Malachi Waterfield (NC, 1832-1916), Important Canvasback

Knotts Island, North Carolina, circa 1880s, carved and painted wood.

Length 17.5 in.

Former collection of Nick Sapone, Wanchese, North Carolina.
Exhibited at Duke University in 2022.

In 1842 James Waterfield bought the Morse Point Farm for 243 dollars in gold. It was an ideal piece of land to raise cattle and hunt waterfowl. Young Malachi Waterfield grew up on the farm, raising cattle and market hunting. He was a no-nonsense type person and was always prepared to fight. He kept a pistol strapped to his shoulder and a billy club was ready at all times. One of his first encounters occurred during the Civil War. The Northern troops usually pillaged the southern farms by taking livestock and family valuables. They would then burn the house and other structures. Young Malachi shot it out with the Yankee soldiers when they came to his house. He killed three but was gravely wounded in the process. He managed to get down Indian Creek and escaped in his sailboat. When he landed on the flats of Wash Woods, the local residents found a doctor from Corolla to treat him. This is one of the finest Malachi Waterfield decoys known.

Second coat of gunning paint with light wear.