Lake Arbor in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Archaeology at the Brick Quarters
Constructed in the 1840s, this 22 by 40 foot brick slave quarters housed two families. It was divided into two living areas by a central wall and chimney. Each side has an entryway and fireplace with a loft above. Later, a shed was added to the right (eastern) side of the building.
Archaeology at the Brick Quarters
Archaeologists found several storage pits beneath the floor of the brick quarters. Artifacts recovered from these pits include pottery, animal bones, buttons, glass bottles, tobacco pipes, and toys. They provide valuable information about the daily activities of the enslaved people and free tenants who lived at Northampton.
Northampton Descendants
Descendants of Elizabeth Hawkins, such as James, Edward, and Raymond Smith, visited their grandmother, Susie Smith, at the brick quarters in the 1920s and 1930s. Their shared experiences and memories have helped archaeologists learn more about life at Northampton during the 1900s.
Archaeologists found more than 25,000 artifacts in the brick slave quarters. Sometimes when artifacts are in the ground for a long time they begin to deteriorate or fall apart. If this happens, an object can become fragile or hard to identify. An archaeological conservator helps slow or prevent deterioration of objects to preserve them for the future. Two of the artifacts on this sign show what an object looked like before and after conservation treatment. Can you find them and see what was discovered?
Photograph of the descendants of Elizabeth Hawkins. Represented here are members of the Fletcher, Harkins, Hawkins, Ponger, Savoy and Smith clans, Cosca Regional Park, Clinton, Maryland 1987
Erected by Parks & Recreation, M-NCPPC.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. 38° 54.199′ N, 76° 48.997′ W. Marker is in Lake Arbor, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is on Water Port Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10915 Water Port Ct, Bowie MD 20721, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Seeking Freedom (a few steps from this marker); Northampton Slave Quarters and Archaeological Park (a few steps from this marker); Weary Warriors (a few steps from this marker); Archaeology at the Frame Quarters (within shouting distance of this marker); “Mount Lubentia” (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Chesapeake Carousel (approx. 1.6 miles away); The History of Watkins Regional Park (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ridgley (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake Arbor.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), October 2, 2022
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 598 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 13, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4. submitted on October 2, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 5. submitted on October 13, 2013, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.