Hi all. 

I have found numerous examples of one hole bone buttons at Fort Johnson, SC (38CH69.com) along with blanks and fragments indicating local manufacture. The context dates between 1790 and 1810, but some earlier ceramics were seen.

Stan South found these in Rev War to War of 1812 contexts at Fort Moultrie, and Judy Bense reported them in her late period (1750-1821) in Pensacola. All of these are military sites. My 1830s to 1860s contexts have machine made bone buttons (4-5 hole). 

Has anyone looked into this practice? Is it a military thing primarily? I've seen them on domestic sites, but not with evidence of manufacture. Google was not extremely helpful...

?thanks, Carl Steen