Serenity Farm Burial Ground

Franklin Robinson, Jr

At the January 10 CCASM meeting Franklin Robinson, Jr told how a skull found in 1982 on Serenity Farm in Benedict led to the discovery of a previously unknown slave burial ground.  In 2012 the State Highway Administration started investigating the site and identified 23 African American burials dating from 1780 to 1810.  Franklin related how archeologists, physical anthropologists, historical research, and interaction with  the African American community have helped us to understand more about the individuals (9 adults, 6 children and 8 infants) buried here. 

 

Franklin also shared a new publication "In this Place, A Discovery Guide for the Benedict Region" that contains information on the burial ground, and he distributed copies at the meeting.  The guide was written to introduce students and others to the history of Benedict.

Franklin Robinson is an archivist working at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  The burial ground can be visited by a written request to Franklin or as part of a scheduled tour.

Attendance: 19