Search for Early Jesuit Mission at Potopaco

Julia King

Dr. Julia King's talk at the April 16 CCASM Meeting was "Is It or Isn't It?: In Search of the Early Jesuit Mission at Potopaco".   Julie discussed archaeological investigations done in 2023 and 2024 at St. Thomas Manor, a Jesuit plantation established ca. 1638 along the Port Tobacco River.  The investigations revealed a smattering of artifacts from the 17th century. Taking the form of a whodunit, she marshaled documentary and archaeological evidence and invited audience participation to solve this compelling mystery: who were the Jesuit priests who left behind these ephemeral traces and what does this tell us about the first decades of life on the colonial frontier?    As always, additional investigations and funding are needed to help validate the possible answer.

Julia King is a Professor of Anthropology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland with numerous publications and awards.

Once again this was a hybrid meeting with most of the people and the speaker attending in person.  Thanks to Jim for allowing us to use his Zoom account, and thanks to Peggy and Natalia for providing the hotspot.   

All of us ready for meeting to start

Attendance: 15  (3 via Zoom)

The Search for the Jesuit Mission of Father Andrew White Along the Potomac River

Dr. Julia King

At the CCASM November 16 meeting Dr. Julia King talked about recent investigations done in Chapel Point State Park along the Potomac River.  They were looking for evidence of the Jesuit Mission in that area was associated with Father Andrew White.  Julie's talk was so interesting and informative that I forgot to take any notes.  I do remember  - an old map showing the location of a dwelling that could be overlaid on a current map,  artifacts made by Native Americans (that's why the Jesuits wanted a mission there), seventeenth century artifacts from the time period Father White and/or his successor would have been there, but there was so much more.

Julie has a grant to continue investigations at the site next year.  So stay tuned.
(CCASM was written into the grant, and members will be able to volunteer.)

Native American and
early Colonial artifacts recovered

Two recovered sherds similar
to mid-seventeenth century mug

Julia King is a professor of anthropology at St Mary's College of Maryland and was the principle investigator for investigations that found Charles County's first Courthouse and that found the Piscataway's Zekiah Fort. 

Several CCASM members had volunteered for at least a day on the site early this year.   Julie thanked them by taking them to dinner prior to the meeting.  A really nice thank you.

Before the meeting

Attendance: 15