Archaeology of the 18th-century Slave Quarters & Work Areas

Map showing relationship of service complex and kitchen to the main house. Note that all structures are located to the south of the conjectural south landscape wall.

In the 18th century, enslaved domestics lived and worked in the service yard located to the south of the brick landscape wall. Archaeologists have located several structures that date to this time period. What characterizes and differentiates the 18th-century space for enslaved domestics from its early 19th-century configuration is trash disposal practices and structural characteristics. The 18th-century enslaved residents discarded their trash downslope from their homes and work areas. The slave quarters for enslaved domestics were also very crudely built — likely log structures with clay floors and stick and mud chimneys. The presence of the debris areas and crude housing suggest this area was separated from view of the more formal areas of the mansion. In contrast, following the changes President Madison made to the yard in the early 19th century, trash was removed from the yard and all structures were framed with brick chimneys. These differences are probably due to the desire to make the slave quarters more attractive because they were in direct view from the rear lawn of the mansion during the early 19th century.

The Kitchen

Exposed foundation of detached kitchen. Notice large chimney footer in foreground.

The kitchen is located just to the west of the mansion and was built in the 1760s when James Madison, Sr,. arranged to have the core of the mansion built. Archaeologically, its remains consist of a brick foundation with a hearth located on the wall furthest from the mansion. This location kept heat and sparks at the greatest distance from the main house. Large quantities of ceramics and bone were found to the rear of this structure (away from and downslope of the mansion). This manner of disposing of trash was common in the 18th century and provides archaeologists with important clues for yard use, such as the location of doorways and areas of the yard used for daily activities. The low cost of many of the ceramics found in this deposit suggest that the cook probably resided with his/her family in the kitchen — likely using the loft area for their sleeping quarters.

The Early Enslaved Domestic Quarter

The remains of a potential slave quarter were found to the south of the kitchen. Excavation units revealed heavy concentrations of nails, ceramics, glass, and bone around and under the structure, with the structural remains consisting of a series of linear stains — potentially the remains of a puncheon floor (slabs of wood laid on the ground). The structure was likely built of logs with a stick and mud chimney attached to the gable end. Based on the archaeological remains, minimal resources were invested in this structure, and its appearance was more similar to field slave quarters than what one might expect in the mansion yard.

Photograph of excavations at early domestic quarter. Notice linear stains from puncheon floors. [Click picture for larger image.]	The slave quarter described above likely appeared similar to the one pictured in this photograph of a late 19th century freedman's home near Richmond, Virginia.

The Well

Archaeologists located an 18th century well to the south of the mansion. The date for this well was determined by the fact that the slope cut in the 1810s for the one-story wing addition clipped the top portion of this well. It is likely at that time that the present-day well (enclosed in the well house) was excavated, replacing this earlier well. Archaeologists excavated the first four feet of this well and located large concentrations of brick and mortar rubble — possibly either from the debris from the landscape walls or from renovations to the mansion in the 1808-1812 period. The majority of the deposits within this well remain unexcavated.

Photograph of exposed well feature (outline indicated with dotted line).

The Blacksmith Shop

Today the area of the Madison Temple is a grassy lawn with a beautiful view of the mansion and Blue Ridge. During the 18th century, however, this peaceful setting was the location of an extensive blacksmith complex. When the National Trust for Historic Preservation obtained Montpelier in 1984, archaeological surveys revealed the presence of this extensive blacksmith operation in the yard north of the mansion. Archaeology carried out in the area of the temple revealed hundreds of pounds of slag, iron artifacts such as lock and gun parts, nails and horseshoes, and large amounts of scraps and wasters spreading over a two-acre area. Careful analysis of James Madison, Sr.'s account books indicate that by the 1770s, a thriving blacksmith complex was at Montpelier providing the Madisons with a significant portion of the plantation's income. Surveys to the north of the blacksmith area have also revealed the location for potential slave quarters.

Sketch of Temple area showing conjuectural structures overlain on the archaeology site (art: Devin Floyd).