Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18CH821 Serenity's Surprise
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
Site 18CH821, also known as Serenity’s Surprise, is a mid-17th to early 18th century domestic site (possible trading post) and an Early & Middle Woodland Base Camp or Hamlet on the north side of MD 231 and northwest of the town of Benedict. The site is continually plowed and planted. Soils on site are Dodon fine sandy loam (0-2%), Marr-Dodon complex (5-10%), and Marr fine sandy loam (0-2%).
The first concrete historical reference of the property that would become Smith/Serenity Farm is from a 1707 land patent conveying 725 acres of land to Captain Richard Smith. Richard Smith, whose dwelling plantation was at Kings Reach and later at Smith’s Saint Leonard, was a wealthy merchant/planter with ties to the colonial government. Formerly the personal property of Lord Baltimore, as a portion part of Calverton Manor, the 725 acres was essentially granted as a favor for Smith’s support during the Protestant uprising of 1689. It was described in a 1707 land patent. In addition to specifying the metes and bounds of the property that would become Smith/Serenity Farm, the 1707 land patent references two plantations situated within the 725 acres. According to the land patent, the first “…one is the plantation which Michael Swift Formerly did Live upon the Other is the plantation which M r Jenkins now Dwells upon.” Michael Swift, who died in 1694, is cited in the historical record as a planter and the location of his plantation is not currently known. The Mr. Jenkins cited in the 1707 land patent appears to be a Richard Jenkins listed in historical records as being a local planter with business ties to Thomas Taney. Taney is a wealthy and politically connected neighbor living to the south west of the project area. Serenity’s Surprise (18CH821) is most likely the plantation of Richard Jenkins since the artifacts suggest occupation of the site into the very early 18th century.
Richard Jenkins’ will was recorded 18 November 1712 and proved 30 March 1713. Based on the distribution of goods within the will it appears that the plantation was the home of three orphans, a “beloved friend” Rebecca Duphex, later named executrix of the will, and Richard Jenkins himself. Several ambiguities are apparent in Jenkins’ will. The first being the use of the term freedom when referencing the three orphans John, William and Robert Long. At present it is unclear whether or not the orphans were indentured to Jenkins, or whether they were adopted by Jenkins after the death of their father Francis Long. Additionally puzzling is Jenkins’ reference to “…my beloved friend Rebecca Duphex (now living in my house)…”. At present there is no evidence to suggest that Richard Jenkins and Rebecca Duphex were married.
An inventory of Richard Jenkins’ estate was done in 1713 following his death, and gives further insight to the inhabitants of the plantation, as well as the material character of Jenkins’ plantation An inferential categorization of the material culture detailed in probate of Jenkins’ estate indicates that Jenkins appears to have been relatively well off (Carr and Walsh 1988). Valued at 96.10.4 pounds sterling, his estate is emblematic of small scale planters in the Chesapeake region. Items that are accounted for within Richard Jenkins’ probate inventory were divided into functional categories - Activities Group, Domestic Group, Indefinite Group, Personal Group, and Structural Group – in order to gain insights into the daily life of Jenkins.
Activities Group objects within Jenkins’ probate account for roughly 74 percent (£71.2.6) of the total valuation of his estate. The Functional Group is followed by Domestic Group objects valued at approximately 19 percent (£18.4.10), and Personal Group objects valued at approximately 4.166 percent (£4.15.0). Also listed within the probate of Jenkins’ estate are Indefinite Group objects (£1.14.0) and Structural Group objects (£1.0.0), each accounting approximately 1 percent of the total valuation of his estate.
When further detailed, the two largest artifact subcategories within Jenkins’ probate inventory consist of Agricultural-related entries (£44.16.0) and Commerce-related entries (£22.8.2). Combined, these two single subcategories account for approximately 70 percent (£67.4.2) of Jenkins’ total probated wealth. Agricultural related items listed within Jenkins’ probate include livestock (£44.6.0) and a single plow valued at 10 shillings. Livestock detailed within the probate include 11 shottes (£1.10.0), 6 yearlings (£1.16.0), a parcel of sheep (£7.0.0), 16 head of small cattle (£16.0.0), 9 horses of varying age (£18.0.0), and two hives of bees.
Commerce related material culture accounted for within the probate inventory include 1 pair of wool cards (£0.0.8), a set of wedges (£0.3.0), 3 old saws (£0.12.6) and a pair of stillyards (£0.12.0). While the wool cards, wedges, and saws could potentially be used for numerous functions, the pair of stillyards detailed in the inventory was most certainly used for commercial activities that necessitated the weighing of any particular item or goods. Also likely related to Jenkin’s commercial activities is the single “Negro man” listed in the inventory, likely a slave, and valued at a total of £20.0.0 sterling. This individual accounts for approximately 21 percent ofthe total valuation of Jenkins’ estate, certainly not a nominal sum in 1713, and likely indicates the importance of this particular individual to Jenkins’ plantation economy.
Interestingly, no tobacco is mentioned in Richard Jenkins’ probate inventory, suggesting that even though he titled himself a planter with the official record, his principal occupation was not tobacco production. This may be potentially borne out by his owning of a single enslaved individual. Aggregated, the detailed, albeit incomplete, historical record pertaining to Richard Jenkins’ life appears to bear witness to a person whose household is comprised of three male orphans, an unmarried female and an unnamed African or African American enslaved man. It is worth noting that aside from a pair of stillyards listed in his inventory, nothing suggests concrete ties to commercial activities. Based on Jenkins’ probate inventory, his holdings reflect a small plantation.
In 2011 and 2012, archaeological investigations to locate and document sites and resources near the town of Benedict, Charles County, Maryland were conducted by The Ottery Group and the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). The field investigation occurred on private and state-owned lands along Maryland State Route 231 (MD 231) just west of the town of Benedict. Initially, the project focused on the identification and documentation of archaeological resources associated with both the Civil War-era Camp Stanton and the August 1814 British encampment on the hills above Benedict during the War of 1812. The scope of the investigation was expanded to address the presence of a wide range of significant archaeological resources within the MD 231 corridor near Benedict, Maryland. The project is part of the Cultural Resource Section’s public outreach initiative to find and evaluate resources associated with the Civil War and War of 1812 that are within or adjacent to the SHA right-of-way along MD 231.
Archaeological field methods used to identify, delineate, and explore susbsurface structural and landscape features included the excavation of shovel test pits; a systematic coverage of the project area with the use of GPR and magnetometry; metal detecting; and, the hand excavation of 5 ft x 5 ft test units. Shovel testing included the stratigraphic excavation of 23 systematically located 1 ft x 1 ft round STPs. STPs excavated in the course of this investigation were located in the northern portion of the project area and were excavated at 30 ft intervals.
Tim Horsley carried out a GPR and magnetometry survey of the previously identified Serenity’s Surprise archaeological site during the initial STP survey. The primary goal of non-invasive archaeological testing was to identify the potential presence of sub-surface structural and landscape features. Non-invasive archaeological testing indicated the likely presence of subsurface structural features as well as the likely presence of a large linear feature, later identified as a boundary ditch filled with bone and artifacts. Maps generated from the remote sensing directed the placement of some of the archaeological testing. In addition to a GPR and magnetometer survey, SHA archaeologists as well as avocational metal detectorists with experience on archaeological sites canvassed the site area using meandering transects at less than 5 f intervals. Any ‘targets’ were investigated by the metal detectorist with hand excavated pits to recover any historic materials.
Sixty-three, 5 ft x 5 ft test units were excavated at Serenity’s Surprise. The initial location of test units was largely influenced by subsurface anomalies identified in the previous GPR and magnetometer survey. When subsurface cultural features were identified, larger excavation blocks of contiguous 5 ft x 5 ft test units were excavated in order to expose larger cross sections of features. The results of this strategy culminated in the excavation of an approximately 45 ft x 30 ft excavation block and three linear excavation trenches measuring from 10 ft x 20 ft in length. These block and trench excavations were done in addition to disparately spaced 5 ft x 5 ft test units.
The archaeological investigation of Serenity’s Surprise (18CH821) resulted in the discovery of an approximately 16 ft x 30 ft post-in-ground domestic structure dating from the mid 17th century to the very early 18th century. This structure likely represents the nucleus of a domestic and commercial compound. In addition to the fully delineated domestic structure, the site also contained a boundary ditch demarcating the eastern limits of the compound.
A total of 50 cultural features were identified in the course of the current investigation. Nineteen of these features are associated with a post-in-ground structure designated Structure I. Of the 19 features, 15 were identified as structural postholes, two (2) were identified as likely being related to hole-set blocks, a single post-hole was identified as a possible repair post, and the final remaining feature associated with this particular structure may be a truncated cellar located in the northern gable end of the structure. An additional large structural posthole located approximately 35 ft to the north of Structure I may be associated with a second structure. The remaining 32 features include structural postholes, possible fence or scaffolding posts, a large ditch and prehistoric post molds (n=8).
A total of 37 historic-period artifacts were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise (18CH821) feature contexts. This number excludes brick, faunal materials, and prehistoric artifacts. Of these 37 artifacts, 17 were recovered from features associated with Structure I, 19 were recovered from the large ditch, recorded as Features 3, 5, and 14. In addition, a single fragment of fire-cracked rock and 1.0g of brick was recovered from a posthole potentially associated with a second structure.
Structure I appears to be a single-occupation dwelling with several apparent repair episodes to the structural supports. Measuring approximately 16 ft (E/W) x 30 ft (N/S), Structure I may potentially be divided into a hall and kitchen plan, typical of 17th century post-in-ground structures found in the Chesapeake. The possible hall portion of the structure located to the southern end of Structure I would be the larger of the two rooms and measures approximately 16 ft x 18 ft. The other room measures approximately 16 ft x 12 ft. In addition to these two rooms, a small post located approximately 5 ft east of the eastern wall of the structure may potentially indicate the location of a porch or covered entryway.
A total of 19 structural features were identified as being associated with Structure I. Of these 19 features, 15 were identified as structural postholes, 2 were identified as being hole-set blocks, and the remaining single feature may be a truncated cellar. Eleven of the features associated with Structure I were excavated in the course of the investigation, the remaining 8 structural postholes were not excavated.
In addition to post holes delineating the outline of Structure I, a possible cellar feature was identified that potentially informs the use of Structure I. Recorded as Feature 15, the possible cellar was centered adjacent to the north gable end of the building. Based on the location of the possible cellar, this may indicate that this room acted as a kitchen, with a cellar used for kitchen storage. Feature 15 measured 4.7 ft (N/S) x 4.9 ft (E/W) and was generally round in character and had moderately sloping walls. The bottom of the cellar undulated substantially and appeared to evidence a significant amount of rodent disturbance.
A total of 10 historic-period artifacts were recovered from the cellar fill. These included sherds of tin-glazed earthenware (n=3), 1 fragment of olive green bottle glass, five charcoal fragments, and a single un-measurable pipe stem fragment. In addition 1.6 grams of brick were also recovered. An additional 21 artifacts were recovered from the remaining Structure I features.
Diagnostic artifacts recovered from Structure I features consist largely of 17th and early 18th century ceramics, including North Devon Gravel-free ware (n=1) North Devon Gravel-tempered ware (n=1), and Tin-glazed earthenware (n=4). North Devon Gravel-free ware has a calibrated manufacture date range of 1634 to 1710, with a median date of 1672. North Devon Gravel tempered ware has a calibrated manufacture date range of 1634-1775, with a median date of 1704. Tin-glazed earthenware has a calibrated manufacture date range of approximately 1634- 1800 with a median date of 1717. In addition, one of the sherds of tin-glazed earthenware was identified as being lead-backed. Tin-glazed earthenware with lead backing generally dates from the first to third quarter of the 17th century, and has a median manufacture date to approximately 1652.
In addition to these diagnostic artifacts, a single sherd of olive green bottle glass, three unmeasurable kaolin European pipe stem fragments, two unidentified nails, and 2.7 grams of brick were also recovered from features directly associated with Structure I.
Artifacts recovered from features associated with Structure I appear to be consistent with those recovered from the overlying plowzone, and generally consist of 17th and early 18th century dates of manufacture. Diagnostic artifacts recovered from feature contexts directly associated with Structure I likely posit a date of construction and occupation during the last half of the 17th century, from ca. 1650-1710.
A single post hole, Feature 48, may be associated with a second structure. A single brick fragment weighing 1.0 g and a single fragment of fire cracked rock weighing 56.4 g were recovered from Feature 48. While no 17th century artifacts were recovered from Feature 48, the size, shape and general character of the feature is indicative of a large post that may be associated with a second building just north of Structure I.
A total of 18 features were identified in the course of this investigation that could not be associated with a structure. Five of these 18 features (Features 11, 20, 21, 22, and 40) were identified as possible fence posts. The remaining thirteen features were identified as either fence posts, small structural posts, or scaffolding posts that do not appear to line up with Structure I.
Portions of a potential boundary ditch were identified in Test Units 11, 14, 21 and 26 and recorded as Features 3, 5, and 14. Initially observed in the GPR and magnetometry survey results as a long linear feature, the ditch contains moderately sloped walls. The portion of the boundary ditch identified in Test Units 11 and 14 was located approximately 50 ft southeast of the portion identified in Test Units 21 and 26. Combined, these sections of the ditch and the unexcavated space between these portions, account for a 60 ft plus linear feature. This feature is located approximately 35 to 40 east of Structure I. These types of ditches would not only mark property boundaries, but they would also function to corral animals. A total of 345 artifacts and 4.8 grams of brick were recovered from the boundary ditch, recorded as Feature 3, Feature 5, and Feature 14. This number is inclusive of historic-period artifacts, faunal materials and prehistoric cultural artifacts. Diagnostic artifacts recovered from the ditch consist largely of 17th and early 18th century domestic ceramics, including North Devon Gravel-tempered ware (n=14), Borderware (n=1), Rhenish Gray stoneware (n=1), and Tin-glazed earthenware (n=28). Manufacture date ranges of these ceramic ware types are likely indicative of this landscape feature’s approximate period of use in the late 17th and early 18th century.
In addition to historic period artifacts discussed above, 188 fragments of fauna were recovered from the boundary ditch fill. Faunal remains recovered from the ditch fill largely consist of domesticated species including Cattle (n=51), Pig (n=40), Sheep (n=11), Goat (n=1), and indeterminate species cataloged as Pig/Cow size (n=9) or unidentified mammal (n=28). Non-domesticated species include turkey (n=3), unidentified bird (n=2), Black Drum (n=1) and Eastern Box Turtle (n=1). The prevalence of cow and pig within this assemblage is consistent with site faunal assemblage as a whole.
A total of 16,718 historic period artifacts were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise. This number is exclusive of faunal remains (n=2,709) (Appendix D). This number is also exclusive of historic period artifacts that were weighed and discarded (e.g. brick and oyster shell). Included within this aggregated number of artifacts recovered from Serenity’s Surprise are Activities Group artifacts (n=60), Domestic Group artifacts (n=5,427), Indefinite Group artifacts (1,066), Personal Group artifacts (n=5,194), and Structural Group artifacts (n=4,971).
Commerce related artifacts recovered from Serenity’s Surprise include two apothecary/coin weights, a single Irish Armstrong Farthing, and an unmarked lead bale seal. The copper alloy apothecary/coin weight is stamped with a crown overtop of the initials “CR”, likely indicating that it was manufactured during the reign of either King Charles I or King Charles II in recovered during metal detection and has a hollow, cylindrical copper-alloy body somewhat less than two centimeters in diameter and a broken shank. The Irish Armstrong Farthing, minted between 1660 and 1661, is stamped with “CAROLVIS II DG REX” and was issued for use in Ireland.
The recovery of this coin from Serenity’s Surprise likely indicates the relative rarity of hard currency in the early Colonial Chesapeake and the willingness to use any readily available currency in what was a principally barter economy based on the exchange of tobacco.
In addition to commerce-related Activities Group artifacts, a significant amount of firearms-related artifacts were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise. Firearms-related artifacts include finished lead munitions (n=25), lead casting waste (n=1), gun flint spalls (n=11) and finished gun flints (n=16). Lead munitions within the Serenity’s Surprise firearms assemblage include fifteen (n=15) pieces of small caliber shot, nine (n=9) large caliber musket balls, and a single (n=1) medium caliber rifle/ pistol shot.
The Domestic Group contains artifacts associated with a variety of household activities. Specific activities accounted for within the Serenity’s Surprise Domestic Group artifact assemblage include artifacts associated with clothing maintenance, food preparation and consumption, food storage, household furnishings, household lighting, and the social consumption of alcohol. The largest subcategory of Domestic Group artifacts accounted for in this assemblage are domestic related ceramics (n=4,304). Ceramics account for nearly 80 percent of the aggregated Domestic Group artifact assemblage. Also accounted for within this assemblage are metal clothing maintenance artifacts (n=9), metal furniture related artifacts(n=36), and glass domestic vessels (n=255).
A total of 4,304 sherds of historic-period domestic ceramics were recovered during the investigation. This large group reflects a significant diversity in material, form, and decoration, as well as place of manufacture. Redware (n=1,498 or 34.804%) and Tin-glazed Earthenware (n=1,403 or 32.597%) compose the largest subgroups of the ceramic assemblage with a total of 2,901 individual sherds. Other ceramic ware types that occur with notable frequency include Rhenish Stoneware (n=584 or 13.568%) and North Devon Gravel-tempered ware (n=375 or 8.712). Ceramic wares recovered from the investigation were primarily produced and utilized during the mid-to-late 17th century; however, there are 14 ceramic sherds that were produced in the 18th century. The paucity of these usually popular 18th century ceramics, coupled with the historic farming use of the area, suggests primarily, or even sole, site occupation during the 17th century.
A total of 1,065 artifacts of unknown function were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise, accounting for 6.38 percent of the total aggregated historic period artifact assemblage. The Indefinite Group contains artifacts that could not definitively be associated with other artifact groups. Many of these artifacts were either too fragmentary to be identified or were too ambiguous in nature to be identified to a specific use. Indefinite Group artifacts largely consist of amorphous metal objects (n=321), historic flint debitage (n=461), and unidentified glass (n=122). Over 45 percent of the artifacts categorized within the Indefinite Group were historic lithics.
A total of 5,194 Personal Group artifacts were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise, accounting for 31.068 percent of the total aggregated historic period artifact assemblage. Artifacts associated with personal adornment (Figure 4.36) include buckles and buckle fragments (n=10), buttons (n=4) and leather ornaments (n=3).
Artifacts associated with leisure activities consist principally of smoking-related objects including European white clay tobacco pipes (n=4,926), locally made terracotta tobacco pipes (n=232) and a single iron smoker’s companion (n=1). A total of 2,289 measurable pipe stems was recovered at Serenity’s Surprise. Of these, 2219 were white clay and 70 were made from local clays. Although measurements were recorded for all measurable bores, only the English pipes were analyzed, since there is no demonstrably reliable method of dating locally-produced pipes through analysis of the pipe bore diameter. The three methods produced mean dates of 1656 (Hanson), 1692 (Binford), and 1702 (Heighton and Deagan) for the white clay pipes.
Almost all of the 97.83 percent of the Structural Group artifacts (n=97.83) recovered from Serenity’s Surprise were nails, with 1,111 hand wrought nails 3,715 nails and nail fragments too corroded to be identified to a specific manufacture technique. The recovery of such a large proportion of hand- wrought nails is consistent with a 17th century construction date and architecture that likely utilized wooden clapboard siding, sheathing a timber-framed post-in ground structure.
In addition to a large volume of nails, 10 shards of window glass, 4 sherds of tin-glazed earthenware fireplace tile, and 2,028 grams (4.470 lbs) of brick were also recovered from the plowzone. While relatively few in number, these artifacts potentially indicate that the structure had glazed windows, a brick hearth base, rather than a masonry chimney, and potentially a decorative fireplace facing.
Features 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, and 19 were identified as prehistoric post molds likely associated with pre-contact Native American architecture. No artifacts were recovered from any of these eight post molds. Due to their relative proximity and spatial orientation within Test Unit 15, Features 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 appear to be related a single structure. The exact size and orientation of this Native American structure is currently unknown. While no artifacts were recovered from any of the prehistoric features excavated, diagnostic artifacts recovered from plowzone contexts across the site indicate that the structures likely represented by prehistoric postmolds date from the Early-to-Middle Woodland period.
A total of 635 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Serenity’s Surprise (18CH821). Of these, 219 (34.49%) were recovered from the plowzone (Stratum I), while 293 (46.14%) were recovered from the sludge deposit (Stratum II). Prehistoric artifacts recovered include lithic debitage (n=427 or 67.24%), finished tools/tool fragments (N=51 or 8.03%), and ceramics (n=157 or 24.72%). Identified ceramic ware types within the assemblage include Coulbourn (n=2), Mockley (n=43) and Popes Creek (n=76). The remaining 36 pre-contact Native American ceramics were not identified to specific ware type, however their tempers were described as consisting of Grit tempered (n=1), Sand tempered (n=6), Sand/Quartz tempered (n=8), Shell tempered (n=5) and unidentified temper (n=15). Identifiable tool forms include chopper (n=1), scraper (n=2), utilized flakes/expedient tool (n=9), early middle and late stage bifaces (n=17), and finished projectile points (n=21). Identified projectile point types recovered from Serenity’s Surprise consist of stemmed points (n=6), side notched (n=5), lanceolate (n=1), Fishtail (n=1), Calvert (n=4), Rossville (n=1), and Selby Bay (n=1).
Overall, the archaeological investigation of Serenity’s Surprise (18CH821) resulted in the discovery of an approximately 16 ft x 30 ft post-in-ground hall and kitchen domestic structure. In addition, the archaeological investigation also identified an associated boundary ditch, and prehistoric components. The discovery of this structure and ditch likely represents the nucleus of a domestic and potentially a commercial compound occupied between ca. 1650s and ca. 1710s.
Historic research conducted through the Maryland State Archives revealed a Maryland Provincial Court Land Record from 1707 that likely indicates the last resident of Serenity’s Surprise. This document mentions two plantations on the parcel: one plantation where Michael Swift “formerly” lived and a plantation “which Mr. Jenkins now dwells upon.” The “Mr. Jenkins” referenced in the land patent is Richard Jenkins, described in additional historic records as a planter. By 1712, Richard Jenkins passed, but his will mentions he lived with three orphans and a “beloved” female friend, named Rebecca Duphex. Jenkins’ inventory shows one enslaved man of African descent and belongings valued at just over 96 pounds sterling. Based on the date of death for Richard Jenkins at 1712 and the approximate end date of our artifacts ca. 1710, it is probable that Jenkins was the last occupant of the Serenity’s Surprise site. Mid-16th century ceramics and locally made Chesapeake smoking pipe stems, accounted for within the artifact assemblage, suggest at least one other occupant prior to Jenkins.
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