Archaeological Reconnaissance of a Tabby Ruin and Lot on St. Simons Island, Georgia

This report details a brief archaeological reconnaissance of a tabby building ruin and surrounding lot on St. Simons Island, Georgia. This work was performed by The LAMAR Institute, Inc. at the request of anthropologist Patricia Barefoot and the property owner, Tommy Stewart. Barefoot completed a short history of the property shortly before this reconnaissance was performed (Barefoot 2004). Her report provided important background information for the archaeological reconnaissance. Her historical discussion is not repeated here. The study site contains a tabby building ruin of undetermined age and association, and an adjacent property of approximately one acre. This ruin was converted for use as a home in the mid-20th century. The site is officially recorded in the Georgia Archaeological Site File as site 9GN317. A brief reconnaissance of the property was conducted by Dan Elliott of the LAMAR Institute on September 13, 2004. Artifacts from the 20th century were widespread across the area. Older artifacts were noted in the rear of the house and included creamware, pearlware, ironstone, tobacco pipe stems, and brick. Oyster shell and animal bone also were observed. The potential for intact deposits appears to be good, although the upper strata on portions of the site may have been compromised and utility ditches have likely disturbed an unknown portion of the property. The tabby ruin is a single story rectangular building with gabled roof. It is located approximately 65 meters east of two historical markers commemorating colonial Fort Delegal. The precise location of Fort Delegal has not been determined archaeologically and the possibility exists that the tabby ruins are related to the colonial fort, which was garrisoned in the 1730s and 1740s (and possibly later).The artifacts that were observed on the surface indicate an occupation of the tabby dwelling in the late 1700s and early to mid 1800s, during the Plantation era. An early 20th century photograph on file at the Fort Frederica National Monument reveals the building in ruins. Questions remain regarding the age and function of this tabby ruin. The archaeological reconnaissance included a brief surface inspection of the exposed ground to check for diagnostic artifacts. Artifacts observed included: 1 ironstone plate base with a maker's mark (Powell Bishop Ironstone China [produced ca. 1840s-1850s]); undecorated creamware and pearlware, blue and green shell edged pearlware, polychrome hand painted pearlware, tobacco pipe stems, olive green bottle glass, animal bones, oyster shell, brick, and small chunks of tabby. Artifacts were common and suggested that buried historic midden deposits were likely present. These artifacts indicate an occupation that spans the late 18th to mid-19th centuries. No artifacts clearly associated with the Trustee period of Georgia history (Fort Delegal era) were observed. No aboriginal artifacts were observed. At the request of the landowner, Tommy Stewart of TDS Construction/Georgia Realty, The LAMAR Institute prepared a proposal for additional historical archaeology at this study site on September 15, 2004. Unfortunately, the landowner opted not to fund the project and large scale construction continued on the property. The site was officially recorded in the Georgia Archaeological Site File, although the full extent of the site was not determined. This brief report attempts to salvage what little was gleaned about the archaeological resources at this location. Figure 6 shows the study area in 2005 as the construction project progressed.