IN THE ANGLE OF THE WOODS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SPROTT CEMETERY (31MK1081**) In the Angle of the Woods: Archaeological and Historical Investigations of the Sprott Cemetery (31MK1081**) Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Report Prepared For And Submitted To: Terracon • 2020-E Starita Road • Charlotte, North Carolina 28206 and Carolinas HealthCare System • P.O. Box 32861 • Charlotte, North Carolina 28232 Report Prepared By: New South Associates • 6150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue • Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083 Hugh B. Matternes, Ph.D. – Archaeologist and Co-Author Terri Gillett, M.H.P. – Historian and Co-Author Chris Espenshade – Principal Investigator North Carolina Archaeological Council Publication Number 29 2010 IN THE ANGLE OF THE WOODS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL iii INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SPROTT CEMETERY (31MK1081**) ABSTRACT The remains of a small cemetery were discovered during construction of a proposed extension to the CMC-Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina. Subsequent excavations identified at least 14 individuals in and around 13 mortuary features. Skeletal preservation was poor, but human remains from at least three males, one female, and eight adults were buried in the facility. Artifacts, including pins, wrought nails, and decomposed wood, indicated they were placed in shrouds and coffins and then deposited in the facility during the eighteenth century. These correspond to mid to late eighteenth century dates provided by displaced headstones found buried nearby in twentieth- century fill. Historical records document a small colonial period cemetery in the area; the Sprott Cemetery was formed by some of the first settlers in Mecklenburg County, representing members of the Sprott, Barnett, Bigham, McKnight, Johnston, and Peel families. The cemetery was recovered archaeologically and reinterred in Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, in Charlotte, North Carolina. DISCLAIMER: The following document addresses the excavation and recovery of culturally sensitive materials. Images and discussions in this text address human remains and funeral-related paraphernalia. Reader discretion is advised. _____________________________________________________ Title Excerpt: The earliest known description of the Sprott Cemetery comes from Foote’s (1846:510) description of Thomas (Spratt) Sprott’s burial place as “buried in the angle of the woods near his dwelling.” iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Enthusiasm and professional commitment are the hallmarks of a good archaeological and historical research project, and this investigation was lacking in neither. First and foremost, Mr. Bill Merritt and Mr. Dave Pericho of Carolinas HealthCare System need to be recognized for their support at every step of the way. Whenever there was a need, these professionals were there, fulfilling needs even before they were realized. Bill, Dave, and the other CHS staff members we met were always willing to go well beyond the minimum expectation. We also recognize that their job could not have been accomplished so skillfully without support from the Sprott Cemetery descendants. During the recovery, family members visited the site every day. Their keen interest and enthusiasm not only spurred everyone to work a little harder and a little better, but also let us know that our efforts were greatly appreciated. We apologize for not remembering the names of all the folks we met, but we do wish to recognize the role Elizabeth Withers Smith and Thomas B. Spratt, III played in coordinating family needs with the field recovery, and Sarah Keesee for her help with some of our genealogical questions. Mr. Russell Harrings served as our Point of Contact with Terracon. Forest Lawn West Funeral and Cremation Services graciously served as a temporary repository for the remains between recovery and reinterment. Last but not least, our appreciation goes to Kenny Seymour and other members of construction crew, without whose sharp eye none of this would have been possible. Mr. John Mintz and Mr. Steve Claggett, both of the North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, provided valuable guidance throughout the process. Thanks to Mr. Thomas Beaman, Jr., Editor and Dr. Linda Stine, President of the North Carolina Archaeological Council and to the two anonymous peer reviewers who reviewed and suggested edits for this monograph. The information we gathered could not have been accomplished without the support of the field crew. The recovery team, Justin Byrnes, Valerie Davis, Jonathan Flood, Nathan Mountjoy, Lindsay Smith, and Graeme Wright, did a wonderful job recovering the impossibly delicate with the smallest of tools in their hands and biggest of smiles on their faces. Kristie Lockerman conducted the historical research. Her help with the project administration and correspondence with family members is much appreciated. Chris Espenshade bore the brunt of the initial project logistics and served as the project’s benevolent overlord. Tom Quinn generated the graphics and his input, particularly with the coffin reconstructions, was greatly appreciated. Shawn Patch generously broke free from his other commitments long enough to conduct a GPR examination of the reinterment site. Julie Coco, Jennifer Wilson, and Dr. Joe Joseph The Sprott-ley Crew, (left to right), Lindsay Smith, Graeme edited and formatted the report. Thanks Guys!!! Wright, Nathan Mountjoy, Valerie Davis, Hugh Matternes, Jonathan Flood and Justin Byrnes (kneeling). (Photo Courtesy Tom Spratt, III) IN THE ANGLE OF THE WOODS: ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL v INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SPROTT CEMETERY (31MK1081**) TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................v LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... viii I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................1 II. FINDING THE CEMETERY ............................................................................................................3 III. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA ..................................................................................5 IV. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................7 Research Methods .......................................................................................................................7 Area Development.......................................................................................................................7 Land Patents ...............................................................................................................................9 Ownership of Property...............................................................................................................13 The Sprott Cemetery...................................................................................................................14 Associated Surnames ................................................................................................................16 Spratt and Barnett ..................................................................................................................16 McKnight..............................................................................................................................19 Bigham ................................................................................................................................19 Johnston and Peel...................................................................................................................20 V. ARCHAEOLOGICAL METHODS .................................................................................................21 Phase 1: Cemetery Delineation....................................................................................................21 Phase 2: Excavation ..................................................................................................................22 Phase 3: Reinterment..................................................................................................................22 VI. RESULTS.................................................................................................................................23 VII. FEATURE DESCRIPTIONS .........................................................................................................27 Burial 1 ...................................................................................................................................27 Burial 2 ...................................................................................................................................29 Burial 3 ...................................................................................................................................31 Burial 4 ...................................................................................................................................33