Johns Creek Cabin(18CV217)

The Johns Creek Cabin site (18CV217) is the remains of a 19th- to early 20th-century domestic site and country store north of Lusby in Calvert County.

Maps revealed a structure present as early as 1824, but was likely demolished between 1908 and 1932. Archival data was limited due to a courthouse fire in 1882. The owner of the property in 1882 was a William Coster. The 1850 Federal Census for Calvert County lists William F. Coster as a 14 year-old male in residence with his mother, Jane E. Coster. Coster, a merchant, appears in the 1880 census, married to Laura M. Coster with two dependent children, Charles and George Hagelin, from Coster’s prior marriage. The 1900 census lists Coster as a merchant with wife, Laura, two daughters from their marriage and one stepson in residence. Business directories show Coster kept a store near 18CV217 from 1891 until 1906. He is believed to have died before 1910. The property was sold in 1919 to Frank and Ella Lusby and Joseph and Carrie Coster, and later that year to Samuel and Mary Shutt. The tract passed through several hands until purchased by the State Highway Administration. The structure appears on no maps after 1908. Oral interviews confirm the Costers owned and occupied the site at John’s Creek Cabin and operated a store at and post office the location. Neither informant was certain of the date of the site’s abandonment, but both agreed that by the 1910s it had already been derelict for some time. One informant stated that it also functioned as a polling place at one time.

The site was first identified in 1984 during the preliminary survey of a highway improvement project corridor. Several above-ground remains were evident, inclduing a fieldstone foundation with a chimney base, a circular depression (well hole) and a road trace. The Phase I consisted of surface collection and shovel testing.

The Phase II research consisted of a systematic sample of 359 posthole digger test pits. Nineteen test units, 1 m X 1 m in size, were excavated to test site integrity and retrieve controlled samples of cultural material to establish a temporal framework for the site occupation. Two midden areas were also sampled to obtain a representative range of artifacts relating to the site occupancy. Artifact distributions suggested four principal loci: two refuse areas to the southeast, a primary yard midden on the south, and another yard midden to the north of the structure.

Soil chemical analysis was performed on samples taken from the Phase II STPs. Specifically, phosphate, potassium, and calcium levels were examined. The phosphate pattern shows a strong peak directly south and west of the structure, suggesting these areas may have served as locales for tethering draft stock. Southeast of the structure is a concentration of phosphate which may relate to overbank deposition of organic wastes. The potassium distribution reveals two general “spreads”, one east of the structure and one approximately 18 meters to the south on a slope. Both of these areas probably served as convenient disposal areas as they were away from the road and main entrance. Two very high concentrations may reflect individual dumping areas. Dumping near the house would not be precluded since fireplace ash is less odius than other wastes. The calcium distribution shows elevated calcium levels within the entire southeast area of the site. This distribution correlates with that of oyster shell, which is most likely the source of the calcium.

The general pattern that emerges for deposition around the structure at Johns Creek Cabin suggests a major area of deposition south of the structure. This area would have been the “front” yard, but given the commercial orientation of the site, this front yard was not a formally-kept space, but rather the primary locus of interaction, activity, and therefore deposition. The area to the north of the structure would have functioned as a “back” yard, with deposition perhaps from the domestic occupation of the site. Finally, areas of re-deposition are suggested in the far eastern part of the site, resulting from clearing of the accumulated refuse from the yards adjacent to the structure.

Artifacts recovered from 18CV217 during Phase II excavations suggests the cabin may have been built around 1840, with the addition built in the 1850s or 1860s. Site 18CV217 was found to be a very complex site, spanning most of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century. The site has suffered little or no disturbance since abandonment. Preserved wooden beams, above-grade foundations, and chimney bases are all indicative of the excellent integrity of the site. The main structure or a portion thereof appears to have functioned as a country store, and possibly also served as a rural post office. According to oral history interviews, the upstairs sections provided living quarters for the storekeeper and his family. The structure consisted of a main cell (built to be 16 X 20 feet) with a chimney centered in the west wall, an addition (built 12 X 16 feet) on the east end of the main cell which also had a chimney, and a shed attached to the south side of the structure.

Artifact patterns indicate a “public side” which fronted on the county road. It appeared to be an area that was periodically cleaned (more likely do the intensity of activity there than to a desire to keep it “presentable”) with slightly more activity items, tobacco-related artifacts, and furniture items. A predicted “private side” on the opposite side of the structure was also found to exist (delineated by a high bottle glass ratio), although there are also indications of a “private-public” interaction area which reflects both the residential and commercial nature of the site. Oral history from two informants adds to both the archaeological findings and data collected during archival research. Ceramic vessel analysis indicates a lower to middle wealth range typifying the store’s clientele.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)