Last August the PTAP crew excavated Shovel Test Pit 150 in the Compton field, near the hedgerow that separates the field from the Jamieson field to the west. Unlike the other 400 odd shovel tests that we eventually would excavate, STP 150 came down on what should have been undisturbed subsoil, but instead encountered a mixture of three soils of varying color and texture, including some material that probably came from deep below the natural subsoil.
This subtle difference suggested that we had come down on a feature, one dug deep into the earth. It didn't have any artifacts in it that we could see, but then only a few square inches had been exposed, and there were very few artifacts in neighboring shovel tests. It was a deeply dug cultural feature with few associated artifacts. If it were a structural post hole or cellar hole suggesting a dwelling, we would have expected a fair number of Colonial or early 19th-century artifacts. We hypothesized, therefore, that it was part of a graveshaft that we had encountered, even though none were known to have existed in this area (a community cemetery existed throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries on the north side of town, buried in sediment).
During the field session, Scott Lawrence led a small band of intrepids in the excavation of a 5 ft square near STP 150, traces of which could still be detected on the surface. That unit exposed what I thought was a plowscar and then, after excavation, appeared to me to be a tire rut in the otherwise undisturbed subsoil. Two additional units, however, exposed three partial and one entire graveshaft. The plowscar/tire rut more likely is a paling fence ditch, a shallow trench in which a boundary fence was erected (see drawing and photograph below).
This subtle difference suggested that we had come down on a feature, one dug deep into the earth. It didn't have any artifacts in it that we could see, but then only a few square inches had been exposed, and there were very few artifacts in neighboring shovel tests. It was a deeply dug cultural feature with few associated artifacts. If it were a structural post hole or cellar hole suggesting a dwelling, we would have expected a fair number of Colonial or early 19th-century artifacts. We hypothesized, therefore, that it was part of a graveshaft that we had encountered, even though none were known to have existed in this area (a community cemetery existed throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries on the north side of town, buried in sediment).
During the field session, Scott Lawrence led a small band of intrepids in the excavation of a 5 ft square near STP 150, traces of which could still be detected on the surface. That unit exposed what I thought was a plowscar and then, after excavation, appeared to me to be a tire rut in the otherwise undisturbed subsoil. Two additional units, however, exposed three partial and one entire graveshaft. The plowscar/tire rut more likely is a paling fence ditch, a shallow trench in which a boundary fence was erected (see drawing and photograph below).
Our discovery has more importance than learning about where an early cemetery was located (although that is pretty important). It also narrows down our search for the 1680s to 1709 Anglican church at Port Tobacco, a framed structure that, based on the large pieces of burned daub found in those three excavation units, is nearby and probably of earthfast construction.
We expect to eventually expose and map the entire cemetery, as well as excavate the church when we find it. There are no plans to excavate any of the graves. Detailed archival research should help us more accurately date the church and cemetery.
Jim
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"... It also narrows down our search for the 1680s to 1709 Anglican church at Port Tobacco, a framed structure that, based on the large pieces of burned daub found in those three excavation units, is nearby and probably of earthfast construction.
"We expect to eventually expose and map the entire cemetery, as well as excavate the church when we find it. There are no plans to excavate any of the graves. Detailed archival research should help us more accurately date the church and cemetery..."
You have certainly hit a topic that's close to my interests in PT. Some of my ancestors were members of that church are were probably buried in that cemetery. I look forward to hearing more about the church and the extent of the grave yard.
A note to Mr. Wedding and everyone else: we have seen no trace of gravemarkers so far and I'm doubtful that we will find anything more than a few fragments. While we should be able to delimit the cemetery and count graves, I think it highly unlikely we will ever be able to identify individuals or even family groups. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up.
Genetic marking is something that can be pursued, but I don't see that happening in the near future and, again, we have no plans to expose or otherwise exhume human remains. We will continue to expose the cemetery and look for the church.
Our next postings on the cemetery likely will be based on archival research...I don't expect we will return to the cemtery and search for the church until we can find some funding specifically for that purpose. Our next field effort will focus on the Civil War component of Port Tobacco and the town's role in the Lincoln conspiracy.
Jim, Can you comment further on the fact that these graves are oriented closer to a North/South alignment vice the traditional East/West? Anglo Christian burials tend toward the East/West orientation because of the belief of the second coming of Christ with the rising sun and the souls of the departed will rise facing this coming. We discussed early colonial burials often being oriented toward structures and fence lines. Will you elaborate?
I'm not really expecting more information about old John Wedding and his wife from your work.
I'm just pleased to know that you're able to locate the cemetery and the old church.
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