19th Century Artifacts Found At Howard County History Site

WEST FRIENDSHIP, MD — Howard County archaeologists have uncovered several artifacts they believe are linked to a late 19th century tenant farm in West Friendship, including architectural debris, glass bottles and old broken plates. The personal artifacts recovered offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of the individuals who lived at the farm.

According to a Facebook post from the Howard County Recreation and Parks Department, the personal artifacts in came from a late 19th century trash pit. Modern trash collection did not begin in Howard County for several decades, the post explained, and most people discarded their trash on their property.

"One trash pit uncovered last summer tells the story of families such as John Willis and Abraham Bennett, two African American farmers with families who lived in the area from at least 1880 through 1920," the department shared.

Several clothing-related items including collar stays, buttons, beads and jewelry suggested that members of these families did "dress to impress." Other artifacts recovered included children’s objects such as a leather shoe fragment, glass marbles and a china doll fragment.

Anyone with information about the Willis or Bennett families from Howard County in the late 19th through early 20th centuries are asked to contact Kelly Palich at kpalich@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-0423.