Returning to Rich Hill - 2025

In 2021 a mid-nineteenth century Corn House was to be moved to Rich Hill, a historic property owned by Charles County, and we had to find an area away from the house where there were no artifacts.  Rich Hill-2021  We found that area and the Corn House was moved.  However, while looking for an area with no artifacts, we also found an area with artifacts - mostly nineteenth century.  This appears to be the location of a cabin. 

In 2025 Esther Read along with CCASM members and other volunteers returned to that site at Rich Hill to learn more about who might have occupied this cabin that was far from the main house but close to an old road.  If none of the artifacts found date after 1865, the cabin could have been a slave cabin.  If a number of artifacts found date after 1865 the cabin could have been used by former enslaved people but may also have previously been a slave cabin.  The Historical Society of Charles County has created a booklet "Say Their Names" with the names of all the known enslaved people associated with Rich Hill.

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Monday was a beautiful day even though it was somewhat chilly.  So, of course, we were outside at Rich Hill.   Esther continued to trowel the unit down while Elsie, Denise, Claudia, and Ned screened the soil looking for artifacts.  We did find more fragments of bricks and ceramics.
Rich Hill was open, and several of us went inside where Ned pointed out plans/progress for the various rooms.  Also Mike Mazzeo and Mary Pat Berry talked with Esther about the location for the proposed "ghost" slave cabin. 

Thanks to Ned for the photos.

Monday October 27 Esther continued digging the unit another couple of inches.  The soil was like concrete.  Elsie, Denise, Claudia, and Malinda screened and found ceramics, nails, and other artifacts similar to those previously found.  Ned brought some tools to help with the hard soil.  Then Ned and Malind walked the site.
Thanks to Elsie for the info.

Artifacts found

Monday October 20 was a beautiful day to be outdoors.  Linda, Elsie, and Carol joined Esther to open a unit in the area where the artifacts had been found in 2021.  We only removed one level and it did have artifacts - lots of whiteware including some transfer printed,  glass,  American stoneware, bricks, coal, and even a flake.  Remember we were in a plowed field and everything in the plow zone would be mixed up.

Screening and Digging at Rich Hill