Support provided by:
The Case:
Mercer County Historical Society has in its possession a late 18th century flint-lock rifle, which, according to local lore, once belonged to legendary Tory bandit Moses Doane.
August, 1783. The American revolution is winding down. But in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a gang of loyalist saboteurs supporting the British crown still runs wild: the Doane gang.
Local authorities finally track the Doanes to an isolated cabin. They’re surrounded, and a shootout ensues. When the smoke clears, their leader, Moses Doane, is dead. The gang leaves their legend, and maybe something else behind.
The Society would like to know: was this the gun of one of the most infamous bandits operating to undermine the birth of our nation?
The History Detectives travel west of Philadelphia, our nation 's first capital, to uncover the truth behind this myth.
Season 1, Episode 10
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Detective:
Wes Cowan
Location:Mercer, Pennsylvania
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Season 1
Witch's House
Could this house have once belonged to a woman executed during the Salem Witch trials?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Yakima Canutt's Saddle
What leading role did this saddle play in the birth of the Hollywood cowboy?
-
Also with Wes Cowan
Slave Songbook
Are these tattered pages the earliest record of music created by slaves?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Mexican Currency
What role did this money play in the Mexican Revolution?
-
Related Investigation
Isleton Tong
Was this building a safe haven for persecuted immigrants, or a hub for organized crime?
-
Related Investigation
McKinley Casket Flag
Did this flag once drape the casket of President William McKinley?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have a Revolution: 1754-1820 object? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (2 weeks ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (8 months ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (2 weeks ago)