We are delighted to have been given this key by the previous owner. He told us that the key is a reproduction that he had made to fit the original hatch lock.
We suspect that this hatch was the original door to the families root cellar. The construction of this house in 1843 would indicate that the kitchen was also located in the basement area near the cellar.
This opening once held the wooden hatch. When hurricane Florence came through in September of 2018, the hatch released from its position. Thank goodness it was securely placed in the basement for safe keeping.
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