Preliminary Report Excavations at Joseph Lloyd Manor Jenna Coplin, M.A.

Center for Public Archaeology Submitted to Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities Robert MacKay, Ph.D., Director September 17, 2009

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Executive Summary Supported by and in partnership with the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, the Center for Public Archeology at Hofstra University has excavated a small structure associated with Joseph Lloyd Manor. Initial interpretations suggest a domestic site related to enslaved people of African descent. After three years, excavations have amassed sufficient data, including thousands of artifacts requiring detailed analysis. It is this work that holds the potential to recover aspects of African American history that might otherwise be lost. Excavations have identified several areas of interest. Large segments of the foundation were uncovered intact including a exterior cellar entrance. It is possible that more architecture exists on SPLIA property. Excavations of the interior of the foundation revealed historic fill. Trash was dumped inside the foundation walls and no clearly modern materials are associated. The fill may relate to a modernization of the manor house in the past. This fill is a disturbance as its origin is unknown but it is a contained deposit and intact material related to the cellar space may yet be recoverable. Several deposits outside the foundation relate to the occupants of the structure and their activities. Evidence indicates the addition of a front porch on the structure. Food bone, oyster shell and ceramics accumulated under the porch leaving a thin midden. Further down slope, excavations uncovered two large posts, most likely from a fence or gate. Materials also accumulated over time with these features and include a key, horseshoe, ceramics, food bone and a spoon. Close analysis of materials from these and one other small dump will help confirm the dates of occupation and the details of the structures use as domestic space. Initial analysis suggests amid 18thc to mid 19th c occupation In 2009-2010 analysis will focus on ceramics and faunal materials recovered from the site. Faunal data will contribute to our understanding of occupants dietary structure, food preparation and procurement techniques. Ceramic analysis will focus on types used, access to materials, locally produced wares, and, among other items, date ranges. Together these categories will form a base for subsequent research questions. We look forward to sharing useful information about Joseph Lloyd Manor based on the ongoing analysis of materials recovered from these excavations. A comprehensive detailed report on fieldwork and findings follows.

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Introduction

Beginning in 2007, the partnership between the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities and the Center for Public Archaeology at Hofstra University has undertaken research, education and outreach programs at Joseph Lloyd Manor serving the Long Island community. As archaeological research is the foundation of the CfPA, analysis of materials and interpretation of excavations undertaken at Joseph Lloyd Manor is at the core of the Centers contribution. This management summary serves as a status report of our findings thus far. A formal archaeological survey report will be submitted to SPLIA, along with recovered archaeological materials and original data upon the completion of the analysis.

Archaeological Research

Archaeology is a unique tool able to recover information about past peoples in relation to historic documents and also in their absence. The residue of activities can speak for people when other resources lack their voices. This, for some, may be the only history remaining. People of African descent brought to this country against their will were rarely the topic of surviving documents. Births, deaths and records of sale are often all African Americans as descendants have available to trace family and community histories. Joseph Lloyd Manor, however, may offer unique potential to recover and make available information about Long Island history. Lloyd Manor is associated with a rare body of documents, as home to Jupiter Hammon. Hammon is the second known African American author and seven of his works survive today addressing both master and enslaved about the injustices of slavery. His work is both powerful and complex. However, Hammon was not the only person of African descent enslaved by the Lloyds. Hammon, likely, lived in the manor house. A small structure to the west of the manor may have served as home for others owned by the Lloyds. The day-to-day lives of those occupying the structure certainly differed from that of Hammon. Archaeological excavations seek evidence of household activities left behind by the occupants of this structure and a broader understanding of African American life on Lloyd Neck.

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Figure 1 Detail of 1814 map

Supported by documentary evidence, including 1814 and 1836 maps depicting the structure, Professor Christopher N. Matthews initially interpreted the site as an 18 th century slave quarter pending further research. Excavations first began in the summer of 2007 and were organized by Matthews as part of a Hofstra University field school. Professor Matthews supervised subsequent work that included field school students as well as volunteers with Jenna Coplin serving as Field Director. Although aspects of the research design shifted overtime, reflecting collected data, the main focus of the overall project has remained unchanged. On-going analysis seeks to answer several broad and foundational questions. Defining and separating intact primary deposits is a recurrent part of this process. These deposits offer clear connections between past peoples and research questions. Indentified areas subsequently become a focus of inquiry. This directs research seeking to date the duration of occupation and understand day-to day -4-

activities of occupants, for example. Research currently assumes a connection between those enslaved at Lloyd Manor and the occupants of the structure as much accumulated information is in support. However, this connection remains part of research and work will continue to further solidify this connection. As noted, the structure is indicated on maps from the 19th century. This covers the period of gradual emancipation. Deposits may represent changing occupations associated with local currents created by the impact of manumission.

Excavations

Excavations were undertaken using standard archaeological practice subsequent to preliminary documentary research and survey of the landscape. A site-wide three dimensional reference grid was implemented. This one-meter grid allowed past excavations to be tied in and could do the same for any future work. The grid was established at the onset of the 2007 season with the assistance of Professor James Moore of Queens College and CUNY Graduate Center. A total station was loaned to the project by Queens College. The site zero-point is located at the base of the southeast corner of the 1910 garden wall adjacent to the manor. The bottom brick of the fifteenth course from the top serves as site zero. Excavation units were defined by this grid all three seasons. For example, a one-meter square unit whose southwest corner was located two meters south and ten meters west of zero would be identified as S2W10 according to site nomenclature. Local datum stakes placed near excavations using the site zero. These were used to record elevation in terms of meters above or below site datum. A level/ feature system was used for documenting excavations. Larger depositional events were typically defined as layers while contained, intrusive, or the like, deposits were given sequential feature numbers, recorded and defined. Levels were identified with uppercase letters, while subdivisions within levels received the addition of a sequential number. Features, as noted, were recorded with numbers and subdivisions were identified by the addition of lower case letters. Units were excavated using trowels, occasionally shovels and rarely, rock hammers. Materials were screened using 1/8 and gauge depending on the deposit. Ceramic, metal, coal, slag, glass, shell, bone, mortar, charcoal were kept as well as any materials in question. Bricks were occasionally kept but most often noted and discarded. Dressed stones removed from area near or abutting intact foundation were drawn photographed and discarded. Soil samples were kept from specific excavations.

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Figure 2 Areal view of exposed foundation and northeast corner with interior fill

Areas of Interest

Figure 2 Structure's south foundation showing repair and midden with post feature.

The first two field seasons (2007 and 2008) sought to define architectural remains of the structure indicated on the 1814 map. The area is a flat platform that gently sloped upward to meet the surrounding hill at the north end. A regular, rectalinear depression was evident on the surface as were dressed stones and burned bricks. Excavations revealed the remains of a foundation built into the surrounding hill. A triangular cut was made into the slope hill. This cut formed a rectangular space by removing a portion of the hill leveling it with the area approximately 8 meters to the south. This formed the north end of the platform and the northeast portion of the foundation. The top portion of the north wall remaining is slightly higher in elevation than the south portion. Being below ground and deeper, the north section of the foundation most likely served as a cellar and retaining wall. An exterior entrance to the cellar was identified in 2009. The relationship between these features requires additional analysis. To the south, foundation stones were laid a single course wide and only a few deep. Here a builders trench was filled with cobbles possibly to help support the narrow foundation on this dynamic landscape.

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Figure 3 Exterior stepped cellar entrance with south foundation visible on the right side of image

A primary goal of ceramic analysis is to seek support for a construction date of the foundation. Work also endeavors to connect the portions of the foundation recovered to one another and identify subsequent modifications such as the repair visible in Figure 1. (Immediately to the left of the north arrow, two stones were inserted subsequent to the foundation construction.) During the 2008 season, excavations confirmed the interior of foundation had been used to contain trash. This appears to have occurred after abandonment and possible demolition of the structure. The trash appears historic in origin with no indication of modern materials. Work seeks to identify depositional layers considering both number and timing of events. The lower layers appear to be related to a single event as ceramics cross mend across several layers. The interpretation of these materials will be difficult. As they represent a secondary deposit, analysis is unlikely to contribute to larger research questions and represent a lower priority. Separation of any deposits related to the use of the cellar by occupants may prove difficult but remains a priority.

Figure 4 Midden in front of foundation, builders trench excavated and post feature (Harbor to right.)

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Over the course of several seasons a thin sheet midden of materials associated with the structure was identified. This area lies between the foundation and harbor. Also identified were a series of features evenly spaced likely the results of posts placed in the ground after the foundation was built. These posts appear formed some type of addition onto the structure most likely a porch. Materials in the sheet midden would have accumulated underneath the porch after its construction and therefore relate to the occupants. Ceramics recovered from the midden during the 2007 and 2008 seasons included a number of fragments from Whieldon wares including fragments of a teacup and a fragment of flatware with a molded rim. This particular type was first produced around 1740 and remained in production until 1770. A variety of creamwares and Chinese porcelains were also recovered. These ceramics have much wider production ranges continuing to be made until the 1820s. However deposits also contained Rouen Faience with a production range from 1700 to 1800. A number of ceramics, identified as locally produced redwares, were also uncovered. No clear chronology currently exists for these wares. Researchers plan to work with local organizations and historians, such as Rex Metcalf, to contribute to the identification of these ceramics. Research seeks to identify activities represented by ceramics and other materials recovered while developing a tighter temporal sequence of the site.

Figure 5 Midden at base of hill

This summer testing occurred across a larger area. The site grid was used to plot small systematic excavations, called shovel test pits, across the landscape. Test excavations revealed domestic deposits clustered near the structure and notable gaps, absences of cultural materials, upslope and toward the manor. A dense deposit of domestic materials was identified below the house platform. This area is approximately seven meters south of the midden associated with the porch. These test units were opened up into a larger excavation area. Midden deposits were relatively consistent across the horizontal layers excavated and a variety of ceramics, iron objects and food bone was recovered. No formal analysis has been -8-

undertaken with respect to these materials as of yet but they will be included in research this year. These materials, it was evident, were deposited in association with two large post holes, approximately five and half feet apart center to center. Initial interpretation identifies these as fence or gateposts. Analysis will identify any groupings of materials based on time or use or indicating process of accumulation.

Figure 6 Midden deposit outside foundation (Left side of image.)

An additional small dump was found outside the foundation near the cellar entrance. Remains of oyster and ceramic suggest domestic refuse associated with either the porch or the structure prior to the porchs construction. Analysis seeks to fit the dump into the site chronology and use faunal materials to contribution to dietary reconstruction.

Future Work Many artifacts are in the early stages of processing and students from both Hofstra University and City College are assisting in the time consuming efforts. All artifacts will be cleaned, sorted and identified. Identifications will be entered into a database. This data, coupled with information recorded in the field will be used to refine interpretations of depositional layers. An initial focus on the specific areas of the site identified above seeks to provide a foundation for additional analysis. A preliminary ceramic analysis undertaken in the spring of 2009 will serve as the base for a more in depth analysis. Ceramics considered locally produced will be a research focus. Work will seek to develop testable categories for these wares based on excavations at Joseph Lloyd Manor. Other wares will be identified and looked at for production dates, type and origin among other categories. Faunal materials are currently being identified and organized for independent analysis at Hunter Colleges zooarchaeology lab. The analysis seeks information about diet, preparation and procurement of food based on faunal remains recovered at the site. Similar analysis will include other artifact classes and all these endeavors will also include supporting documentary research to expand findings. -9-

Summary Preliminary interpretations of archaeological excavations at Joseph Lloyd Manor suggest intact domestic midden deposits outside the remnants of the structures foundation and cellar walls. These deposits hold promise for understanding the dayto-day activities of the structures occupants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Architectural remains including foundation fragments and a cellar entrance require closer analysis to separate out intact deposits encountered during excavation. Interior fill deposits, although intrusive, may be connected to activities in and around the manor. Archaeological research is a process that unfurls, contributing in new and expanding ways. Coupled with documentary research, all these finding seek to add to knowledge of African American history in the Town of Huntington.

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