A stone carved with the initials “1775 M,” believed to belong to the notorious 18th-century outlaw Moses Doan, has been discovered in a Buckingham cave, writes Peter Crimmins for WHYY.  

This remarkable find, near a glass bottle from the same era, strengthens the legend that the Doan Gang used the cave as a hideout. 

The Doan Gang, loyal to the British during the Revolutionary War, was known for raiding tax collector offices and hiding in local caves.  

The stone was discovered by Clint Flack, an exhibit preparator at the Mercer Museum, along with property owner Frank Lamitina and Mercer Museum librarian Rayna Polsky. 

“This discovery provides actual evidence that the Doans may have used this cave as a hideout,” said Flack, who has been searching for the stone for 35 years.  

His fascination with the Doan Gang began at age eight, inspired by tales from a school librarian. 

On Sunday, the stone will be presented at the Mercer Museum as part of its exhibition “The Doan Gang: Outlaws of the Revolution.” The stone’s mention in historic records further confirms parts of the Doan story previously considered a legend. 

Read more about the Doan Gang and the new discovery in WHYY.  

The Doan Gang: The Outlaws of the Revolution Exposition at Mercer Museum