Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

A Remarkable Collection 1670-1700

A Remarkable Collection Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. A Remarkable Collection Marker

Inscription. Who discarded refuse into this ditch and why may never be known. The ditch was full or artifacts dating to about 1670-1700, including 10 “HH” wine bottle seals, over 1,000 clay pipe pieces, three window leads dated 1669, and the largest collection of English Sgraffito slipware pottery from North Devon ever discovered. There were nine intact dishes, complete pans and bowls. The most impressive find from this location was an entire earthenware baking oven shattered into over 220 fragments. The oven used heated stones to bake breads and meats.

Perhaps members of the Henry Hartwell household who lived nearby dumped a damaged shipment of pottery or unwanted household items here, at the edge of their property.

“ . . . the ditch had served, apparently, as a dump for broken dishes and other refuse from a nearby house. It yielded enormous quantities of wine bottles, ceramic vessels, Delft tiles, and innumerable types of utensils and tools.”
J. C. Harrington, ca. 1940

Erected by Colonial National Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1669.

Location. 37° 12.438′ N, 76° 46.45′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg

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, Virginia, in James City County. Marker can be reached from Colonial Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the "New Towne" section of the Historic Jamestown unit of Colonial National Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. May-Hartwell Site 1660-1699 (here, next to this marker); A Diverse Jamestown Household 1620-1640 (within shouting distance of this marker); An Upper-Class Neighborhood 1630s-1699 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ambler House (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson Home 1620s (within shouting distance of this marker); Fences and Livestock (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Row Houses (about 400 feet away); Ditch and Mound (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

More about this marker. The right side of the marker features a photograph of “A conservator mending wine bottle fragments, ca. 1930s.” The bottom left of the marker contains a “Map showing [the] ditch behind May-Hartwell house where Sgraffito slipware items were excavated.” Next to this is a picture of an intact Sgraffito slipware plate or charger. Illustrations of a Sgraffito slipware jug and an Earthenware baking oven appear on the upper left of the marker.

Marker in Historic Jamestowne image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Marker in Historic Jamestowne

Also see . . .
1. A Remarkable Collection 1670 - 1700. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. The site is jointly administered by APVA Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. (Submitted on March 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Markers in Jamestown's "New Towne" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

3. Markers in Jamestown's "New Towne"

Several markers are found at this location in "New Towne." The Remarkable Collection marker is the one on the right.

Refuse Ditch image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

4. Refuse Ditch

This is the location of the ditch that yeilded a great many valuable artifacts. The ruins of the May-Hartwell house can be seen in the background. This photo was taken from in front of the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 998 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.