Clagett Site (18CH352)

The Clagett Site (18CH352) is the archaeological remains associated with a 19th century plantation on Swan Point in Charles County. In addition to the site’s historic component, a Late Woodland artifact scatter is present on-site.

The history of ownership of the land containing the Clagett Site begins with a 1642 land grant of 2,000 acres to James Neale. Born in England, Neale was a prominent individual in Maryland politics. He named the entire land grant, as well as his dwelling, “Wollaston Manor.” This land was subsequently divided many times among his descendants. In 1823, the property was purchased by a James Hollis who sold it to Richard Clagett in 1850. Clagett’s descendants would own Wollaston Manor until much of the original property was acquired by the Maryland Realty Investment Trust and subsequently sold to the US Steel Corporation in 1969.

Site 18CH352 was initially identified during a reconnaissance survey in the early 1990s. Discovered during the survey were landscape plants, a brick-lined well, a cellar hole, and at least 5 brick piles (possibly separate structures). Thirteen shovel test pits (STPs) were placed around the cellar hole and throughout the site at 15.24 m (50 ft) intervals. Based on findings, the site was interpreted to be the remains of an ante-bellum and post-Civil War plantation site, likely abandoned at the beginning of the 20th century.

Phase II testing was carried out in 2007. In order to relocate the site, a shovel test grid spaced at 30.5 m (100 ft) increments was superimposed and excavated. Based on the distribution of artifacts, this grid was narrowed to 15.24 m (50 ft), 7.62 m (25 ft), and 3.81 m (12.5 ft) increments. In total, 201 shovel tests were excavated within the grid and the data were used in the strategic positioning of test units. Nine formal test units of varying size were excavated. The soils removed from each excavated shovel test or test unit were dry-screened in the field using hardware cloth.

Features were cross-sectioned and excavated using special excavation and documentation procedures. Soil samples were collected and were waterscreened through window screen. Seven cultural features were identified; a brick foundation and cellar hole with concrete pillars and associated architectural rubble (Feature 1), a brick-lined well (Feature 2), a domestic artifact deposit associated with architectural remains (Feature 3), a brick foundation wall (Feature 4), a possible 2nd brick foundation wall (Feature 5), a possible dry-laid stone foundation wall (Feature 7) and an artifact deposit associated with the stone wall (Feature 6). Time diagnostic features of these features suggest a 19th century affiliation.

In total, 4,370 artifacts were recovered from the shovel tests and test units at the site. By broad temporal affiliation and quantity, the artifact collection included the following: 4,347 historic items, 18 prehistoric items, and 5 modern objects.

Upon examining the cultural remains, it was concluded that 18CH352 had a rural domestic function and an early 19th to early 20th century temporal affiliation. Those occupying the site were thought to have a middle-to-lower-middle socio-economic status based on research and artifact evidence. The site was probably occupied by members or associates of the Hollis and/or Clagett families. After examining the research and fieldwork results, it was concluded that Site 18CH352 had research value based on its antiquity and possible association with lower-middle income occupants. The value of the site was also enhanced by a relatively intact historic landscape composed of masonry features and artifact concentrations. Unfortunately, the artifact-bearing soils were compromised by a stratigraphy with questionable integrity. It was determined that proposed development in the vicinity of 18CH352 would not adversely impact any significant archaeological resources.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)