About This Carved Stone
The stone passed through several hands after its discovery. John Smith, who owned the land containing the Money Pit, used it as a fireback in his chimney for years. It was later taken to A.O. Creighton's bookbindery in Halifax, where it served as a beating stone used to flatten leather. By the time it reached Halifax, the inscription had reportedly been nearly obliterated through years of use. The stone was last seen around 1912 and is now lost. No photographs, rubbings, or tracings of the original inscription survive.
The most famous translation was offered by Reverend A.T. Kempton in 1949 and appeared in Edward Rowe Snow's book that same year: "Forty feet below, two million pounds are buried." However, the cipher on which this translation was based cannot be traced back beyond the early 20th century, and modern researchers have raised serious questions about its authenticity. Harvard professor Barry Fell's 1799 examination found no symbols on the stone he inspected, and W.S. Bowdoin reported finding no inscription when he examined the stone in 1909. A separate cipher discovered by Knights Templar researcher Zena Halpern, referred to as La Formule, appears to work with the Kempton cipher when the symbols are transcribed into French.
In 2018, gyro survey expert Tory Martin discovered a stone near the Money Pit with unusual markings, dubbed the "Tory Stone," which some believe may be the original inscribed stone. Its identity remains unconfirmed.
Historical Context
J.B. McCully letter 1862; Bowdoin found no symbols on stone he examined 1909
Where It Was Found
Found at Money Pit, approximately 80–90 ft depth — the original 1795 excavation shaft on Oak Island, Nova Scotia.
