The survey at the "Letter Rock" began on July 7, 1972. The survey included detailed
maps and photos of the area surveyed, and personal interviews.
Interview with Mr. Dominic Rowe, July 13, 1972. Interviewed by Paul Rowe.
Mr. Rowe described the Letter Rock as being an exposed part of a large bedrock, situated on the
side of the old Point Verde trail. The rock, often used as a resting place for travelers,
is now covered with initials, names, and little drawings, marked on it by these passers-by.
Mr. Rowe tells of the story of the treasure connected with the Letter Rock, with the directions to
this buried treasure supposedly written on the rock. He recalls that in 1939, a shoemaker named
Smallwood came to Placentia with maps of the Letter Rock area, and was supposed to have
located the spot where the treasure lay; but it wasn't there. Smallwood, however, being certain of
his directions, stated that the treasure had been discovered and taken earlier by some other
person. Mr. Rowe remembers, as a youth, seeing the trenches that were dug by Smallwood in his
search for the buried treasure.
Further conversation with Mr. Rowe revealed that he had recently learned of another story
connected with the Letter Rock, and that he himself had inadvertently provided some proof for
this tale. This is the story of the "Altar-Stone" supposedly located behind Letter Rock which was
used by Irish Catholic priests, to say Masses in secrecy, during the time of William Henry
(later William IV of England) served as magistrate in Placentia. William Henry was opposed to
Catholicism, and his edicts resulted in the necessity of secret Masses.
Mr. Rowe admits that he only recently learned of this old legend, however, about 30 years ago,
he recalls finding a flat stone near Letter Rock about 1.5 feet square with the letter "H"
distinctly inscribed on it. This rock could quite possibly have been included in the altar stone, as part of the
"I.H.S." inscribed on the altar.
However, the area where this altar stone was probably located has been graded over in the
process of making a new road for the municipal dump and it is likely that is has been torn up or
covered over.
Interview with Mr. Randall Verran, July 13, 1972. Interviewed by Paul Rowe and David Bailey.
Mr. Verran relates a story of a mysterious man, Count de Coursey, who built a house somewhere
near the Letter Rock and lived there for a period of about 6 months (between 1889 and 1900). He
further states that no one seems to know the reason for his residence there, however, there seems
to be some connection between this man and the supposed buried treasure related to the Letter
Rock. As well as Mrs. Patterson, he mentions that William Henry, during his stay, was opposed to
Catholicism, in particular regarding the burial of Catholics in the area.
View pictures of the "Letter Rock". This page has a map that is 47kb in size, so it may take a while to load.
Archaeological site survey the "Letter Rock".
Source:
Jerseyside/Placentia Archaeological Project Throughout the summer of 1972.