Historical Accounts of Treasure Digging in Upstate New York

Explore the curious and widespread practice of seeking buried riches in 19th-century Upstate New York, a blend of frontier hope and folk magic.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 4, 2026

Branched from Folk Magic and Treasure Seeking: The Smith Family's Early Spiritual Landscape

Quick take

Treasure digging was a common frontier pursuit in 19th-century Upstate New York.
It involved folk magic, seer stones, and divining rods to locate rumored buried wealth.
Motivations ranged from economic hardship to belief in pirate gold or Native American caches.
The practice significantly influenced early American spiritualism and religious movements, notably Mormonism.

In 19th-century Upstate New York, treasure digging was a widespread, earnest pursuit of buried valuables, often fueled by local legends and economic hardship. People believed riches were hidden by Native Americans, pirates, or early settlers, and they employed folk magic, divination, and spiritual methods to locate them.

The Methods and Mysticism of the Search

The search for treasure was rarely a simple matter of digging. It was deeply intertwined with a belief in supernatural forces and specific divinatory techniques. "Money diggers" often claimed special abilities, using seer stones (also called peep stones or gaze stones) to "see" beneath the earth's surface. These stones were believed to reveal the location of buried hoards, as well as any spirits or magical protections guarding them. Divining rods, typically forked branches, were also used, much like dowsing for water, to detect hidden metals.

Beyond the tools, the practice often involved rituals. Digging might be performed only at specific times, like under a full moon, or accompanied by incantations, sacrifices (such as killing a chicken), or prayer to appease guardian spirits thought to protect the treasure. The belief was that if these spirits were disturbed or not properly acknowledged, the treasure would either move deeper into the earth or vanish entirely.

Legends and Motivations

A mosaic of local legends fueled these treasure hunts. Stories of Captain Kidd burying his pirate gold along the Hudson River and other waterways were popular. Others sought caches supposedly left by Native Americans or valuable artifacts from ancient civilizations. Revolutionary War hoards, buried by Loyalists or Patriots trying to protect their wealth, also sparked many digs. For many, the motivation was simple: the desperate hope for a quick path to prosperity in a challenging economic landscape, where farming was hard and opportunities were limited.

This historical phenomenon offers a unique window into early American frontier culture, illustrating the pervasive role of folk beliefs and spiritualism alongside practical economic concerns. It highlights a period where the line between superstition and earnest endeavor was often blurred. Perhaps most notably, figures like Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, were involved in treasure digging, and his use of seer stones in these pursuits later influenced the translation of the Book of Mormon, profoundly shaping a major religious movement. The accounts reveal a society grappling with both the harsh realities of settlement and the enduring human desire for wealth and meaning, often found in unexpected places.

Was any treasure ever actually found through these methods?

While many dug with fervent hope, there are virtually no credible historical accounts of significant treasure being found through these folk magic methods. Diggers often attributed their failures to guardian spirits moving the treasure or to someone in the digging party breaking a ritualistic rule.

Was treasure digging considered illegal?

The act of digging itself wasn't necessarily illegal, but it often crossed into fraudulent territory. Many money diggers charged others for their services, promising to locate treasure that never materialized, leading to accusations of swindling.

How widespread was this practice in Upstate New York?

Treasure digging was remarkably widespread across Upstate New York and much of the frontier during the early 19th century. It was a common community activity, with many individuals, including respected community members, participating in or supporting these ventures.

What exactly was a "seer stone"?

A seer stone was typically a polished, dark, and often egg-shaped stone, sometimes found in riverbeds. Individuals would gaze into it, much like a crystal ball, believing it allowed them to perceive hidden objects, distant events, or even communicate with spirits.