Hi, Anne,

I can't help much with dating the shoes, but if you haven't already considered it, sometimes concealed objects were placed with ritual/magical intent.  One reference that comes to mind is an older one, but interesting:  

Merrifield, Ralph
     1987  The Archaeology of Ritual And Magic.  New Amsterdam Press, New York.

Most of what he discusses is older than the mid to late 19th century, but such practices might well have continued in some places and among some cultural groups.

Best wishes,

Robert Keeler

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Grulich, Anne
Sent: Wednesday, October 02, 2013 6:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Concealed shoes in a Maine home

I'm investigating a cache of four likely mid-19th to late 19th century shoes concealed between the wall and chimney of a small mid-19th century home.  I have images, measurements, and descriptions if someone has expertise in dating shoes. Unfortunately, there is no archaeological context. The cache was discovered during extensive remodeling February 2013 and came to my attention when they were brought to the local historical society. Tracing the deed for the property is proving difficult prior to 1916, but we have an idea of the families who used the house.  There are reports of additional cached shoes in two neighboring houses.

I've found several intriguing articles online about the practice of hiding shoes in New England, but nothing specific about dating shoes.  We are considering 'repatriating' them to honor practice so I'd love to have a better idea of when the shoes were made.

Thanks.

Anne Grulich
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*Four leather shoes*

*Shoe A*:

11" long x 4 ½" wide x 2" high at the heel

Stitched leather upper, 1 shoelace hole on each side, remains of shoelace present; sole 'pegged' in single row to upper leather. Repaired with hand sewn leather patch on left front. Flat toe. Heel.

 *Shoe B*:

10" long x 4" wide x 2" high at the heel

Stitched leather upper, 1 shoelace hole on each side; sole stitched to leather upper inside shoe (not pegged). Rounded toe. No heel.

 *Shoe C*:

8" long x 3 ½" wide x 2 ½" high at heel

Stitched leather upper, 2 shoelace holes on each side, string tied through holes. Sole 'pegged' in single row to upper leather. Flat toe. No heel.

 *Shoe D*:

6 ½" long x 3" wide x 2" high at heel

Stitched leather upper, 3 shoelace holes on each side; sole 'pegged' in single row to upper leather. Flat toe. Heel.