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SISTER SAWMILLS
Thesis   Open access

SISTER SAWMILLS

Jillian Helene Okray
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2018

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Abstract

This research is focused on Spring Lake, a little known Second Spanish Period (1781-1821) sawmill. Archaeological fieldwork was conducted to learn more about the site and its historical use. A residential structure was identified during fieldwork. The resulting artifact assemblage was analyzed to learn more about how the residents of the sawmill lived, and more specifically who they were. Historical documentation was not located that directly referenced the residents of the sawmill. As a result, this research relied heavily on the archaeological results. A site signature for the household was constructed based on South's (1977) Carolina and Frontier Patterns. The results were compared to patterns developed for overseer and slave components of a similar site, Clear Creek. Without historical documentation to reinforce the archaeological evidence, it is difficult to determine the identities of the residents. Very few differences exist between the material lives of slaves, overseers, and other peoples of lower socioeconomic status. Through the analysis of historical documentation, archaeological results, and site patterns, the socioeconomic status of the sawmill inhabitants became more distinct. Available data support an interpretation of the individual(s) occupying the household being of lower class status.
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CC BY V4.0,  Open Access

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