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Creole Transformation from Slavery to Freedom Historical Archaeology of the East End Community, St. John, Virgin Islands
Douglas V. Armstrong
Creole Transformation from Slavery to Freedom
Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers Florida International University, Miami Florida State University, Tallahassee University of Central Florida, Orlando University of Florida, Gainesville University of North Florida, Jacksonville University of South Florida, Tampa University of West Florida, Pensacola
Wattle and mortar wall of house at Carolina Estate, 1995
Creole Transformation from Slavery to Freedom Historical Archaeology of the East End Community, St. John, Virgin Islands
Douglas V. Armstrong
University Press of Florida Gainesville · Tallahassee · Tampa · Boca Raton Pensacola · Orlando · Miami · Jacksonville · Ft. Myers
Copyright 2003 by Douglas V. Armstrong Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper All rights reserved 08 07 06 05 04 03
6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Armstrong, Douglas V. Creole transformation from slavery to freedom : historical archaeology of the East End community, St. John, Virgin Islands / Douglas V. Armstrong. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-8130-2584-2 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. East End (Virgin Islands of the United States)—History. 2. East End (Virgin Islands of the United States)—Antiquities. 3. East End (Virgin Islands of the United States)—Race relations. 4. Ethnology—Virgin Islands of the United States—East End. 5. Excavations (Archaeology)—Virgin Islands of the United States—East End. 6. Urban archaeology—Virgin Islands of the United States—East End. I. Title. F2098.A76 2003 972.97'22—dc21 2003054085 Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are courtesy of Douglas V. Armstrong. The University Press of Florida is the scholarly publishing agency for the State University System of Florida, comprising Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of North Florida, University of South Florida, and University of West Florida. University Press of Florida 15 Northwest 15th Street Gainesville, FL 32611-2079 http://www.upf.com
Dedicated to my daughter, Amanda L. Armstrong
Contents
List of Figures ix List of Tables xiii Preface xv Part I. The East End Creole Community in Perspective 1. Introduction to the East End Creole Community 3 2. Historical Background 21 3. The Transformation Model and an Activities Approach to Analytical Interpretation 61 Part II. An Archaeological Examination of the East End Community 4. Archaeological Exploration of the East End Creole Community 81 5. A Changing Cultural Landscape: A Study of Community Formation 105 Part III. Household Case Studies 6. Windy Hill Site Complex (Hansen Bay) 131 7. Pleasant Lookout 168 8. Rebecca’s Fancy 204 Part IV. East End Creole: Cultural Transformations 9. Creolization and Transformation: A Composite Look at AssemblageBased Analyses 235 10. Transformation: Topical Issues and Thematic Interpretations 256 11. Conclusion: Cultural Transformations and Broadening Perspectives on Caribbean Diversity 300 Appendixes 323 Notes 339 References Cited 351 Index 373
Figures
1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. 1.5. 1.6. 1.7. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9. 2.10. 2.11. 2.12. 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. 4.8. 5.1.
Virgin Islands regional map 2 Map of St. John, showing quarters and key plantations 2 Map of East End, showing excavated sites 4 View of East End, 1995 4 Map of East End from Oxholm map of St. John, 1800 5 East End and overall St. John p