Colonial Powder Horn- Ft. William Henry, NY
John Bush | Powder Horn of John Mayhard | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
This powder horn belonged to a French and Indian War soldier “John Mayhard”, but the horn was decorated by John Bush. During the mid 18th century, Bush grew up in Shrewberry, Massachusettes as a free Black man. His education granted him clerk positions that developed his skills as a record keeper and calligrapher. When the Britain rallied the colonies to organize, Bush was one of few Black men to join the Massachusetts Provincial in 1754.
Powder horns were used as personal gun powder carriers from the start of the King George’s War in 1744 through the end of the Revolutionary War. When soldiers had down time, it was customary to engrave their names, images, maps, and other iconography on the horn. However, some men specialized in this art form and created works on behalf of their comrades.
Shop American Artifacts
Bush also specialized in powder horn carving and is considered to be the originator of the “Lake George” school of design. His work is distinguishable for its use of copperplate calligraphy, elaborate borders, and patterned dashes. Preservationists attribute his style from his experience as a clerk, which continued while stationed at Fort William Henry in 1756. When the fort was sieged in 1757, Bush was one of the 900 people who survived the initial attack by the French and subsequent attacks by the Huron tribe. He later died as a prisoner of war enroute to France.
