Not shotgun related, but akin to some of "Beans" stories just three days ago a gentleman told me he owned a Seth Thomas clock which predated the revolutionary war., made in 1885, Odd thing is Seth Thomas was not born until 1885, started mighty Young I'd say. Also, he did not begin making clocks until 1813 or during the War of 1812. I do have a Seth Thomas which was most likely made prior to the "War of Northern Aggression" as it was made in Plymouth Hollow CT. About the time of the end of this war, the clock factory burned. The town told Mr. Thomas if he would stay there they would re-build the factory, which he did. The town name was also at this time changed to Thomasville CT.
