Site History

Bennett’s Point is located on a parcel of land that was known as Morgan’s Neck when it was patented in 1650 by Captain Henry Morgan. Morgan died in 1663, but he and his widow, Frances Morgan, must have turned Morgan’s Neck into a significant plantation, because in 1668 Morgan’s Neck was among the areas designated by the Lord Proprietor to be an official port for unloading and selling trade goods. In 1669 Frances married Jonathan Sibrey and they lived at Morgan’s Neck until 1675. The couple had no children, however, so when they died the land passed to Henry and Frances Morgan’s daughter, Frances Morgan Sayer. Frances Sayer and her husband Peter Sayer had no children either, and the tract passed to Frances’ niece Elizabeth Rousby in 1698.

In 1700 or 1701, Elizabeth Rousby married Richard Bennett III, a prominent merchant who benefitted greatly from marrying a woman who controlled such a major plantation and port. The Bennetts became one of the wealthiest couples in Maryland. Elizabeth and Richard lived at the site together from about 1700-1740, and after Elizabeth died, Richard continued to live there until his death in 1749. The dwelling excavated at Bennett’s Point was certainly the home of Elizabeth and Richard Bennett, but it originally may have been built, at least in part, by the Sayers in the late 17th century. It burned down in the third quarter of the 18th century.

Archaeology

Bennett’s Point was excavated by volunteers from the Archaeological Society of Delaware (ASD) between 1966 and 1974. Led by John Ludlow and John and Henry Watkins, ASD members first excavated shovel test pits to locate activity areas and then they focused in on a few features: an 18th century trash pit (Pit A); the eroding foundation of an unidentified building; and the brick foundation of the main dwelling.

Documentation of the excavation exists but it is not comprehensive. There is no plan or profile of trash Pit A, for example. The main dwelling is perhaps the best documented excavation area. Between 1969 and 1973, ASD members excavated 48 test units in the main dwelling area before the site was destroyed by the construction of a new home. These units sampled the foundation and revealed the southwest corner of a 22’ x 80’ house with brick foundations and at least one H-shaped brick chimney. The excavated hearth foundations were flanked by four brick-lined sub-floor pits that presumably acted as root cellars. Embellishments indicative of a high-class residence were present, including at least two styles of tin-glazed fireplace tiles and ornamental plasterwork. Charred flooring was a sign that the house was destroyed by fire.

Artifacts from Bennett’s Point are indicative of the comfortable lifestyle enjoyed by the Bennett family. Elaborately decorated buckles and buttons, imported porcelain, and several bottle seals personalized with Richard Bennett’s merchant mark are among the types of objects recovered that signify the family’s wealth.

References

https://jefpat.maryland.gov/NEHWeb/18QU28-%20Bennett%27s%20Point%20Finding%20Aid.aspx

http://www.chesapeakearchaeology.org/SiteSummaries/BennettsPointSummary.cfm

The Bennett’s Point archaeological collection is owned by the Maryland Historical Trust and curated at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory.