Transco-Williams Dalton Expansion Project: Archaeological and Historic Resources Survey of Ayers-Stovall Cemetery, Gordon County, Georgia. FERC Docket No. PF14-10. HP No. 140603-005

Cardno, Inc. (Cardno) has completed archaeological and historic resources survey of part of the proposed Dalton Expansion Project, in Georgia. This letter details Cardno's findings and management recommendations specifically for one historic cemetery, the Ayers-Stovall Cemetery (Figure 1). The Ayers-Stovall Cemetery is a small historic cemetery located in the southern portion of Douglas County just south of North Helton Road. It is a one-acre family cemetery that does not have any associated standing structures. The western edge of the cemetery parcel is within the survey corridor, but the cemetery is approximately 90 ft east of the proposed workspace. It is located in Land Lot 15, District 2, Section 5. Cardno's survey of the cemetery consisted of visual inspection and the preparation of a detailed map (Figure 7) In addition, all legible headstones were recorded in field notes and on the site form. No shovel tests were excavated within or around the cemetery and no artifacts were collected from within the cemetery. Although Find-a-grave.com identified 17 occupants of the Ayers-Stovall Family Cemetery, field survey found an additional 12 graves with markers which are no longer legible (Find-a-grave.com). A concrete retaining wall or curb, which is now largely at ground level, surrounds the cemetery plot. Stephen and Frances Stovall's markers are marble pedestal tombs with a vaulted roof. Several other markers display the same style but are carved from granite. Other designs include a granite pulpit marker with an open Bible on top, a pointed die in socket, a marble pointed, modified die in socket, and several concrete box and ledger tombs. The markers which have deteriorated to the point that their inscriptions are no longer evident are generally simple concrete or marble headstones, many of which also have a footstone. Several large slabs of granite occupy the center of the cemetery and may mark an additional burial with a ledger marker. Some of the larger monuments include iconography such as a lamb on a child 's tomb (Figure 8), gates, doves, and curtains or veils (Figure 9). Based on the results of Cardno's archaeological and historic resources surveys in advance of the proposed construction of the Dalton Pipeline Expansion project, Cardno recommends clearance for construction as no NRHP eligible cultural resources will be adversely affected by the proposed work.