Remains of what appears to be an unmarked African-American cemetery were uncovered in Delaware.
Sussex County Council approved the construction of a 47-acre, 133 townhouse development in November. Several residents, however, pointed out that the building may impede on a burial site of enslaved African-Americans. A private landowner hired archaeologists to survey the land, and they found just that. So far, at least nine graves have been earthed on the Hall Plantation (also known as Orr Property).
“I would also like to thank the neighbors nearby for their role in calling attention to the presence of a cemetery here,” said Tim Slavin, director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historic Preservation Office. “Their recollections and local knowledge about the site and its location were key to discovering these burials. They spoke up, and thanks to them we can add a new page to Delaware history.”
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Archaeologists also found a headstone at the property with the inscription “Co. K, 32nd U.S.C.T” and the name C.S. Hall. U.S.C.T is an abbreviation used in the civil war to signify “U.S. Colored Troops,” which described the soldiers fighting in strictly African-American units. They have not found the remains of an enslaved person yet.
Archaeologists will continue to survey the land.
“As work continues at the site, we hope to learn more about those who are interred there, so that they may be properly memorialized and their personal stories retold,” Slavin said.
Recently, construction workers in Texas discovered 94 Black bodies believed to be from prisoners nearly 100 years ago. Construction continued, however, to build the Fort Bend Independent School.
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