Hello again Scott, I have done a little research on this mystery box. I really believe the item was made by my distant cousin, Henry Larcom Abbott. Back around the time it was made, a lot of people living in the city would vacation at a place called "Cole's Island," located near the shore in the Beverly/Gloucester/Rockport area, even today there are many fine old hotels in that area. So Cole's is a place name, as opposed to a person's name. I believe that he made that box at some point around 1846, while on break from school maybe?? In spite of the fact that he was only 15 years old at the time, he was a military engineer and West Point graduate (2nd in his class) and obviously very bright. He would have been very capable and as you say it is crudely made. I am giving you a link to a "Biographical Memoir of Henry Larcom Abbott" written by another relative, author Charles Greeley Abbott. Interesting reading, I am still going through it. He was an amazing man, he is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetary, a National Historic Landmark, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, not too far from Beverly, where he was born (link provided below). After 40 years of distinctive military service, he worked on important engineering projects for our country for another 20 years!! Lots of great info in the manuscript. Let me know what you think, I will be in touch, Warmest Regards, Ernie Abbott http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/abbot_hen ry.pdf http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?FScemeteryid=91241&page=cem