Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

This letter is in regards to the archaeological excavations conducted by the Department of Archaeological Research (DAR) at the Coke-Garrett House between May 15 and June 7, 2000. Excavations were carried out in advance of waterproofing activities which were scheduled to begin in August 2000. During the course of said activities, all historical cultural data within two meters of the house was to be destroyed. Archaeological excavations were conducted in order to investigate and record this information before it was lost.

The original research design called for excavation of two meter wide trenches on all three sides of the original west wing of the House—the area designated for waterproofing. However, limited archaeological testing combined with archival research revealed that all but the south elevation of the house had been previously excavated by Ivor Noël Hume in 1959. Additional testing indicated that the area east of the south (or front) elevation porch had been completely disturbed by modern utility trenches. This left only the section west of the porch along the south elevation to be excavated.

Due to these findings the majority of the funds provided by the Foundation for archaeological research were returned. The time allotted for archaeology was also shortened from two months to three weeks.

Very little material of historical significance was encountered by archaeologists during digging. The one significant find was an undulating ravine fill (context M2) located in the southwestern portion of the excavation trench. This ravine fill, which was cut by numerous modern features including the 1953 waterproofing trench and an early twentieth-century sewage pipe, was approximately 210 × 130 × 27 cm and consisted of two layers. The first of these, a mottled brown sandy clay loam (context 00032) had a TPQ (terminus post quem, or earliest possible date of deposit) of 1762 established by creamware. The layer also contained delftware, colono, wine bottle and window glass, 218 pieces of bone and 40 pieces of shell, among others. The second layer, a mottled light brown sandy loam, had no artifacts which established a TPQ, but contained delftware, tobacco pipes, 25 bones and wine bottle and window glass, among others. Archaeologists speculated that the ravine fill was made up of soil and refuse which were thrown, most likely deliberately, into the ravine in order to create a more even topography between the House and Nicholson Street.

No definitive date has been established for the construction of the original wing of the Coke-Garrett House. Unfortunately, no remnants of the original builder's trench remained due to the 1953 waterproofing activities. This same disturbance prevented the establishment of any contextual relationship between the ravine fill and the house. However, it is quite likely that the House was standing prior to the fill's deposit which would indicate that the house was standing before 1762.

Any further questions concerning the Spring 2000 excavations should be directed to myself. In my absence, the Coke-Garrett field crew, which consisted of Jameson Harwood, David Brown, and Katy Thomason, should be able to answer any questions you might have. Records from this excavation will be on file at the DAR Archaeological Laboratory.