Archaeological Mitigation of a Portion of Site 9ME751 for Fort Benning Military Reservation, Muscogee County, Georgia

Under a continuing services contract with the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Fort Benning Military Reservation, Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI) conducted a Phase III archaeological mitigation of Site 9ME751 in Muscogee County, Georgia between July 14, 2009 and September 10, 2009. The purpose of PCI's mitigation efforts was to gather as much information as possible prior to damaging impacts from the construction of a perimeter fence road through the site's central and northern sections. This work was undertaken in compliance with Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, with regulations implementing this legislation (36 CRF Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties), specific National Register Bulletin guidelines (e.g., Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places), the Secretary of Interior's Guidelines for Evaluation and Documentation, and with standards set by the Georgia Historic Preservation Division, Department of Natural Resources. Site 9ME751 represents the ruins of an early to mid nineteenth through early to mid twentieth-century house site associated with a sparse and insignificant Indian component. The site was initially discovered by Southern Research, Inc. in 1999 (Elliott et al. 1999) and then later revisited by PCI in 2007 (Carruth et al. 2007). Historic researchers found compelling evidence indicating that 9ME751 was once the home of Peter Guerry, an important local figure in Muscogee County. Peter V Guerry Jr. was part owner of a nearby textile mill first known as Muscogee Manufacturing and later as Muscogee Steam Factory. Guerry owned Land Lot 190 from 1847 into the late 1850s and he appears in the census records in 1850 showing that he did maintain a residence here (Ancestry.com 2009). Guerry and three partners built and operated a textile mill (Site 9ME757) that was located on the same tract of land just 120 m south of Site 9ME751 (Muscogee County Deed Book F:3 1). This isolated manufacturing plant attracted workers who settled near Guerry's home and mill forming the Steam Factory community that appears on maps of this period near Macon Road (presently known as Chattsworth Road) and Randall Creek. Phase III excavators uncovered the ruins of two historic structures within the project boundaries. Based on our analysis of the architecture and associated cultural material, it appears that both represent historic residences with their construction dates being separated by possibly 50 years. Analysis of the structure in Area A suggests it was a Georgian Cottage design built in the late nineteenth century sometime prior to 1890. Excavations showed this structure had been destroyed by fire and at least portions of it had actually burned once before. The house discovered in Area B is clearly the older of the two and could have been built as early as the 1830s based on its construction material and its association with numerous early to midnineteenth century artifacts. The presence of charcoal and numerous pieces of melted glass found within the structure's footprint may indicate that this house had burned as well. Although we are less confident of its architectural style, the limited structural remains exposed suggest it could have been a Central Hallway or Dog Trot house. An 1840 William Henry Harrison presidential campaign medal found within the root cellar of this structure is likely linked to Guerry's occupation of the site as there is archival evidence to suggest that he was a delegate of the Whig party (Columbus Enquirer, 14 May 1845). Although a significant portion of the project area has been mitigated, large portions of 9ME751 still remain unexcavated. Construction activities should be cautious of potential human remains, even though the probability is very low.