Stonemason makes incredible 19th century discovery after finding secret chamber

    

The time capsule was found discovered in a reclaimed slab of stone (Picture: SWNS)

A stonemason has made an incredible discovery after finding a time capsule from 1880.
It was hidden inside a block of stone that James Whiting was sawing through after reclaiming it.
Inside the secret chamber there was a glass jar stuffed with 152-year-old documents.
The forgotten relic had public letters and notices including a weekly newspaper from Friday, June 4, 1880, crammed inside.
James found the time treasure trove as he cut the stone at Castle Reclamation in Martock, near Yeovil, Somerset., which specialise in architectural salvage.

One of the papers that was discovered in the capsule (Picture: SWNS)

The exact source of the Hamstone – also known as Jurassic limestone – is uncertain, but it is believed to have come in from a local builder’s yard.
James was cutting through a pile of old Hamstone in the salvage yard – ready to be carved into stone quoins for a doorway.
But he got more than he bargained for when the split stone revealed a hidden carved chamber containing the bottle and papers.
He said: ‘I tried to get the bottle out very carefully and looked inside.
‘There was a newspaper inside. Most of it was damaged, but some parts you could still read.’
The newspaper was The Methodist – a weekly newspaper and review, number 432 from Friday, June 4, 1880 and priced 1d.

A weekly newspaper was dated June 4, 1880 (Picture: SWNS)

More papers that were stuffed into the bottle (Picture: SWNS)

The bottle also contained papers relating to the South Petherton circuit of the Weslyan Methodist Church.
‘It would have been tricky to have done this at the time,’ added James.
‘We have new tools, but back then they would have had to cut it out and carve it simply with a steel chisel. We now have saws.’
The golden coloured stone – quarried at Ham Hill, Somerset – is used for many buildings, including medieval churches in the area.
Mr Whiting said he is considering replacing the bottle and putting the stone back together the way he found it – possibly with the addition of contemporary newspaper.
He said: ‘It would be a surprise for someone else to come across, maybe in another 150 years’ time.’

The stone was being carved to build a doorway (Picture: SWNS)

Bosses at Castle Reclamation say the glass jar and artefacts are now ‘up for grabs’.
Castle Reclamation director Adrian Wills, 59, said: ‘We had some old stone which we’d had for years when a job came in to cut it up.
‘It’s such a rare find, it’s 150 years old, and it’s amazing really that it just turned up like that.
‘We have cut through stone and found some fossils before but this is something quite special.
‘We might put it on display or approach a local history group – it’s up for grabs. Whoever wants it can have it.
‘It’s just a shame we cannot find out where it came from. We bought the stone three to fours years ago from a builder’s yard.
‘We were making stone coins to go in a doorway.’
A letter headed: ‘To the Members of Society, and the Congregations of Wesleyan Methodists in the South Petherton Circuit’, dated, May 16, 1864 as well as a notice of the Wesleyan Methodism of the South Petherton Circuit, printed at the Chapel Printer Ilminster at the time.
A note said:

‘The plan for the Total Extinction of all the Chapel Debts of the South Petherton Circuit has so far succeeded, that if the sum of £160 more can be raised by the end of next June, we shall be entitled to a grant of £250 from the ‘General Chapel Fund’, which will render the Scheme complete.To accomplish so desirable an object, PUBLIC MEETINGS will be held at the following places.’
It then lists dates between March 12 and March 21, 1867 for meetings in Illminster, Kingsbury, Crewkerne and Netherhay.

(Metro, UK)