Archaeological Investigations at Terrill Cemetery (15Ma424), Madison County, Kentucky By
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Archaeological Investigations at Terrill Cemetery (15Ma424), Madison County, Kentucky By: Amy C. Favret With Contributions by Edward Henry C. Brain Mabelitini Christina A. Pappas Philip Mink and Eric J. Schlarb KAS Report No. 149 Report Prepared For: City of Richmond, Kentucky Public Works Division Contact: David Evans, City Manager Report Submitted By: Kentucky Archaeological Survey Jointly Administered By: Kentucky Heritage Council University of Kentucky, Department of Anthropology 1020A Export Street Lexington, KY 40506-9854 (859) 257 – 5173 2008 ________________________ David Pollack Principle Investigator Kentucky Office of State Archaeology Permit Number: ABSTRACT During March of 2007, archaeologists from the Kentucky Archaeological Survey excavated 18 burials at the Terrill Cemetery (15Ma424), which was located in Madison County to the south of Richmond, Kentucky. Analysis of archival records, artifacts (including garments and other personal items), engraved headstones, and coffin/casket forms and associated hardware suggests that this cemetery was used perhaps as early as 1804 or 1805, with the last interment occurring in 1876. Though the human skeletal remains were not well preserved, insights were gained into the organization and growth of this family cemetery, and changes in mortuary practices that reflect the Terrill family’s participation of the nineteenth century “Beautification of Death” movement. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project could not have been accomplished without the assistance of several people. Among them are the members of the field crew, including: Eric Schlarb, Edward Henry, Emily Swintosky, Carrell Rush, Meagan Jones, Melissa Ramsey, Ronny Hazlett, and Logan Kistler. Excavations were assisted by the City of Richmond, including James “Jimmy” Howard and David Evans, City Manager, and backhoe operators Sid Rawlins, Stacy Curtis, Tom Rice, and John Strong. C. Brian Mabelitini provided a historical background for the Terrill Cemetery, and processed and provided analysis of the non- textile artifacts. Christina Pappas provided analysis of textiles and leather remains. Dr. R. Berle Clay, Edward Henry, and Philip Mink conducted geophysical investigations, which included ground penetrating radar and magnetic survey prior to the excavation of the cemetery. Philip Mink and Edward Henry provided analysis of GPR data. Dr. Rinita Dalan (Minnesota State University-Moorehead) conducted down-hole susceptibility tests to determine if distinctive magnetic characteristics could be identified for unmarked grave shafts. Hayward Wilkirson prepared the line drawings and maps. Editorial assistance provided to the author by Eric Schlarb, Dr. David Pollack, and Dr. Kary Stackelbeck was greatly appreciated. Dr. George Crothers provided laboratory and storage space within the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology. Ed Winkle and Barbara Gortman handled all of the administrative details for the project. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................ iii List of Figures......................................................................................................................v List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi Introduction..........................................................................................................................1 Historical Background (C. Brian Mabelitini) ......................................................................5 Field Methods ......................................................................................................................8 Geophysical Survey (Philip Mink, Edward Henry, and Eric Schlarb) ..............................10 Coffin/Casket Hardware, Personal Artifacts, and Non-Mortuary Related Artifacts (C. Brian Mabelitini)......................................................................................15 Textile and Leather Remains (Christina A. Pappas)..........................................................29 Human Remains and Cemetery Demographics ................................................................37 Dental Analysis .................................................................................................................42 Burials Investigated ...........................................................................................................43 Conclusions........................................................................................................................71 References Cited ................................................................................................................73 iv LIST OF FIGURES 1. Location of Madison County, Kentucky..........................................................................1 2. Topographic Map showing the location of Terrill Cemetery (15Ma424) .......................2 3. Terrill Cemetery...............................................................................................................2 4. Terrill Cemetery After Removal of Trees........................................................................3 5. D.G. Beers and Company (1876) Map of Madison County, Kentucky...........................6 6. Collecting Geophysical Data ...........................................................................................8 7. GPR Survey Results, Terrill Cemetery..........................................................................11 8. GPR Anomalies, Terrill Cemetery.................................................................................12 9. Possible Grave Anomalies and Excavated Graves, Terrill Cemetery............................13 10. Cast Iron Coffin, from Burial 18, John C. Terrill, Jr. ..................................................19 11. Small Coffin Hardware from Burial 20 (William T. Terrill, Jr.).................................20 12. One of Six Coffin Handles Recovered from Burial 20 (William T. Terrill, Jr.) .........20 13. Nail Types Recovered from Terrill Cemetery .............................................................22 14. Button Types 1 through 5 ............................................................................................24 15. Round Comb Similar to Type Recovered from Burial 13 (Mary Hudson) .................25 16. Personal Artifacts Recovered from Burial 19 (Zerelda E. Terrill) ..............................26 17. Fabric Fragment from Zerelda E. Terrill’s Dress Showing Hook-and-Eye Fasteners .....................................................................................................................31 18. Fragment of Pants with Buckle or Clip from Burial 20 (William T. Terrill, Jr.) ........33 19. Close-up of Buckle or Clip from Burial 20 (William T. Terrill, Jr.) ...........................33 20. Left Shoe Sole from Burial 20 Showing Machine Stitching ...................................... 34 21. Age Group Frequency of Individuals in the Terrill Cemetery.................................... 39 22. Planview of the Terrill Cemetery (15Ma424)..............................................................44 23. Planview of Burial 1 ...................................................................................................45 24. Planview of Burials 6a and 6b .....................................................................................48 25. Planview of Burial 7 ....................................................................................................49 26. Engraved Headstone for Sarah S. White (Burial 8b)...................................................51 27. Planview of Burial 9 ....................................................................................................53 28. Planview of Burial 10 ..................................................................................................55 29. Headstone for Mary Hudson (Burial 13) .....................................................................56 30. Headstone for Priscilla Farris (Burial 16)....................................................................58 31. Planview of Burial 16 (Priscilla Farris) .......................................................................60 32. Cast Iron Coffin in Burial 18 (John C. Terrill) ............................................................61 33. Engraved Headstone of Zerelda E. Terrill (Burial 19) ................................................62 34. Layers of Limestone Covering the Grave Shaft of Burial 19 (Zerelda E. Terrill).......63 35. Limestone Footers that Paralleled Burial 19 (Zerelda E. Terrill) ................................64 36. Planview of Burial 20 (William Towles Terrill, Jr.) ...................................................66 v LIST OF TABLES 1. Non-textile Historic Materials .......................................................................................16 2. Pennyweights for Whole Nails ......................................................................................21 3. Buttons Recovered from the Terrill Cemetery...............................................................23 4. Summary of Fabric Recovered from the Terrill Cemetery............................................29 5. Descriptions of Bone Weathering Stages ......................................................................37