Deed Research, Historic Structures Report, and Archaeological Inquiry to Understand the Importance and Structures of the Josiah Keith House in Easton, MA

Presenter(s)

California Muratore

Abstract or Description

On Bay Road in Easton, Massachusetts sits one of the oldest houses in town built in 1717, the Josiah Keith house. It is under the ownership of an out of state resident named Justin. Bay Road itself is on the National Register, and on the same proper sits the oldest corn crypt in the United States dated to 1712 according to local historian Edmund Hands. However, within the property many retaining walls, unmapped areas that have been metal detected, and unidentified, deep piles of rubble with both modern and historic materials present were noted on a walkthrough taken on March 20, 2023. 18th and 19th century potshards, animal bones, and old metal parts of carriages have been found by the owners, past and present. The goal of this project is to create a succinct record of deeds, historic structures, and a complete historical outline of the property as a whole since it has been subdivided multiple times and is fractured by a developed property in between the historic home and final retaining wall several feet down the road. I hope to identify the sensitivity for important cultural remains as the home lies on Wampanoag land, is connected to a main historic post road, and is located near several important waterways including Mulberry Brook and Ward Pond. It is also located near Wheaton Farm, created by historic figure Daniel Wheaton (whose brother founded Wheaton college, and he himself was known for his work with the Underground Railroad) which Ed Hands indicated to me has a high sensitivity for projectile points along its tree line and trails. This project is under the guise of the BSU Archaeology civic engagement program seeking to build connections between academia and community. Students are engaging with local historic commissions to understand their needs, archaeological fieldwork, and build communal connections through civicmindedness.

Mentor

dr.michael zimmerman