The Bayly Historic Site

The Bayly Historic Site. . , Perhaps one of the oldest buildings in Cambridge, the Bayly home was lived in by affluent and accomplished Maryland families. Although we know a fair amount about Dr. Alexander Hamilton Bayly, there is little known about the dozens of enslaved African Americans who also called this place home., The main house was built sometime in the mid-18th century and moved to Cambridge; first to the location of the court house, and finally, to its current address. Once placed here, outbuildings and small homes quickly filled in along the lot lines and backyard. These were the places where Bayly's enslaved servants lived and worked. In fact, a "slave cabin" may still be standing in the backyard today., Archaeologists have teamed up with Dorchester County. Catherine Morrison, and Bob Moffatt, to try and solve the mystery of this cabin. The scientists are hoping to find evidence the alleged slave cabin was a home before emancipation. The archaeologists will be looking for: fragments of inexpensive dishes broken and tossed away prior to the mid-19th century; certain animal bones that represent food waste by people of lesser means; and evidence of spirit practices (e.g. pierced silver coins or crystals), popular among some African Americans of the time. By using scientific methods and historical research, they are hoping to learn more about the people who once lived at 207 High Street., Notice: The site is a closed excavation and is located on private property., [Captions:] , Oral tradition speaks to this humble, one room house with a loft being lived in by AFrican Americans enslaved by the Baylys. In fact, the 1885 Sanborn map shows the building standing in the backyard., Although modified, this building reflects a time when many Marylanders were not free. Archaeologists will use dendrochronology, a science that uses tree ring patterns, to date this building.