January 3, 2001

The Porch Dig: A Preliminary Report

Artifacts Older Than 17^th Century Uncovered at Landing

By Eric F. Mease

Elkton, Maryland, January 3, 2001 -- While most of us were busy doing last minute holiday shopping in late December, a team of archaeologists was down and dirty at the Elk Landing historic site. After the old, dilapidated, circa 1848 porch at the Hollingsworth House was removed, Dwayne Picket of TRC from Durham, North Carolina and his team began digging and sifting through the ground under and around the old porch. Dwayne's official report won't be ready for another month or so, but we have a sneak preview on just what was found.

Dwayne says his digging uncovered artifacts, which are older than the 17^th century European settlement of the area. Among them are fragments of prehistoric pottery and stone "flakes" or fragments of stone, which were chipped from larger stones. Dwayne also says he found "Fire Cracked Rock" or FCRs. "(FCRs) are rocks that have been heated," Dwayne explains, mostly for cooking purposes. "They were used in open hearths, earthen ovens, and placed in water to make it boil," Dwayne says. As for that prehistoric pottery, "It dates from the late Woodland period (A.D. 800-1600)." Dwayne says that "once we get them cleaned up we might be able to narrow down the time frame."

The archaeologists also uncovered some 19th century artifacts including some ceramics. "Most of the ceramics were English imports," Dwayne says. "But we did find some Chinese import porcelain and domestically made redwares." Redware was ceramic earthenware used to prepare and store food, but not eat it.

Oddly enough, Dwayne reports that what we call "artifacts" was "trash" to those who put the materials in the ground. "Most people back then," Dwayne says "just threw their trash right out the doors and windows of their houses which is good for us archaeologists today." In addition to the ceramics, porcelain, and redware, the team found some clay marbles, bone buttons, and pins. The animal bones at the site can reveal the eating habits of the residents.

Missing in this dig are 18th century artifacts. Dwayne says not to worry, they will probably turn up in the major archaeological dig scheduled for 2001. "The lack of any artifacts that were definitely eighteenth century," Dwayne explains, "might be due to the fact that they (the residents) wanted to keep the front of the house clean and deposited their refuse elsewhere on the property, possibly behind the house."

Please return to our Elk Landing web (www.elklanding.org) site periodically for updates on the area including Dwayne's final report and updates on the major dig coming in the spring of 2001.

The study was partially underwritten by a grant from Preservation Maryland, a private, nonprofit preservation organization.

Dec 20, 2000

Reconstruction and Archaeology at Elk Landing

By Eric F. Mease

If you think you’re busy this holiday season, check out what’s going on at Historic Elk Landing this winter.

Beginning just before Christmas, workers will begin carefully removing the front porch of the historic Hollingsworth house. The porch, believed constructed following a fire in the winter of 1848, was beginning to show its age and becoming structurally unsound. The work will be done by Bathon Construction of Chesapeake City, Maryland. Pieces of the old porch will be examined for possible reuse in the new porch to be constructed in January.

Between now and then, a familiar face will return to Elk Landing. He’s Dwayne Pickett of TRC from Durham, North Carolina. Dwayne and his team of archaeologists will perform what is called "emergency archaeology" on the ground under and around the porch. They will be looking for any artifacts which might shed some more light on how the many generations of men and women lived and worked at Elk Landing over the last 300 years. They will map the layers of ground they dig through as well as the location of any artifacts they find.

You may remember Pickett unearthed a three inch, three pound cannon ball at Elk Landing in the spring of 2000. That cannon ball is believed to date from April, 1813 when the British attempted an invasion of the Elkton area, but were successfully repulsed by defenders at Fort Hollingsworth and nearby Fort Defiance.

Once the porch is removed and the ground sifted for artifacts, Bathon will return to place a new, historically accurate porch on the Hollingsworth house. This new structure will add considerably to the visual appearance of the house. At about the same time, Bathon will also remove and replace the roof over the entire building, house and porch. This work will cost about $106,000. The bulk of this figure, $100,000, was generously contributed by the Associated Cecil Endeavors earlier this year. The remainder of the funds were raised through private sources.

But the work doesn’t end there. Sometime early in 2001 Phase I of a major archaeological endeavor will begin. During this phase, test holes will be dug across the site about every 30' in order to study any cultural deposits. Each hole will be mapped and any artifacts cataloged and studied for historical significance. At some point the artifacts would become a part of the overall exhibit of life in the 18^th and early 19^th century at Elk Landing.

Return to our Historic Elk Landing web site periodically for updates on both the construction work and the archaeological digs. After all, as noted by Maryland’s Governor Glendening earlier this year, "Elk Landing was a bustling colonial center, integral to the development of our nation and the defense of the new republic. On top of its historical significance," the Governor continued, "the property’s inherent natural beauty is worthy of protection for the enjoyment of all Marylanders."

Dec 04, 2000

The Cecil County Militia

When the Cecil County Militia re-enactors gathered or mustered at Elk Landing over the Labor Day weekend, they were doing what they do several times per year, give the public a taste of what military life was like during the American Revolutionary War.

At the head of the re-enactors is "Captain" Frederic J. Allen. When he isn't playing Revolutionary war hero, Fred works at DuPont's Chambers Work site. But on weekends and holidays, he turns his DuPont ID badge in for a Brown Bess musket.

Fred says the Cecil County re-enactors started small.

"We used to set up a little encampment at the county fair," Fred remembered, "and a lot of people would come up and ask what organization or unit they were with. Well, we weren't part of any unit so a group of us gathered one day and decided to form a unit"

Still, Fred says this militia unit formation wasn't out of the blue.

"Several of us are members of the 6th Maryland Regiment," Fred pointed out, "which was our first experience with Revolutionary War re-enacting. (Once our militia was formed) we went looking for some opportunities to do some local history kinds of things such as the fair, school activities, and things like that."

Once the group was formed, they had to find the proper attire and accoutrements. According to Fred, the accessories were not hard to acquire.

"If you go to a large scale re-enactment like the Battle of the Brandywine," Fred explains "there are 'sutlers' there who sell military gear. There are several mail order houses that usually attend big events too. We also make a lot of our clothes."

Ironically, the Brown Bess muskets, which were a mainstay of both the British and American Revolutionary War armies, are now made in Italy.

"There aren't too many people other than custom gunsmiths that make a Brown Bess replica." According to Fred, "there is one other source in Japan, but that's it. And the replicas aren't inexpensive. They cost about $700 a piece."

Fred says the cooking equipment and utensils are purchased at large re-enactments too although some of the re-enactors make their own fire irons, spits, and "S" hooks from which the pots and pans hang over the fire. The hardest item to obtain is gunpowder.

"That's regulated" Fred noted. "Individuals are only allowed to purchase so much of it and only licensed gun powder dealers are allowed to sell it. We 'roll' our own (bullet) cartridges. The powder is carefully measured and poured into paper tubes, which we make from newspaper. The open end of the tube is then folded over to prevent the powder from spilling out. Of course for re-enacting purposes the lead ball is omitted."

So how many militia members are there in the Elkton area and who are they? Fred says occupations cover the gambit.

"I am a Process Control Systems Manager," Fred explained. "We have a Natural Resources Police Officer, a painter, several teachers, a truck mechanic, secretaries, a homemaker/at home caregiver, a history professor, a construction worker, accountant, and several retired folks."

As for the numbers, Fred says his group is growing.

"We have 13 member families at this time," Fred counted. "That's about twenty eight people between the ages of ten and sixty years old. Of those, twelve men have muskets at one time. Most are from the Elkton area, but some are from Bel Air, Baltimore, and Ellicott City as well as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware."

Fred says people join for many reasons, but all have an interest in history.

"I became interested in re-enacting because I have always loved history, especially Colonial American history," Fred pointed out. "Re-enacting and living history are great ways to enjoy and 'experience' history. For example, did you ever tour a historic house or fort or whatever and think 'gee, it would really be neat to live here or live like that'? I occasionally get to do that if only for a day or two. That's an interesting way to study history and it's usually long enough to really appreciate living in the 21st century."

If you want to become a member of the "militia" or want more information about it, you may contact Fred at 410-398-4853, Bill Voigt at 410-398-7423 or Pat Opal at 410-398-9242.

Aug 25, 2000

18th Century Arrives at Elk Landing Labor Day Weekend

The 18th century will come alive as Colonial militiamen station themselves at Elk Landing for the Labor Day Weekend. So if you want to take a quick trip to Revolutionary War times, visit the historic park at the end of Landing Lane in Elkton between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3
The troops, members of the Cecil Militia, a local re-enacter group, are helping the Historic Elk Landing Foundation observe the end of summer holiday. They will take up the uniforms, arms, and activities of the colonial militia for two days. Living history programs will include camp life, musket firing demonstrations, military drills, and an 18th century apothecary.
Located where the Big and Little Elk creeks meet to form the River, the grounds will bustle with activity. Skirmishes, the weekend's highlight, will take place each day at 1:00 p.m., says Captain Fred Allen, the commander of the troops. In addition, the Captain adds, visitors will learn about the weapons of the period, they can visit the camp, and they will hear why Head of Elk (Elkton) was important during the American War for Independence.
Patriotic citizens of Head of Elk will also be well represented. Men in tricorn hats or women in bonnets will offer tours of land which has remained virtually unchanged for centuries. These individuals, members of the Historic Elk Landing Foundation, the group responsible for restoring the 42-acre park, will also show you the Zebulon Hollingsworth House. Listen carefully when you walk into this old house, for you may hear the voices and footsteps of history speaking to you.

Aug 3, 2000 

Govenor Glendening, Board of Public Works Approve Funds For Elk Landing Acquisition In Cecil County
42-acre property in Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Has Extensive Archeological, Historical Significance

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Annapolis, MD (August 3, 2000) – To protect an outstanding natural and historic resource as well as meet the area's growing demand for recreational opportunities, Governor Parris N. Glendening announces the Board of Works approval of $68,000 in Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Program Open Space funds to help acquire the 42-acre Elk Landing site in Cecil County. This is the first of five yearly installment requests by the Town of Elkton to reimburse the town for the total property cost of $341,595.

"The preservation of the Elk Landing site is important, not only on the local level but on a national level as well. Elk Landing was a bustling colonial center integral to the development of our nation and the defense of the new republic," said Governor Glendening. "On top of its historical significance, the property's inherent natural beauty is worthy of protection for the enjoyment of all Marylanders."

The property is located in the town of Elkton at the convergence of the Big and Little Elk Creeks, just south of U.S. Route 40. The Elk Landing site is an ecologically unique property of extensive non-tidal wetlands located within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. It is also archeologically and historically significant, as it was the site of early Native American encampments and once served as an important trading post during the colonial and federal periods.

The town and the Historic Elk Landing Foundation intend to restore and preserve the property's historic structures and develop the site as a living history museum. The site features a brick, two-story house originally built in 1760, as well as the ruins of a stone building dating back to the late 1600s to early 1700s that once served as a trading post and a tavern. This structure is historically and architecturally important as it may be the last remaining evidence of Swedish architecture in Cecil County.

The property also will serve as a greenway connecting other parks and open spaces and providing opportunities for passive recreational activities such as sightseeing and leisure walking.

This project is consistent with Elkton's Comprehensive Plan and the State Planning Act. The town's plan specifically addresses the importance of protection of the Big and Little Elk Creeks, preserving the property adjacent to the sensitive tidal wetlands for passive recreation and expanding its use to include environmental education.

DNR's Program Open Space has preserved more than 230,000 acres of open space and recreation areas to benefit Maryland's citizens and environment. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by this program.

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