Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18PR955 Enclave at Beechfield A
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
The archeological site known as the “Enclave at Beechfield A” or 18PR955 is the remains of an apparent late 19th and 20th century tenant dwelling and potentially earlier features such as a well and trash pit. The site is located in north-central Prince George’s County, west of Bowie and north of Woodmore. The site is situated on a generally flat landform that descends in elevation toward Northeast Branch and associated wetland areas. This landform is part of an upland ridge that is situated between the Northeast Branch and tributaries of Lottsford Branch to the west. Most of the area surrounding the site is in residential use with a few forested areas present. Soils at the site are Collington fine sandy loams.
The site was first identified during the course of a Phase I survey in August and September of 2008 conducted because of a planned retirement community within a property known as the “Enclave at Beechfield”. The planned retirement community would consist of approximately 400 dwelling units on one lot. The dwelling units were to consist of multifamily residences as well as single family attached units. A community center with recreation facilities was also planned. The archeological work conducted at the site was intended to comply with Sections 24-121 and 24-135.01 of the Prince George’s County Subdivision Regulations and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
Phase I work consisted of a shovel test pit (STP) survey across the Enclave at Beechfield property. The shovel tests identified a site with maximal dimensions of 90 m north-south by 105 m east-west. Within this area 47 STPs were excavated, 28 of which (around 60%) yielded artifacts. The STPs evidenced a yellowish brown sandy clay or sandy clay loam beneath a 10 to 20 cm thick brown or dark brown silt loam. Artifacts were recovered from both the first stratum as well as the upper portion of the second stratum. Most shovel tests were terminated at 30 to 35 cm below ground surface.
A total of 118 artifacts was recovered from 18PR955. These included Kitchen and Architectural artifacts as well as unidentified artifacts. The architectural assemblage was dominated by brick (28) and window glass (20). Also common were mortar fragments (9) and wire-drawn nails (9). Less common were unidentified nails (2), asbestos tile (2), slate (2), machine-cut nails (2), and burnt structural wood (2). There were 27 kitchen-related artifacts, or 23% of the overall Phase I assemblage. Bottle glass (10) and other container glass (8) were the most common types of kitchen-related items. Also found were undecorated ironstone (4), mammal bone (3), undecorated whiteware (1), and oyster shell (1). Finally, unidentified metal (14) and glass (1) were also found. Several other artifacts were noted in the field but discarded.
Historic maps and aerial photographs suggest that one or more structures had been present in the vicinity of 18PR955. The artifacts found in this location during the Phase I field investigations appeared to represent structural and domestic debris dating to the 19th and 20th centuries. Based on these findings, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) requested that Phase II testing be conducted since the site would be impacted by construction of the proposed retirement community. Researchers conducted the Phase II testing during November and December of 2008 and January of 2009.
As part of the Phase II testing, archival research was conducted on the site area. The development project area apparently includes part of four named patents that were consolidated by Richard Jacob Duckett between 1754 and 1798. The property passed to his children and descendants and was held by the family until the early 1900s. While an earlier owner of large portions of these tract, Francis Freeland, appears to have lived on and improved them, his residence and outbuildings could be located outside of the project area. The Duckett family is documented as owning slaves during their ownership of the property, and deeds regarding slave sales were noted for a later owner, Thomas Odell, during chain-of-title research. No written documents confirming the presence of structures in the area were identified during the archival research, although historic maps and aerial photographs indicate their presence from at least 1861 to the present.
Three areas within 18PR955 were selected for additional field investigation. These areas yielded large numbers of artifacts during the Phase I survey of the area. First, these three areas were subjected to close-interval shovel testing. Screened shovel tests were excavated at 5 m intervals to identify areas containing dense concentrations of material. A total of 261 STPs was excavated within the three areas. Based on the distribution of artifacts identified, five 1 X 1 m test units were hand excavated to recover a sample of artifacts from the plowzone and to better identify site stratigraphy. In general, the test units were placed in areas that had high artifact densities. All sediments were screened through hardware cloth, and excavations continued to culturally sterile sediments. Test unit documentation included unit level forms and scale drawings and digital photographs of one vertical wall profile.
Subsequently, 8 machine trenches were excavated, totaling 177.8 m2. The A soil horizon was stripped to determine if intact features or other cultural deposits were present. Four features were identified as a result of machine trench excavation. Two features were found in the western portion of the site: a brick-lined well and a trash pit. Two were identified in the eastern portion of the site, including a portion of a brick foundation and a large feature characterized by the presence of dark soil and charcoal (thought to be the remnants of a burned structure). All four features were then documented in plan map and by photographs and, MNCPPC archeologists were consulted to determine the appropriate extent of feature excavations. Half of one feature, an apparent trash pit, was excavated. A second larger feature was investigated by the excavation of a sixth 1 X 1 m test unit. Two features, a well and a portion of a structure foundation, were not further investigated.
Based on these investigations, 18PR955 appears to represent two separate areas of occupation. Only one artifact (a piece of window glass) was recovered in the third area selected for Phase II examination. One occupation area, located within an eastern pasture, consists of a portion of a brick foundation and the remains of a burned structure. Artifacts associated with this area date from the late 19th and 20th centuries. It is likely that this portion of 18PR955 represents the remains of a tenant residence and an associated building.
Artifacts recovered from the eastern occupation area of the site include 40 activity items, 888 architectural remains, 8 clothing items, 21 furniture objects, 611 kitchen-related items, 5 arms objects, and 225 miscellaneous objects. The activity items were 4 marbles, 1 gear, 5 screws, 2 washers, 1 squeeze tube, 2 pieces of lamp glass, 21 phonograph record fragments, 3 rasps, and a pencil. The architectural assemblage consisted of 108 pieces of brick, 6 fragments of mortar, 6 asphalt shingles, 18 pieces of plaster, 156 window glass fragments, 1 ceramic tile, 579 nails (2 handwrought, 241 cut, 310 wire, 26 unidentified), 7 staples, and 7 siding fasteners. The clothing remains were a buckle, an eyelet, a piece of fabric, 4 buttons, and a coat hook. The furniture remains were an escutcheon and 20 tacks. The kitchen-related artifacts include 144 ceramic sherds (1 pearlware, 111 ironstone, 5 semiporcelain, 9 porcelain, 1 whiteware, 1 piece of Bristol stoneware, and 16 unidentified stoneware), 462 pieces of glass (22 tableware fragments, 76 canning jar fragments, 81 bottle fragments, and 283 other pieces of container glass), a can key, a bottle cap, and 3 animal bones or teeth. The arms objects were 3 cartridges and 2 shotgun shells. And finally, the miscellaneous objects were 201 unidentified metal fragments, 9 other glass fragments, 7 pieces of plastic, and 8 fragments of rubber.
The second occupation area, located near standing residential structures to the west, consisted of large areas of fill, a well, and a trash pit. The fill contained a mixture of architectural and domestic artifacts that appear to date from the late 18th through 20th centuries. The fill may be associated with land leveling and the demolition of the original Duckett residence. The trash pit, however, appears to date to the late 18th and first quarter of the 19th centuries.
Artifacts recovered from the western occupation area of the site include 24 activity items, 910 architectural objects, 17 clothing remains, 13 furniture items (a drawer pull and 12 tacks), 1,003 kitchen-related artifacts, 7 personal items (a vial and 6 pieces of mirror glass), 36 tobacco-related artifacts (pipe fragments), 1 arms item (a shotgun shell), 440 miscellaneous historic objects, and 3 prehistoric artifacts (a biface tip and 2 flakes). The activity items were 4 toys (a metal toy truck, a plastic toy wheel, and 2 marbles), 9 hardware objects (2 bolts, 1 nut, 2 screws, 1 hinge, 1 washer, 1 rubber gasket, and a rubber pedal), a squeeze tube, 6 pencil fragments, a padlock, a horseshoe, and 2 flowerpot fragments. The architectural remains were 300 pieces of brick, 17 mortar fragments, 52 asbestos tile pieces, 9 slate roofing fragments, 3 pieces of plaster, 4 daub fragments, 88 pieces of window glass, a ceramic tile, 420 nails (1 handwrought, 27 cut, 149 wire, and 243 unidentified), and 16 staples. The clothing remains were 2 rivets, 5 eyelets, a piece of fabric, 7 buttons, a shoe sole, and a lapel pin. The kitchen-related artifacts were 245 ceramic sherds (4 Jackfield, 1 manganese-mottled earthenware, 9 creamware, 42 pearlware, 2 mochaware, 1 majolica, 29 whiteware, 103 ironstone, 10 semiporcelain, 7 porcelain, 9 unidentified earthenware, 2 yelloware, 12 domestic gray stoneware, 4 Albany stoneware, 3 English brown stoneware, and 7 unidentified stoneware), 343 glass fragments (14 pieces of tableware, 21 canning jar fragments, 5 jar lids/liners, 117 bottle fragments, and 186 other container glass pieces), 2 spoons, 16 bottle caps, 2 can fragments, a kettle leg, and 394 faunal remains (385 animal bones/teeth and 9 pieces of oyster shell). The miscellaneous objects were 362 unidentified metal objects, 42 other glass objects, a wood fragment, 3 pieces of Bakelite, 27 plastic objects, and 5 pieces of coal.
The Phase II survey determined that the site retains subsurface integrity as evidenced by the four features identified. Further, the artifacts recovered from those features as well as the characteristics of the features can be used to address significant research questions concerning the antebellum and postbellum periods in Prince George’s County (and tenant occupations in particular).
A Phase III data recovery was conducted from September to October 2019 to mitigate adverse effects to this National Register eligible site. The purpose of the investigation was to closely examine archaeological deposits and collect sufficient data to address research questions related to the historic occupants of the site prior to unavoidable proposed construction impacts. Phase III research questions were as follows:
1. What features are represented within 18PR955?
2. When was the site occupied? Does it appear to have served a different function later in its life?
3. Who is likely to have lived here?
4. What were the material circumstances (patterns of consumption of manufactured goods, diet, etc.) of the residents? How do these compare to other sites from this time period? Have they changed over time?
5. In what ways, if at all, can the actions/behaviors of servants or slaves be distinguished from those of the plantation owners/tenants?
6. How does the Traditions at Beechfield Site compare with similar sites in Prince George’s County?
Due to the large size of the site, it was separated into two areas: Area A and Area B. Area A represents the western half of the site and correlates with the Phase II investigation’s Area A. Area B represents the eastern half of the site and correlates with the Phase II investigation’s Area C. The field investigation at Site 18PR955 consisted of mechanical stripping of approximately 1,366.57 square meters from 17 mechanical trenches, hand excavation of 17 1-x-1-meter test units, and sampling of identified features. In total, 44 cultural features were identified, and 4,666 artifacts were retained. The cultural features encountered include a late 18th-century to mid-19th-century pit feature associated with the Duckett Family occupation, five features associated with a demolished mid-20th century house, and 13 features associated with a late-19th- to mid-20th-century rubble foundation. In addition to these features, an undocumented cemetery was discovered containing at least 15 probable human burials, one dog burial, and nine non-burial features. A precontact lithic scatter also is represented at the site.
Ten trenches were mechanically excavated within Area A totaling 906.4 m2 (9,754.6 ft2) of stripped overburden across the site. Thirty-one (31) features were encountered during the Data Recovery in Area A including two features initially identified during the Phase II investigation. Of the total, 25 features were associated with the undocumented cemetery discovered in the eastern half of Area A. The cemetery measures approximately 22 m (N/S) by 26 m (E/W) (72.2-x-85.3 ft). In total, 25 features were identified and recorded within the cemetery boundary. Of the total features, 15 were identified as probable human burials. The dimensions of the grave shafts suggest that at least six infants, five adults, and four adolescents are represented at the cemetery. Each burial was oriented roughly east-west suggesting Christian burials. The layout of the graves appears to reflect two clusters which may represent two generations or family groupings. In addition to the probable human burials, ten other features were observed within the boundaries of the cemetery. This included seven possible post holes positioned along the northern, western and southern boundaries of the cemetery and two possible planting/gate features recorded along the eastern boundary of the cemetery. The seven possible post holes were not grouped linearly or evenly spaced, suggesting that they are not part of a perimeter fence or similar feature. In addition, a shallow dog burial was exposed by the backhoe during the excavation and was located adjacent to Features 16 and 20, both infant burials, in the northwest portion of the cemetery. None of the features in the cemetery were excavated or sampled during the Data Recovery.
Area A yielded 415 historic period artifacts and two quartz cobble shatter fragments which may represent a precontact component. The late 18th- to mid-19th-century component in Area A is the earliest component represented archaeologically at the site. This component is reflected by a pit feature (Feature 1) which yielded tableware ceramic fragments such as pearlware, creamware, whiteware, and early porcelain. Fragments of leaded table glass also were identified. These artifact types suggest the refuse used to fill Feature 1 came from occupants with a relatively higher socioeconomic status. The dominance of table wares over more utilitarian wares also suggests that the original source of the artifacts used to fill Feature 1 was more likely related to the Duckett Family rather than tenants or slaves.
Seven (7) trenches were mechanically excavated within Area B, accounting for 460.3 m2(4,955.1 ft2) of the site. Nineteen (19) features were investigated within Area B including two features initially identified during the Phase II investigation. The Phase II features include Feature 3, a stone foundation, and Feature 4, a large dark soil stain interpreted as a trash midden. Feature 3 is a rectangular brick and stone rubble foundation in the northwest corner of Area B along the edge of an upland landform with slopes leading down to the north and west. Newly identified features include six features associated with Feature 3 (e.g. builder’s trenches), two shallow stains interpreted as concentrations of dispersed trash midden soil, two possible postholes, one historic pit, and six probable non-cultural bioturbation stains. All artifacts and records will be curated at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab.
Overall, the Data Recovery has shown Site 18PR955 to be representative of the county’s long rural agricultural history. The site represents peripheral work areas or yard space within a larger plantation/farmstead from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century. The artifact assemblage from the oldest feature (the late 18th-to mid-19th-century trash pit) contained artifact types that suggest the refuse came from occupants with some degree of wealth and were more likely related to the land owners, the Duckett family, rather than tenants or slaves. While the antebellum period is minimally represented at the site, the majority of data collected is affiliated with the postbellum period. As one of the few postbellum agricultural sites in Prince George’s County that has been subjected to Phase II or Phase III archaeological investigation, Site 18PR955 serves as a unique archaeological resource. However, the data recovery revealed that the site also appears to have been impacted by past largescale landscape modification resulting in a vastly disturbed archaeological record. The few cultural features remaining at Site 18PR955 ultimately have provided fragmented data of the property’s history.
During the Duckett’s occupation from ca. 1837 to the abolishment of slavery in 1864, census records document between six and 23 slaves under their ownership. The absence of archaeological signatures from the slave inhabitants may largely be attributed to the largescale land modification evidenced across the site and the larger Traditions at Beechfield property. While it is likely that some, if not all, of the slaves resided on the property, the Data Recovery did not encounter any features distinctive of their occupation within Site 18PR955. However, due to the undocumented nature of the cemetery, it remains a possibility that it was a slave cemetery. Slave cemeteries are often undocumented for a variety of reasons, namely due to biases of the land owners.
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