Bateman Site (18CH354)

The Bateman Site (18CH354) is primarily the archaeological remains associated with a plantation house on the south side of Swan Point Neck in Charles County. The site is associated with the Wollaston Manor estate owned and operated by the Neale family and this particular dwelling was built sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century and occupied until possibly as late as 1780. A Late Woodland lithic scatter is also present at the site.

The history of ownership of the land containing the Bateman 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. A 1755 plat depicts division of the property into six separate parcels or tracts. 18CH354 is estimated to be situated within the bounds of Tract 1.

Site 18CH354 was first identified during a 1991 archaeological survey. This mid-18th century site was identified by shovel test pit (STP) excavations at 40 m (130 ft) intervals along two transects spaced 46 m (150 ft) apart along the Potomac River. When positive artifact finds were made, additional STPs were then excavated at 9-18 m (30-60 ft) intervals from the original find.

During Phase II 2007 evaluation study, 162 shovel tests and 7 test units (five 91 X 91 cm and two 61 X 122 cm) were excavated. Excavations uncovered three architecture-related features, including a cellar hole with fill, a brick foundation wall, and an associated builder’s trench. A total of 2,926 artifacts were recovered including 2,920 historic artifacts and 6 prehistoric artifacts.

Phase III data recovery was carried out at the site in 2007 and 2008. Twelve 1.524 m (5 foot) squares were excavated, nine 1.524 m squares were partially excavated within the brick foundation/cellar hole area. Most excavated soils were screened on site using hardware cloth. A portion of feature soils was water screened off-site using window screen mesh. Twelve natural and cultural features were identified during the excavation process. In addition to the previously identified brick foundation and cellar hole were pit features, a brick central support within the cellar, builder’s trenches, cellar hole floor patchwork, and rodent burrows and/or tree root disturbances.

A total of 16,892 artifacts were retained from the field for analysis in the lab, only 116 of which were prehistoric. A total of 16,776 historic artifacts were recovered during Phase III work at the site.

A 1746 King George II half-penny was recovered from a lower level of the cellar hole. Artifacts recovered from the cellar hole indicate that the residence at 18CH354 was occupied sometime between the terminal 17th and late 18th century. It was estimated that the occupation period lasted between 40 and 70 years. The mean ceramic date of the sherd assemblage was estimated to be 1746.

The Phase I-III evidence suggests that between the last quarter of the 17th century and the first quarter of the 18th century, the Neale family abandoned the original Wollaston Manor residence and constructed a new domicile at 18CH354. The research results indicated that the residence at 18CH354 was occupied no later than 1780.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)