Colletan Site (18MO748)

Mid-19th to early 20th century domestic site; Mid-19th commercial/industrial site; prehistoric lithic scatter.

This site, measuring approximately 0.32 acres, contains domestic and architectural remains related to a former structure constructed and owned by Peter Colletan in the 1840s. This structure situated just west of Brookeville, was located at the intersection of MD 97 and Brookeville Road and directly adjacent to Reddy Branch. The site is located in the side yard of a private residential property at 318 Market Street (The Valley House-circa 1799) and within the boundaries of the Reddy Branch Stream Valley Park administered by the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC). The site is located within the Brookeville Historic District and across the stream from the Newlin/Downs (Hines) Mill Site (18MO368).

Historic research has indicated a structure constructed by Peter Colletan once stood in this side yard between the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A small (7 x 5 ft.), graded hump was observed in the yard area; excavations on this mound identified a demolition layer containing mortar, plaster fragments between the upper A horizon and lower subsoil horizon. This mound was likely associated with the location of the former Colletan structure. Also noted was a small, circular feature located near MD 97. The small hole measured approximately 1.5 ft in diameter and contained uncut rock at the surface along the edges. The function of this hole is currently unknown but may be drainage related.

A total of 24 shovel test pits and three test units were excavated within the site during Phase I/II investigations. Site stratigraphy adjacent to the drainage typically displayed topsoil (A horizon) atop of a fill layer (Fill I), buried yard surface (Ab horizon) and subsoil (B horizon). The A horizon is the current topsoil layer which has been present since at least the mid-nineteenth century and contains diagnostic artifacts between 1864 and 1911. The Fill I horizon may represent a flood event or yard modification; however, the current lack of diagnostic artifacts makes the dating of the horizon difficult. The Fill I horizon is located sporadically throughout the site. The buried yard surface (Ab horizon) consists of the original nineteenth century yard of the former Peter Colletan structure. The former yard surface appears to date to the mid-nineteenth century when the Colletan structure was constructed and contains artifacts that date to the earliest historic occupation of the site in the 1840s. The subsoil horizon (B horizon) was culturally sterile.

Site stratigraphy located outside of the project LOD displayed the same A horizon atop of culturally sterile subsoil (B horizon), however, the buried yard surface (Ab horizon) was missing.

Although Peter Colletan was shown to own the house on nineteenth century maps, it appears that he never lived within the structure and instead had a home within the town of Brookeville. He likely rented or leased the property for use as a tenant house. Evidence also suggests that the structure may have served a commercial/industrial function, possibly as a blacksmith shop. Artifacts were recovered within the current yard surface (A horizon), a fill horizon (Fill I) and a buried mid-nineteenth century yard surface (Ab horizon). Undiagnostic prehistoric artifacts, consisting or quartz debitage, were also recovered from the site mixed with historic material.

(Edited from archeological site survey form, Maryland Historical Trust)