Abstract ―From Quiet Woods to Tide Kissed Shore:‖ Searching for the Colonial Port of Sunbury, Georgia‘ By Stephen D. Dilk April, 2012 Director: Nathan Richards Department of History This thesis chronicles efforts to examine a unique colonial waterfront complex in Sunbury, Georgia comprised of four distinct colonial wharf sites. To carry out an explanation of these features and Sunbury‘s overall land-water interface, this thesis utilizes Immanuel Wallerstein‘s World-Systems Theory in conjunction with extensive historical research and archaeological survey. The project‘s primary aim will be to identify novel aspects of Sunbury‘s economy and society through archaeology. Secondary goals include an investigation into the port‘s role locally and abroad. A corollary to this aim will be to connect the lifespan of the wharf sites to larger forces affecting the town. ―From Quiet Woods to Tide Kissed Shore:‖ Searching for the Colonial Port of Sunbury, Georgia . A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Department of History East Carolina University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Masters of Arts in History by Stephen D. Dilk April, 2012 © (Stephen Dilk, 2012) ―From Quiet Woods to Tide Kissed Shore:‖ Searching for the Colonial Port of Sunbury, Georgia by Stephen D. Dilk APPROVED BY: DIRECTOR OF THESIS __________________________________________________ Nathan Richards, Ph. D. COMMITTEE MEMBER __________________________________________________ Wade Dudley, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER _________________________________________________ Lynn Harris, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER_________________________________________________ Christopher McCabe, M.A. CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY _____________________________ Gerald J. Prokopowicz , Ph.D. DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL ______________________________________ Paul Gemperline, Ph.D. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS When going through the pages of this thesis, it is easy to be reminded of my indebtedness to a great number of people. Indeed, first I have to thank Nathan Richards, my director whose guidance, leadership, and Jacob Marley-esque presence motivated me until the end (kidding about the Marley part). I also have to acknowledge the tremendous assistance given to me from my other faculty committee members, Wade Dudley and Lynn Harris. Their input helped in a great many ways to enrich the final product. I would also be remiss if I did not thank Christopher McCabe who made most of this project possible. His constant encouragement, input, and advice proved invaluable. Additionally, I also have to thank David Crass for helping fund the Georgia Coastal Underwater Archaeology Field Station and whose vision and leadership through the recession has kept maritime archaeologists working on the state level in Georgia. Thanks also have to go out to my family for supporting me in a plethora of ways. Other vital support came from various people across several states and countries, including Martha Zierdon in Charleston, South Carolina, who graciously aided me in ceramic identification, Arthur Edgar, site manager at Fort Morris State Historic Site, in Sunbury, Georgia who let us stay on site and whose enthusiasm about the project is contagious, Franklin Price in Tallahassee, Florida for reading and correcting my thesis, Calvin Mires and Mark Keusenkothen in Greenville, North Carolina for their help and joviality, Alexander Kaderbhai and company for letting me crash in their London flat for a week and a day, and Jessica Bilas Langer for being my toughest critic and most ardent supporter. I would also like to thank Brian Rodgers for his help with the drawings. Lastly, I need to acknowledge the unsung heroes of this endeavor, the interlibrary loan and distance education librarians who tirelessly strove to support me even though I was two states away when writing most of the thesis. To this end, thank you to Thomas Rowe, William Gee, Jackie Cannon, Suzanne Metcalf, and Lynda Werdel. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES AND GRAPHS …………………………………………………....... ix LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………. x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………. 1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………. 1 Archaeological Definitions…………….…………….………………………….. 3 Broad Influences Affecting Sunbury…………………………………...……….. 5 Research Questions…...…………………………………………………….......... 6 Research Design………………………………………………………………….. 8 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 9 CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL APPROACHES…………………………………… 11 Introduction………………………………………………………………………. 11 Abandonment and Other Site Formation Processes………..…………………….. 12 Definition of the Atlantic World………………..………………………………… 16 World-Systems Theory……………………..…………………………………….. 18 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 22 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY………………………………………………… 23 Introduction………………………………………………………………………. 23 Archival Research………………………………………………………………... 23 Previous Historical Research…………………………………………….. 24 J.Y. Joyner Library……………………………………………………….. 25 Ruppé Library…………………………………………………………….. 25 River Campus Library…………………………………………………….. 26 Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library…………………………….. 26 State Archives in Georgia………………………………………………... 26 Georgia Coastal Underwater Archaeology Field Station……………….... 27 State Archives……………………………………………………………. 27 Georgia Historical Society……………………………………………….. 27 National Archives………………………………………………………… 28 International Archives……………………………………………………. 28 Past Archaeological Research………………....…………………………………. 29 Problems with Primary Source Material…………………………………………. 32 Archaeological Fieldwork………………………………………………………... 32 Community Property Lot Artifact Assemblage Analysis……………………….... 35 Analysis…………………………………………………………………………... 37 CHAPTER FOUR: HISTORY OF SUNBURY………………………………………….. 38 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….. 38 Founding and Colonization……………………………………………………..… 38 Port Development…………………..…………………………………………….. 45 Trade Networks…………………………..………………………………………. 49 The Ravages of War ………………………..……………………………………. 53 Decline of the Seaport 1783-1824…………...…………………………………… 54 Natural Disasters……………………….…………………………………………. 60 Conclusion………………………………...………………………………………. 63 CHAPTER FIVE: RESULTS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY……………………. 65 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….. 65 Remote Sensing Survey…………………………………………………………... 68 . Investigations at Lamotte‘s Wharf South (9LI1908)……………………………... 68 Artifacts and Site Formation Processes Observed at 9LI1908……………………. 79 9LI1909: Fisher, Jones, and Hughes Wharf………………………………………. 84 Artifacts and Site Formation Processes Observed at 9LI1909……………………. 90 9LI2013: Darling and Co. Wharf…………………………………………………. 92 9LI2039: Kelsall and Spalding‘s Wharf………………………………………….. 97 Community Property Lot House Site…………………………………………….. 99 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 101 CHAPTER SIX: ANALYSIS…………………………………………………………….. 105 Introduction………………………………………………………………….......... 105 Integrating Sunbury into the Expanding World System………………………...... 106 Functional Analysis of Sunbury………………………………………………….. 113 Core Like Processes in Sunbury-Shipbuilding…………………………………… 115 Peripheral Production in Sunbury: Rice, Lumber, Naval Stores……………......... 115 Artifact Assemblage Analysis: Evidence of the World System………………….. 118 Wharf Constructions as Indicators of Economic Change……………………….... 126 Comparative Analysis…………………………………………………………….. 128 Wharf Sites Reflecting Economic Status…………………………………………. 131 Environmental Considerations for Wharf Construction………………………….. 139 Decline and Abandonment of Sunbury as a Port…………………………………. 145 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 149 CHAPTER SEVEN: CONCLUSION…………………...……………………………….. 151 Introduction……………………………………………………………………….. 151 Observations……………………………………………………………………… 152 Limitations and Future Research…………………………………………………. 155 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………... 157 REFERENCES CITED………………………………....………………………………… 159 APPENDIX A: ARTIFACTS RECOVERED FROM SITE 9LI1908................................. 175 APPENDIX B: ARTIFACTS RECOVERED FROM SITE 9LI1909................................. 176 APPENDIX C: COMMUNITY PROPERTY LOT ARTIFACT ASSEMBLAGE............. 177 LIST OF TABLES AND GRAPHS Table 6.1: Artifact patterning comparisons……………………………………………… 124 Graph 6.2: Size of vessels entering and leaving Sunbury 1763-1767 ……………………. 133 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: Map of Georgia showing Sunbury, GA………………………………………. 1 Figure 3.1: Chart illustrating coverage area of survey completed by Tidewater Atlantic… 30 Figure 3.2: Dan Elliott‘s terrestrial survey loci…….…………………………………….. 31 Figure 4.1: Jones Map showing colonial Sunbury………………………………………... 41 Figure 4.2: Detail from Part of the Coast of Georgia with the Savannah River………...... 47 Figure 4.3: 1787 Shipping List…………………………………………………..……….. 58 Figure 4.4: Advertisement for rice shipments to Sunbury ……………………………….. 59 Figure 5.1: Aerial image of Sunbury showing site locations……………………………... 66 Figure 5.2: Side Scan Sonar Remote Sensing Survey Coverage ………………………… 69 Figure 5.3: 9LI1908 Overlaid on the Jones Map…………………………………………. 70 Figure 5.4: 9LI1908 Site plan……………………………………………………………… 72 Figure 5.5: Excavated Piling analysis…………………………………………………….. 74 Figure 5.6: Piling and Puncheon clustering………………………………………………. 77 Figure 5.7: Image of 9LI1908…………………………………………………………….. 78 Figure 5.8: 9LI1908 image artifacts………………………………………………………. 81 Figure 5.9: 9LI1909 site location and Jones Map overlap………………………………… 85 Figure 5.10: Isometric drawing of 9LI1909………………………………………………. 88 Figure 5.11: Site GR SR-22 showing a blown out bulkhead and abandoned vessel……… 89 Figure 5.12: Similarities