Two years ago, the British Parliament released Lord Pride’s 1658 Will on the Web. In it, he left 4,000 British Pounds Sterling to his fifth-born son Joseph Pride who settled Prides Corner as a fugitive two years later in 1661. In 1968, two hunters from Windham found 300 of the Coins in a half-melted lump in Suckfish Brook at Highland Lake. The unaccounted for 3700 pounds sterling would be worth $234 Million Dollars if calculated at 2015 auction values. All the same or different types of pound sterling coins is unknown, but its a lot of money in any case.
There are no records of such a vast fortune ever being spent here or in the UK. The entire family is reported in desperate poverty within a five years of Charles 2nd return in May of 1660. No accusations of theft were recorded in history.
Seventy Five Percent of the time, treasure hoards are found within line of sight of the house (in this case “dwelling 362” at the corner of Pride Farm Road and Mast Road). This however was not a normal circumstance. Joseph was being hunted by the King of England who likely knew he possessed the inheritance of an English Lord. If the Redcoats found Joseph, their next step might be to start looking for the inheritance. To the Royalists, it was the bankroll not only of a Regicide, but also of a possible future opposition.
The legend seems to imply the silver coins and Joseph arrived on different ships. If he had a plan, it apparently went awry leading to the dramatic swim for freedom to a ship not expecting him. (“By luck it was the last longboat”). This all occurs during the transition of power from the Puritans to Charles 2nd. The British Navy's puritan leanings and lifelong loyalty to Lord Pride, Joseph’s father, may have played a role here.
Lord Pride began the Civil War a front line officer, leading a hundred or so troops in savage hand to hand combat in battles with 50% casualties, he lead a division at the wars turning point (Battle of Nasby), and commanded all the soldiers of foot at the final battle of Preston. At wars end he largely took over and built the London Hospital System vastly improving his troops care and pioneering PTSD treatments. He thereafter employed them harvesting Lumber to build the British Fleet, leading to his role as Supplier to the Fleet. In his final years he focused on charities to assist aging, poor and sick veterans. It was obviously a powerful lifelong bond that would have endured the Lords death in 1658.
Joseph spent his teenage years growing up on the Nunsuche Estate while his Fathers former troops harvested its trees for the Navy. It is an assumption (so far) that they were the Admiralties lumberjacks that masted Highland Lake in the 1650s. By coincidence, in 1652, just as they finished harvesting Nunsuche, the swedish Navy systematically blasted the Masts of the Royal Navy, creating an unprecedented crisis for the British Empire. For the first time ever the Admiralty lauched an organized masting expedition using hastily converted Navy Ships. They built the logging huts in the 1650s, he fled too in 1661. Did they deliver the Silver? Before or After he fled? or was it already on the ship he fled to after his going away party was interrupted? My guess is anywhere within a mile of Pride Farm and Mast Road is a possible. More ground than I can cover !