antique captain/seaman's trunk 18th/early19th century

Description

From the collection of a famous maritime collector from the 1970's or 80's when it was sold. (I think his name was John Abbott.) This was ship-wrecked somewhere on Long Island NY. The auction houses I have shown this to, indicate it's "too beat" for their sophisticated collectors.... My question is, shouldn't it be beat if it truly washed up on a beach back in the 18th/19th century? Looks much older due to the style carvings. The symbol under the hood is classic sailor/sea-man's symbol in fact was the symbol used on early naval clothing. (may have been shipwrecked or blown to bits and whatever was aboard washed ashore.) There is writing under the "painted interior box" This could prove to be the actual provenance. I tried to take photo's but all the photo's reveal is, there is old writing, possibly in graphite.
The trunk is in storage and will be taken out if sold,... until then, I don't have exact measurements unless I find a photo with a yard-stick. My rough estimate at this moment, if my memory is working,  is about 32 inches long. The hinges have been moved and changed....
Pretty neat item... was sold years ago but I wasn't interested in shipping this large item. I have since shipped a few larger items/ furniture, so more comfortable in the idea of packing and shipping.
For the collector interested in original patina! If one can figure out the writing in the side under the painted box, that might add a whole new spin as to potential value. As of right now, I am not taking the writing into consideration. Sold simply as a relic of the seas.
*there was a paper found in this trunk that has gone lost. (all it said was Abbott, washed up on long island NY.) Years ago, I did some research and found that the name Abbott refers to the name of a famous collector from NY/NJ that collected these sea/nautical artifacts. Also folk art and whaling artifacts. I believe he passed away in the 1980's. I have since been searching the internet and have no yet come up with the same info I found probably 20 years ago when searching online. The paper has gone lost after being put into safe keeping! I might have the spelling of the name wrong,..... I believe the paper had a first name.... I believe it was John but that was a long time ago. I believe someone who knows how to make out old writing, can figure out the writing inside. If you could figure out the name.. (in this case, looks to be a captain) 2 stars, hearts, symbol under the hood etc... that would be the wild card. I tried to figure it out years ago but I couldn't make it out.