The discovery took place during construction near the remains of an old family home in Rhode Island. Workers found a flattened silver thimble that had apparently survived underground for generations. After it was carefully restored, its engraved name became visible: Esther Willitt. The object was donated to the Rhode Island Historical Society in 1925. Researchers recognized that it was more than an ordinary sewing accessory. Its craftsmanship, decoration, and inscription offered a glimpse into the life of someone who had lived centuries earlier. Suddenly, a tiny household object became an important historical treasure.

The thimble had belonged to a family connected with Thomas Willett, an early English mayor of New York. Esther’s name made the discovery personal, transforming a forgotten sewing tool into a remarkable historical clue.