usually back yard activities.

Sounds like a great place to hunt....keep us posted.

Wyatt

[porchdawg]

First, there is no basement. House is on pillars.

It is pouring down rain this morning. I am using an Ace 250. Here are my questions. 1. How long after the rain stops should I wait for the best results and readings. 2. Should I be searching in all metal mode for the most accurate readings? When I go out again I will get some digital pictures to give everyone a better idea of this site so I can get some more good advice. 3. What is everyone's take on placing a free ad for "Land wanted to search with metal detector" and last one at this time. 4. What about an old little league park that is now closed?
sorry about all the questions, I am just enjoying this hobby so much and want to set good patterns to make it more enjoyable. Like golf if you start doing bad habits it is real hard to get them corrected.

Thanks in advance

[NB Digger]

First of all, I would NOT post an add for metal detecting spots. It's only my opinion, but I doubt that anyone would respond and it takes the personable attribute away of getting to know a land owner and making them feel comfortable with you. Most land owners, I think, would not call someone and say "hey come dig holes on my land"! It is an interesting idea though! Secondly, I would go digging as soon as the rain stops. I say that because I don't think that I could wait to dig at an old place like you now have at your disposal. LOL! Yes, delayed gratification is not one of my strong points. I don't know anything about the Ace 250 so I won't respond as to what mode to search in. And, lastly, hit that old ball field!!!! Keep on asking the questions Porchdawg. It is the best way to learn the in and outs of detecting from some great people here that have been digging a long time. I wonder what the combined total number of years experience we would get from all the members here? Happy Hunting!
Travis

[Klancaster]

I too would forget about the add in the paper, I think it would be a waist of money. I would start the search in all metal mode, since I like to find everything, artifacts, coins etc. Once you get a good hit in all metal you can switch to coins and see if it registers, and then decide wether you want to dig. I dig everything so I can't say later "I wonder if" . The ballpark would be a great place also to hunt. If they had bleachers I would hunt under them, if there was a stand that sold pop and corn dogs etc, hunt there too!!! It sounds like you have some great places. Keep us posted to your finds.

[porchdawg]

The ball field is where I played little league when I was much younger. In fact it used to be the only LL field in town. We now have two. I was just going over some of the old places here in town that I thought may have some history to them. We are looking at fifty years of massive growth. Was also thinking about the site of our old city hall, which has long been torn down. Who knows maybe I could find something special and give it to the city.

[diggummup]

Try to get some more information from the homeowner as to the history which is unique to this house/farm.Information as to where the outhouse might have been,i'd search inside the barns/outbuildings.Was there ever a chicken coop or hog pen there?Where did the clothesline used to hang?Or is it still there?Check the corners of the barn including the cornerstones if it has any.Are there any old shade trees that are still there or that used to be there?Is there a stream or spring on the property as someone else mentioned? If not now there might have been in the past.Check old maps of the area (civil war era) for troop movements.Dig all signals and don't throw anything away.When it comes to relics,you never know.Something that looks like a piece of scrap metal to you or I could actually be a nice identifiable and valuable object to someone else.Check the chimney from the outside for any signals.If the place doesn't have a basement then check the crawlspace, if your feeling really adventurous!Shouldn't be a problem this time of year with snakes and spiders and such.I think a little more research to the history of this particular house is needed.Trace former owners from the time it was built to now especially during the 1930's depression era and civil war era (didn't you say it was built in the 1850's?) .Were there ever any slaves kept here? If so where were the slave quarters located? These are all things you should be asking yourself before you head out to detect this type of site if you want to produce more than just a coin or two or perhaps luck upon a relic.I'm not trying to sound arrogant,I just wish I had a site like that to detect myself! Good luck and H.H.-diggummup