Living off the Land: Archaeological Data Recovery at 9EF188, Effingham County, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted Phase III data recovery investigations at 9EF188 between September 3 and 12,2001. Site 9EF188 is located at the proposed location of the Plant McIntosh Combined Cycle Facility, in eastern Effingham County, Georgia. Archaeological investigations were conducted under contract with Savannah Electric after results of site evaluation were reviewed by the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The SHPO determined that 9EF 188 was eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D (local level of significance), then agreed that data recovery, following an approved research design and data recovery plan, was an appropriate treatment for resolving adverse effects of site development. Data recovery at 9EF188 was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended through 1992, and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) regulations 36 CFR Part 800 (Protection of Historic Properties, as revised January II, 2001). These investigations follow the ACHP's Recommended Approach for Consultation on Recovery of Significant Information from Archaeological Sites (June 17, 1999), and were directed by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A.. Artifacts and project documents will be curated at a facility complying with 36 CFR Part 79, Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections, Final Rule. Site 9EF188 was previously documented as a historic surface and subsurface artifact scatter from an early to late nineteenth century domestic occupation. In addition to a generalized artifact scatter, the site included a house pad with associated architectural artifacts and a well or privy pit. Despite evidence of silvicultural disturbance, this site appeared to retain integrity of location and association. Phase III data recovery at 9EF188 has mixed results. Background research documented probable site ownership from the middle eighteenth century to the present. This research focused on determining ownership and residence during the period of occupation, as documented archaeologically. Despite inadequacies in historical documentation, a nearly complete chain of title was produced, but specific occupants could not be positively identified. Field investigations exposed portions of a house pad and excavated a section of the privy pit. All artifacts were recovered from disturbed plow zone deposits but the assemblage provided support for early to late nineteenth century site occupation. No intact structural remains were encountered, but land form modifications and architectural artifacts suggest the former presence of a one or two room dwelling and at least one brick chimney. Site 9EF 188 appears to represent a middle nineteenth century household of limited means. Evidence suggests that it began as a slave residence, and may have housed more than one family. Following the Civil War, it may have been occupied by freed blacks or poor white tenants. Based on documented completion of required investigations, we recommend cultural resources clearance of this location for construction of the Plant McIntosh Combined Cycle Facility.