Cultural Resources Survey of the Jennings Mill Tract, Clarke County, Georgia

Between 31 August and 1 September 1998 Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted intensive cultural resources survey of the approximately 65 acre Jennings Mill tract, Clarke County, Georgia. for Marcus Hodge, Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, Athens, Georgia. Proposed residential and office construction within the project tract necessitated this study, in order to comply with cultural resource management provisions of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations (33 CFR 320330), implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (as amended, 1992). The Jennings Mill project is being constructed under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit. Three sites, Jennings Mill (9CA60), the Jennings Family Cemetery (9CA128), and the Jennie Arnold Edwards Young Women's Christian Organization (YWCO) camp (9CA130), were identified within the project tract. One site, the Jennings Family cemetery, is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Jennings Mill and the Jennie Arnold Edwards YWCO Camp are recommended ineligible for the NRHP. No NRHP listed cultural resources are present within, or in the vicinity of the project tract. Background research conducted at the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) in Atlanta revealed that a NRHP nomination was begun for Jennings Mill in 1978; however, the paperwork was not completed, and the mill is not listed on the NRHP. Southeastern Archaeological Services, Inc. delineated the boundaries of the Jennings Family Cemetery in 1997, but did not apply for a state site number, or address NRHP eligibility, in their study (Gresham 1997). Two previously recorded archaeological sites are located within 1.0 mile of the project tract. No architectural resources over 50 years old were identified near the project tract as a result of background research or architectural field survey. No other cultural resources were identified within or near the project tract as a result of this survey. Based on background research and field survey, the Jennings Family cemetery (site 9CA128) is recommended eligible for the NRHP, under Criterion a (significant persons), and under Criterion d (archaeology), at the local level of significance. Jennings Mill and the former YWCO camp no longer exhibit sufficient integrity or research potential to be considered eligible for listing on the NRHP. The Jennings Family Cemetery should be preserved in place. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) should be signed prior to clearing trees, or any other disturbance within the view shed of the cemetery. The MOA will describe the preservation plan for the site, and will provide details of any mitigation measures required to protect the cemetery from disturbance during construction.