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Excavating Beekman
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January 18, 2008
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by Courtney Scott
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Area 2. Foundation (Beekman Street Southwest between Water and Pearl Streets)
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Foundation remains uncovered (Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants)
After the removal of the wooden water pipes, excavation continued to accommodate electrical utilities. In one area, a large trench was excavated to a depth of ten feet below the surface. At approximately six feet down, cut granite stones in a regular pattern began to appear. Further excavation revealed these to be the remnants of a foundation wall.
Based on an analysis of historic maps and the size of the foundation wall's perimeter, Loorya concluded that this was once a storeroom belonging to 52 Queene Street (present-day Pearl Street). This address was occupied in the eighteenth century by Robert Crommelin (1717-1791), a well-respected merchant and member of the community. Following Crommelin's death his widow, Elizabeth, continued to reside in the house for at least a decade. She would own the property until 1821 when it was sold to the city to be razed for the opening of Beekman Street.
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Area 2 artifacts drying (Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants)
Finding a storage room associated with the house and place of business of a merchant was not unusual. Many houses of the period had subterranean storage areas. What was unexpected was that it survived intact several construction episodes over a 200-year period.
Excavation within the foundation revealed a substantial deposit in the northeast corner. A wide range of domestic materials, apparently deposited in a single episode, was uncovered. "This likely occurred either following the vacancy of the property around 1810 or its sale in 1820," says Loorya.
In all, 3,226 artifacts were recovered from within the foundation, including several types of pottery, glassware, bottles, and personal items. Ceramic wares, particularly plain undecorated creamwares (1762 to 1820) and early period pearlwares (1795 to 1820), were most common.
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Washington plate (Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants)
Among the more unusual artifacts recovered is a creamware plate commemorating the death of George Washington. The image on the plate includes a tablet that reads "Sacred to the memory of Washington," Lady Liberty in the center carrying a shield with 15 stars representing the number of states at that time, and the bald eagle. The plate was made after 1799, following Washington's death in December of that year.
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Bone syringe (Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants)
Other interesting finds were a bone syringe, with an intact cylinder and plunger but missing the needle, and a mother of pearl decorative inlay engraved with a floral pattern. The latter was likely a decorative element for a box or piece of furniture. After the discovery of these delicate items, Loorya recommended that they be conserved, and Gary McGowan, a professional conservator, was hired to stabilize them.
The assemblage also contained a large number of wine bottles and drinking vessels including wine glasses, goblets, and a ceramic tankard. Two coins from the context were too corroded to determine their date at present.
Though limited in quantity, the faunal remains were quite varied in the species and cuts they represented and were not a typical assemblage for a New York City home of the period. They suggested a diverse diet including leg of lamb, turkey, guinea fowl, and lobster, providing an indication of the household's wealth. There was little evidence of cow, a relative staple on local sites, and what cow bone there was had been prepped for button making.
