Shell

Periodca. 1880-1900

MediumCalcium carbonate

Dimensions5 × 9 in. (12.7 × 22.9 cm)

ClassificationsOccupational Equipment

Credit LineGift of D. Abeel Statesir, 1932

Object number231

DescriptionThis large shell is an example of the queen conch, known as Aliger gigas of the family Strobidae, a type of large sea snail. The queen conch is native to the waters around the Gulf of Mexican and the Caribbean, and is harvested for its meat as well as for souvenirs and decorative crafts. This shell retains portions of its original slightly irridescent interior surface, while the exterior rough surface is darkened by age and handling. The shell's original upper pointed crest was deliberately removed.
Curatorial RemarksThe giant conch shell has been used as a musical instrument for at least 17,000 years. An early modified conch shell was discovered in a French cave, decorated with cave paintings. Many cultures have used the large conch shell varieties for music or soundmaking. Often, the shell is modified to better produce notes. The Statesir conch shell was modified, with the upper mantle point removed and two small holes drilled into the upper portion of the shell. The shell makes a low, deep sound which can carry far, which would have served Statesir well when alerting his tannery workmen of mealtimes.NotesThis conch shell was, as the original donor records noted, used by David Abeel Statesir's grandfather to call his men from work. John Statesir was born in 1760 in the Colts Neck area. John married Freehold resident Agnes Aumack and the couple had several children, including son William Vanderveer Statesir (1806-1899). John Statesir served as a Captain in the 1st Regiment Monmouth Militia during the American Revolution. When he was just eighteen, Statesir was part of a small detachment of militia quarterd in Jacob Fleming's barn near Colts Neck. Statesir encountered two men holding bridles, and was immediately suspicious. He took both men prisoner and marched them back to the rest of the detachment. According to Franklin Ellis in his "History of Monmouth County," "the musket which young Statesir carried on that night is now in possession of his son, William Statesir, president of the Freehold Banking Company." The conch shell passed down through the family to John Statesir's grandson, David Abeel Statesir. Born in 1843, David (who went by the name D. Abeel) lived in Marlboro and operated a farm. In 1889, he and business partner Frank C. DuBois purchased the lumber yards of R. T. Rogers & Company and W. E. Lloyd of Freehold. Statesir was active in local politics and was a member of the Republican Party. He also purchased one of the first automobiles in the area, buying an Olds automobile in 1902. David Abeel Statesir died in his Court Street home, just a few doors down from the Historical Association's headquarters building, on April 6, 1936, at the age of 93.

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