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Theses and Dissertations

December 2016

Death Keeps No Calendar: Dating Mortuary

Hardware from the Saints Peter and Paul Parish
Church Cemetery
Amanda Marie Roller
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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Roller, Amanda Marie, "Death Keeps No Calendar: Dating Mortuary Hardware from the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Church
Cemetery" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 1408.
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DEATH KEEPS NO CALENDAR: DATING MORTUARY HARDWARE

FROM THE SAINTS PETER AND PAUL PARISH CHURCH CEMETERY

by

Amanda Roller

A Thesis Submitted in

Partial Fulfillment of the

Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Science

in Anthropology

at

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

December 2016
 ABSTRACT

DEATH KEEPS NO CALENDAR: DATING MORTUARY HARDWARE FROM THE

SAINTS PETER AND PAUL PARISH CHURCH CEMETERY

by

Amanda Roller

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2016

Under the Supervision of Dr. Patricia B. Richards

The concern of the Saints Peter and Paul parish members regarding the history and

identity of the individuals buried in an almost forgotten section of the cemetery created an

opportunity for archaeologists to work with a community by providing a voice for those buried

there and facilitating community understanding and healing. The purpose of this thesis is to

examine the temporal indicators of the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery to determine if the coffin

hardware and associated artifacts present in excavated burials reflect the expected time of

interment. The expected period of interment is 1872-1930. Coffin hardware and associated

artifacts are compared to types present in patents and period hardware catalogs to determine their

potential dates of manufacture. Ultimately this comparison determined the expected dates of use

match the types and variety of materials present in and on the coffins. Additional temporal

evidence examined includes the seriation of gravestones in the existing portion of the cemetery,

and an examination of the cemetery layout. The gravestone seriation shows the recovered

markers, based on the material they are constructed from, would fall into time ranges consistent

with the expected outcome. Studying the layout of the cemetery suggests a range of 1872-1912,

well within the expected range.

ii
© Copyright by Amanda Roller, 2016
All Rights Reserved

iii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

Chapter One: Introduction ..............................................................................................................1

Project History ....................................................................................................................1
Research Problem ...............................................................................................................9
Significance of Study ........................................................................................................10

Chapter Two: Contextualizing Change in the American Cemetery .............................................12

History of American Cemeteries- Changing Ideology .....................................................13

Chapter Three: Independence Town History and Ss Peter and Paul Church History...................19
Town History ....................................................................................................................19
Church and Cemetery History ..........................................................................................16

Chapter Four: Material Culture .....................................................................................................26

Methods .............................................................................................................................26
Hardware Analysis ............................................................................................................27
Some Notes About Personal Items ...................................................................................68
Concluding Remarks .........................................................................................................74

Chapter Five: Exploring Additional Dating Methods ...................................................................76

Gravestone Seriation .........................................................................................................76
Cemetery Layout ...............................................................................................................81
Concluding Remarks .........................................................................................................84

Chapter Six: Conclusions ..............................................................................................................85

References Cited ...........................................................................................................................89

Appendices ....................................................................................................................................93
Appendix A: Artifact Inventory ........................................................................................93
Appendix B: Coffin Hardware Variety Photographs ......................................................104
Appendix C: Burial Summaries ......................................................................................126

iv
 LIST OF FIGURES

PAGE

Figure 1.1: Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery Location. Cemetery denoted by star ...............................1

Figure 1.2: Northside of Church with Visible Markers c. 1903 .....................................................3

Figure 1.3: Map of Cemetery ..........................................................................................................7

Figure 1.4: Map of Excavated Burials ............................................................................................9

Figure 2.1: Pioneer Cemetery North of Ss Peter and Paul ............................................................14

Figure 2.3: Mount Auburn Cemetery ............................................................................................15

Figure 3.1: Green Bay and Western Railroad Map .......................................................................19

Figure 3.2: J.W. Runkel Newspaper Advertisement 1878 ............................................................20

Figure 3.3: M.P. Philippi Newspaper Advertisement 1878 ..........................................................21

Figure 3.4: Dedication of the Church October 7, 1875 .................................................................22

Figure 3.5: 1887 School Building .................................................................................................23

Figure 3.6: Drawing of 1903 School Building in Newspaper ......................................................24

Figure 4.1: Distribution of Burial Container Shapes ....................................................................29

Figure 4.2: Machine Cut Nails (Left) and Wire Nails (Right) ......................................................30

Figure 4.3: Distribution of Nails ...................................................................................................31

Figure 4.4: Screw with Metal Piping ............................................................................................32

Figure 4.5: Single Lug Swing-bale Handle from Ss Pater and Paul .............................................34

Figure 4.6: Double Lug Swing-bale Handle from Ss Peter and Paul ...........................................34

Figure 4.7: Short Bar Handles from Ss Peter and Paul .................................................................35

Figure 4.8: Distribution of Handle Forms .....................................................................................36

Figure 4.9: Flat Thumbscrew from Ss Peter and Paul ..................................................................44

v
Figure 4.10: Distribution of Thumbscrew Varieties .....................................................................45

Figure 4.11: Thumbscrew and Escutcheon Set from Ss Peter and Paul .......................................50

Figure 4.12: Distribution of Escutcheons .....................................................................................51

Figure 4.13: Caplifter Variety 1 ....................................................................................................53

Figure 4.14: Caplifter Variety 2 ....................................................................................................54

Figure 4.15: Ornamental Tack Examples .....................................................................................55

Figure 4.16: Distribution of Ornamental Tacks ............................................................................56

Figure 4.17: Ornament Examples .................................................................................................61

Figure 4.18: Distribution of Ornament Varieties ..........................................................................62

Figure 4.19: Distribution of Viewing Windows ...........................................................................66

Figure 4.20: Prosser Button Examples (Left) and Shell Button Examples (Right) ......................69

Figure 4.21: Patent for Lindsay Safety Pin 1878 ..........................................................................70

Figure 4.22: Ingersoll Wristwatch from Burial 020 ......................................................................71

Figure 4.23: Dentures from Burial 033 .........................................................................................72

Figure 4.24: Lie Comb from Burial 002 .......................................................................................73

Figure 4.25: Photograph from Wisconsin Death Trip Showing Floral Wreaths ..........................74

Figure 5.1: Examples of Marker Material Types ..........................................................................78

Figure 5.2: Marker Material Seriation Graph ...............................................................................80

Figure 5.3: Map of Cemetery Layout Showing Direction of Burials ...........................................83

vi
 LIST OF TABLES

PAGE

Table 1.1: Frequencies of Age at Death, Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery (reproduced

from Watson et. al 2016) ................................................................................................................8

Table 4.1: Handles: Forms, Counts, and Varieties .......................................................................33

Table 5.1: Total Counts for Marker Material by Year ..................................................................79

Table 5.2: Percent of Marker Types by Material Per Year ...........................................................79

vii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to first thank my advisor, Dr. Patricia Richards. Her support, guidance, and

enthusiasm for this subject have made this process so much easier. I would also like to thank my

committee members, Dr. Robert Jeske and Dr. Robert Watson for their time and support

throughout the entire project. Additionally, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Katie Egan-

Bruhy for allowing me the opportunity to work with this material, and to all the staff at

Commonwealth Heritage Group for their encouragement and support. Father Woodrow Pace,

Dr. William Baxa, the members of the Saints Peter and Paul Parish committee, and all the staff at

Edison Funeral Home have been incredibly supportive of my work and always willing to answer

any questions I had. I would also like to thank my family and friends for their patience and

support from both near and far. Finally, to my fiancé, my thanks for unending love and support.

viii
 Chapter One: Introduction

Project History

The Saints Peter and Paul Parish is located in the city of Independence in Trempealeau

County, WI. The cemetery is affiliated with and on the grounds of the Saints Peter and Paul

Catholic Church. The cemetery is located just north of the city of Independence (Figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1 Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery Location. Cemetery denoted by star.

This project began as a cultural resource management project in 2010. Commonwealth

Heritage Group, then Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group, first investigated the Saints

(Ss) Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery in October 2010, as part of the proposed reconstruction of

State Highway (STH) 93 (Watson 2011). Parish members expressed concern about the highway

project potentially impacting unmarked graves along the highway. For that project, the graves

located next to STH 93 were plotted on a sketch map and recorded with GPS technology based

on the position and orientation of headstones. No marked graves were identified within the STH

93 right-of-way as of 2010 (Watson 2011).

1
 As part of the cemetery documentation project, interviews were conducted in 2011 with

the Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery sexton, Ms. Naomi Wiersgalla, church secretary, Ms. Cherrie

Miller, priest in residence, Reverend David Kunz, and funeral director Mr. Keith Edison. These

individuals indicated that it was likely that there were unmarked burials on the church property,

specifically in the area southwest of the front of the church, between the row of marked graves

and the sidewalk along the east side of STH 93, where an iron fence enclosing the cemetery was

formerly located. The informants also indicated that unmarked burials might be located in a

grassy area northwest of the church, between the walkway and the parking lot. Several long-

time members of the Ss Peter and Paul parish recall seeing headstones in the vicinity of two large

maple trees in the grassed area between the walkway and the parking lot. There are some

community members who recall being told their relatives were buried on the north side of the

church where no markers currently stand. The photograph in Figure 1.2 is the only known visual

of the north side of the church showing grave markers there. Other community members recall

being asked to move old markers when they were young boys, although the details of when or

why are no longer recalled. Early burial records for the Ss Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery are

incomplete or non-existent, meaning little is known about the unmarked graves.

2
 Figure 1.2: North Side of Church with Visible Markers c. 1903 (Courtesy of Ss Peter and Paul Parish)

In 2011, Dan Reid of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Bureau of

Technical Services (BTS) conducted a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey in an effort to

determine whether unmarked burials were located within the STH 93 right-of-way (Reid 2011).

The GPR survey resulted in the identification of several anomalies that based on their locations

and depths were assumed to represent unmarked burials. Anomalies were identified southwest

of the church, approximately 8 to 33 feet (2.5 to 10 m) east of the sidewalk paralleling STH 93,

outside of the WisDOT right-of-way. Additional anomalies, also assumed to represent unmarked

burials, were identified northwest of the church, in a grassy area bounded by the sidewalk

paralleling STH 93, the church parking lot, and a walkway leading from the parking lot to the

front of the church (Reid 2011).

3
 GPR alone may not provide sufficient proof of the presence or absence of subsurface

features, so WisDOT contracted with Commonwealth to conduct subsurface testing within the

area of potential effect (APE) of the STH 93 reconstruction project to ground truth the GPR data

(Watson 2011). Testing consisted of machine stripping in the APE of the STH 93 reconstruction

project, resulting in two backhoe trenches to identify potential unmarked graves associated with

unknown GPR anomalies. This testing revealed the presence of a retaining wall footer, which

was located in an area where several parishioners had indicated that a masonry wall had once

stood. The soil profile of the two trenches showed that there are multiple fill zones immediately

below the present ground surface in this area. This is visible in the mixed sediments with

historic debris (brick fragments, metal, nails, glass, etc.). These fill zones are on top of a buried

A horizon and a B horizon, that represent the original ground surface (Watson 2011).

In September 2013, Commonwealth conducted additional archaeological investigations

to identify the location of unmarked graves at Ss Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery. The Parish

Restoration Committee had initially planned to investigate options for barrier free access into the

church building. They were aware of the potential for unmarked graves, so they requested that

Commonwealth investigate the area next to the church and later expanded the study area to

include an area north and east of the rectory garage. The intention was to identify and document

any potential graves within the project area and to collect additional information that might

provide insight into the date of the graves and who might be interred.

Again, the archaeological testing consisted of machine-aided excavation (stripping) of

trenches limited to an area east of the rectory garage and the north side of the main church

building to remove the Ap horizon and fill soils, examination of the stripped surface within the

project area as it was machine excavated, shovel scraping with hand tools in the areas of graves,

4
and mapping of graves when they were identified. The soil profiles again showed multiple fill

zones with historic debris, including brick fragments, glass, ceramics, and metal immediately

below the present ground surface. These fill zones are on top of a buried A horizon that defines

the original ground surface.

During the excavation of the area north of the church building, evidence of grave shafts

was noted beneath fill soils in the B horizon. All possible graves within the machine-excavated

area were numbered, defined in plan, and had their center points recorded with a GPS device.

The entire northern portion of the site was not excavated and no grave shafts were excavated at

that time.

The only cultural materials collected were displaced grave markers from the fill soils

above the grave shafts (Kaufmann 2014). These markers were removed from the disturbed fill

soils and handed over to the Church in an effort to facilitate identification of some of the

individuals buried in the now unmarked graves. Several names of individuals buried in this

portion of the cemetery were recovered from the grave markers. However, the names could not

be assigned to specific graves because the markers were not in situ. Current priest, Father

Woodrow describes the displaced markers as having been found at the end of the open grassy

area north of the church, suggesting they were pushed or piled together there (Father Woodrow

Pace, personal communication 2016). Although most of the grave markers appeared to be from

a displaced context, several large markers appeared in situ and were left in place after this

testing. Their locations were marked with GPS and any notations on them recorded.

A total of 124 grave shafts were identified as a result of 2013 archaeological

investigations. An attempt was made to infer the general age of the individual interred in the

grave, based on the size of the grave shaft. That information was compiled along with an

5
arbitrary grave identification number (Kaufmann 2014). Given the location of the graves

identified, and the potential for additional graves under the sidewalk and driveway, it was

recommended that additional archaeological investigations would be required should the church

decide to proceed with their construction plans.

In November, 2013, a meeting with interested parish members was held to collect any

information about identities of individuals interred in the now unmarked graves. At that time,

individuals who attended the meeting, who had some memory of the north side of the cemetery,

provided information addressing the identity of individuals buried on the north side of the

church. Further, the meeting compiled information about individuals who had funerals at Ss

Peter and Paul Parish but whose names were not on any extant headstone and a partial list of

priests who conducted funerals for parishioners. This list provides a range of deaths from 1873

to 1943. Many children are listed, but adults are as well. Parishioners guess that some of the

children on that list were in the graves excavated in 2015.

The Parish Restoration Committee decided to move forward with their plans to create an

open access ramp to the church. Commonwealth was contracted to exhume the burials. Work

occurred in September 2015 (Figure 1.3).

6
 = area
of 2015 burial
removal

Figure1.3: Map of Cemetery (courtesy of Google Maps)

The 2015 excavations included 102 grave shafts and two non-burial features. Of the 111

individuals excavated, three were known individuals and were turned over to the county coroner

and reburied at the end of excavations. The remaining burials were transported to

Commonwealth’s office in Milwaukee for analysis. Recovered human remains were analyzed by

Dr. Robert Jeske and Mr. David Strange. One of the non-burial features contained human

remains likely disturbed by an old water main. Several other burials contained multiple

individuals. Two grave shafts were found to contain two coffins each with one individual in

each coffin. Two more burials had remains of two individuals in a single coffin, and one burial

had the remains of three individuals. The graves included a very young population, with the

majority either children less than twelve years of age, or infants at forty weeks or less gestation

(Table 1.1).

7
 Skeletal age Category Chronological skeletal age Frequency Percent

Adult-Middle 35 – 49 years 1 0.9

Adult-Young 20 – 35 years 3 2.8

Child 3 – 12 years 11 10.2

Infant 4 months – 3 years 52 48.1

Infant-Perinatal Birth – 6 postnatal months 18 16.7

Fetal ≤ 40 prenatal weeks 23 21.3

Total 108 100.0

Table 1.1:Frequencies of Age at Death, Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery (reproduced from Watson et. al 2016)

The excavation was on the north side of the church. Burials were arranged roughly in rows, with

only a few out of line with the rest. Most of the burials were in seven rows, three adults were in

an eighth row, separated and further north from the majority of burials. The three adults in the

separate eighth row were buried with their heads to the west. The other seven rows were buried

with their heads to the north, so that they faced the church (Figure 1.4). A discussion of the

layout of the cemetery is provided in Chapter Five.

8
 Figure1.4: Map of Excavated Burials (adapted from Watson, et al. 2016)

Research Problem

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the temporal indicators of the cemetery to

determine if the coffin hardware and associated artifacts present in the burials reflects the

expected time of interment. An attempt is also made to determine a more specific timeframe in

which burials might have occurred, based on several lines of evidence. The primary focus of this

thesis is the study of the coffin hardware recovered from the burials. As Springate (2015) points

out, coffin hardware is a unique class of material to study because of its intended purpose. It was

made to be buried, and because of this, there would have been very little time between

manufacturing and when the item was buried, making it an ideal material class to develop a

chronology (Springate 2015). Coffin hardware and associated artifacts are compared to types

present in patents and period hardware catalogs to determine their potential dates of manufacture.

Ultimately a comparison will determine if the expected dates of use match the types and styles of

9
materials present in and on the coffins. Additional temporal evidence examined includes the

seriation of gravestones in the still existing portion of the cemetery, and an examination of the

cemetery layout.

Expected dates of use were obtained from known use dates of the parish cemetery,

anecdotal evidence from parishioners, and initial assessments of material performed by field

crews during excavations. The existing portion of the cemetery has burials ranging from 1872 to

the present. Field Crew estimates of the excavated materials and the memories of community

members help to narrow our expectations of a terminus post quem. Based on estimates from

community members, the burials in the excavated area took place sometime around 1900. Field

crews conducting the excavation gave an estimate of 1890 to early 1900’s based on their

knowledge of coffin hardware and the presence of both machine cut and wire nails. One

individual was identified as an outlier from this time period by members of the community who

say he was buried in the 1930’s. The construction of a new school on church property in the

1960’s seems to mark a point in community memory where there were no grave markers visible

in the area under study. As mentioned previously, a community member recalls being asked to

move some of the markers when he was young, approximately 1940-1950. Taken as a whole,

the expected period of use is 1872 to 1930.

Significance of Study

The presence and use of different coffin hardware and personal artifacts can be examined in the

larger framework of the funerary industry, providing further information about the funerary

industry and mortuary behaviors in a rural Midwestern cemetery during this time period. Far

fewer resources exist on historic cemeteries from the Midwest than other regions in the country,

and even amongst those resources, it can be difficult to find comparative examples matching a

10
certain time period or ethnic group. Edward Bell (1990) compares hardware from cemeteries in

states including Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New York. A

huge swath of the Great Lakes and Plaines regions are completely absent from this study: this is

precisely why this type of study remains important in mortuary studies and historical

archaeology. Springate (2015) points out, a universal, or even nationwide, standard typology for

coffin hardware does not exist, rather the typologies that do exist are reflective of specific

cemeteries. Although this problem holds true for the assemblage presented here, this study can

still contribute to the larger field of coffin hardware studies. Each individual cemetery might

represent a small snapshot isolated by a certain time period, religious or ethnic identity, or

geographic location, but with enough individual studies, a larger picture can be created.

Finally, this study is part of a larger project bringing archaeology and community

together. Members of the Ss Peter and Paul Parish are deeply concerned as to why this section

of the cemetery was nearly forgotten. Because these individuals were a part of the community,

the parish now wants to understand who they were and why they are buried there. Although the

work began as a cultural resource management project, the concern of the parish members

regarding the history and identity of the individuals buried in this almost forgotten section of the

cemetery created an opportunity for archaeologists to work with a community. Studying this

cemetery provides a voice for those buried there and facilitates community understanding and

healing.

11
 Chapter Two: Contextualizing Change in the American Cemetery

The framework for this study is a contextual approach focused on symbolism. Symbols used in

mortuary rituals can also be expressed in the choice and types of coffin hardware present in a

burial. By looking at meaning derived from these symbols, we can gain information about the

relationship of social structures, identity, and especially attitudes towards death and resurrection

(Mytum 2004:9). Changes in symbol use reflect changes in social structure, identity expression,

and attitudes towards death and resurrection. Arguably, the easiest to track on a larger scale is

the change in attitudes towards death and resurrection. A recognizable shift has been termed

“the beautification of death”. Edward Bell (1990:1) describes it by saying, “this Romantic

movement idealized death and heaven through ideological, behavioral, and material

transformations.” Amy Glover (2009:1) states the beautification of death movement in America

lasted from the late 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. She characterizes the movement as

including park-like, perpetual care cemeteries as opposed to church and family cemeteries. The

movement also saw an increase in embalming and the undertaking industry to preserve the

appearance of an individual for viewing. Other notable inclusions are elaborate mourning

rituals, post-mortem photography, and mass-produced, widely available burial containers and

hardware.

The symbols seen with the beautification of death vary widely. Bell (1990:57) lists

classical, biblical, natural, and Romantic motifs including lambs, oaks, willows, urns, draped

columns, and grieving mourners. He contrasts that with symbols from earlier, grimmer views on

death including skeletons and hourglasses. The change in symbols helps pinpoint a timeframe

for a cemetery. If the symbolism found on the coffin hardware studied here matched the

sentiments of the beautification of death, it can narrow the range the cemetery might have been

12
in use. Additionally, the lack of these symbols would indicate periods either before or after the

beautification of death movement. Previous studies allow for a timeline related to this shift in

mortuary rituals, which can be used as a comparison to further pinpoint dates from an unknown

cemetery. Additional cemeteries sharing a social structure or some aspect of identity (e.g.

religion or ethnic affiliation), can provide more points of comparison to determine how symbols

are being used and what time period may be reflected in that use.

History of American Cemeteries- Changing Ideology

American cemeteries obviously reflect the beliefs and customs of a vast array of cultures.

Although there are varied practices, general histories of cemeteries in America focus on

European settlers and decedents and how they have shaped cemeteries in this country. The

earliest cemeteries probably resulted from a sudden death necessitating a burial place while

subsequent deaths filled in the land around that burial (Kiest 1993). These burial grounds may

have been unmarked, or marked with vegetation instead of monuments. These cemeteries were

often family burial grounds and were usually filled with rows of burials, expanding the cemetery

as needed (Mytum 2004). An example of this type of cemetery can be found approximately five

miles north of Ss Peter and Paul in a cemetery referred to by locals and the pioneer cemetery

(Figure 2.1).

13
 Figure 2.1: Pioneer Cemetery North of Ss Peter and Paul

Mytum discusses the transition from these rural cemeteries to more organized forms. He

notes different circumstances produced different styles of burial grounds. Larger settlements

could use space adjacent to places of worship, while more rural areas continued farmstead

burials. Ultimately, this period before the Civil War is characterized by small cemeteries with

impermanent markings (Mytum 2004:43). As areas became more densely populated, longer-

lasting cemeteries were created, often reflecting different regional styles (Mytum 2004:44).

Mytum also notes a general trend of cemeteries founded in the late 19th century and still in use

today that were located at some focal point such as a church or road junction.

As urban cemeteries began to fill, Mytum notes people’s attitudes about cemeteries focused on

the less than ideal conditions associated with the overcrowded urban and church cemeteries.

Cemeteries were closed, and new ones opened run by local governments or private companies

(Mytum 2004: 45). After the overcrowded and potentially disorganized layout in urban areas

and church yards, a new style emerged: the Garden or Rural Cemetery. Mytum (2004:50)

describes this style as a cemetery that “favored a picturesque and romantic environment,

14
landscaped and planted appropriately.” These cemeteries had some form of management and

sold plots to individuals, families, and associations. Sloane (1991) notes that the Rural

cemeteries also saw the rise of the children’s section. These sections paid tribute to the innocent

life lost nobly before it was affected by the cruel world. They also provided space if a family did

not have a plot of their own and suddenly lost a child; the family could reinter them in the family

plot at a later time (Sloane 1991). Rural cemeteries facilitated the romantic ideals of the time:

they were peaceful, quiet, and removed from the hustling, dirty daily life (Sloane 1991). Mount

Auburn Cemetery is a well-known rural or garden cemetery in the United States. Figure 2.2

below shows the variety of monument styles, varied plantings and winding pathways common to

rural or garden cemeteries.

Figure 2.3: Mount Auburn Cemetery (courtesy of Wikipedia)

The American funeral industry began its rise sometime during rural and into park-lawn

cemeteries. Professions developed from cabinet maker (coffin maker) to “layer out of the dead”

to coroners and sextons (Bell 1990). Sometime one person in town might do all those things.
15
New manufacturing techniques allowed for a much easier production of cheap and decorative

hardware, resulting in a rapidly growing industry surrounding death.

Park-lawn cemeteries were the next style. Mytum (2004:51) notes they are the most

common choice of cemetery by the mid-19th century. This style of cemetery became more

organized with more efficient designs and more uniform appearances with neat rows with nearly

identical family markers (Sloane 1991). At this time, the funeral industry also began to grow.

Decorative changes are visible in monuments after mechanized production. Sloane also states

that “This movement also coincided with the distancing of most Americans from death with the

development of public hospitals, professional funeral management, and other aspects of

twentieth-century process of dealing with death” (Sloane 1991:2). We can see the continued rise

of the professional funeral industry as Americans shift away from a romanticized view of death.

Sloane (1991) describes a desire to distance themselves from death, at least on the part of those

born in America. He notes that immigrants were resistant to park-lawn style cemeteries,

preferring their old world practices.

Sloane describes three major categories of cemeteries in 1900. Ethnic, radical, and

religious groups tended to prefer cemeteries with headstones, individual, and family markers: a

record of their families. Secondly, he describes recent immigrants and native-born Americans as

preferring rural style cemeteries. Finally, the park-lawn cemetery became popular in urban

areas. These groups clearly have the potential to overlap, illustrating diverse types of cemeteries

that can be found throughout the United States.

Some of the desires spanning different groups are reflected at the Ss Peter and Paul

cemetery. The Saints Peter and Paul cemetery is a church graveyard that does not match strictly

with the format changes seen in secular cemeteries. Representing a fraction of the time period

16
discussed above, it still differs from its contemporaries. This cemetery is governed by the church

and follows religious regulations. It is a rectilinear arrangement throughout, although the

direction of the rows changes. The Saints Peter and Paul cemetery fits closest with the ethnic

and religious cemeteries Sloane describes. However, there are no family plots. The lack of

scenic winding paths and picturesque landscapes seems to rule out a rural or garden cemetery.

Past landscaping may no longer be evident in the cemetery now. A further discussion of the

cemetery layout is presented in Chapter Five.

Although the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery may differ in layout from a recognized style

of cemetery, the people selecting coffins and their associated hardware would still have been

subject to the same changing ideals reflected in those types of material culture. The

beautification of death movement reflects these changing world views. Victorians experienced a

growth in commerce, technology, and population that seemed at odds to past puritanical

doctrines. Bell suggests new mortuary trappings and practices served not only as a way to grieve

a loved one, but also as a way to grieve a way of life their fast paced world no longer allowed.

Snyder explains that, increasingly, the business realm, often the man’s realm, was depicted in

Victorian literature as a realm of greed, immoral and impersonal people. The home and family,

especially children, then were viewed in the opposite light. Heaven became a domestic haven

(Bell 1990) and the children were seen a pure, unblemished, innocent, and close to nature

(Snyder 1995). This view of children is seen in the symbols used around them. Snyder says,

“The pairing of a child with a lamb, a form that appears in fairly stock forms in many rural

cemeteries, also expresses the particularly nineteenth-century vision of the child as close to

nature. Nature, by the mid-nineteenth century, had become associated with peace and virtue in

the face of an urbanizing nation. The child- lying down with the lamb- expresses an affinity of

17
which only he or she, in their young, unmarred state, was capable. Portraying the babe so

closely allied with the natural once again pointed to the disparity between the child and the

overcivilized world created by adults that was increasingly removed from nature.” (Snyder,

1995).

The Ss Peter and Paul cemetery should hold some reflection of these symbols, especially

since the graves under study here are those of children. Although the outward appearance of the

churchyard may not have contemporary secular cemeteries, the dominant ideas of the time would

be represented on the coffin trimmings simply because a finite about of styles were produced.

There certainly could have been considerable overlap because the innocence of children

symbolized through nature and lambs corresponds with Christian symbols. This suggests that

although the meaning may be slightly altered by the social values of the individual cemetery, the

commercial funeral industry could produce ornaments and hardware to satisfy multiple groups

without having to create more styles than they could afford.

18
 Chapter Three: Independence Town History and Ss Peter and Paul Church History

Town History

Independence took its name from the United States centennial celebration the year the

village was created in 1876. The Green Bay and Western (formerly the Green Bay and Lake

Pepin) railroad proposed plans to build into the Trempealeau Valley in 1873 (Figure 3.1).

After debate on the proposed depot location, a spot between Elk Creek and Travis Creek

was chosen when appropriate funding could be procured. Land was surveyed, and in May of

1876, Independence was created. In 1885, the township of Independence was incorporated, and

Independence became a city in 1942.

Figure 3.1: Green Bay and Western Railroad Map (Independence News Weekly)

Not much information can be obtained about undertaking or the funerary industry in early

Independence. The Independence News Weekly records date back to 1878 and can be accessed

on microfiche at the Independence Public Library. In the 1878 newspapers, several furniture

19
makers are advertised. Furniture makers were typically the early producers of coffins and

sometimes sold trimmings to accompany the coffins, known as coffin furniture. The first

furniture maker advertised in Independence is J. W. Runkel (Figure 3.2).

Figure 3.2: J.W. Runkel Newspaper Advertisement 1878 (Independece News Weekly March 1878)

J. W. Runkel additionally served as village president from 1904-1908 (Gammroth 1976). In

1909 he sold his business to M. P. Melzarek (American Carpet and Upholstery Journal 1909).

According to a 1979 letter from M. A. Wiemer, Charley Gibson had to do a significant amount

of work for M.P. Melzarek once the embalming laws went into effect. Martin and Bess Wiemer

bought the funeral home in 1927. Several shares were sold to Leonard Kern and Peter E.

Marsolek. Leonard and Phyllis Kern purchased the business in 1960 when it was known as M.

A. Wiemer & Co. The business stopped producing furniture in 1979. After becoming an

assistant in 1980, Keith Edison and family purchased the funeral home in 1982 and currently

operates the business (Edison Funeral Home 2016).

One other furniture maker is advertised in 1878 as a producer of coffins. M. P. Philippi

advertises many of the same goods (Figure 3.3). No additional information could be found about

him.

20
 Figure 3.3: M.P. Philippi Newspaper Advertisement 1878 (Independence News Weekly April 1878)

Church and Cemetery History

The Saints Peter and Paul parish represents the Polish population of Independence. The

people here were immigrants from the region of Silesia and considered themselves Polish

although that town was at times part of Germany (Gammroth 1976). Both Polish and German

language can be seen on the older headstones in the existing cemetery. In the 1850s, Albert

Bautch, his wife Josephine Bautch, his son John L. Bautch, brother Lawrence, and brothers-in-

law Peter Sura and Leopold Kachel emigrated from Popielow, Poland to Wisconsin. In 1869 or

1870, they moved to Trempealeau County, to the village of New City in the Town of Burnside.

This area is now the city of Independence. Lawrence Bautch and Peter Sura are credited with

convincing many others from Popielow to settle in the same area (Gammroth 1976).

The parishioners met in the home of Peter Sura for church services from approximately 1869 to

1873. The first burial of a parishioner is believed to have taken place in 1872. The parish was

21
considered formally organized in 1869 when George H. Markham and his brother Arthur sold a

five-acre site and donated five more acres to the parish for the construction of a church

(Gammroth 1976). Bishop Michael Heiss of the La Crosse Diocese dedicated the first white-

frame church on October 7, 1875 (Figure 3.4). The centennial book published by the church

notes that 1877 was the year with the most recorded deaths (Ss Peter and Paul Congregation

1975). Church records do not indicate the care or construction of the cemetery alongside the

church.

Figure 3.4: Dedication of Church October 7th, 1875 (Ss Peter and Paul Parish Publication 1975)

The parish was part of a mission of St Michael’s church in North Creek until a rectory was built

in 1883. The first priest was Reverend Hieronymus Klimecki, followed by the first resident

pastor, Reverend A. Warnagiris when the rectory was completed (Saints Peter and Paul

Congregation 1975). Reverend Raphael Tomaszewski followed in 1885, and the first parish

school was built under his leadership (Figure 3.5). The building next to it is not labeled, but it

may be the rectory that was completed in 1883. Their location in relation to the white frame

church is unknown.

22
 Figure 3.5: 1887 School Building (Ss Peter and Paul Parish Publication 1975)

Reverend R. L. Guzowski came to the church next in 1888. A second rectory was constructed

and the previous one was used as a convent for the teachers, the sisters of St. Francis (Saints

Peter and Paul Congregation 1975). Father Babinski came to the church in 1890. The current

brick structure was started in 1895 and dedicated in the fall of 1896. During Father Babinski’s

time, a new brick home for the sisters was also constructed (Gammroth 1976). Its location is

described as being across from the church, and 1901 plat maps show a church owned property

across what is now STH 93.

Father Andrew W. Gara came to the church next. During his tenure, the church was expanded to

this size it is today. This expansion was completed in 1908 and made Ss Peter and Paul one of

the largest churches in the La Crosse Diocese. Also during his time, a new school was

constructed in 1903 (Saints Peter and Paul Congregation 1975). The local newspaper printed a

design for the school in May of that year (Figure 3.6). The exact completion date was not

covered in the paper since it likely coincided with a tornado that hit the town, causing extensive

damage. This school house was torn down after a new school was constructed and shortly before

23
the church published a centennial celebration book. The current church rectory was also

completed under Father Gara.

Figure 3.6: Drawing of 1903 School in Newspaper (Independence News Weekly May 1903)

Reverend Edmund Klimek came to Ss Peter and Paul church in 1961. He is best known for

leading the fund raising for the current school. Fundraising began in 1962 and the school was

completed in 1968 (Saints Peter and Paul Congregation 1975). Also during this time, the church

exterior was redone and a stone wall was added in front of the church and rectory. Additional

land was purchased by the parish in 1962 and again in 1974. This land was used as an addition

to the existing cemetery.

The town of Independence, with its beginnings as a railway hub, saw many opportunities

for change and growth. The railway could bring people and goods from all across the country.
24
The town grew as new people, commodities, and ideas were brought to the town. The Ss Peter

and Paul Parish would have witnessed these changes as well. New clergy members brought

different ideas and plans to the church. The parish grew as related buildings and schools were

built, improved, and redone. Each new leader and project represents the ideas and beliefs of

their time period. It is important to consider changes like these in the church and community

because they are a reflection of a specific time period.

25
 Chapter Four: Material Culture

Methods

All recovered materials were brought back to Commonwealth’s Milwaukee office for

cleaning and analysis. Coffin hardware and associated artifacts were analyzed by the author.

The analysis of artifacts associated with burials is focused on two classes of materials: mortuary,

or coffin hardware, which includes items used in the manufacture of the coffin (e.g., handles,

hinges, screws, nails); and personal effects/grave inclusions, which include items placed with the

body inside of the coffin (e.g., clothing, buttons, jewelry, religious items). In this study, focus is

placed on the coffin hardware recovered during excavation. Personal items represent a much

smaller class of material and are discussed in terms of usefulness in dating burials. Religious

personal items were not useful for dating and are not discussed here. Nail samples recovered in

the field were counted by full nails represented or by nail heads present to gain a representation

of the sample size from fragments. Coffin size and shape were analyzed using field photographs

and crew descriptions. Recovered items were inventoried and their design attributes and size

were recorded. The analysis of coffin hardware generally follows the approach developed by

Davidson (1999, 2004) and utilized in subsequent studies of historic cemeteries (Pye 2010, 2011;

Theil et al. 2013), which combines information from patent records, and period hardware

catalogs in the development of a chronology of the most temporally diagnostic classes of

mortuary hardware. For each new form/style or combination of elements and designs present in

an artifact, a new variety was designated. Items that contain elements of previous varieties in a

new combination were given a new variety number. Size variation is noted with a numerical

suffix (Variety 1 vs Variety 1.1). Thus, if a particular type of coffin handle is designated Coffin

Handle Variety 1, then the next coffin handle identified with even the slightest difference in

26
design motif is assigned a new variety number (Coffin Handle Variety 2) (Pye 2010).

Photographs of hardware and personal items discussed in this chapter can be found in Appendix

B.

Hardware Analysis

Analysis of the historic burial container hardware and personal effects recovered during

excavations at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church is presented here. One hundred and

two grave shafts and two features were identified and excavated. Material remains were

recovered from each burial and are analyzed here. A table of the recovered artifacts listed by

burial can be found in Appendix B. In the following sections, some photographs are shown as

examples of certain types of hardware. Photographs of every artifact variety can be found in

Appendix B.

Both utility and design patents were researched to better understand the material culture

of nineteenth and early twentieth century coffin hardware. Five hundred and ten patents were

found relating to coffins, coffin screws, escutcheons, handles, grave markers, and coffin studs.

Many design similar to those at Ss Peter and Paul were found, but no exact matches were made.

Additionally, coffin and coffin hardware catalogs were consulted. Many of the items found at Ss

Peter and Paul could be seen in the thirty-three catalogs that were studied. Not every variety of

artifact was represented by an example from a hardware catalog. Representative examples were

found in catalogs ranging from 1875 to 1918.

Burial Containers

It is likely that all the individuals buried at the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery were

interred in coffins or caskets. Some were as simple as plain wooden boxes, while others were

cloth covered, painted, or adorned with decorative hardware. Davidson (1999) provides a

27
discussion of the transition from coffin to casket, settling on a date range of 1860-1870 for the

eastern United States. As Davidson points out, the transitional period is not clear for the rest of

the country. Coffins are considered to be the hexagonal form burial containers, with their widest

points typically at the shoulders of the individual. Caskets are usually rectangular, but the main

requirement is parallel sides (Davidson 1999:151-152). Both of these, plus a third form were

seen at Ss Peter and Paul. The third form is a tapered coffin with the widest point at the head and

tapering towards the feet. Davidson (1999) notes this form can be found in some cemeteries,

including in New Orleans. As seen earlier, J.W. Runkel, furniture and coffin maker in

Independence, advertised coffins in the 1878 newspaper, and both coffins and caskets in the

1903 newspaper. 1903 may not be the exact year of introduction, but the advertisement suggests

a general date for the introduction of caskets at the Ss Peter and Paul cemetery. Caskets were the

most common form identified in the cemetery (n=62), followed by tapered forms (n=14), and

coffins (n=10). Seventeen burial containers were too degraded to determine their shapes.

28
 Figure 4.1: Distribution of Burial Container Shapes

Figure 4.1 shows the distribution of burial container shapes in the excavated area. It can clearly

be seen that rectangular burial containers are the most common form and they appear across the

excavated area. The three outlying burials in the north are thought to be from the end of the

burial timeframe, meaning they could be expected to be rectangular in shape. It also would

appear the center of the excavated area and the row closest to the church have the most

rectangular burial containers. This could suggest these areas were later burials, perhaps after

1900, but it cannot be stated for certain.

Nails

Nails were an essential part of burial container construction. Three types of nails were

used in the nineteenth century to varying degrees in different regions: hand-wrought, machine

cut, and wire nails. The burials examined here contained machine cut and wire nails. Cut nails

were introduced around 1800 (Davidson 2006 115-116). The introduction of the wire nail

29
caused a decrease in use of cut nails. Pye cites several sources placing the introduction of the

wire nail into the funerary industry between 1890 and 1900 (Thiel, et al. 2012:59-60). Pye also

points out that although wire nails became more popular, machine cut nails continued to be

present in funerary catalogs into the twentieth century (Thiel, et al. 2012:60). A sample of the

nails represented in the cemetery is provided in Figure 4.2.

Figure 4.2: Machine Cut Nails (Left) and Wire Nails (Right)

All burials and features examined here had nails present. Fifty-nine burials produced

wire nails and machine cut nails were recovered from forty burials. Seven burials produced a

mix of wire and machine cut nails. Many of the recovered nails were fragmented and corroded.

The nails were counted based on the presence of complete nails and nail heads to determine an

estimate of actual number of nails collected. Complete nails were also measured. Figure 4.3

shows the distribution of nail types in the excavated area. Machine cut nails have the highest

concentration in the center rows of the excavated area. This could suggest these rows were the

first to be buried. However, this seems to contrast with the burial container shapes shown in

Figure 4.2. Although neither nails or burial containers can provide a definite date, we might

expect to see wire nails on the rectangular burial containers because they have a similar

30
introduction period. Figures 4.1 and 4.3 show there is not a correlation between burial container

shape and the type of nails used in their construction.

Figure 4.3: Distribution of Nails

Tacks and screws were occasionally recovered from the Saints Perter and Paul burials.

Screws were sometimes attached to other hardware (handles or thumbscrews), but occasionally

found separately. One burial contained a screw with a loop on top. Its function is unknown.

Additional hardware was recovered from the burials at Saints Peter and Paul, but the

examples were too degraded to produce a sufficient variety list for them. Several hinges were

recovered. One type of hardware encountered was screws with hollow metal pipping wrapped

around them (Figure 4.4). The pipping was often bent. It is suspected these were used as corner

braces on the coffin. Hardware catalogs show metal pieces manufactured for this purpose, but it

is likely these could be used as a substitute for corner plates or corrugated metal joiners. They

also could substitute the process of kerfing in the production of coffins by joining smaller wood

31
pieces instead of bending larger ones. Period coffins available through online antique dealers

show corners joined with similar hardware. These pieces could be used to join headboards and

sideboards, or shoulder joints on hexagonal coffins (Thiel, et al. 2012:65). Coffin preservation at

Ss Peter and Paul was poor and manufacturing techniques were not discernable from the

remaining coffin wood.

Figure4.4: Screws with Metal Piping

Latches were found in several burials. Their form is unclear due to corrosion of the

ferrous material. The examples found in the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery appear similar to

some patents for top fasteners shown in Pye’s report on the Court Street Cemetery coffin

hardware (Thiel, et al. 2012:70-73). The latches in the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery are in two

parts. One part is made of a larger rounded rectangle and has two long nails through it. The

other piece is smaller half circle with short nails.

Coffin Handles

Handles on burial containers serve as a way to carry the container from home to gravesite

or in and out of transportation. In this assemblage, 20.75% of burial containers had handles. A

total of 96 handles were recovered from 22 burial containers in 21 graves. It is likely other 81

grave shafts did not have handles. The recovered handles were grouped into 21 different handle

32
varieties. These varieties are encompassed in three distinct handle forms: single lug swing-bail,

double lug swing-bail, and double lug short bar (Table 4.1)

Handle Form Handle Count Varieties in Form Percent

Single Lug Swing- 42 10 47.6
bail
Double Lug Swing- 39 7 33.3
bail
Bar Handle 15 4 19.01
Total 96 21 100
Table 4.1: Handles: Forms, Counts, and Varieties

Single lug swing-bail handles compose 10 of the 21 handle varieties. Double lug swing-

bail handles make up seven of the 21 handle varieties. Bar handles make up four of the 21

handle varieties. Of the burials at Ss Peter and Paul that had handles, only two burials had more

than one variety of handle. This suggests handles would have been sold in sets. One of the two

exceptions is a burial with two similar varieties of handles (three of one variety and one of a

second were present). This may have been an instance where a close style was sold as a

substitute to make a set. The second exception came from a burial that had one variety of handle

on the coffin and another variety on the wooden box the coffin was inside.

Swing-bail handles have two basic forms: single lug and double lug (Figure 4.5 and

Figure 4.6). The lug is the component of the handle that is attached to the coffin with screws.

The bail is the grip portion of the handle and is typically “U” shaped with a pin formed in the

center or at each end to attach the bail to the lug. Single lug handles have one point of

attachment on the coffin and double lugs have two. Davidson (2004) suggests single lug handles

were more common on children’s coffins into the 1950’s (Davidson 2004), although Pye

suggests it is the motifs on the handles not the handle styles that are most common (Thiel, et al.

2012:73). The Ss Peter and Paul assemblage contained more single lug swing-bale handles than

33
any other type and these were present on burials containing children. The most common motif

on the single lug swing-bale handle was a lamb (Figure 4.5).

Figure 4.5: Single Lug Swing-bale Handle from Ss Peter and Paul

Figure 4.6: Double Lug Swing-bale Handle from Ss Peter and Paul

34
 Double lug short bar handles have significantly more parts than a swing-bail handle.

Parts include: two lugs, two lug arms, two separate socket pins, a bar, and two tips on the ends of

the bar (Mainsfort and Davidson 2006:123). Pye suggests this type of handle can be found in

patent records as early as 1869, in catalogs as early as 1871, and growing in popularity from the

1880’s into the twentieth century (Thiel, et al. 2012).

Figure 4.7: Short Bar Handles from Ss Peter and Paul

Figure 4.8 shows the distribution of the three handle forms throughout the excavated area. The

majority of burials with handles are in the northern half of the excavated burials. This could

suggest a possible division of time ranges within the expected period of use. Further sections

will explore how other types of coffin hardware fit within this pattern,

35
 Figure 4.8: Distribution of Handle Forms

Handle Variety 1: Handle Variety 1 was found in Burial 064. It is a small single lug swing bale

handle made of white metal. The main design features a lamb with a sunburst design behind it.

The sunburst alternates points and rounded edges mimicking a crown; the points are filled-in

with stippled design and floral design, rounded edges have a floral design, and the sunburst is

smooth. The lamb has a fleece like pattern and is resting on a smooth flat rectangle. Under the

lamb is a bell with a floral design under it. Although the bails swing, they extend straight down

from the bail. The parts extending down resemble pillars. The handle has floral/leaf motif

(possibly a daisy) with decorative ends. The bail has number 192 on back and the handle has

number 47 on each downward piece. The longest part of handle is 3 ½ inches. The widest part

of bail (under the lamb) is 2 inches. The entire height of the handle is 2 ½ inches. A similar

style of handle was found in the 1896 Chicago Coffin Company catalog.

36
Handle Variety 2: Handle Variety 2 was found in Burial 047. It is a double lug swing bale

handle made of white metal. The lugs are shaped like trefoil crosses; the attachment part has an

almost willow like design with an unknown shape above it. Handles are U shaped five sided.

Decoration on handles includes parallel lines with dots in between, corners have decorative

bands, the center has a larger bead like shape with lines on it, three leaf like designs come off

each side of the bead shape. A similar handle was found in the Taylor HE catalog of 1875.

Handle Variety 3: Handle Variety 3 was found in Burial 182. It is a short bar handle. The tips

and brackets are made of a plated metal. No handle portion is present, but the tips show remnants

of wood. The brackets have a ribbed, shell like design but are largely fragmented. The tips have

ribbed and swirled designs with raised dots. The ends have a button shape to them and the tips

narrow towards the part where they meet the bracket. Measurements were not recorded due to

extremely fragmentary preservation. The backs of the brackets have markings that may read

ELGIN.

Handle Variety 4: Handle Variety 4 was found in Burial 161. It is a small single lug swing bail

handle made of white metal with a lamb motif. The lamb sits on a rectangular platform

decorated on the underside with lines. Behind the lamb are seven long rays (shaped like neck

ties) filled in with shorter rays. Below the lamb’s platform is a plant like shape with five leaves

and dots between the leaves. The handle is U shaped and wider than the lug; it bows back in to

meet the lug. Decorative lines follow the shape of the handle and two tassels hang off the edge

of the handles. The widest part of the handle is 2 13/16 inches, and the tallest part is 2 ¾ inches.

A similar handle was found in the Taylor HE catalog of 1875.

Handle Variety 5: Handle Variety 5 was found with Burials 023 and 177. Burial 023 contained

only a single lug from this variety. It was a double lug, swing bail made of white metal. The

37
lugs are shaped as trefoil crosses. The edges of the cross are raised and the background of the

cross has a cross-hatching pattern. The short arms of the cross have a small sunburst and a heart

like design near the center, while the longer portion has a sunburst and a vine like pattern

extending towards the center. The center of the lug is shaped like an alter with an open book on

top. The handle is U shaped with a floral pattern emanating from each bend of the U. The center

is a ruffled band with a leaf-like pattern coming off it. The handle is three inches wide; each lug

is 1 ¾ inches wide and 2 ¼ inches tall. These handles match an example from the 1908 Mound

Coffin Company catalog (Thiel et al. 2012:75)

Handle Variety 6: Handle Variety 6 was found in Burials 029 and 178. It is a single lug swing

bail handle made of white metal with a lamb motif. The lamb sits on a platform decorated with

diamond shapes and a plant like pattern with a radiating design behind it. Under the platform is

a drop shape bordered with lines; in between the lines is a basket-like pattern. The handles have

a rope and tassel design on each side with one side longer than the other, the handles have three

lines coming off the lug and a cluster of dots in the center of each handle, at the widest the

handle is 2 ¾ inches and 2 ½ inches tall

Handle Variety 7: Handle Variety 7 was found in Burial 178. It is a single lug swing bail handle

made of white metal with a lamb motif. The lamb sits on an undecorated platform with a

radiating design behind it. Under the platform is a drop shape bordered with curled lines. In

between the lines is a pattern of horizontal lines. The handles have a rope and tassel on each side

with one side longer than the other. The handles have three lines coming off the lug and a cluster

of dots in the center of each handle. At the widest the handle is 2 ¾ inches and 2 ½ inches tall.

A similar handle is found in the Sargent Company catalog in both 1871 and 1874.

38
Handle Variety 8: Handle Variety 8 was found in Burial 016. It is a single lug swing bail handle

made of white metal with a lamb motif. The lamb has a radiating design behind it, and sits on a

platform decorated with daffodil. Under the platform is an inverted bell shape with a clam shell-

like design. The handles have a rope and tassel on each side. The handles have an oak leaf on

the center of the handle with line and dot decorations coming from that point. A cross-hatch

pattern is present on the curving parts of the handle. At the widest the handle is 3 ¼ inches and 3

¼ inches tall. This handle variety is found in three different catalogs: Columbus Coffin

Company in 1882, Harrisburg catalog of 1885 and the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of

1905.

Handle Variety 9: Handle Variety 9 was found in Burial 171. It is a single lug swing bail handle

made of white metal. The lug is the same as Handle Variety 1. The main design features a lamb

with a sunburst design behind it. The sunburst alternates points and rounded edges mimicking a

crown; the points are filled-in with stippled design and floral design, rounded edges have a floral

design, and the sunburst is smooth. The lamb has a fleece-like pattern and is resting on a smooth

flat rectangle. Under the lamb is a bell with a floral design under it. The handles bow out before

curving back under the lug. There is a band around the center of the handles with three

horizontal lines extending outward from it. A hinge-like design marks the place where the parts

of the handle change direction. The handles are three inches wide and the handle and lug are 2 ¾

inches tall. A handle similar to this is found in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896.

Handle Variety 10: Handle Variety 10 was found in Burial 041. It is a double lug swing bail

handle made of white metal. The lugs are diamond shaped with three rectangles cut out of each

side. There is a raised border around the edge of the lug, and a vine and leaf pattern decorates

the face of the diamond shape. A raised box houses the lug and has a diamond on the front. The

39
back of each lug has “662” on it. The handle consists of two triangular pieces coming from the

lugs and a straight bar. The triangular pieces have embossed lines on them, the straight bar has

pinecone like shapes on the ends with a dotted band at the end. There is a decorative band

where the vertical portions meet the bar part of the handle, although they are too eroded to

determine the design. The center portion of the bar has an unidentified flora design on it, and the

back of the bar has “560” on it. The handle is 4 13/16 inches wide and 2 1/8 inches tall. A similar

handle is found in the Columbus Coffin Company catalog of 1882.

Handle Variety 11: Handle Variety 11 was found in Burial 142. It is a single lug swing bale

made of white metal. There are two screw attachments. The lug and bracket have a series of

three curtains and two tassels in the center. The lug is a long flat shape and a long sash forms a

draped pattern over the lug and bracket. The sash has a pattern of bunched fabric; the end of the

sash looks like fringed fabric. The back of the lug and bracket has markings “_ _ 88”. The first

two blanks could be 1’s or 7’s or L’s or I’s. The handle is U shaped and has diagonal lines on it.

The widest portion is four inches and the total length including grip is 1 7/8 inches.

Handle Variety 12: Handle Variety 12 was found in Burial 030. It is a double lug swing bale

handle made of white metal. Two screws attach each bracket/lug to the coffin. The brackets are

cross shaped with trefoil ends and raised flat borders around them. The interior has leaf or vine

design with a crosshatch pattern near the lug on the short arms. The lugs look like platforms

with open books on them. The back of one or more arms on the cross has “731” on it. The grip

has beveled edges. The center of the grip has a pair of hands shaking surrounded by a fern like

design. The back of handle has a number maybe “215” or “315”. The handles are

approximately 4 ¾ inches tall and 7 ½ inches wide. Similar handles are found in the Taylor HE

1875 and the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896.

40
Handle Variety 13: Handle Variety 13 was found with Burial 042B. It is a double lug swing bale

made of white metal. Two screws attach each bracket/lug to the coffin. The brackets are shaped

like oak leaves with two acorns protruding with the leaves. The leaves have vein designs on

them. There is a design at the base of the leaves that is a series of lines and cross hatches. The

lug is shaped like a large acorn. The handles are U shaped with beveled edges. The side edges

of the handles have a textured pattern. The front side of the handle has a fern-like design in the

center which surrounds a pair of hands shaking. The back of the bracket has markings reading

“388”. The handles are 3 ¾ inches tall and 8 ¾ inches wide. An example of this handle variety

is found in the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Handle Variety 14: Handle Variety 14 was found with Burial 042A. It is a single lug swing bale

made of white metal. The lug/bracket is held on by two screws. The bracket has a lamb motif

where the lamb is laying down with one leg raised, it is surrounded by grass and small daisy like

flowers. There is a shell-like radiating design behind the lamb. Above the lamb is another shell

like design with a handle-like design around it. Coming from the sides of the brackets are oaks

leaves. Under the lamb is a series of dots and leaf like patterns forming a triangular shape. The

handles are shaped like furniture legs extending down to a flat bar. The bar has decorative ends

and a band in the center with a radiating design from it. The back of the bracket has “803”

embossed on it. The handle was 3 ½ inches wide and 3 ¼ inches tall.

Handle Variety 15: Handle Variety 15 was found with Burial 20. It is a short bar handle. Each

handle has two lugs/brackets. The lugs are six-sided shield shaped, with a smooth border on the

edge of the shape. Lines radiate from the place the lug drops down to the handle. The brackets

are 3 11/16 inches long and 3 1/8 inches wide. The grips appear immobile, and are made of metal

but may have been covered in wood or fabric since remnants of both remain on the handles. The

41
backs of the grips are flattened, while the front is made of three sides. The center of the handle is

widest and it tappers out to the lugs. Outside the lugs is a decorative band; any other decoration

is obscured by rust. The grips are 12 ½ inches long and 1 ¼ inch wide at the widest portion. The

grips are hollow.

Handle Variety 16: Handle Variety 16 was found in Burials 014 and 176. It is a single lug swing

bail handle. It has a lamb motif with a radiating design behind it. A cross is titled sideways

behind the center ray. The lamb sits on a platform decorated with daffodils. Under the platform

is an inverted bell shape with a clam shell-like design. The back of the bracket has a number,

possibly “334” or “34”. The grips have a rope and tassel design on each side. The grips also

have an oak leaf in the center with line and dot decorations coming from that point. A cross-

hatch pattern is present on the curving parts of the grip. The back of the grip has a hollow area,

making it lighter than similar styles. At the widest the handle is 3 ¼ inches and 3 ¼ inches tall.

Handle Variety 17: Handle Variety 17 was found in Burial 028. It is a short bar handles. The

brackets are four sided with rounded corners and the vertical sides bow in. There is a bump on

the top of each bracket. A bar extends from the middle of the bracket and encircles the bar. The

bar is circular with decorative ends. The end caps are silver colored with a lip where they meet

the bar. The bracket is 3 ¼ inches tall and wide and the bars are too fragmentary to determine

length.

Handle Variety 18: Handle Variety 18 was found in Burial 033. It is double lug swing bale made

of white metal. Two screws attach each bracket/lug to the coffin. The brackets are shaped like

oak leaves with a vein designs on them. There is a design at the base of the leaves of a series of

lines and cross hatches. The lug is shaped like a large acorn. The back of the bracket has “173”

marked on it. The grips are U shaped with beveled edges. The side edges of the grips have a

42
textured pattern, and the front has a fern-like design in the center which surrounds a pair of hands

shaking. The handles are 3 ¾ inches wide and 8 ¾ inches wide. A potential example of this

handle variety is found in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896.

Handle Variety 19: Handle Variety 19 was found in Burial 179. It is made of metal with a silver

finish. It is a double lug swing bale handle with two screws to attach each bracket to the coffin.

The brackets have a shell-like pattern and a smooth line over the lug. A shell or frond-like

pattern appears on each edge of the bracket. The brackets have “999” on the back. The grips

have a leaf pattern extending down from the lug. A pattern of lines covers the rest of the grip,

but degradation makes the full pattern unclear. The handles are 5 ¼ inches wide and two inches

tall. An example of this handle variety is found in the Sargent Company catalog of 1896.

Handle Variety 20: Handle Variety 20 was found in Burial 021. The handle is made of metal

with a silver finish. It is a swing bar handle with two brackets. The brackets are cross shaped

with the cross arms ending in three points. The center point is the largest and has a triad/clover

like shape in it. The design in the cross looks like cathedral windows framed by two triangles.

The lugs are plain and extend to the handles forming a band around the decorative metal ends.

The central grip is covered in black fabric with a pattern of raised dots. The ends of the handles

have a design of alternating raised spaces with a diamond shape on top alternating lines. The

bars narrow and flare out at the ends and have a frond like design. The total length is 10 ¾

inches, and the total height is five inches. There are no marks on the handles.

Handle Variety 21: Handle Variety 21 was found in Burial 021. It is a utilitarian style handle

like those seen on chests, drawers, or trunks. It is made of iron and is a swing bail handle with

no visible decoration. There are four screw attachments. The handle measures four inches tall

and four inches wide. Examples of this variety of handle are seen in multiple catalogs and can

43
be seen in advertisements today. Examples are seen in the Sargent Company catalogs of 1871

and 1874, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the Simmons catalog of 1903, and the

Chattanooga company catalog of 1905.

Thumbscrews

Flat thumbscrews were first patented in 1874 by William M. Smith (Davidson 1999).

Flat-bodied thumbscrews first appear with a patent in 1874 and began to appear in catalogs in

1875. Patents for thumbscrews continued into 1884, making them useful for temporal

diagnostics (Thiel, et al. 2012:80). However, few were patented after that time, although they

continued to be made into the twentieth century (Davidson 1999). Complex lid closures

increased in use, leading to the decrease in thumbscrew use during the first two decades of the

twentieth century (Thiel, et al. 2012:81). An example of flat thumbscrews found at Ss Peter and

Paul is provided in Figure 4.9.

Figure 4.9: Flat Thumbscrews from Ss Peter and Paul

44
 A total of 116 thumbscrews were collected from the excavations. Fifteen varieties of

thumbscrews were found in this assemblage. Twenty-seven burials had thumbscrews present,

representing 25.2% of all the excavated burials. No burials had more than one variety of

thumbscrew present. Figure 4.10 Shows the distribution of thumbscrew varieties in the

excavated burials. As seen with the handle form distribution in Figure 4.?, the recovered

thumbscrews came from burials mostly in the northern half of the excavated area. Neither of

these two objects provide significantly narrowed date ranges. However, these two maps suggest

it is more likely a burial container with handles would also have thumbscrews, or that those two

material types would be found in contemporary burials.

Figure 4.10: Distribution of Thumbscrew Varieties

Thumbscrew Variety 1: Thumbscrew Variety 1 was found in Burials 042A, 042B, 064, and 137.

They are made metal with a silver finish. The thumbscrews are shield shaped with “AT REST”

45
printed on them. A daisy is in the upper corners with some swirled designs; a stippled pattern

makes up the background. The widest part is 1/8 inch wide at the thumb part. The narrowest

portion above the screw is approximately 1/4 inch wide. The thumbscrew is 1 ¼ inches long

without the screw portion. This thumbscrew was seen in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog

of 1896.

Thumbscrew Variety 2: Thumbscrew Variety 2 was found in Burials 126, 129, 144, and 151.

They are made metal with a silver finish. The thumbscrews are a seven-sided scroll shape, with

outlined edges and “AT REST” printed on them. The background seems smooth with some

floral or leaf designs above and below the writing. The widest part is 1 5/16 inches, and 1 5/16

inches long not including screw. This thumbscrew is found in the Harrisburg catalog of 1885

and the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Thumbscrew Variety 3: Thumbscrew Variety 3 was found in Burial 047. The thumbscrew is

made of metal with a silver finish. It is trefoil cross shape with no writing. There is a diamond

like shape cut-out from the center. Decorative radiating lines extend from the cut-out to the

point of the trefoil design; there is no background texture. The thumbscrew is one inch wide and

long not including the screw portion. Examples of this variety of thumbscrew are found in the

Harrisburg 1885 catalog and the Stolts Russel Company catalog of 1880.

Thumbscrew Variety 4: Thumbscrew Variety 4 was found in Burials 153 and 161. It is made of

metal with a silver finish. Its shape made by curls coming off base and a clam shell-like design

on top. The center area includes a diamond shape split into four pieces with no background

patterns. Both the height and width measure 1 ¼ inches.

Thumbscrew Variety 5: Thumbscrew Variety 5 was found in Burials 177 and 178. It is made of

metal with a silver finish. It has a fleur-de-lis shape with two triangular prongs between the

46
fleur-de-lis parts. A chevron like pattern comes up from the base on each face. Each face has

four diamond like designs with additional lines and a dot in the center of each. Horizontal lines

run around the base and are intersected by vertical lines under the chevron pattern. The

thumbscrew is one inch long and one inch wide. This variety of thumbscrew only appears on

coffins which must date to a period after 1903.

Thumbscrew Variety 6: Thumbscrew Variety 6 was found in Burial 40, 142, and 149. It is made

of metal with a silver finish. The thumbscrew is a cross like shape with a wider center tapering

out to the ends of the arms. The same shape is repeated in the enter cut-out. The shape has a

border and a cross hatching pattern in the middle. The base has a pattern of x’s on it. The

thumbscrews are 1 1/8 wide and 1 ¼ in tall.

Thumbscrew Variety 7: Thumbscrew Variety 7 was found in Burial 029. The thumbscrew is

made of metal with a silver finish. It is a semi-circular shape. The base is a stack of rings.

Seven lines radiate from that and end in dots. Curved lines connect the radiating lines making an

appearance like a spider web or ship’s helm. The thumbscrew is 7/8 inches wide and tall, not

including the escutcheon found with it or the screw portion.

Thumbscrew Variety 8: Thumbscrew Variety 8 was found in Burials 014, 016, and 030. It is

made of metal with a silver finish. The thumb part is shaped like a pentagon, but the top edges

are curled into the center. The design in the flat part is curtain like with loops on the curtain

edges and dots on the curtain. The base is a dome shape with vertical lines going up the first tier

followed by a leaf like pattern. The total height is 7/8 inches. The thumbscrew is ½ inch at the

widest. An example of this thumbscrew is seen in the Stolts Russel catalog from 1880.

Thumbscrew Variety 9: Thumbscrew Variety 9 was found in Burial 171. It is made of metal with

a silver finish. It is diamond shaped with a smaller diamond cut-out in the middle. The three

47
points not attached to the screw have arrow like points on them. These points have a small daisy

like design on them. The diamond has a cross-hatch pattern on it. There is a border around the

edge and around the center cut-out. The thumbscrew is about one inch wide and 1 ¼ inch tall.

This thumbscrew is found in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog from 1896 and in the

Columbus Coffin Company catalog from 1882.

Thumbscrew Variety 10: Thumbscrew Variety 10 was found in Burial 048. The thumbscrew is

banner shaped with a dome on top. The banner reads “AT REST”, and under the banner is a

pattern of dots and asterisks. At the base is a spider web-like design, above the banner is a

pattern of small ovals, above which is a rising/setting sun. The thumbscrew is 1 ½ inches tall

and 1 ¼ inches wide.

Thumbscrew Variety 11: Thumbscrew Variety 11 was found in Burial 041. It is made of metal

with a silver finish. The thumbscrew is banner shaped with seven sides. It reads “AT REST”.

There is a border around edge and an extra border on the top. At the top there are two top sides

with small hash marks in it and a small daisy design at the top of the shape. A three plumed

shape comes up from base. The thumbscrew is 1 ¼ by 1 ¼ inches.

Thumbscrew Variety 12: Thumbscrew Variety 12 was found in Burial 033. The thumbscrew is

made of metal with a silver finish. The shape is a flat rectangular vertical piece on top of the

screw. A leaf like design come off the sides of the flat part and intertwine at the top. These

intertwining lines leave space over the rectangle portion. There is no writing present. The

thumbscrew is 1 ¼ inch wide and 1 ¼ inch tall. This thumbscrew is found in the Chicago Coffin

Company catalog from 1896 and in the Simmons Company catalog from 1918.

Thumbscrew Variety 13: Thumbscrew Variety 13 was found in Burial 035. It is made of metal

with a silver finish. The thumbscrew is diamond shaped with inward curving edges. The edges

48
are raised and have a pattern of dots on them with the side patterns larger than the top. The

center has a bow pattern. At the bottom of the diamond, an upside-down V shape cuts in with

three decorative ovals under it. The thumbscrew is 1 ½ inches tall and 1 inch wide.

Thumbscrew Variety 14: Thumbscrew Variety 14 was found in Burial 179. It is made of metal

with a silver finish. It is represented through fragments from Burial 179, made up of loops on

either side of a more pointed frond. A ball is on top of each frond. The pointed frond has

straight lines inside, the next loops have curved lines, and the following loops are plain. The size

cannot be determined due to the fragmentary nature. This thumbscrew is found in the Stolts

Russel catalog of 1880.

Thumbscrew Variety 15: Thumbscrew Variety 15 was represented by one example from Burial

021. It is made of metal with a darker than average finish. It is larger than typical thumbscrews.

The design is referred to as Eastlake. The design is made of two curls forming a rounded,

slightly flattened top. Over the two curls is a grill-like shape with very pointed ends. The thumb

part is 1 ½ inches wide and 1 ¼ inches tall. The screw is 1 ¾ inches long. Examples of this

thumbscrew are found in the Chattanooga Coffin Company Catalog of 1905, the Gate City

catalog of 1901 and the Kregel Casket Company catalog of 1895.

Escutcheons

Escutcheons are the, “decorative screw plates with a central hole through which a

thumbscrew can pass for mounting.” (Thiel, et al. 2012:83). Although initially simple in style,

escutcheons evolved with the introduction of thumbscrews to form matching sets (Thiel, et al.

2012:84). Figure 4.11 Shows an example of a thumbscrew and escutcheon set from Ss Peter and

Paul.

49
 Figure 4.11: Thumbscrew and Escutcheon Set from Ss Peter and Paul

The temporal range for escutcheons is approximately 1865 to the 1920’s (Davidson

2006:147). Despite the evolution of matched thumbscrew and escutcheon sets, few escutcheons

were found in this assemblage. Several recovered at Ss Peter and Paul were too fragmentary to

obtain an exact count, however, at least 14 escutcheons were recovered. Four varieties were

noted in seven burials, meaning 6.5% of burials contained an example of an escutcheon. Burials

with escutcheons contained either a single example or a set of four. A single burial contained

two varieties. The two escutcheons were similar in style, suggesting a substitution for a style

that was not fully available in a complete set. Although not all escutcheons were found attached

to thumbscrews, all were recovered from burials that had thumbscrews present. Of the burials

with thumbscrews, 26% had escutcheons. Figure 4.12 shows the distribution of escutcheons in

the excavated area. Like The handles and thumbscrews, the escutcheons are groups in the

northern half of the excavated burials. The escutcheons were also more to the eastern side of the

excavated area as well. This could suggest he northeastern side of the excavated area would

have been interred around the same time.

50
 Figure 4.12: Distribution of Escutcheons

Escutcheon Variety 1: Escutcheon Variety 1 was found in Burial 149. It is rectangular with

rounded ends. Each end has a trefoil cross with equal arms. The cross arms have lines on them,

and the center of cross is a circle with lines through it. Behind the cross is a pattern of dots.

There is a ring around the screw hole with decorative lines, and plume-like patterns near the

middle. It is 2 7/8 inches long and one inch wide. Examples of this escutcheon are found in

multiple catalogs including: the Columbus Coffin Company catalog of 1882, the Chicago Coffin

Company catalog of 1896, the Wilmarth catalog of 1895, the Gate City catalog of 1901, and the

Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Escutcheon Variety 2: Escutcheon Variety 2 was found in Burials 014 and 030. It is rectangular

with clipped corners. There is a line from opposite corners wrapping to the center screw with a

cross hatching pattern on them. The escutcheon is 1 5/8 inches at the widest. This escutcheon is

seen in the Stolts Russell and Company catalog of 1880.

51
Escutcheon Variety 3: Escutcheon Variety 3 was found in Burial 014 along with Escutcheon

Variety 2. It is rectangular with scalloped ends. The pattern on it has four lines across the

shortest width. Between two of the lines are three drop shapes with a cross hatching pattern

behind the design. The escutcheon is 1 5/8 inches at the widest.

Escutcheon Variety 4: Escutcheon Variety 4 was found in Burials 029, 177, and 178. This

escutcheon is disk shaped with a hole for the screw and an additional hole off to the side. The

design has a pie crust pattern on the edge and a sunburst like pattern with dots on the end of the

lines. It is approximately ¾ inches in diameter.

Caplifters

Caplifters are designed to lift the panel covering the viewing window on a coffin.

Caplifters are not remarkably different from thumbscrews and both have been used

interchangeably (Thiel, et al. 2012:86). Davidson (2006:164) notes that Caplifters can be found

on burial containers from the 1850’s to 1860’s but are not listed as a separate class of coffin

hardware until 1875. Five caplifters were found at Ss Peter and Paul, representing only two

different varieties of caplifters. It is possible thumbscrews may have served as a caplifter in

other burials. In this case, the distinction was made by a flat surface, for the thumbscrews, and a

shape more like a drawer pull for caplifters. With only two varieties of caplifters identified in

only two burials, 1.9% of burials excavated had caplifters. The two burials with caplifters were

in the northwestern segment of the excavated area. One of those burials also contains

thumbscrews. The different location might indicate a slightly earlier time for the burials in the

northwestern quadrant as opposed to those in the northeastern quadrant.

Caplifter Variety 1: Caplifter Variety 1 was found in Burial 135 (Figure 4.13). It has a fairly low

profile above the screw. The top is flat with rounded edges and a + design. There are three more

52
lines that radiate from each arm of the +, and in the space between is a mesh like pattern. The

caplifter measures ¾ inches wide, and 5/8 inches high, not including the screw. This caplifter is

seen in the Simmons catalog from 1918.

Figure 4.13: Caplifter Variety 1

Caplifter Variety 2: Caplifter Variety 2 was found in Burial 142 (Figure 4.14). It is dove shaped

with feather details over the body and longer wings. This variety is represented by a single

example, in which the head is missing. The example measures 1 1/8 inches high and 1 ¾ inches

long. This variety of caplifter is found in multiple catalogs, including: the Columbus Coffin

Company catalog of 1882, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the Harrisburg catalog

of 1885, the Gate City catalog of 1901, and the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

53
 Figure 4.14: Caplifter Variety 2

Ornamental Tacks

This category can include a number of forms including coffin tacks, dummy screws,

studs, and diamond tacks (Thiel, et al. 2012:88). Pye explains that more substantial ornamental

tacks are made of white metal, while stud forms are made of thin, lightweight, pressed metal

(Thiel, et al. 2012:88).

Decorative studs are a type of ornamental tack in geometric (diamond, star) or

representational (flower, cross) shapes (Davidson 1999; 2004:420). Davidson states that many

of these types of decoration can be found in catalogs from the 1850’s to around 1920, but he

suggests many occur in the later part of that time range (Davidson 1999; 2004:419-420). Coffin

studs are similar to coffin screws caps in appearance with pressed metal designs. Coffin screw

caps are designed to cover a non-decorative screw on the coffin lid and have a hinge to access

the screw once it has been covered (Springate 2015:27). Coffin studs look similar but are a

54
single piece with a ferrous tack to attach to the coffin not over an existing screw. Figure 4.15

shows several varieties of ornamental tacks recovered at Ss Peter and Paul.

Figure 4.15: Ornamental Tack Examples

Many ornamental tacks recovered at Ss Peter and Paul were fragmentary, but at least 123

were represented in the assemblage. This total was grouped into 13 clear varieties of Ornamental

Tacks. Additionally, plain tacks were used to create a cross shape on the burial container for

Burial 179. Twenty-six burials, or 24.3% of burials had ornamental tacks present. Figure 4.16

Shows the spatial distribution of the ornamental tacks. Many of the ornamental tack varieties are

found in the northern section of the excavated area. There is one variety that is concentrated in

55
the southern half. Possibly that variety of ornamental tack was popular for a certain period of

interments in this area. The ornamental tacks in the northern half suggest a separate range of

interments characterized by the presence of handles and thumbscrews as well.

Figure 4.13: Distribution of Ornamental Tacks

Ornamental Tack Variety 1: Ornamental Tack Variety 1 is a coffin stud. It is diamond shaped

with a daffodil design on top. There are swirls coming off the top with arrows/points on the long

axis of the stud. A scallop-like design lines the edges. It is two inches on the long axis and one

inch on the short axis. It was found in Burial 013. This variety of tack is found in multiple

catalogs, including: the Columbus Coffin Company catalog of 1882, the Chicago Coffin

Company catalog of 1896, the Harrisburg catalog of 1885, the Lamb Louis catalog of 1895, the

Wilmarth catalog of 1895, the Gate City catalog of 1901, and the Chattanooga Coffin Company

catalog of 1905.

56
Ornamental Tack Variety 2: Ornamental Tack Variety 2 is a coffin stud shaped like a 12-point

star. There is a daisy on top of the domed center part (above the stud). Possible decorative lines

appear on the star points and around base of dome. The stud has a ¾ inch diameter. It was found

in Burials 144, 155, and 186. This variety of tack is found in multiple catalogs, including: the

Columbus Coffin Company catalog of 1882, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the

Gate City catalog of 1901, and the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Ornamental Tack Variety 3: Ornamental Tack Variety 3 is a coffin stud shaped like a cross with

trefoil design on the ends of arms (trefly). There is a fern like leaf pattern on the arm ends, and

four leaves (possibly oak) over the center of the cross. This coffin stud is 1 ½ inches wide and

two inches long. It was found in Burial 064. This variety of tack is found in multiple catalogs,

including: the Taylor HE catalog of 1875, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the

Harrisburg catalog of 1885, the Wilmarth catalog of 1895, and the Chattanooga Coffin Company

catalog of 1905.

Ornamental Tack Variety 4: Ornamental Tack Variety 4 is a Crucifix shaped coffin stud

including a figure of Jesus. A banner reading “INRI” is sideways on the top bar of cross. The

coffin stud measures 1 7/8 inches tall and 1 ¼ inch wide. It was found in Burials 008, 047, 048,

129, 144, 151, 153, 155, 161, 184, and 186. A tack similar to this is found in the Harrisburg

catalog from 1885.

Ornamental Tack Variety 5: Ornamental Tack Variety 5 had an indeterminate shape. The center

has a 6-point star shape with circles between the points making a flower-like shape above the

stud part. The edge shape is completely indeterminate but appears to have swirled floral-like

patterns. Size cannot be determined due to the fragmentary state of those recovered. It was

found in Burial 182.

57
Ornamental Tack Variety 6: Ornamental Tack Variety 6 is diamond shaped with a flower-like

design covering the central node of the coffin stud. The flower may be a sunflower. There is a

ridge around the bottom of the node that mimics the floral design. A daisy comes off each side

going to the longer points of the diamond. The coffin stud measures 1 11/32 inches along the

longest axis, and 11/16 inches along the shortest axis. It was found in Burials 041, 135, and 177.

Similar tacks appear in multiple catalogs, including: the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of

1896, the Wilmarth catalog of 1895, the Gate City catalog of 1901, and the Chattanooga Coffin

Company catalog of 1905.

Ornamental Tack Variety 7: Ornamental Tack Variety 7 is a metal cross with trefoil design on

the ends of the arms (trefly). There is a smaller cross in the center with radiating arms. Three

lines extend down each main arm of the cross. The center line on each arm ends in a dot. The

longest arm has another circle on it. At end of each arm is a daisy. All negative space is filled

with small dots. The coffin stud measures 1 1/8 inches wide and 1 3/8 inches long. It was found

in Burials 041, 135, and 176. Tacks like this appear in multiple catalogs, including: the Taylor

HE 1875, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the Lamb Louis catalog of 1895, and

the Wilmarth catalog of 1895.

Ornamental Tack Variety 8: Ornamental Tack Variety 8 is a diamond shaped coffin stud. The

raised dome has a daisy on the center. Vertical lines go up the sides of the raised dome. The

diamond has an outline around the edges. The short axis is covered by the raised central portion;

the long axis has leaf or fern like swirls. The short axis is 7/8 inches and the long axis is 1 15/16

inches. It was found in Burials 040 and 149. This variety of tack is observed in the Sargent

Company catalogs from 1871 and 1874, and from the Columbus Coffin Company 1882, and the

Harrisburg catalog of 1885.

58
Ornamental Tack Variety 9: Ornamental Tack Variety 9 is a 6-pointed star shaped coffin stud.

The points are smooth with no design. There is a raised round dome in the center with a beveled

edge at its base. Any design on top of dome is obscured by corrosion. This coffin stud has a

diameter of 1 3/8 inches. It was found in Burial 029. This is the most commonly found tack in

the hardware catalogs. It appears in the following catalogs: Sargent company 1871 and 1874,

Taylor Company 1872 and 1875, Chicago Coffin Company 1896, Columbus Coffin Company

1882, Harrisburg catalog 1885, Chattanooga Coffin Company 1905, Lamb Louis catalog 1895,

and the Wilmarth catalog 1894.

Ornamental Tack Variety 10: Ornamental Tack Variety 10 is a six-pointed star shaped coffin

stud. The points of the star have a leaf-like design. The dome on the center of the star has a

beveled edge around its base with a repeated indent pattern. Another 6-pointed star appears on

top of the dome with a flower like design. This coffin stud has a diameter of 1 ½ inches. It was

found in Burial 029. Examples of this ornamental tack variety can be found in the Taylor HE

catalog of 1975, the Harrisburg catalog of 1885, the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of

1905, and the Lamb Louis catalog of 1895.

Ornamental Tack Variety 11: Ornamental Tack Variety 11 is a diamond shaped coffin stud.

There is a raised center dome with vertical lines going up the sides of the dome. The top of

dome has a four petal floral shape with lines made of dots. The long axis has leaf or fern-like

pattern extending along it is either direction. The long axis is 1 15/16 inches, and the short axis is

15/16 inch. It was found in Burials 016, 030, and 176. Examples of this tack can be found in the

Taylor catalogs of 1872 and 1875, the Wilmarth catalog of 1894, and the Chattanooga Coffin

Company catalog of 1905.

59
Ornamental Tack Variety 12: Ornamental Tack Variety 12 is a Crucifix shaped coffin stud. A

banner above the figure of Jesus reads “INRI”. Behind the figure is a radiating light pattern.

Also present are an indented hole shape at the end of each arm of the cross. It measures

approximately two inches long and 1 ¼ inch wide. It was found in Burials 033 and 137. This

variety of tack is found in multiple catalogs, including: the Taylor HE catalog of 1875, the

Columbus Coffin Company catalog of 1882, the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896, the

Lamb Louis catalog of 1895, the Wilmarth catalog of 1895, and the Chattanooga Coffin

Company catalog of 1905.

Ornamental Tack Variety 13: Ornamental Tack Variety 13 is a diamond shaped coffin stud with

a flower (possibly a rose) design on top of the central dome. A ridge is present around the

bottom of the dome with a repeating pattern design. A rose comes off each side of the dome

going to the longer points of the diamond. A raised edge around the diamond looks like twisted

rope. The stud measures 1 7/8 inches on the longest axis, and 7/8 inch on the shortest axis. It was

found in Burial 014. Examples of this variety of ornamental tack are found in the Chattanooga

Coffin Company catalog of 1905, the Wilmarth catalog of 1894, and the Simmons Company

catalogs of 1902 and 1903.

Ornaments

Ornaments may be reminiscent of ornamental tacks but are more substantial in design,

construction, and usually size. Ornamental tacks are often made of copper or bronze, and

although coffin ornaments can be made of those materials, they are often made of pressed white

metal. The category of ornaments includes representational form such as crosses, floral motifs,

and fraternal symbols. This category does not include plaques or name plates. Ornaments were

usually placed on the lid of the burial container, typically over the thorax, pelvis, or sometimes

60
legs of the individual (Davidson 1999). In this assemblage, 23 total ornaments were collected

from 19 burials, meaning 7.8 percent of burials contained an ornament variety. Examples of

recovered ornaments are shown in Figure 4.17. Two varieties of ornaments present in the

excavated burials had maker’s marks from Elgin, Illinois. Likely these came from the Elgin

casket company, which was founded in 1903, giving those burials a definite terminus post quem.

Figure 4.17: Ornament Examples

Figure 4.18 Shows the distribution of the variety of ornaments. Like most of the

hardware categories already discussed, ornament varieties are most commonly found in the

northern part of the excavated area. Again, this suggests at least one broad division in interment

times. Two varieties of ornaments were able to produce a terminus post quem; those two burials

were located in the northeastern most corner of the main section of burials. Knowing those

burials were interred at or after that time can suggest the north half of the excavated section was

likely buried in a similar time period.

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 Figure 4.18: Distribution of Ornament Varieties

Ornament Variety 1: Ornament Variety 1 is a large bright silver metal cross with a crown around

the center. The cross has clover design decorating it. The crown has alternating clover points

and a diamond and dot design around the bottom. There is a plain boarder around cross with no

markings on the back. The cross-hatch pattern in the cross background looks like fabric. It

measures six inches long and 3 ½ inches wide. It was found in Burial 064. Examples similar to

this ornament appears in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896 and the Chattanooga

Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Ornament Variety 1.1: Ornament Variety 1.1 is a smaller version of Ornament Variety 1. It

measures 4 5/8 inches long and 2 5/8 inches wide. It was found in Burials 135 and 140. Examples

similar to this ornament appears in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896 and the

Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

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Ornament Variety 1.2: Ornament Variety 1.2 is the same size and style as Variety 1.1. It has

markings on the back reading “24”, “ILL.” and “ELGIN”. It was found in Burials 177 and 178.

These burials cannot date earlier than 1903, the start of the Elgin Casket Company.

Ornament Variety 1.3: Ornament Variety 1.3 is the same style as Ornament Variety 1. It has

markings on the back reading “No 26”. It measures 2 ¾ inches wide and 4 ¾ inches long. It was

found in Burials 014, 016, and 179, along with one recovered during the initial machine

scraping. Examples similar to this ornament appears in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of

1896 and the Chattanooga Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Ornament Variety 1.4: Ornament Variety 1.4 has the same design as Ornament Variety 1 and is

the same size. It has “ELGIN” embossed on the back of one arm. It was found in Burial 028.

This burial cannot date earlier than 1903, the year the Elgin Casket Company was founded.

Ornament Variety 2: Ornament Variety 2 is a cross made of a ferrous metal with wood adhering

to it. The top and side arms are simple squared corners, and the base end in a triangular shape. It

measures 8 ½ inches long and 4 ¼ inches wide. It was found in Burial 166.

Ornament Variety 3: Ornament Variety 3 is a dense metal cross. The cross arms end in three

points on each. The edge of the cross has a grooved border and is lower than the center. There

is an unknown component in middle of cross’ possibly a nail. The back of the cross is marked

“21” on the longest arm. It measures approximately 3 ½ inches wide and greater than four

inches long, although its full length is unknown due to its fragmentary condition. It was found in

Burial 171. A similar looking ornament is found in the Sargent Company catalog of 1874.

Ornament Variety 4: Ornament Variety 4 is a metal cross with trefoil shapes at end of the arms.

The cross has a flat raised plain border around edge and a flat raised straight cross in the center.

The shape in the center of cross is unclear, but may be an open bible. The background of the

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cross has a cross-hatch pattern. It measures three inches wide, and the length is unknown due to

the missing top arm. It was found in Burial 126. Ornaments similar to this variety are found in

the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896 and the Harrisburg catalog of 1885.

Ornament Variety 5: Ornament Variety 5 is a metal crucifix with trefoil designs on the ends of

its arms. There is a figure of Jesus over much of the face of the cross. The background of the

cross has grape vine leaves and grape bunches at the end of the arms. A banner over the figure

of Jesus likely reads INRI. Jesus is on a pillar over a grape bunch. The back of the cross has two

numbers possibly 11 or 1 and an unidentified number. It measures approximately 8 ½ inches

long and five inches wide. It was found in Burials 041, 042A, and 042B. Examples similar to

this ornament appears in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896 and the Chattanooga

Coffin Company catalog of 1905.

Ornament Variety 6: Ornament Variety 6 is a metal floral shape, although the full shape is

unclear. It appears to be some sort of bunched floral bouquet tied with a ribbon. The leaves

resemble calla lily leaves, but the flower type is unclear. It measures approximately three inches

long and wide. It was found in Burials 030 and 176. An ornament like this appears in the

Chicago Coffin Company catalog of 1896.

Ornament Variety 7: Ornamental Variety 7 is a metal crucifix. The ends may be square, but

there is not enough present to tell. There is a large Jesus figure present on cross. There are pillar

like ends on longest arms of the cross. A banner reading “INRI” is present on the top arm of the

cross. There is no background pattern discernable. The back of the cross has “65” marked on it.

The height is approximately 7 ¼ inches, and the width is greater than 3 ½ inches. It was found in

Burial 030. Examples similar to this ornament appears in the Chicago Coffin Company catalog

of 1896. This ornament is similar to a style used on concrete markers throughout Sections 1, 2,

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and 3 of the cemetery. It is possible this item came from a concrete marker, as fragments of

concrete were recovered with other displaced markers.

Unidentified Ornament Variety – A small silver metal piece with a stud and partial intertwining

lines was found but the full size and shape are unknown. It was found in Burial 028.

Viewing Window

Viewing windows provided a way for mourners to view the deceased during a wake or

funeral. Perhaps a bigger trend before the prevalent use of embalming, viewing windows

allowed the coffin to remain closed, making decay less obvious to the mourners. Fourteen

burials or 13.1percent of burials excavated from Saints Peter and Paul contained a viewing

window. Figure 4.19 shows the distribution of viewing windows in the excavated portion of the

cemetery. It can be seen on the map that viewing windows are found in the northern half of the

excavated burials. There also seems to be a greater concentration on the western side of the

northern half. Like the maps presented above, this one suggests a distinction in interment

between the southern and northern graves.

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 Figure 4.19: Distribution of Viewing Windows

Viewing Window Variety 1: Viewing Window Variety 1 was found with Burial 047. It is oval

shaped and tapers towards the foot of the coffin. It measured 17 ½ inches by 6 ¼ inches. The

edges are roughly cut. Glass solder was present.

Viewing Window Variety 2: Viewing Window Variety 2 was found in Burial 182. It is a large

rectangular shape with angled corners that likely took up much of coffin lid. It measures 27 5/16

inches from head to foot, and 6 9/16 inches wide.

Viewing Window Variety 3: Viewing Window Variety 3 was found in Burials 023 and 178. It is

a smaller oval shaped viewing glass. The oval is more tapered at one end, the longest axis is 9 ½

inches and the widest axis is 5 ¾ inches. The glass is cut very unevenly.

Viewing Window Variety 4: Viewing Window Variety 4 was found in Burial 029. It is an oval

shaped viewing window. The window is slightly more tapered at one end with the longest axis

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as 13 inches, and the shortest axis as eight inches. The most tapered end is flat and the edges are

jagged from cutting.

Viewing Window Variety 5: Viewing Window Variety 5 was found in Burial 142. It is oval

shaped without a tapered end. The longest axis is 15 ¾ inches, and the short axis is 5 ¾ inches.

Viewing Window Variety 6: Viewing Window Variety 6 was found in Burial 030. It is egg

shaped glass. The longest axis is 17 ¼ inches, and the short axis is 12 inches at the widest. The

wider end of the window was towards the feet of the coffin.

Viewing Window Variety 7: Viewing Window Variety 7 was found in Burial 040. It is egg

shaped glass. The longest axis is 13 ½ inches and the widest axis is 8 inches.

Viewing Window Variety 8: Viewing Window Variety 8 was found in Burial 184. It is egg

shaped glass with a flattened base and top. The longest axis is 13 inches and the widest axis is 8

½ inches.

Viewing Window Variety 9: Viewing Window Variety 9 was found in Burial 137. It is oval

shaped and measures 18 inches long and 10 inches wide.

Viewing Window Variety 10: Viewing Window Variety 10 was found in Burial 039. It is oval

shaped and measures 12 ¼ inches long and 6 ¼ at the widest point.

Viewing Window Variety 11: Viewing Window Variety 11 was found in Burial 014. It is oval

shaped and measures 12 ¾ inches long and 7 ½ inches wide at the widest. It has jagged, uneven

edges.

Burials 033 and 021 contained fragments of viewing windows too incomplete to accurately

measure or determine the shape.

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Some Notes About Personal Items

Personal items represented a smaller class of material than coffin hardware in this assemblage.

Although interesting, many of the objects present do not assist in solving the problem of

determining the date range of these interments. This section will only discuss items that can be

dated. Unlike the hardware section above, individual varieties will not be discussed unless a

specific variety provides a date range.

Buttons

The buttons recovered from the Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery include shell, wood,

plastic, and Prosser buttons. All the buttons were two or four hole buttons; no shank buttons

were present. In this assemblage, 239.5 button were recovered and fell into 22 distinct varieties

of buttons plus several sub varieties. The most common varieties of buttons were Prosser

buttons, followed by shell buttons (Figure 4.20). Several burials had a mix of varieties,

including varieties of different materials. In total, 57 burials or 53.3 percent of burial and one of

the non-burial features contained buttons. Unfortunately, the majority of the buttons do not

provide a useful date. As a common artifact, buttons are important to mention, however, the

time frame of this cemetery is so narrow that any dates are not useful. Prosser buttons, the most

commonly recovered in this cemetery, are ceramic and identifiable by a characteristic “orange

peel” pattern on the bottom of the button. Prosser buttons date to 1849 or later in the United

States (Sprague 2002: 111). Although this can be helpful in cemeteries with a wide period of

use, it does not help create a time period for the Ss Peter and Paul cemetery.

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 Figure 4.20: Prosser Button Examples (Left) and Shell Button Examples (Right)

Pins

Few pins were recovered from the Saints Peter and Paul burials. Four distinct varieties of

pins were noted. Ten pins were identified by variety, three additional pins were noted, but were

too fragmentary to identify their variety. Pins were identified in eight burials, or 7.5 percent of

burials. The pins were often fragmented or found during screening, so their location in relation

to the individual or coffin is not known. A few fragments were found in hair preserved in the

burial. Otherwise, function of the pins cannot be determined. Pins were used for securing

clothing, shrouds, and coffin linings. The recovered pins have no identifiable markings

indicating their maker. One variety of pin was identifiable. Pin Variety 1 was found in Burial

152. It is a skirt or kilt pin made of copper. The style of pin is known as a Lindsay Pin, named

for the patent owner. Its earliest date is when the patent was filed in 1878, although Davidson

notes that safety pins do not appear in mortuary catalogs until the 1880’s (Davidson 1999). A

copy of the patent is provided in Figure 4.21.

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 Figure 4.21: Patent for Lindsay Safety Pin 1878 (Lindsay US 1988090 A)

Personal Items

Several items were found in burials outside of existing categories. Most were items that

could be considered unique or intentionally buried with an individual who owned them. Only

items that have a date linked to them are discussed here.

A wrist watch was recovered from Burial 020 (Figure 4.22). The watch is fragmented

and silver in color. The face or casing measures 1 ½ inches by 1 ½ inches including the winding

dial. The casing has an art deco style design around it including straight lines and circles. The

face is partially obscured with discoloration (blue and rust). The numbers on the face are

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stylized with vertical lines. The plastic cover from the face of the watch is discolored with rust.

The surviving links have a chevron like design on them, and are ½ inch wide. The length of the

chain is unknown. No serial number or marks are present on the watch casing. The face bears

the name Ingersoll. Although the brand’s history is traceable, this particular watch was not

identifiable. The Ingersoll company started producing watches in 1892 (Ingersoll Watch

Company 2016). No exact match for this style of watch could be found, although, it likely

postdates 1892 by sometime, because the first watches Ingersoll produced were pocket watches.

Figure 4.22: Ingersoll Wristwatch from Burial 020

Burial 033 contained a pair of dentures (Figure 4.23). The dentures are likely made of

vulcanite and porcelain. They are clearly custom fitted to the individual, and rest perfectly on

the mandible and maxilla. The top portion is broken, but the bottom piece remains intact. The

dentures were found along the jaw of the individual, indicating she was buried wearing them.

Vulcanite was discovered in 1843 by Charles Goodyear, whose brother improved the process in

1851 (British Dental Association [BDA]2016). The Goodyear Dental Vulcanite Company was

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founded in 1864 and required all dentists to pay royalty fees for the use of vulcanite dentures.

The Goodyear patents expired in 1881, allowing vulcanite dentures to become affordable and

accessible on a previously unseen scale (BDA 2016). It is likely these dentures came from a

burial after the Goodyear patents expired in 1881.

Figure 4.23: Denture from Burial 033

Burial 002 contained a black comb 2 ½ inches long, 1 9/16 inches high, and 1/8 inch thick

(Figure 4.24). It appears to be some sort of plastic like substance, likely Vulcanite. Like the

dentures described above, vulcanite provided an efficient production material for many

household items. Ivor Noel Hume (1969) describes double-tooth combs in archaeological

contexts as often having a rectangular shape with different size rows of teeth on either edge.

Hume describes this style of comb continuing into the nineteenth century among poorer

populations. Circa 1860, they were frequently made of vulcanite and referred to as lice combs

(Hume 1969).

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 Figure 4.24: Lice Comb from Burial 002

Finally, many burials examined from the Saints Peter and Paul cemetery had pieces of

twisted ferrous wire. This wire was often found on or near the head of the individual. These

fragments of wire are likely the remnants of floral wreaths placed on the individual. No sources

have been found indicating a specific Catholic or Polish link to this tradition. Lillie and Mack

(2015), in researching the same material at the Dubuque cemetery had little luck finding cultural

affiliations for such a practice. They noted it was sometimes a Latin American custom (Lillie

and Mack 2015.) They also note it was a German tradition to put elaborate wreaths on the heads

of those who die young as virgin brides to the church. This practice was more common in the

sixteenth to eighteenth centuries (Lillie and Mack 2015). After examining mortuary

photographs, Lillie and Mack also conclude, that this practice is part of the beautification of

death. In striving to see children as pure, innocent, and close to nature, a floral wreath seems a

fittingly elaborate inclusion in a burial. In this assemblage, 28 burials, or 26.2 percent of burials

contained fragments of wire thought to be from a floral wreath. A photograph from the book

Wisconsin Death Trip (Lesy 1973) shows two children in coffins with floral arrangements

around their heads (Figure 4.25). This photo was taken in Black River Falls between 1890 and

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1910, and shows a contemporary burial practice in an area approximately 40 miles from Ss Peter

and Paul, providing a potential timeframe for some of the excavated burials.

Figure 4.25: Photograph from Wisconsin Death Trip Showing Floral Wreaths

Concluding Remarks

The focus of this thesis is the study of the coffin hardware present in this chapter. The

expected timeframe for interment was 1872-1930. The coffin hardware confirms that time

range. Much of the material found in the excavated burials can be found in trade catalogs

beginning in 1860-1870 and lasting into the 20th century. The presence of multiple shapes of

burial containers, likely produced by a single furniture maker, suggests a range around 1900.

Any items that were found in catalogs have a range between 1874 and 1918. This time period

fits with the expected date ranges for the cemetery. Although all the items in the catalogs fit

nicely within the expected range, there were no catalogs available to examine outside that range.

Many existing catalogs are held in private collections or are not accessible to researchers from a

distance.

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 It was originally hoped useful subdivisions of the expected time range for burials would

be developed. At this time the material culture and available historic documentation do not

provide enough information to separate graves into meaningful chronological order. It is stated

that the burials took place between 1872 and 1930. Based on the distribution of coffin hardware,

it seems there could be three groups of interments. The southern half of the section has very

little coffin hardware. The northern section has a greater diversity of hardware with certain types

of hardware grouped in either the western or eastern side of the northern section of burials. Two

burials in the most northeastern corner date sometime after 1903, suggesting that grouping might

be 1900 or later, but no definite subdivision can be made.

Much of the recovered material presented here is part of the beautification of death

movement. A lot of the decorative items include saying like “Rest In Peace” or have motifs of

lambs. This peaceful and innocent rest is characteristic of the views of death at the time. The

presence of viewing windows and coffin lining would have created an illusion that the deceased

was simply resting. Mytum (2004:35) cites the expanding capitalist market in allowing a wider

number of people to participate in socially accepted rituals surrounding death and burial. These

mass produced goods are seen in the assemblage at Ss Peter and Paul.

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 Chapter Five: Exploring Additional Dating Methods

Although the study of coffin hardware recovered during the 2015 excavations is the main

focus of the attempt to date this portion of the cemetery, there are two other methods that were

explored during research into the Saints Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery. First, a seriation of

gravestone material was conducted in the hopes it could provide a context for excavated markers

and fragments of markers. Secondly, although not a definite means of dating any portion of the

cemetery, the layout of the cemetery could suggest a timeframe for the excavated burials.

Gravestone Seriation

Seriation of various aspects of gravestones is immensely useful to the field of historic

archaeology. Meyer defines cemeteries as “outdoor, spatially delineated repositories of cultural

artifacts” (Meyer 1995:2). Cemeteries, in general, also have the added benefit that they are

dated. The material studied for seriations, the markers themselves, have a date reasonably close

to when they were constructed and erected, with the exception of replacement stones. This

creates a very controlled environment and the type of seriation rarely seen elsewhere in

archaeological seriations.

The most notable example of gravestone seriation was conducted in East coast cemeteries

by Edwin Dethlefsen and James Deetz. They developed a seriation based on three characteristic

iconographies present in those cemeteries: death’s head, cherubs, and willows. Their findings

allowed them to look at how the change in iconography spread around the region. They

examined the interrelated changes between population, societal values, and social organization.

(Dethlefsen and Deetz 1966). Although the cause of the spread of the iconography can be

debated, the change in time is easily tracked and can provide some information about social ideas

and their development on a regional scale.

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 Although some examples of seriation exist, it is a technique that could benefit from more

work. Karen Kiest discusses Czech cemeteries on the Nebraska prairies in terms of negotiating

Czech identity in a new place. She describes a lot of grave markers, including metal crosses.

She explains that several types of marker materials represent settler’s improvisations to their new

environment; settling in certain areas restricts access to stone, so other materials must be used

(Kiest 1993). Kiest provides a photograph from a cemetery in Nebraska belonging to a St Peter

and Paul Catholic church showing a variety of iron crosses. These crosses look very similar to

those found at Ss Peter and Paul in Independence, Wisconsin. The Nebraska church dates to

1876. A seriation of the material types in the Nebraska cemetery would be an excellent

comparison to the one presented below for Ss Peter and Paul. Additional work such as that could

provide a larger regional comparison when examining early cemeteries, especially Catholic or

Eastern European.

Several markers were recovered from the fill above the excavated burials during the work

done in 2013. A seriation study was conducted in the existing portion of the Ss Peter and Paul

cemetery following guidelines presented by Barber (Barber 1994). This seriation was used to

determine if the recovered markers or fragments of markers shared overlapping time periods

with the still existing portion of the cemetery. Sections 1, 2, and, 3 of the existing cemetery were

photographed and recorded. These sections contained markers in a time frame with suspected

overlap of the burials excavated in 2015; these sections also included a wider timespan for a full

comparison. The dimension studied was the material the marker was made of. The traits were

marble, metal, concrete, and granite (examples of these markers can be seen in Figure 5.1.

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 Figure 5.1: Examples of Marker Material Types

The markers from these three sections had interments (based on listed death dates) from 1872-

present. Five year increments were used to magnify any trends. This seriation only includes

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markers from 1872-1934. Markers more recent than that are extremely unlikely to be

representative of the burials uncovered in 2015. If a marker had multiple names, the earliest date

was used and it was only counted once, assuming the stone was erected at the time of the first

burial. In total, 392 markers are included in the seriation presented here. Counts and material

types are presented in the tables below, both as total counts and as percentages.

Counts Marble Metal Concrete Granite Total

1930-1934 3 0 0 42 45
1925-1929 9 2 5 41 57
1920-1924 13 1 4 18 36
1915-1919 27 2 2 27 58
1910-1914 28 6 1 10 45
1905-1909 24 4 2 4 34
1900-1904 24 12 0 10 46
1895-1899 16 6 1 3 26
1890-1894 13 4 0 0 17
1885-1889 11 1 0 1 13
1880-1884 3 0 0 2 5
1875-1879 3 1 0 1 5
1870-1874 5 0 0 0 5

Total 179 39 15 159 392

Table 5.1: Total Counts for Marker Material by Year

Counts Marble Metal Concrete Granite Total

1930-1934 7% 0 0 93% 100%
1925-1929 16% 4% 9% 71% 100%
1920-1924 36% 3% 11% 50% 100%
1915-1919 47% 3% 3% 47% 100%
1910-1914 62% 13% 3% 22% 100%
1905-1909 70% 12% 6% 12% 100%
1900-1904 52% 26% 0% 22% 100%
1895-1899 60% 23% 4% 12% 100%
1890-1894 77% 23% 0% 0% 100%
1885-1889 84% 8% 0% 8% 100%
1880-1884 60% 0% 0% 40% 100%
1875-1879 60% 20% 0% 20% 100%
1870-1874 100% 0% 0% 0% 100%
Table 5.2: Percent of Marker Types by Material Per Year

Figure 5.2 shows the graphs of the percentages of each marker type by year. Several battleship

curves, characteristic of seriation studies, can be seen.

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 Seriation of Marker Materials

Figure 5.2: Marker Material Seriation graph

As seen in the data, there are some trends in the popularity of different material types.

Metal markers are at their most popular between 1890 and 1914. The recovered pieces of metal

markers from the fill above the 2015 excavations would be expected to fall into that time period.

There were two metal markers recovered, and both have dates. One marker dates to 1889 and

the other to 1905. One falls outside the most popular timeframe for metal markers, but is not a

complete outlier. Additionally, five marble markers were found. Three have dates including

1899, 1902, and 1904. These dates, while not being the absolute most popular years for marble,

are still within a time period where marble markers were at least half of those represented in the

cemetery. Along with these dated stones, fragments of marble and concrete were found. The

additional marble fragments do not close the possible date range of the burials much, other than

suggesting they are likely not from post 1925. The fragments of concrete have not been ruled

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out as pieces of a pathway or other type of structure, but given the proximity to the other markers

and the presence of concrete markers in the extant portion of the cemetery, they could represent

markers. The sample size for concrete markers is not large, but the above graph suggests the

concrete fragments could represent burials from 1905-1929. This could provide a wider

timeframe than previously thought for the cemetery, although the fragments could also fall

perfectly within the expected range. Ultimately, the existing portion of the Ss Peter and Paul

cemetery provides an excellent illustration of the popularity of grave marker material through

time. Unfortunately, the marker pieces recovered from the fill above the 2015 excavated burials

does not provide a large enough sample to make any comparisons of significance. The recovered

fragments could represent fifteen markers at the most although many of the small pieces likely fit

together, meaning an even smaller sample size. This particular line of temporal evidence only

confirms the widest time range; it does not narrow the time frame.

Cemetery Layout

Members of the Ss Peter and Paul Parish believe the exhumed burials to have been

unbaptized children or individuals who were not in unity with the church at their time of death,

and were thus buried separately from active church members. This could be the case for some

individuals, especially the excavated adults found at a distance and facing a different direction

from the children. However, the spatial arrangement of the cemetery suggests the majority of the

burials excavated in 2015 fit with the established pattern in the cemetery. Figure 5.3 shows the

arrangement of the cemetery. Arrows indicates the direction the feet are in the burials, assuming

each marker is at the head of the individual. Sections 4-9 are the yellow areas and are not

included in any other analysis in this thesis because they represent a much newer time period.

They are worth noting in that they face towards the church. Sections 1-3 are the red areas.

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Section 1 is on the south side of the church and incudes the earliest marked burials in the

cemetery. There are no clear family plots, which may be a conscious decision on the part of the

church. There are a few larger stones with a surname, but these only ever have two individuals

around them. No areas of the cemetery are blocked off or show a particularly high concentration

of a certain surname. The small pioneer cemetery and the Chimney Rock Lutheran Church

cemetery north of Ss Peter and Paul do contain family plots. These are the closest cemeteries to

Ss Peter and Paul and contain contemporary markers. It is possible the church sought to use the

available space most efficiently by maintaining rows of burials without the reservation of spots

for family members. The lack of family plots and a concern for use of space may also explain

the presence of the children’s section in the cemetery.

Starting in Section 1, the church appears to have created rows of individual burials facing

the church or tabernacle. Although this practice is not common, some religious groups do bury

their members towards a space of worship as opposed to a specific direction. Father Pace, Pastor

of Ss Peter and Paul Parish, mentions it would not be unusual to see a Catholic burial ground

oriented towards a cross instead of a cardinal direction (Father Woodrow Pace, personal

communication 2016). Sections 2 and 3 follow the linear pattern established by Section 1.

Although the original intent would have been to face the church, it would seem reasonable to

maintain rows instead of wasting the space curving around the church. The green areas in the

middle of the map are priests, who are often buried facing their congregations. The blue area is

the existing children’s section. These children face opposite of the adults in the same area. The

graves here begin in 1912 and continue to the present. There is no indication these children were

unbaptized or in anyway not in unity with the church at the time of their deaths. The orange area

is the 2015 excavated burials. The smaller grey area is a group of six adult burials who face

82
contrary to anyone else in the section and are set off by an empty space between them and the

children’s burials. The individuals are thought to be separated from the church at the time of

their deaths. A community member recalls a relative who committed suicide buried in that area.

Because of this very clear special distinction, it seems likely the children in this section were not

viewed in the same way those adults were.

Sections 4-7

Figure 5.3: Map of Cemetery Layout Showing Direction of Burials (Adapted from Google Maps)

Based on the layout of the cemetery, it could be suggested that the majority of the 2015

excavated burials represent individuals who were buried as recognized members of the church.

They follow a pattern repeated on the south side of the church. A reasonable conclusion is that

the children’s section once extended from the north side of the church into what is now the

current children’s section in Section 3. This also gives us an approximate end of use date for the

area excavated in 2015. If the existing children’s section has an earliest marker of 1912, the

excavated area was probably filled by that time.

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 Also of note, Section 1, the oldest in the cemetery, has a burial of an eight-year-old as the

youngest individual. The next youngest is over ten years of age. It seems unlikely that all the

children born into this parish before 1912 were either unbaptized or all survived to adulthood.

This suggests that a separate children’s area must have existed, and likely that the children

interred there were not unbaptized or necessarily cast out of the church in some way.

Concluding Remarks

Examining different lines of evidence can add to or verify the information gained from

the study of the coffin hardware recovered at the Ss Peter and Paul Parish cemetery. The

seriation of gravestone markers in the existing portion of the cemetery provides ranges were

certain marker materials would be most common. The fragments of markers recovered from the

excavated burials can be given a possible date range using the seriation graph. Some of those

fragments had a date on them, and fell within the expected time range based on the popularity of

the marker material. Although the seriation study does not provide a narrower time range for the

burials, it confirms the expected time frame of 1872-1930.

Studying the layout of the cemetery also confirms the expected timeframe. It suggests

the majority of the excavated burials (those in the seven main rows) were likely buried before the

existing children’s section began in 1912. Apart from providing information on the time of

interment, the layout of the cemetery also provides some insight for the current parish members.

It was believed the individuals excavated in 2015 were buried in that location because they were

unbaptized or in some way at odds with the church. The layout of the current cemetery is very

consistent: church members are buried facing the church. All but the three outlying burials fit

this pattern. We can conclude those buried there were welcomed members of their parish

community.

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 Chapter Six: Conclusions

The focus of this thesis is the study of the coffin hardware recovered from the Ss Peter

and Paul cemetery during excavations in 2015. The expected timeframe for interment was 1872-

1930 based on knowledge of the existing cemetery, field crew knowledge during excavations,

and community memory surrounding these burials. The coffin hardware confirms that time

range. Much of the material found in the excavated burials can be found in trade catalogs

beginning in 1860-1870 and lasting into the 20th century. The presence of multiple shapes of

burial containers, likely produced by a single furniture maker, suggests a range around 1900.

Any items that were found in catalogs have a range between 1874 and 1918. This time period

fits with the expected date ranges for the cemetery. Although all the items in the catalogs fit

nicely within the expected range, there were no catalogs available to examine outside that range.

Many existing catalogs are held in private collections or are not accessible to researchers from a

distance.

Examining other lines of evidence also confirms the expected date range. The gravestone

seriation shows the recovered markers, based on the material they are constructed from, would

fall into time ranges consistent with the expected outcome. Studying the layout of the cemetery

also suggests a beginning and end range for interments based on the burials surrounding this

section. The suggested range of 1872-1912 fits within the expected range.

It was originally hoped useful subdivisions of the expected time range for burials would

be developed. At this time the material culture and available historic documentation do not

provide enough information to separate graves into meaningful chronological order. It is stated

that the burials took place between 1872 and 1930. Based on the distribution of coffin hardware,

it seems there could be three groups of interments. The southern half of the section has very

85
little coffin hardware. The northern section has a greater diversity of hardware with certain types

of hardware grouped in either the western or eastern side of the northern section of burials. Two

burials in the most northeastern corner date sometime after 1903, suggesting that grouping might

be 1900 or later, but no definite subdivision can be made.

When looking at the symbols and motifs present on the coffin hardware at the Ss Peter

and Paul Cemetery, somethings are easily associated with the beautification of death movement

like the expressions of resting in peace and the common symbol of the lamb. However, in this

cemetery, there is also a continual overtone of religion in much of the coffin hardware and

personal effects. It may seem tempting to dismiss the symbols found at Ss Peter and Paul as a

by-product of religion, but, simply because those symbols appear in a cemetery with religious

affiliation does not mean the people purchasing and using them were not participating in the

other movement the symbols can represent. Viewing death in a peaceful almost loving light can

go hand-in-hand with a desire to reach heaven, the safe respite from the fast paced evil in the

world. As Bell (1990) notes, the mass produced hardware that came with the industrializing

America of the mid-nineteenth century can be found all over the country in archaeological

contexts. The pervasiveness of this material suggests, “...that similar material items were not

only popular, but considered appropriate for the burial of the dead by many social and economic

groups.” (Bell 1990:1). This ultimately means a shared ideology about death. We can see then,

that some of the excavated burials reflect the beautification of death movement, at the least the

burials with the ornate coffins, the viewing windows, and the mass produced coffin hardware.

The plain burials are more difficult to consider. They could simply be for individuals whose

family could not afford the proper decorations. They could also be later burials, reflecting yet

another change in the American understanding of death. As the responsibility for the dead began

86
to move further out of the home, people distanced themselves from death; mourning rituals

changed, and so did the material culture associated with burials. Unfortunately, those plain

burials at Ss Peter and Paul are likely to get no answers. Not enough information exists to

provide any closer of an estimate to their time of burial.

In the context of the larger funerary industry, this cemetery represents a small snapshot.

Many larger published studies look at cemeteries with a wider time of use. It could be that an

approximately fifty-year window is too small to be able to develop an accurate chronology. In

that case, additional studies are necessary to continue to build the existing knowledge of coffin

hardware in the United States. Additional work documenting recovered hardware can provide

multiple points of comparison for this or other future studies. Springate notes a lack of universal

types of coffin hardware. Although this cannot be fixed simply by adding more studies, it

provides a beginning to create that universal typology.

Other opportunities include the study of uncommon marker materials. The wrought iron

crosses found at Ss Peter and Paul are similar iron wrought crosses found in Nebraska at a Czech

Catholic church. A comparison of marker material and cemetery layout could would make an

interesting study of differences or similarities in ethnic Catholic church practices. The material

here could additionally be compared with cemeteries excavated in the future. As development

continues to spread, more forgotten cemeteries will be uncovered. By having multiple points of

comparison, archaeologists will be better able to develop a chronology of coffin hardware that

spans regions, not just single cemeteries. Routes that these items traveled and patterns of

consumption will be clearer.

87
 The town of Independence, with its beginnings as a railway hub, saw many opportunities

for change and growth. The railway could bring people and goods from all across the country.

The town grew as new people, commodities, and ideas were brought to the town. The Ss Peter

and Paul Parish would have witnessed these changes as well. New clergy members brought

different ideas and plans to the church. The parish grew as related buildings and schools were

built, improved, and redone. Each new leader and project a representation of the ideas they

believed at the time. It is important to consider changes like these in the church and community

because they are a reflection of a specific time period. The Ss Peter and Paul cemetery has seen

a long period of use, and with that, changing views of death in the community. It is important to

consider that the attitudes of a community in the present day towards death may not be the same

as those of a past community.

The members of the Ss Peter and Paul church have expressed their concerns that this

portion of the cemetery was nearly forgotten. There has been speculation as to why these graves

are now unmarked, and feelings of guilt associated with the lack of knowledge. Although the

exact why may not be answered, this project can provide some insight for the current parish

members. It was believed the individuals excavated in 2015 were buried in that location because

they were unbaptized or in some way at odds with the church. The layout of the current

cemetery is very consistent: church members are buried facing the church. All but the three

outlying burials fit this pattern. We can conclude those buried there were welcomed members of

their parish community. A project that began as a highway survey created an opportunity for

archaeologists to work closely with a community.

88
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American Carpet and Upholstery Journal

1909 Late Retail Bulletin. American Carpet and Upholstery Journal. Volume 27.
January 10, 1909. Digitized version from University of Michigan Library.

Barber, Russell J.
1994 Doing Historical Archaeology: Exercises Using Documentary, Oral, and
Material Evidence. Prentice Hall

Bell, Edward
1990 The Historical Archaeology of Mortuary Behavior: Coffin Hardware form
Uxbridge Massachusetts. In Historical Archaeology. Vol. 24 No. 3. Pp 54-78

British Dental Association

---- Vulcanite Dentures. British Dental Association Museum Webpage.
https://www.bda.org/museum/collections/teeth-and-dentures/vulcanite-dentures
Accessed November 2016

Davidson, James M.
1999 Freedman’s Cemetery (1869-1907): A Chronological Reconstruction of an
Excavated African-American Burial Ground, Dallas, Texas. Unpublished
Master’s Thesis, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville.
2004 Mediating Race and Class Through the Death Experience: Power Relations and
Resistance Strategies of an Africa-American Community, Dallas, Texas (1869-
1907). Dissertation at The University of Texas at Austin.

Dethlefsen, Edwin and James Deetz

1966 Death’s Head, Cherubs, and Willow Trees: Experimental Archaeology in
Colonial Cemeteries. In American Antiquity. Vol. 31. No. 4. 502-510.

Edison Funeral Home

2016 Who We Are. Edison Funeral Home Webpage.
http://www.edisonfuneralhome.com/home/index.cfm/aboutus/history/fh_id/12286
Accessed October 2016.

Gammroth, C. J. (editor)
1976 Historical Album, 100 Years, Independence, Wisconsin. Independence, WI: City
of Independence. Electronic document,
http://trempealeau.wigenweb.org/histories/100independence/faith.htm. Accessed
October 2016.

Glover, Amy Suzanne

2009 Coffin It Up: The Influence of Social Status and Ethnicity in and Historic-Era Los
Angeles Cemetery. SCA Proceedings. Volume 22. Pg 1-7.

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Hume, Ivor Noel
1969 A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial America. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Independence New Weekly: Accessed on microfiche at the Independence Public Library

1878 J.W. Runkel Advertisement. March 1878
1878 M.P. Philippi Advertisement. April 1878
1903 School Building Photo. May 1903
1967 Current School dedication. October 1967

Ingersoll Watch Company

2016 History. Ingersoll Watch Company Webpage.
https://us.ingersoll1892.com/pages/history Accessed November 2016

Jackson, Charles O.
1977 American Attitudes to Death. Journal of American Studies. Vol 11, Issue 3.
December 1977. Pg 297-312

Kaufmann, Kira E.
2014 Archaeological Investigations for Unmarked Graves, Ss Peter and Paul Parish
Church Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. WR-0796. Prepared for Ss Peter and
Paul Parish by Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group (CCRG), Inc.,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WR-0796.

Kiest, Karen S.
1993 Czech Cemeteries in Nebraska from 1868: Cultural Imprints on the Prairie. In
Ethnicity and the American Cemetery. Edited: Richard Meyer. Bowling Green
State University Popular Press. Bowling Green Ohio.

Lesy, Michael
1973 Wisconsin Death Trip. Anchor Books. New York, USA.

Lillie, Robin M. and Jennifer E. Mack

2015 Dubuque’s Forgotten Cemetery: Excavating a Nineteenth Century Burial Ground
in a Twenty-First Century City. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.

Lindsay, Johk P. (inventor)

1877 Improvement in safety-pin. US patent 198890 A. Dec 17, 1877

Meyer, Richard E. (editor)

1995 Cemeteries and Gravemarkers Voices of American Culture. Utah State University
Press. Logan, Utah.

Mytum, Harold

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 2004 Mortuary Monuments and Burial Grounds of the Historic Period. Manuals in
Archaeological Method, Theory, and Technique. Plenum Publishers.

Pye, Jeremy
2010 Typology and Analysis of Burial Container Hardware Recovered from the
Excavation of Rambo Cemetery, Rom, Georgia. Brockington and
Associates, Inc.

2011 Typology and Analysis of Mortuary Artifacts Recovered from Excavations in the
20TH Century, New Home Cemetery, Fort Bend County, Texas. Geo-
Marine Inc.

Reid, Dan
2011 GPR Investigation Report, Project ID: 7132-08-02, STH 93, Independence,
Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Transportation,
Bureau of Technical Services.

Saints Peter and Paul Congregation

1975 S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Independence, Wisconsin, One Hundred
Years, 1875-1975; a History and Parish Directory. S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic
Church, Independence, Wisconsin.

Sloane, David Charles

1991 The Last Great Necessity: Cemeteries in American History. The Johns Hopkins
University Press, Baltimore and London.

Snyder, Ellen Marie

1995 Innocents in a Worldly World: Victorian Children’s Gravemarkers. In Cemeteries
and Gravemarkers Voices of American Culture. Utah State University Press.
Logan, Utah.

Sprague, R.
2002 China or Prosser Button Identification and Dating. Historical Archaeology
36:111-127.

Springate, Megan E.
2015 Coffin Hardware in Nineteenth-century America. Guides to Historical Artifacts
Volume 5. Left Coast Press Inc., Walnut Creek, CA.

Theil, J. Homer, Jeremy W. Pye, and James T. Watson

2013 Archaeological Investigations for the Speedway-Main Monitoring Project and the
Excavation of Seven Burials within the Court Street Cemetery, AZ BB:13:156
(ASM), Tucson, Pima County, Arizona. Technical Report No. 2012-17. Desert
Archaeology Inc., Tucson, AZ.

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Watson, Robert
2011 Ss Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery Documentation. Prepared for the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation and OMNNI Associates by Commonwealth
Cultural Resources Group (CCRG), Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Watson, Robert, Emily M. Epstein, Amanda Roller, Robert Jeske, David Strange, and Kathryn
Egan-Bruhy
2016 Archaeological Investigations and Burial Analysis at Ss Peter and Paul Parish
Cemetery (Btr0024) City Of Independence Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.
Prepared for Ss Peter and Paul Parish by Commonwealth Heritage Group, Inc.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. WR-0961

92
 Appendix A: Artifact Inventory
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
Appendix B: Coffin Hardware Variety Photographs

Handles
Handle Variety 1

Handle Variety 2

Handle Variety 3 (with view of marking on back)

104
Handle Variety 4

Handle Variety 5

Handle Variety 6

105
Handle Variety 7

Handle Variety 8

Handle Variety 9

106
Handle Variety 10

Handle Variety 11

Handle Variety 12

107
Handle Variety 13

Handle Variety 14

Handle Variety 15

108
Handle Variety 16

Handle Variety 17

Handle Variety 18

109
Handle Variety 19

Handle Variety 20

Handle Variety 21

110
Thumbscrews
Thumbscrew Variety 1

Thumbscrew Variety 2

Thumbscrew Variety 3

111
Thumbscrew Variety 4

Thumbscrew Variety 5

Thumbscrew Variety 6

112
Thumbscrew Variety 7 (with Escutcheon Variety 4)

Thumbscrew Variety 8 (with Escutcheon Variety 3)

Thumbscrew Variety 9

113
Thumbscrew Variety 10

Thumbscrew Variety 11

Thumbscrew Variety 12

114
Thumbscrew Variety 13

Thumbscrew Variety 14

Thumbscrew Variety 15

115
Escutcheons
Escutcheon Variety 1 (with Thumbscrew Variety 6)

Escutcheon Variety 2 (with Thumbscrew Variety 8)

Escutcheon Variety 3 (with Thumbscrew Variety 8)

116
Escutcheon Variety 4 (with Thumbscrew Variety 7)

Caplifters
Caplifter Variety 1

Caplifter Variety 2

117
Ornamental Tacks
Ornamental Tack Variety 1

Ornamental Tack Variety 2

Ornamental Tack Variety 3

118
Ornamental Tack Variety 4

Ornamental Tack Variety 5

Ornamental Tack Variety 6

119
Ornamental Tack Variety 7

Ornamental Tack Variety 8

Ornamental Tack Variety 9

120
Ornamental Tack Variety 10

Ornamental Tack Variety 11

Ornamental Tack Variety 12

121
Ornamental Tack Variety 13

Ornamental Metal
Ornament Variety 1

122
Ornament Variety 1.1

Ornament Variety 1.2

Ornament Variety 1.3

123
Ornament Variety 1.4 (front and back)

Ornament Variety 2

Ornament Variety 3

124
Ornament Variety 4

Ornament Variety 5

125
Ornament Variety 6

Ornament Variety 7

126
 Appendix C: Burial Summaries

The following burial descriptions are adapted from the report: The Archaeological Investigations

and Burial Analysis at Ss Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery (Btr0024) City of Independence

Trempealeau County, Wisconsin produced by Commonwealth Heritage Group (Watson et al.

2016). The descriptions provide the location of the burial relative to the church and other

burials, and information about the coffin, coffin hardware, and any additional artifacts.

Burial 001

Burial 001 was located on the southeastern side of the excavated portion of the cemetery and

contained the remains of one infant. Although there are no straight rows, this burial is

approximately in the fourth row of burials north of the church. Burial 033 was to the west and

Burial 182 was to the east. The burial was truncated on the east side by a large slump and

partially by burial 182.

Coffin

The coffin was not visible during excavation. The burial shaft was rectangular, measuring 130

cm long × 42 cm wide (51.2 × 16.54 in). A sample of 22 or more machine cut nails was

collected, along with a single screw of indeterminate size. Many of the nails were very

fragmented but complete nails were about 6.35 cm (2.5 in).

Associated Artifacts

Three pieces of wire were found with this burial. Color of the wire indicates one is ferrous and

two have copper components. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 002

127
Burial 002 was located on the southeastern side of the excavated area and contained the remains

of one infant. Burial 002 was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and was

between Burial 003 on the west and Burial 173 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 91 cm long × 31 cm wide (35.8 in × 12.20 in).

The size of the nails was difficult to determine due to the fragmentary nature of the nails

collected. An estimated 16 nails make up the sample. They are all machine cut and potentially

3.75 to 6.35 cm (1.25 to 2.5 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

A black comb 6.35 cm long × 3.97 cm wide × 0.32 cm thick (2.5 in × 1.56 in × 0.125 in) was

associated with the burial. The comb’s material appears to be plastic, likely Vulcanite. Three

fragments of a ferrous metal wire also were identified.

Burial 003

Burial 003 was located on the southeastern side of the excavation area and included the remains

of a single infant. Burial 003 was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and was

between Burial 004 on the west and Burial 002 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 70 cm long × 26 cm wide (27.6 in × 10.24 in). A

sample of 22 machine cut nails was collected. Complete nails range in length from 6.35 cm to

7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in). No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were recovered from this burial.

Burial 004

128
Burial 004 was located on the southeastern side of the excavated area and included the remains

of a single infant. Burial 004 was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and was

between Burial 006 on the west and Burial 003 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 73 cm long × 26 cm wide (28.7 in × 10.24 in). A

sample of 21 nails was collected from the burial. The nails were machine cut and approximately

6.35 cm (2.5 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

No other artifacts were found in association with this burial.

Burial 005

Burial 005 was located on the east central side of the excavated area and included a perinate.

Burial 005 was roughly in the fourth row of burials north of the church and next to Burial 183 on

the west and Burial 168 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin had an indistinct shape, but may have been rectangular based on field photographs.

The coffin measured 75 cm long × 26 cm wide (29.5 in × 10.24 in). Five screw fragments were

recovered. A sample of approximately 10 machine cut nails was collected. The nails were too

fragmentary to obtain measurements.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 1.1 button was associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 006

129
Burial 6 was located on the southeastern side of the excavated area and included the remains of a

single infant. It was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and next to Burial 007

on the west and Burial 004 on the east.

Coffin

The hexagonal shape of the coffin in the transverse plane gave the coffin side-walls an

appearance of bowing outwards. In the coronal plane, the coffin retained a rectangular shape,

measuring 113 cm long × 16 cm wide (44.5 in × 6.3 in). The coffin exterior exhibited yellow or

gold paint. A sample of six nails was collected: five machine cut and one wire nail. The

machine cut nails were approximately 6.35 cm (2.5 in) long and the wire nail was over 7.62 cm

(3 in) long. No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were found with this burial.

Burial 007

Burial 007 was located on the eastern side of the excavated area and included the remains of an

infant. It was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and next to burial 008 on the

west and 006 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 71 cm long × 23 cm wide (28.0 in × 9.06 in). A

sample of at least 24 nails was recovered, consisting of wire nails ranging in length from 4.13 cm

to 8.26 cm (1.63 in to 3.25 in). No additional coffin hardware was recovered with this burial.

Associated Artifacts

A single Type 1 button was associated with Burial 007. No other artifacts were identified with

this burial.

130
Burial 008

Burial 008 was located on the south central side of the excavated area and included a single

infant. It was roughly in the third row of burials north of the church and next to Burial 009 and

Burial 150 on the west and Burial 007 on the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 95 cm long x 30 cm wide (11.8 in × 37.4 in). A

sample of 35 wire nails was collected. The nails measured 5.08 cm to 8.26 cm (2 in to 3.25 in).

A Type 4 coffin stud was associated with the burial, and field notes indicate it was above the

center of the coffin. Four Type 1 screw covers were found with this burial, but their original

location is unknown. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were found with this burial.

Burial 009 (Individuals 009a and 009b)

Burial 009 was located on the south central side of the excavated area nearest to the third row of

burials north of the church. Burial 008 was to the east of Burial 009 and Burial 010 was to the

west. Burial 009 is a double burial; two individuals were identified within one grave shaft. An

infant (Individual 009a) was identified within one coffin and a fetus (Burial 009b) was identified

in the second.

Coffin

The burials were identified side-by-side, with about 20 cm (7.87 in) between the two coffins, in a

single grave shaft. The coffin containing the larger individual (Burial 009a) was rectangular and

measured 82 cm long × 27 cm wide (32.3 in × 10.63 in). The smaller coffin containing Burial

009b was four-sided and tapered towards the feet, with a maximum length of 65 cm and

131
maximum width of 24 cm at the north end (25.6 in × 9.45 in). A sample of 44 machine cut nails

was collected. The nails range in length from 5.08 cm to 8.26 cm (2 in to 3.25 in). Nails were

not collected separately for the two burials. No additional coffin hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were identified with the burials.

Burial 010

Burial 010 was located on the south central side of the excavated area. It was roughly in the

third row of burials north of the church. Burial 009 and Burial 150 were located to the east and

Burial 131 on the west.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape with a length of 78 cm and a width of 23 cm (30.7 in × 9.06

in). A sample machine cut nails totaled 16. Complete nails measured 6.35 cm (2.5 in). No

additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Seventeen pieces of twisted ferrous metal wire fragments were recovered from this burial. These

may be pieces of a floral wreath originally placed on the head of the individual. No additional

artifacts were identified.

Burial 011

Burial 011 was located near the center of the main excavation area and contained a perinate. It

was in roughly the fourth row of burials, north of the church. Burial 012 was to the west and

Burial 159 was to the east of Burial 011.

Coffin

132
The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 68 cm long × 22 cm wide (26.8 in × 8.66 in). A

sample of 10 machine cut nails was collected. The nails were 5.72 cm to 6.67 cm (2.25 in to

2.63 in) in length. No additional coffin hardware was present.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 1 button was associated with Burial 011. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 012

Burial 012 was located near the center of the main excavation area and contained an infant. It

was in roughly the fourth row of burials north of the church. Burial 026 was to the west and

Burial 011 was to the east of Burial 012.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, with a length of 81 cm long and 46 cm wide (31.9 in ×

18.11 in). At least 17 nails were recovered, which appear to be machine cut. Fairly uniform, the

nails measure 6.35 cm (2.5 in) in length. No additional coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

Two Type 2 buttons were associated with Burial 012. No additional artifacts were associated

with this burial.

Burial 013

Burial 013 was located near the north central portion of the main excavation area and contained

fetal remains. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church. Burial 024 is to the

west and burial 014 is to the east.

Coffin

The coffin shape was difficult to determine because the northern portion of the coffin was

truncated by the backhoe during site stripping. The coffin is tapered towards the feet and may

133
have been four-sided, measuring 42 cm long and 18 cm wide (16.5 in × 7.09 in). A Type 1 coffin

stud was recovered from this burial. A sample of 11 wire nails was collected, all of which

measured approximately 6.35 cm (2.5 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

Two Type 2 buttons were associated with Burial 013. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 014

Burial 14 was located near the north central portion of the main excavation area and represents

the remains of a single infant. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church.

Burial 013 is to the west and Burial 015 is to the east.

Coffin

This burial appears to have consisted of an outer wooden vault and an inner wooden coffin. The

outer vault was rectangular. The inner coffin had a less distinct shape and was painted white. A

sample of 37 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length from 4.445 cm to 6.35 cm

(1.75 in to 2.5 in). A washer measuring one inch in diameter was collected from the burial. A

Type 1.3 decorative metal crucifix was placed over the chest of the individual. The cross appears

to have shifted when the burial was lowered into the ground, as the top of the crucifix is pointing

towards the feet. Ten Type 13 coffin studs were found with the coffin. Four were along the edge

of the coffin or on displaced parts of the collapsed coffin lid. Four Type 16 handles were

attached to the coffin. A latch, similar to that seen in other burials, was also present. Four

thumbscrews were identified. The thumbscrews were Type 8 and each had an escutcheon with

it. Two escutcheons were Type 2 and two were Type 3. A Type 11 coffin viewing window was

recovered, with the narrower end oriented towards the head. The glass may also have remnants

of a prayer card adhered to it. Pieces of sealant from the viewing window were collected as well.

134
Associated Artifacts

Ten buttons were associated with this burial. Four of the buttons were Type 2 buttons, one was

Type 2.3, one was Type 2.6, one was Type 2.8, two were Type 14, and the last was Type 12.2.

One Type 4 pin was identified. Fifty-three fragments of twisted ferrous wire were associated

with the burial; cloth adhered to some of the bone fragments and many were near the skull.

Three leather shoe fragments with metal eyelets were also present in this burial.

Burial 015

Burial 015 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church. Burial 014 is to

the west and Burial 016 is to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular, measuring 61 cm long × 20 cm wide (24.0 in × 7.87 in). A sample of

21 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in size from 6.99 cm to 8.89 cm (2.75 in to 3.5 in)

in length. No additional hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

One button was associated with this burial. The button was a Type 22 button and was adhered to

the skeletal remains. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 016

Burial 016 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of one fetus. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church. Burial 015 is

to the west and Burial 175 is to the east.

Coffin

135
The coffin was four-sided and tapered towards the feet, measuring 77 cm long × 40 cm (30.3 in

× 15.75 in) wide. A sample of seventeen wire nails was collected and they measured 5.08 cm to

6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) long. One screw was also collected. A Type 1.3 ornamental metal cross

was placed on the middle of the coffin. At least three Type 11 coffin studs were associated with

the burial. They are fragmentary, but three stud portions were recovered. Three Type 8

thumbscrews were also identified. Four Type 8 handles were recovered from the burial. Two

handles were paired at the head of the coffin, and two handles were paired at the foot of the

coffin.

Associated Artifacts

Three buttons were associated with the burial. One was a Type 2 button, and the other two were

Type 2.6 buttons. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 020

Burial 020 was located in the furthest north row of burials that are outside the main grouping of

burials and contains the remains of one young adult male. Burial 021 is to the west of Burial 020

and Burial 028 is to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 178 cm long × 52 cm (70.1 in × 20.47 in) wide.

A sample of 56 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to 7.62 cm (2

in to 3 in). Five Type 15 handles were associated with this burial. Three additional pieces of

degraded hardware were found and have an unknown function. Two might be a bracket of some

type. The others might have a latch component as they are covered in cloth, which also suggests

the coffin may have been cloth-covered. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

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Nine buttons were found with this burial. Three were Type 18 buttons, one was a Type 19

button, and five were Type 8.2 buttons. The Type 19 button was found near the pelvis of the

individual, indicating it may have been part of a garment on the lower half of the body. The

original location of the other buttons is unknown. A corroded metal object with plastic and cloth

was found. It may have been a tie clip or pin with plastic enameling. The enameling is pink, red,

green, yellow, and black speckled together. The object is 5.72 cm (2.25 in) long and 2.22 cm

(0.875 in) wide. Various amounts of fabric material were collected from the burial. It is brown

in color and is made of a close weave. Notes indicate some was found near the pelvis, some on

the left ribs, some near the left scapula or clavicle, and some with an unknown location. Material

found near the right arm and scapula also had remnants of hair with it. Parts of the material

show stitching and hems, while other parts are frayed. The material may have been a coffin liner

or burial shroud. None of the material is distinguishable as belonging to separate items. Two

Type 4 pins are represented with two pin clasps in this burial. Their location on the body is

unknown. A wristwatch was found on the left arm of the individual. The watch is a fragmented,

silver-colored wristwatch. The face casing is 3.81 cm × 3.81 cm (1.5 in × 1.5 in), including the

winding dial. The casing has an Art Deco-style design around it, including straight lines and

circles. The face is partially obscured with discoloration (blue and rust colored) and the numbers

on the face are stylized with vertical lines. The plastic cover from the face of the watch is

discolored with rust. The face bears the name Ingersoll. The surviving links have a chevron-like

design on them and are 1.27 cm (0.5 in) wide. The length of the chain is unknown. No serial

number or marks are present on the watch casing. A book was found near the left hand of the

individual. It is suspected to be a Bible or prayer book. The cover is made from leather and has

gold colored markings on it, including a cross design and letters “ANIOT STROZ” (guardian

137
angel). Part of the cover has a frame with a small copper cross; a Type 2 crucifix was found with

this burial. The cover also has copper hinges. The pages were fragmentary and stuck together

due to water logging. Printing now appears blue. Legible Polish words include: “policy,”

“Prezibodli,” “Dawid,” and “nich,” which respectively translate to the English words count,

pierced, David, and them. No additional artifacts were found.

Burial 021

Burial 021 was located in the furthest north row of burials that are outside the main grouping of

burials and contains the remains of one young adult female. The known burial for Kampa was

located to the west and Burial 020 is to the east of Burial 021.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular, with a partially collapsed side. A sample of 61 wire nails was

collected, along with one tack fragment. The nails ranged from 4.45 cm to 6.35 cm (1.75 in to

2.5 in). Six Type 20 handles were found with this burial. Likely, three were placed on each of

the long sides of the coffin. Fabric adhered to the handles suggests the coffin was covered in

fabric. Additionally, three Type 21 handles were identified. They are very plain in style with

wood rather than fabric attached to the back. With the presence of the Type 20 handles, the

function of these three is not known. One Type 15 thumbscrew was found with this burial. The

size is larger than usual, and because there is only one, it could have been used to secure a panel

over the viewing window. Twelve pieces of hardware, all likely part of latches on the coffin,

were also recovered. The latches also have fabric adhered to them. The coffin contained a

viewing window. The window was severely fragmented in the ground, so its full shape and size

is indistinct. The edge towards the top of the coffin was flat and it had a ground, smooth edge.

Some fragments of glass had a course brown material adhered to them.

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Associated Artifacts

A number of fragments of black fabric were recovered from the burial. The material is two

distinct types. One is heavier and has a chevron-like pattern. This type has rust stains and wood

adhered to it, indicating it might have been part of a coffin liner. The other type of fabric was

thinner with a tighter, even pattern and a whip stitch on the end. One piece of this fabric was

noted near the skull, suggesting that it may have been a burial shroud. Two Type 12.3 buttons

were recovered near the pelvic region. A rosary was placed in the hands of the individual. The

beads alternated between smooth and a design of circles (roses). No crucifix was found with the

rosary. A small fragment found with the burial may be part of a prayer book. The fragment has

part of a leather cover and the pages show some gold on the edges.

Burial 023

Burial 023 was located in the north central portion of the main excavation area and contained

fetal remains. The burial was in roughly the seventh row, north of the church. Burial 029 is to

the west and Burial 017 is to the east.

Coffin

This burial contained an inner and outer coffin. The outer coffin was rectangular and made of

wood. The inner coffin appears six-sided with very rounded corners towards the middle of the

coffin. The inner coffin was painted white and was 74 cm long × 21 cm wide (29.1 in × 8.27 in).

A sample of 25 wire nails was collected, ranging in size from 5.08 cm to 7.62 cm (2 to 3 in).

Additionally, two screws were found. The coffin had a glass viewing window on it. It is a Type

3 window, very roughly cut, and has some paper (likely a prayer card) and sealant adhering to it.

The tapered end of the viewing window is closest to the top of the coffin. A single lug for a

handle was recovered with this burial. The type of lug is the same present in Type 5 handles.

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No grip or additional hardware was recovered. No additional hardware or decoration was

identified.

Associated Artifacts

Two Type 14 buttons were associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 024

Burial 024 was located in the north central portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of an infant-perinate. The burial was in roughly the seventh row north of the church.

Burial 025 is to the west and Burial 013 is to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was six-sided, tapering towards the feet with the widest part at the center of the

coffin. A sample of approximately 13 wire nails was collected and most were too fragmented to

measure. A single finishing nail was 7.62 cm (3 in) long. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 025

Burial 025 was located in the north central portion of the main excavation area and contained an

infant, less than one year old. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church.

Burial 138 is to the west of Burial 025 and Burial 024 is to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape. At least six nails were recovered from this burial, all wire

nails ranging from 6.35 cm to 7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in). No coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were found in association with this burial.

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Burial 026

Burial 026 was located in the central portion of the main excavation area and included fetal

remains. The burial was in roughly the fourth row north of the church. Burial 148 was to the

west and Burial 012 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and difficult to delineate in the ground. A nail sample of

more than 20 machine cut nails was collected. The nails are badly corroded, making length

estimates impossible. No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 028

Burial 028 was located in the furthest north row of burials that are outside the main grouping of

burials and included an adult male. Burial 020 was located west of Burial 028. No burials were

identified east of Burial 028.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular and likely covered in fabric. A sample of 59 wire nails was collected.

Nails range in length from 4.45 cm to 6.35 cm (1.75 in to 2.5 in). A metal plate was placed

above the pelvis on the coffin. It appears to have raised sides on the shorter edges with a screw

on each of those edges. The screws look like they may have had a decorative element attached

to them. The plate is made of ferrous material and there is no legible writing on it. The plate is

20.96 cm long ×10.80 cm wide × 1.27 cm tall (8.25 in × 4.25 in × 0.5 in). Material adheres to

the back with a chevron-like weave pattern. Two Type 1.4 decorative metal crosses were

recovered from the burial. A screw with a loop at the top was also collected. Its original

141
location and function are unknown. A fragment of an unknown decorative metal object was

found. It has a partial stud and a small design of interwoven lines, but its full size and function

are unknown. Type 17 handles were found with this burial. Twelve brackets and end caps were

identified. Although the bars are fragmentary, it is likely there were three pairs of brackets on

either side of the coffin. These handles also have material adhered to them that matches the plate

and other hardware. Additional hardware was recovered. The pieces are fragmentary and

corroded but might be part of a latch and some hinges. The pieces have the same type of fabric

adhered to them as that found on the metal plate, indicating the coffin was likely covered in

fabric.

Associated Artifacts

Four buttons were found with this burial. One shell button was too fragmentary to be identified.

The other three buttons were Type 21. Coarse black fibers were associated with the burial. They

appear to have been braided but are now mostly unraveled. Additional items include one clear

glass shard, eight fragments of white and red brick, and a glass Bayer aspirin bottle. The aspirin

bottle was found in the shaft fill. The cap is rusted on and liquid is trapped in the bottle. A

number 3 is embossed on the bottom and the Bayer cross is embossed on the front. The bottle

measures 8.26 cm x 3.18 cm (3.25 in × 1.25 in). These items are likely random inclusions and

not intended to be part of the burial.

Burial 029

Burial 029 was located in the north central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a single infant. The burial was in roughly the seventh row north of the church. Burial

137 was to the west and Burial 023 was to the east.

Coffin

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The burial contained a wood vault and a wood coffin. The outer container was rectangular in

shape. The inner coffin was less distinct and may have been four sided or six sided. A sample of

79 wire nails was collected from the burial. The nails ranged from 3.81 cm to 6.99 cm (1.5 in to

2.75 in). One screw was also collected. A hinge and latch, likely for the viewing window, was

collected. Three Type 6 handles were associated with the burial. Two coffin studs were

associated with this burial: one Type 9 and one Type 10. Four thumbscrews were identified,

although one is only represented by the matching escutcheon. They are both Type 7. The coffin

included a Type 4 viewing window.

Associated Artifacts

Six buttons were associated with this burial: two Type 2 and four Type 12.1. A very small piece

of a white and blue paper-like object was identified, which may be part of a prayer card.

Burial 030

Burial 030 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in roughly the sixth row north of the church. Burial 175 was

west of Burial 030 and Burial 176 was east of Burial 030.

Coffin

This burial contained an inner and outer coffin. The outer coffin was made from wood and was

rectangular in shape, measuring 183 cm long × 58 cm wide (72.0 in × 22.83 in). The inner coffin

was six sided and made from wood. It was also painted. A sample of approximately 85 wire

nails was collected, ranging in size from 5.08 to 6.99 cm (2 in to 2.75 in). Coffin hardware

included six Type 8 thumbscrews and 12 Type 11 coffin studs. A Type 6 ornamental metal

object was found with this burial. Its complete shape and function are unknown due to its

fragmentary nature. A Type 8 ornamental metal object was found over the chest of the

143
individual. Six Type 12 handles were identified. The coffin had a Type 6 viewing window.

Paper adhering to the glass is likely from the prayer card recovered from this burial; it has blue,

white, and red ink visible on it. Along with the viewing window glass, pieces of sealant from the

window were found, some of which was still attached to the wood around the window. A piece

of coffin wood collected has a ferrous metal latch still attached to it. The collapse of the coffin

makes it difficult to determine, but there may have been a wooden door covering the glass

viewing window.

Associated Artifacts

A rosary was included with this burial. The wooden beads are mostly decayed, but some wood

remains around the metal links. One of the remaining beads shows a rose design carved into it.

A Type 1 crucifix was also present and likely part of the rosary. The cross is made of metal with

some copper components, based on the green discoloration. A wooden cross is inlayed into the

metal. A metal figure of Jesus is on top of the wooden cross. There is a metal halo behind

Jesus’s head and a banner at the top of the cross, likely having read INRI. There is also an

indistinct metal shape at the bottom of the cross. A flattened part at the top of the cross allows a

ring to attach the crucifix to the rosary. It is 8.57 cm long × 3.81 cm wide (3.38 in × 1.5 in). The

rosary was recovered near the hands of the individual. A prayer or mass booklet was included

with this burial. The pages are stuck together after being in a moist environment. Several letters

are visible, but no clear words are present. Pieces of leather suggest the book was leather

covered. A prayer card was found with this burial. It is in extremely fragile condition. It seems

to have shown a figure in a white robe with a blue background. No writing is visible on it in its

present condition. A pin was found in the remaining hair of the individual. It has a copper

component to it, based on the greenish discoloration. The pin is broken into at least seven

144
pieces, so length is undetermined. It seems to be related to a Type 3 pin. Finally, over 20

fragments of twisted ferrous metal wire were identified near or around the skull.

Burial 031

Burial 031 was located in the central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in roughly the fifth row north of the church. Burial 148 is to

the west and Burial 149 is to the east. The individual was buried with the head to the north.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and painted white, measuring 138 cm long × 31 cm wide

(54.3 in × 12.2 in). Very little of the coffin wood remained. A sample of 22 machine cut nails

was collected. They ranged in size from 5.08 cm to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

Two pieces of ferrous metal wire were associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were

identified.

Burial 032

Burial 032 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant. The burial was in roughly the fourth row north of the church. Burial 159

was to the west and Burial 183 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 62 cm long × 28 cm wide (24.4 in × 11.02 in). A

sample of 20 machine cut nails was collected. The nails measured between 3.81 cm to 6.99 cm

(1.5 in to 2.75 in) long. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were found with this burial.

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Burial 033

Burial 033 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

roughly the fourth row north of the church. Burial 033 and Burial 168 were to the west; Burial

001 was to the east. Burial 033 contained the remains of both an adult (Burial 033a) and an

infant (Burial 033b) in the same coffin. All the material culture is categorized under the same

burial.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular and painted red and white, measuring 192 cm long × 50 cm wide

(75.6 in × 19.69 in). Both the adult and infant remains were together in one coffin. A sample of

69 wire nails was collected. One screw was also recovered. The nails ranged in length from

3.81 cm to 6.99 cm (1.5 in to 2.75 in). A fragmentary piece of wire piping was found with this

burial. Coffin hardware included Type 12 coffin studs, four Type 12 thumbscrews, six Type 18

and fragmentary pieces of metal that may be parts of escutcheons. A glass viewing window was

present with the burial. It is too fragmentary to determine specifics about its size. It is greater

than 35.56 cm (14 in) long and is roughly oval in shape.

Associated Artifacts

A pair of dentures was found with the burial. The dentures are likely made of vulcanite and

porcelain. They are custom fitted to the individual. The top portion is broken. A Type 3 rosary

was placed in the hand of the adult individual along with a book. The hand was bent across the

chest. The book seems religious in nature and was leather bound. The writing is in Polish and

legible words include: Ojcu I Syn (father and son), gdyz (because), jak (how), and piecznego

(mite). Two metal hooks were found with the book, suggesting it may have latched shut. Some

of the pages appear to have illustrations. Pieces of fabric were found adhering to the rosary and

146
loose with other collected material. The fabric is an unknown material. Additionally, two non-

human bones, likely rodent bones, were found with this burial.

Burial 034

Burial 034 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of an infant-perinate. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 048

was to the west and Burial 125 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular, measuring 54 cm long × 19 cm wide (21.3 in x× 7.48 in). Eight

fragmented wire nails were recovered. The only complete nail appears to be 7.62 cm (3 in) long.

No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Nine Type 1.2 Prosser buttons were associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were

recovered.

Burial 035

Burial 035 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 037 was to

the west and Burial 045 to the east. The northwest corner of the burial was truncated by the

backhoe.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular and appeared to have been painted red inside and green outside,

measuring 86 cm long × 40 cm wide (33.9 in × 15.75 in). A sample of 29 wire nails was

collected from the burial. The nails ranged in length from 6.99 cm to 8.26 cm (2.75 in to 3.25

in). Fragments of brass coffin studs were recovered, but they are too small to identify size,

147
shape, and number, although field notes indicate they were originally cross-shaped. Four Type

13 thumbscrews were found with this burial. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Three Type 9 buttons were included with this burial. Eighteen fragments of ferrous metal wire

were also associated with the burial. Paper fragments were found in collected soil, possibly from

a prayer card, with red and blue ink on it.

Burial 036

Burial 036 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant. The burial was in the third row north of the church. Burial 046 was to the

west and Burial 145 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and tapered towards the feet, measuring 138 cm long and 41 cm in

maximum width (54.3 in × 16.14 in). A sample of 21 machine cut nails was collected. The

complete nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to 5.72 cm (2 in to 2.25 in). No additional

hardware or decoration was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were found associated with this burial.

Burial 037

Burial 037 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 051 was to the west and

Burial 035 was to the east.

Coffin

148
The coffin was rectangular in shape. A sample of 20 wire nails was collected. Most had smaller

heads, indicating they are likely finishing nails. The complete nails ranged in length from 5.08

cm to 8.26 cm (2 in to 3.25 in). No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

A Type 3.1 pin was associated with this burial. The pin has copper components based on the

visible blue/green color. A piece of unidentified brown cloth was also associated with this

burial. At least seventeen buttons were included with the burial. The buttons are: two Type 2.3,

one Type 2.4, one unidentified type (too fragmentary to measure), one Type 2.5, one Type 2.6,

11 Type 16, and one Type 17. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 038

Burial 038 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area and included the

remains of an infant. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial 184 was to the

west and partially overlapping Burial 038. Burial 146 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and slightly tapered towards the feet, measuring 78 cm long × 27 cm

wide (30.7 in × 10.63 in). It was painted white. A sample of 15 machine cut nails was collected.

The nails all measured approximately 5.72 cm (2.5 in) long. No additional hardware was

recovered from this burial.

Associated Artifacts

Ten buttons were found with this burial. Three were Type 10.3 buttons and seven were Type

1.2. Fifteen fragments of wire were associated with the burial. The wire is ferrous, but may

have copper components. Some pieces of wire have material adhered to it. Field notes indicate

the wire was found around the head of the individual. Turquoise colored fiber was associated

149
with the burial. The fiber was placed over the chest of the individual, suggesting it may have

been a burial shroud. Some unidentified decayed organic material was found with the fiber.

Burial 039

Burial 039 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 057 was to the

west of Burial 039 and was not excavated. Burial 040 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was six sided. A sample of 19 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length

from 4.45 cm to 5.72 cm (1.75 in to 2.25 in). Four nails showed signs of melting. The coffin

had a Type 10 viewing window with the narrowest end oriented towards the head of the

individual. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Pieces of cloth were recovered from the burial. All the material is black, but some fragments are

burned. Field notes indicate the burned fabric and wood came from an area including the left

leg, foot, and pelvis of the individual. Additionally, one Type 2.7 button was found; field notes

indicate it was identified near the right shoulder.

Burial 040

An infant was interred in Burial 040, which was located in the northwest portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 039 was to the west

and Burial 142 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was six sided and painted, measuring 100 cm long × 50 cm wide (39.4 in x 19.69 in).

A sample of 14 machine cut nails was collected. The nails were very fragmentary. Complete

150
nails measured 4.45 cm to 5.08 cm (1.75 in to 2 in) long. Three Type 8 coffin studs were

included with this burial. Five Type 6 thumbscrews were found along the top edge of the coffin,

one was near the feet, and the last was over the viewing window. Field photographs show the

last one on the outer edge of the viewing window. Placement of the thumbscrews suggests the

possibility of a wooden lid over the glass viewing window. Shards of a glass viewing window

were found near the skull of the individual. The viewing window was a Type 7 window with the

tapered end towards the top of the coffin. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 041

Burial 041 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained an

infant. The burial was in the sixth row north of the church. Burial 044 was to the west and was

not excavated. Burial 135 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular and painted red, measuring 120 cm long × 40 cm wide (47.2 in ×

15.75 in). Forty-three nails were collected. Thirty-seven wire nails were collected, ranging in

length from 5.72 cm to 8.26 cm (2.5 in to 3.25 in). Six machine cut nails approximately 5.08 cm

(2 in) long were collected. Two Type 7 and fourteen Type 6 coffin studs were associated with

this burial. A Type 5 ornamental metal object was included with this burial. Four Type 11

thumbscrews were included with the burial as were four Type 10 handles. One additional piece

of hardware was recovered, but its form and function is unknown. It may be more of the metal

piping seen on other burials.

Associated Artifacts

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Three pieces of twisted ferrous wire were associated with the burial. No additional artifacts were

identified.

Burial 042A and 042B

Two children, designated Burials 042A and 042B, were interred within a single grave shaft,

initially identified as Burial 042. The burials were located in the northwestern portion of the

main excavation area. The burials were in the seventh row north of the church. Burial 140 was

to the west and Burial 137 was to the east. The individuals were interred in separate coffins and

both were placed within the same larger wooden box.

Burial 042a

Burial 042a was located immediately west of Burial 042a within the same grave shaft

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 100 cm long × 35 cm wide (39.4 in × 13.78 in).

A sample of nine wire nails was collected and attributed to this burial. The nails ranged in size

from 2.54 cm to 6.35 cm (1 in to 2.5 in). Six Type 1 thumbscrews were collected and marked as

part of Burial 042a. An ornamental metal cross was found on the coffin over the chest of this

individual. It is likely a Type 5 ornamental metal decoration; however, the marks on the back

cannot be observed due to its condition. Four Type 14 handles were also associated with this

burial. No additional hardware or decorations were identified.

Associated Artifacts

Six pieces of ferrous metal wire fragments were included with this burial. Two Type 2.1 Prosser

buttons were associated with the burial. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 042b

Burial 042b was located immediately east of Burial 042a within the same grave shaft.

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Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 100 cm long × 35 cm wide (39.4 in × 13.78 in).

A sample of 18 wire nails was collected and marked as part of Burial 42b. The nails ranged from

3.81 cm to 6.35 cm (1.5 in to 2.5 in). Three Type 1 thumbscrews were collected from Burial

42b. An ornamental metal cross was found on the coffin over the chest of this individual. It is

likely a Type 5 ornamental metal decoration; however, the marks on the back cannot be observed

due to its condition. Four Type 13 handles were recovered with this burial.

Associated Artifacts

Seven buttons were associated with this individual. Six were Type 2.3 buttons, and the last was

a Type 2.1 button. A piece of twisted ferrous wire was also recovered from this burial. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Coffin Hardware Identified as Associated with Both Individuals

Some coffin hardware was not found in association with a particular coffin. A sample of 71 wire

nails was grouped together because it could not be determined which burial they came from.

The nails ranged in length from 2.54 to 7.62 cm (1 to 3 in). One screw was found with the nails.

Two screws were attached to an additional piece of unknown hardware made of a flat metallic

plate, perhaps attached to the outer wooden box. Three Type 1 thumbscrews were recovered, but

it could not be distinguished which burial they originated from.

Artifacts identified in association with both individuals

A piece of twisted ferrous metal wire was associated with the burials; it could not be determined

which burial it originated from.

Burial 045

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Burial 045 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 035 was to the west and

Burial 127 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 66 cm long × 22 cm wide (26.0 in × 8.66 in).

Approximately seven nails were recovered as a sample, but all were too fragmentary to

determine length. No additional coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 6 button was associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 046

Burial 046 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in the third row north of the church. Burial 053 was to the

west and was not excavated. Burial 036 was to the east. The individual was buried with the

head to the north.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and tapered towards the feet. A sample of 35 machine cut nails was

collected. The nails ranged in size from 6.35 cm to 8.89 cm (2.5 in to 3.5 in). No additional

hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Fragments of cloth were recovered with this burial; the cloth is light brown in color and thin. Its

shape and size is unknown. Fragments of wire were found in the hair of the individual. The

fragments appear to be made of a ferrous metal, but may also have a copper component based on

some green discoloration. Some fragments also have pieces of the same light brown material

154
adhered to them. Unidentified decayed organic material was found with the cloth. No additional

artifacts were found.

Burial 047

Burial 047 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a single infant. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial 055 was

to the west and Burial 133 was to the east.

Coffin

The burial vault was rectangular in shape. The coffin shape was not well defined, but may have

been tapered towards the feet, measuring 52 cm long × 23 cm wide (20.5 in × 9.06 in). A

collected sample of 37 machine cut nails all measured approximately 6.35 cm long (2.5 in).

Fragments of Type 4 coffin studs, likely representing four examples of this type, were included

in the burial. One of these was noted as being near the foot of the coffin. Four Type 2 coffin

handles were also recovered. A Type 1 viewing window, along with glass solder, was recovered.

The viewing window was oval in shape with a longer, more tapered end towards the foot of the

coffin. It measured 44.45 cm × 15.875 cm (17.5 in × 6.25 in). The edges are roughly cut.

Associated Artifacts

Five Type 2 buttons were associated with this burial. Several metal wire pieces were recovered

as well and may represent a floral wreath placed on the individual’s head.

Burial 048

Burial 048 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 049 was to the

west and Burial 034 was to the east.

Coffin

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The coffin was difficult to define, but it appears to be rectangular in shape, measuring 63 cm

long × 25 cm wide (43.3 in × 14.57 in). A sample of 38 wire nails was collected; one had a

finishing head. Nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to 5.72 cm (2 in to 2.5 in). Additionally,

one screw and one screw with ferrous metal piping around it were recovered. A fragment of a

crucifix shape was identified. Based on other examples, it is likely a Type 4 coffin stud. Its

location on the coffin is unknown. Four Type 10 thumbscrews were included with this burial.

Associated Artifacts

Two buttons were associated with this burial. One was a Type 2 button and the other was Type

2.7. Three fragments of twisted ferrous metal wire were also included with this burial. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 049

Burial 049 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant-perinate. The burial was in the first row north of the church. No burials

were west of Burial 049 and Burial 048 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape. A sample of 13 wire nails was recovered from this burial.

Complete nails ranged from 5.72 cm to 8.26 cm (2.5 in to 3.25 in). No additional coffin

hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Six buttons were associated with this burial: one Type 10.1 and five Type 2 buttons. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 051

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Burial 051 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 052 was to the west and

Burial 037 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was partially collapsed, but seems to have been rectangular, measuring 64 cm long ×

20 cm wide (25.2 in × 7.87 in). A sample of 33 wire nails was collected. Complete nails

measure 5.72 cm to 7.62 cm (2.25 in to 3 in). Two screws with hollow metal piping around them

were also identified.

Associated Artifacts

A small sample of unidentified white fiber was recovered from this burial. The type of fiber and

function are unknown. Additionally, two pieces of ferrous metal were identified. No additional

artifacts were recovered.

Burial 052

Burial 052 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. There were no burials further

west; Burial 051 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and tapered toward the feet, measuring 67 cm long × 22 cm wide (26.4

in × 8.66 in). A sample of 19 wire nails was collected. The nails were very fragmentary, with

complete nails ranging in length from 5.72 cm to 7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in). No additional

hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Three Type 2 buttons were associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were recovered.

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Burial 055

Burial 055 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. No burials were excavated west of Burial 055. Burial 047

was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and tapered towards the feet and contained the remains of an infant-

perinate. The coffin was in poor condition with little remaining, measuring about 50 cm long ×

30 cm wide (43.3 in × 19.69 in). A sample of 16 machine cut nails was collected. Nails ranged

in length from 5.08 cm to 6.99 cm (2 in to 2.75 in). No additional coffin hardware was

identified.

Associated Artifacts

Five complete and one partial Type 2 Prosser buttons were associated with this burial. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 064

Burial 064 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained

comingled remains of three individuals. The burial was in the seventh row north of the church.

Burial 065 was to the west of Burial 064 and was not excavated. Burial 139 was to the east of

Burial 064 and was also not excavated.

Coffin

The coffin was a painted, six sided, pinch toe coffin with a rectangular burial vault measuring

110 cm long × 50 cm wide (43.3 in × 19.69 in). A sample of more than 30 wire nails was

recovered. The nails were very fragmentary and ranged in length from 5.72 cm to 6.35 cm (2 in

to 2.5 in). Despite the rust, the nails appear to have differing head sizes. Two Type 3 coffin

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studs were associated with this burial. An ornamental metal object (Type 1) was also recovered.

The coffin studs were located on the widest points of the coffin with the decorative metal cross

in the middle between them. Four Type 1 thumbscrews and four Type 1 handles were also

recovered. Two thumb screws were located one on each side near the top corners and two more

near the bottom corners of the coffin.

Associated Artifacts

A total of five buttons were recovered. Three Type 2 buttons and one Type 2.1 buttons were

found near the skull of this burial. A shell button was also recovered, but was too fragmentary to

determine size or number of holes. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 125

Burial 125 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 034 was to the west and

Burial 126 was to the east. The individual was buried with the head to the north.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 69 cm long × 25 cm wide (27.2 in × 9.84 in). A

sample of 16 nails was collected. Five came from the fill above the coffin. Nail sizes range

from 3.18 cm to 8.26 cm (1.25 in to 3.25 in) in length. Additionally, three fragmentary screws

were identified. Their length was indeterminate and they were undecorated.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 9 button was associated with this burial. A Type 3.1 pin was also recovered. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 126

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Burial 126 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of one infant. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 125 was to the

west and Burial 143 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin appeared rectangular in shape, although part of the eastern side was missing, and

measured 100 cm long × 34 cm wide (39.4 in × 13.39 in). A sample of 29 nails was collected, 10

of which were wire and 19 were machine cut. Wire nails measured approximately 6.35 cm (2.5

in) in length, and machine cut nails ranged from 6.35 cm to 7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in). Four Type 2

thumbscrews with fragmentary remains of escutcheons were noted. The escutcheons were too

fragmentary to identify shape, size, and design. A Type 4 ornamental metal cross was included

with this burial. A screw with hollow metal piping wrapped around it and material adhering to it

also was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were recovered from this burial.

Burial 127

Burial 127 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of one infant. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 045 was to

the west and Burial 138 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and pinched towards the toes, measuring 63 cm long × 28 cm wide

(26.8 in × 11.02 in). A sample of 14 wire nails was collected. The nails were too fragmentary to

obtain measurements. No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

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Four buttons were associated with this burial: one Type 1, two Type 1 and one Type 2 button.

No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 128

Burial 128 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 045 was to the west and

Burial 19 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin appeared four-sided and tapered towards the feet, measuring 75 cm long × 25 cm

wide (29.5 in × 9.84 in). A sample of approximately 12 nails was collected. They are machine

cut nails with the complete nails measuring 6.35 cm (2.5 in).

Associated Artifacts

Four Type 1.3 buttons were associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 129

Burial 129 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of one infant. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 128 was to

the west and Burial 151 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and may be pinched towards the foot end, measuring 73 cm long × 31

cm wide (27.7 in × 12.2 in). A collected sample of 15 wire nails measuring approximately 5.08

to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) in length. Three Type 2 thumbscrews were recovered from the burial.

Their reported locations include two near the head of the individual and one near the feet.

Fragments of Type 4 coffin studs were associated with this burial. Fragments were collected

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from near the head and towards the feet of the coffin, perhaps around knee level, and represent

portions of at least two crucifixes.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 130

Burial 130 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of one infant. The burial was in the third row north of the church. Burial 145 was to the

west and Burial 131 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 61 cm long × 16 cm wide (24.0 in × 6.3 in). A

sample of 15 machine cut nails was collected; all measured approximately 6.35 cm (2.5 in) in

length. No additional coffin hardware was present.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 131

Burial 131 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 130 was to the west and

Burial 010 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 74 cm long × 25 cm wide (29.1 in × 9.84 in). A

sample of 20 machine cut nails was recovered. Complete nails were 6.35 cm to 6.985 cm (2.5 in

to 2.75 in) in length. Seven Type 1 screw covers were also recovered.

Associated Artifacts

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One Type 1.2 button was associated with this burial. Thirteen pieces of ferrous metal wire were

also recovered. One piece of wire has unidentified material adhered to it. No additional artifacts

were identified.

Burial 133

Burial 133 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area and contains

perinatal remains. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial 047 was to the

west and Burial 184 was to the east. The burial was originally encountered during machine

stripping and several nails and remains were collected at that time.

Coffin

The coffin was poorly preserved and the shape was difficult to distinguish. It appears to have

been four-sided and was estimated to be 78 cm long × 45 cm wide (30.7 in × 17.72 in). Nails

were collected during machine scraping and excavation of the burial. Ten machine cut nails

measuring 5.08 cm to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) in length were identified during machine scraping.

An additional seven machine cut nails were recovered with the burial. These were also 5.08 cm

to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 135

Burial 135 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and represents the

remains of a fetal-perinatal individual. The burial was in the sixth row north of the church.

Burial 041 was to the west and Burial 138 was to the east

Coffin

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The coffin shape was difficult to determine. It appears the burial included both a wooden vault

and coffin, although rodent runs made the shapes indistinct. Coffin is 69 cm long × 34 cm wide

(27.2 in × 13.39 in). A sample of 39 wire nails was collected. The nails measured 3.81 cm to

6.35 cm (1.5 in to 2.5 in) long. Approximately six of these nails have a ceramic/terracotta

painted cap on them. Twelve coffin studs were recovered: six Type 6 coffin studs and six Type

7 coffin studs. An ornamental metal Type 1.1 object was also found with the burial. It was

found near the head, likely having collapsed from the lid of the coffin. Four Type 1 caplifters

were identified. Seven pieces of screws with metal piping wrapped around them were also

recovered.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 13 button was associated with this burial. Part of the edge of the button is missing. No

other artifacts were identified.

Burial 137

Burial 137 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in the seventh row north of the church. Burial 042 was to the

west and Burial 029 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin appears roughly rectangular in shape, measuring 150 cm long × 50 cm wide (59.1 in ×

19.69 in). A sample of 88 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to

7.62 cm (2 in to 3 in). Eight Type 1 thumbscrews were associated with this burial. The coffin

has a Type 9 viewing window, but its orientation is unknown due to its fragmented nature. A

prayer card appears to be adhered to one side of the glass. Some fragments of sealant for the

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viewing window were also present. Four Type 12 coffin studs were identified. Three fragments

of an unidentified ferrous metal bracket were found. Their form and function are unknown.

Associated Artifacts

Three pieces of twisted ferrous metal wire, some with cloth adhered to it, were recovered. No

additional artifacts were identified with this burial.

Burial 138

One infant was recovered from Burial 138, which was located in the northwest portion of the

main excavation area. The burial was in the sixth row north of the church. Burial 135 was to the

west and Burial 025 was to the east. Much of the burial was removed by the backhoe.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 35 cm long × 15 cm wide (13.8 in × 5.91 in). A

sample of six wire nails measuring between 7.62 cm to 8.26 cm (3 in to 3.25 in) was collected.

No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Three Type 2 buttons were found in association with this burial. No additional artifacts were

recovered.

Burial 140

Burial 140 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the seventh row north of the church. Burial 139 was to the west and

was not excavated. Burial 042 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and the outside painted. The coffin measured 82 cm long ×

29 cm wide (32.3 in × 114.17 in). A sample of 24 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in

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length from 5.72 cm to 8.26 cm (2.25 in to 3.25 in). A Type 1.1 ornamental metal cross was

placed on the middle of the coffin. A sample of white/grey paint flakes was collected from the

coffin.

Associated Artifacts

A Type 3 straight pin was found associated with this burial. The head of the pin is separated

from the straight portion. It also has remnants of an unknown type of material adhering to it. No

additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 141

An infant was recovered from Burial 141 and was located in the northwest portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 040 was to the west

and Burial 142 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and tapered towards the feet, measuring 85 cm long × 30 cm wide

(33.5 in × 11.81 in). A sample of approximately 14 machine cut nails was collected. Nails were

poorly preserved; complete nails measured 6.35 cm (2.5 in). No additional hardware was

collected.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 142

Burial 142 was located in the northwest portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a single infant. The burial was in the seventh row north of the church. Burial 141

was to the west and Burials 148 and 031 were to the east.

Coffin

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The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 86 cm long × 32 cm wide (33.9 in × 12.60 in). A

sample of 27 nails was collected. Twenty-two collected wire nails ranged in length from 5.08

cm to 7.62 cm (2 in to 3 in). Five machine cut nails were collected, all of which were too

fragmentary to measure. Five Type 6 thumbscrews were recovered from this burial. A Type 2

caplifter was also identified. Four Type 11 handles were attached to the coffin. One screw with

metal piping wrapped around it was also found. Additionally, a piece of a white metal

decorative object was identified, but it is too degraded to identify design motifs, size, or shapes.

Finally, a Type 5 viewing window was associated with this burial.

Associated Artifacts

Three buttons were associated with this burial. One was a Type 10.2 button and the other two

were shell buttons. One of the shell buttons was too fragmentary to be assigned a type, the other

was Type 8.1. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 143

Burial 143 was located in the south central portion of the main excavation area and contained

fetal remains. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 126 was to the west

and Burial 144 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 41 cm long × 17 cm wide (16.1 in × 6.69 in). A

sample of ten or more wire nails was collected. The nails were very fragmentary with complete

nails ranging in size from 6.35 cm to 8.26 cm (2.5 in to 3.25 in). No additional coffin hardware

was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were found in association with this burial.

167
Burial 144

An infant was recovered from Burial 144, which was located in the south central portion of the

main excavation area. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 143 was to the

west and Burial 154 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 89 cm long × 34 cm wide (35 in × 13.39 in). A

sample of more than 30 wire nails was collected, but all were too fragmentary to measure. Four

Type 2 coffin screws, very fragmented, were found. The center stud portions of five Type 2

coffin studs were found, along with a small fragment of a Type 4 coffin stud. Positions of the

coffin studs and thumbscrews were not recorded or visible from field documentation.

Associated Artifacts

A Type 10 button was associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 145

Burial 145 was located in the southwest portion of the main excavation area and contained fetal

remains. The burial was in the third row north of the church. Burial 036 was to the west and

Burial 130 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 46 cm long × 18 cm wide (18.1 in × 7.09 in). A

sample 20 nails was collected. The nails appear to be machine cut, and approximately 5.08 cm

to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) long. No additional coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were found in association with this burial.

Burial 146

168
An infant was recovered from Burial 146, which was located in the west central portion of the

main excavation area. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial 038 was to

the west and Burial 147 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 58 cm long × 25 cm wide (22.8 in × 9.84 in). A

sample of 17 machine cut nails was collected. Measureable nails were approximately 6.35 cm

(2.5 in). No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

A glass bottle was found with this burial. It is embossed on one side with letters “NIB” and on

the other side with “INFANTS NURSING BOTTLE.” The bottle is largely mold-made with an

Owens scar visible on the bottom, although the top may be applied. It is 13.65 cm tall × 8.89 cm

wide × 4.45 cm deep (5.38 in × 3.5 in × 1.75 in). The manufacturer is unknown. The bottle was

recovered from the grave shaft just above the coffin.

Burial 147

Burial 147 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area and contained

fetal remains. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial 146 was to the west

and Burial 187 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was only roughly defined, but it appears to be rectangular in shape, measuring 53 cm

long × 23 cm wide (16.9 in × 9.06 in). A sample of eight machine cut nails was collected. The

nails range in length from 6.35 to 7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in). No additional coffin hardware was

identified.

Associated Artifacts

169
No additional artifacts were found in association with this burial.

Burial 148

A child was recovered from Burial 148, which was located in the central portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was between the fourth and fifth row north of the church. Burials

187 and 142 were to the west and Burial 031 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin appears to be rectangular in shape, measuring 66 cm long × 16 cm wide (26 in × 6.30

in). A sample of 15 machine cut nails was collected. The nails ranged in size from 6.35 cm to

6.99 cm (2.5 in to 2.75 in). No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 149

An infant was interred in Burial 149, which was located in the central portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 031 was to the west

and Burial 156 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 80 cm long × 26 cm wide (31.5 in × 10.24 in). A

sample of 53 wire nails was collected. The nails were approximately 6.35 cm (2.5 in) long.

Type 3 thumbscrews were included with this burial. Two were complete and additional

fragments appear to make a third. The fourth thumbscrew was found with a Type 1 escutcheon

still around it. Four pieces of screws with hollow metal wire wrapped around them were also

identified. Three Type 8 coffin studs were recovered in very fragmentary condition. Additional

170
brass fragments were also identified, likely representing at least two other styles of coffin studs,

but size, shape, and design are impossible to determine.

Associated Artifacts

Fourteen buttons were associated with this burial. Six of these buttons were Type 2.2 and one of

those had unknown material adhering to it. Six of the remaining buttons were Type 2, one was

Type 11, and the last was Type 2.1. Seven pieces of ferrous wire were found in the burial.

Burial 150

Burial 150 was located in the south central portion of the main excavation area and contains the

remains of an infant-perinate. The burial was between the second and third rows north of the

church.

Coffin

No coffin was recovered, although recovered hardware includes more than eight nails. They are

each machine cut and approximately 6.99 cm (2.75 in) long.

Associated Artifacts

Two Type 1.2 buttons were associated with this burial. Additionally, two brick fragments were

recovered, but may have been part of the fill from the burial.

Burial 151

Burial 151 included an infant, which was located in the south central portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 129 was to the

west and Burial 152 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin seems to have been six-sided and tapered toward the feet, measuring 89 cm × 21 cm

(35 in × 8.27 in). The coffin was represented by a stain from the wood; however, no wood was

171
present. A sample of 16 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length 3.18 cm to 6.35 cm

(1.25 in to 2.5 in). Four Type 2 thumbscrews were associated with this burial. Three Type 4

coffin studs were also identified. Eight screws with metal piping wrapped around them were

recovered.

Associated Artifacts

At least five shell buttons were associated with the burial, but their size and shape cannot be

determined from their fragmentary nature. Field notes report seven shell buttons, although some

appear to be layers from the same button. Two Prosser buttons were found, one Type 2 and one

Type 10.2. Fifty-one pieces of twisted ferrous metal wire were found around the head of the

individual. Some pieces of wire had material adhering to it.

Burial 152

Burial 152 contained the remains of an infant located in the south central portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 151 was to the

west and Burial 153 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 70 cm × 20 cm. More than 22 nails were

recovered. All were wire nails; five may have had finish heads on them. Complete nails

measured 6.67 cm (2.63 in). No coffin hardware was associated with the coffin.

Associated Artifacts

Four buttons were associated with this burial: two Type 3 buttons and two Type 4 buttons.

Fragments of a fifth button appear similar in size and shape to a Type 4 button, but fragmentation

has eliminated evidence of holes. Four safety pin fragments were found in association with this

172
burial: one fragment of a Type 1 pin, one fragment of Type 2 pin, and two indeterminate pieces.

No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 153

An infant was recovered from Burial 153, located in the south central portion of the main

excavation area. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 152 was to the

west and Burial 160 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin shape is indistinct. It may have been six-sided and tapered toward the feet. A sample

of 27 machine cut nails was collected, ranging in length from 6.35 cm to 7.62 cm (2.5 in to 3 in).

Four Type 4 thumbscrews were associated with this burial. At least two Type 4 coffin studs

were recovered.

Associated Artifacts

Two pieces of an unknown material were found. The material is glossy in appearance and

blue/black in color. It looks like glass but does not appear to be glass. Both pieces are largely

covered by sand concretions.

Burial 154

An infant-perinate was recovered from Burial 154, which was located in the south central portion

of the main excavation area. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 144 was

to the west and Burial 155 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 56 cm × 17 cm (22 in × 6.69 in). A collected

sample of five wire nails were about 6.99 cm (2.75 in) long. No additional hardware was

identified.

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Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were identified in association with this burial.

Burial 155

Fetal remains were interred in Burial 155, which was located in the south central portion of the

main excavation area. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 154 was to the

west and Burial 186 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 70 cm × 30 cm (27.6 in × 11.81 in). Four Type 2

coffin studs and a fragmentary Type 4 coffin stud were found in association with this burial. The

coffin studs were arranged at the end of each arm of the crucifix placed on top of the coffin. The

collected nail sample included only fragmentary nails of indeterminate length. All appear to be

wire nails; two may be finishing nails.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were recovered in association with this burial.

Burial 156

Burial 156 was located in the central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 149 was to the

west and Burial 157 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided, possibly tapering toward the feet, although the sides were indistinct.

The coffin measured 122 cm × 33 cm (48 in × 12.99 in). A collected sample of 27 wire nails

measured approximately 6.35 cm (2.5 in) long. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

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Four buttons were associated with the burial. Two of the buttons were Type 2.6 and two were

Type 2.3. One button is visible in field photographs near the pelvis. No additional artifacts were

associated with this burial.

Burial 157

Burial 157 was located in the central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a child. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 156 was to the

west and Burial 158 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 118 cm long × 34 cm wide (46.5 in × 13.39 in).

A sample of 38 machine cut nails was collected. The nails range in size from 4.13 cm to 7.62 cm

(1.63 in to 3 in). No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Seven pieces of ferrous metal were identified, likely pieces of wire. No additional artifacts were

recovered.

Burial 158

An infant was recovered from Burial 158, which was located in the east central portion of the

main excavation area. The burial was in the fifth row north of the church. Burial 157 was to the

west and Burial 172 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 80 cm long × 26 cm wide (31.5 in × 10.24 in). A

sample of 23 wire nails was collected. All are too fragmentary to be measured. Some wood and

nails had cloth remnants adhered to them. A conglomeration of rusted wire nails was identified

below the coffin.

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Associated Artifacts

Four buttons were associated with this burial: three Type 2 and one Type 2.1. No additional

artifacts were identified.

Burial 159

Burial 159 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of a perinatal individual. The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial

011 was to the west and Burial 032 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 55 cm × 20 cm (21.7 in × 7.87 in). At least 11

nails were recovered. They are fragmentary, but the estimated length is 6.67 cm (2.63 in). They

are possibly machine cut nails.

Associated Artifacts

Eight buttons were found in association with this burial: three Type 2 buttons and five Type 5

buttons. No additional artifacts were present.

Burial 160

Burial 160 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area and contained the

remains of an infant-perinate. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 153

was to the west and Burial 161 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 72 cm × 30 cm (28.3 in × 11.81 in). A sample of

at least sixteen nails was collected. The nails were machine cut and approximately 6.67 cm (2.63

in) long.

Associated Artifacts

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One shell button was recovered but was too fragmentary to identify the specific size or type. Six

Type 2 buttons were found in association with this burial.

Burial 161

Burial 161 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 160 was to the west and

Burial 162 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided, possibly tapering towards the feet, measuring 85 cm × 16 cm (33.5 in

× 6.30 in). A sample of at least 14 wire nails was collected. Complete nails measured 5.72 cm

(2.25 in). Four Type 4 thumbscrews were associated with this burial. Fragments of two Type 4

coffin stud were also collected. Pieces of five staples were also recovered. Several pieces had

cloth attached to the staples. Three screws with wire wrapped around them were also recovered,

and their function is unknown. Finally, four Type 4 handles were found associated with the

burial.

Associated Artifacts

Three buttons were associated with this burial. All were made of shell. Two are Type 8.1 and

one is too fragmented to be identified. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 162

Burial 162 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the second row north of the church. Burial 161 was to the west and

Burial 163 was to the east.

Coffin

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The coffin was rectangular in shape, possibly tapering towards the foot end, measuring 64 cm ×

21 cm (25.2 in × 8.27 in). More than 14 wire nails measuring approximately 6.35 (2.5 in) long

were recovered.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 2 button was associated with this burial. A small piece of brown/black material was

recovered. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 163

Burial 163 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the second row north of the church. Burial 162 was to the west and Burial 164 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 73 cm × 21 cm (28.7 in × 8.27). A collected

sample of 10 wire nails range in length from 6.99 cm to 7.62 cm (2.75 in to 3 in). No additional

coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were found in association with this burial.

Burial 164

Burial 164 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the second row north of the church. Burial 163 was to the west and Burial 165 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four sided and tapering towards the feet, measuring 74 cm long × 25 cm wide

(29.1 in × 9.84 in). A collected sample of more than 23 wire nails ranging in length from 6.35

cm to 6.99 cm (2.5 in to 2.75 in). No additional coffin hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

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Several pieces of fragmented ferrous metal wire were recovered from the burial. Some pieces

had hair attached and some had fabric attached. The wire is not in an identifiable shape, but

some pieces are twisted together. Some was found near the head and some near the left

hand/pelvis. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 165

Burial 165 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the second row north of the church. Burial 164 was to the west and Burial 166 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 64 cm long × 70 cm wide (25.2 in × 27.56 in). A

collected sample of 14 wire nails range in size from 3.4925 cm to 5.175 cm (1.38 in to 2.25 in)

was collected. No additional coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

No associated artifacts were recovered with this burial.

Burial 166

Burial 166 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the second row north of the church. Burial 165 was to the west and Burial 167 was to the east.

Coffin

This burial consisted of a coffin within a rectangular wooden vault. The coffin may have had a

rounded shape at the top with a pinched toe box, measuring 85 cm long × 42 cm wide (33.5 in ×

16.54 in). A collected sample of roughly 37 wire nails ranged in length from 4.45 cm to 8.26 cm

(1.75 in to 3.25 in). A Type 2 ornamental metal cross was placed across the top center of the

coffin.

Associated Artifacts

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Six pieces of ferrous twisted wire fragments were associated with this burial. The fragments

have wood and cloth adhered to them. No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 167

Burial 167 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the second row north of the church. Burial 166 was to the west. No burials were identified to the

east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 64 cm long × 20 cm wide (25.2 in × 7.87 in). A

sample of 16 wire nails was collected. Complete nails ranged from 6.35 cm to 8.89 cm (2.5 in to

3.5 in) in length. No additional coffin hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

Three Type 11 buttons were associated with this burial. Additionally, 23 pieces of twisted

ferrous metal were found. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 168

Burial 168 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. Burial 005 was to the west and Burial 033 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin shape was indistinct due to bioturbation, but may have been rectangular. The grave

shaft measured 98 cm long × 52 cm wide (38.6 in × 20.47 in). A sample of at least 18 machine

cut nails was collected. Nails ranged in length from 6.35 cm to 8.26 cm (2.5 in to 3.25 in). No

additional hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

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Ten buttons were associated with this burial. One is a Type 1.1 button; the other nine are Type

12 buttons. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 169

Burial 169 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. Burial 180 was to the west and Burial 185 was to the east.

Coffin

No coffin shape was discernable with this burial due to disturbance from rodent activity.

Approximately 10 wire nails were recovered from this burial. Complete nails measured 7.62 cm

(3 in) in length. No additional coffin hardware was recovered.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 9 button was associated with this burial. No additional artifacts were recovered.

Burial 171

Burial 171 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fifth row north of the church. Burial 172 was to the west and Burial 180 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was indistinct in shape but appears to be four-sided, measuring 87 cm long × 30 cm

wide (34.3 in × 11.81 in). A sample of 37 wire nails ranging in length from 6.35 cm to 6.99 cm

(2.5 to 2.75 in). Three unknown ferrous metal bracket type pieces were found. A Type 3

ornamental metal cross was recovered. Four Type 9 handles were attached to the coffin. Four

Type 9 thumbscrews also were identified.

Associated Artifacts

Three Type 2 buttons were recovered with this burial. Six pieces of twisted ferrous metal wire

were also found with this burial. No additional artifacts were present.

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Burial 172

Burial 172 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fifth row north of the church. Burial 158 was to the west and Burial 171 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and very little wood remained. The coffin measured 87 cm

long × 30 cm wide (18.1 in × 7.87 in) with little wood remaining. At least 11 nails were

recovered from this burial. They are wire nails and approximately 6.67 cm (2.63 in) inches long.

No additional coffin hardware was associated with this burial.

Associated Artifacts

No artifacts were found in association with this burial.

Burial 173

Burial 173 was located in the southeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the third row north of the church. Burial 002 was to the west; no burials were identified to the

east of Burial 173.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 78 cm long × 31 cm wide (30.7 in × 12.20 in).

A sample of more than 28 very fragmentary machine cut nails was collected. Nails ranged in

length from 6.35 cm to 6.99 cm (2.5 in to 2.75 in). Additionally, at least 68 small brads or tacks

were collected. These were arranged in what appeared to be a cross-pattern decoration near the

center of the top of the coffin. No additional hardware was collected.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 2.2 button was associated with this burial. Fragments of metal wire with hair attached

to it were also recovered. The function of the metal fragments is unknown, but they could be

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part of a floral crown or a pin of some kind. Green discoloration suggests a copper component to

the wire.

Burial 175

Burial 175 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the sixth row north of the church. Burial 016 was to the west and Burial 030 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and tapered toward the feet, measuring 53 cm long × 20 cm

wide (20.9 in × 7.87 in). The collected nail sample represents 14 wire nails ranging from 6.35

cm to 7.94 cm (2.5 in to 3.13 in). A fragment of a machine cut nail was also recovered, along

with a machine cut tack measuring 1.91 cm (0.75 in). No additional coffin hardware was

identified.

Associated Artifacts

One Type 1.2 button was recovered from this burial context. No additional artifacts were

present.

Burial 176

Burial 176 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the sixth row north of the church. Burial 030 was to the west and Burial 179 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was six-sided and tapered nearer to the top than most others, with a maximum length

of 79 cm and a maximum width of 31 cm (58.3 in × 18.11 in). Ten coffin studs were found with

this burial. A sample of 19 wire nails was collected. The nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to

6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in). Four Type 7 coffin studs and six Type 11 coffin studs were recovered.

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A Type 6 decorative metal object was found on the center of the coffin lid. Four Type 16

handles were attached to this coffin.

Associated Artifacts

Four buttons were associated with this burial. Two buttons were Type 15.1 and the other two

were Type 20. Field notes and photos do not indicate where the buttons were on the body. No

additional artifacts were recovered with this burial.

Burial 177

Burial 177 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the seventh row north of the church. Burial 170 was to the west and Burial 178 was to the east.

Coffin

This burial appears to be vaulted. An outer rectangular vault/coffin was present, along with an

inner coffin painted white. The shape of the inner coffin is indistinct, although it appears to

measure 97 cm long × 37 cm wide (38.2 in × 14.57 in). A sample of 39 nails was collected. One

nail was machine cut, the rest were wire nails. The nails ranged in length from 5.08 cm to 8.26

cm (2 in to 3.25 in). Three Type 6 coffin studs were associated with this burial. A Type 1.2

ornamental item was also associated with the burial. Four Type 5 thumbscrews were found.

Four Type 5 handles were recovered.

Associated Artifacts

Three buttons were associated with this burial. Two were Type 14 and one was a Type 15

button. No additional artifacts were found.

Burial 178

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Burial 178 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the seventh row north of the church. Burial 177 was to the west. There were no burials

identified east of Burial 178.

Coffin

The coffin appears to be wider at the shoulder level and seems likely to have been six-sided. It

was also painted white and measured 54 cm long × 30 cm wide (21.3 in × 11.81 in). A sample of

32 wire nails was collected. The nails measure 5.08 cm to 6.35 cm (2 in to 2.5 in) long. Four

Type 5 thumb screws were associated with this burial. The escutcheons were poorly preserved,

but still partially present on each thumbscrew. Four handles were found with this burial. Three

are Type 6 and one is a Type 7 handle. A Type 1.2 ornamental artifact was also found on the

center of the coffin. A Type 3 viewing window was recovered with sealant and hair still clinging

to the glass. The longer portion of the glass is 24.13 cm (9.5 in) and the widest part is 14.61 cm

(5.75 in). The narrowest portion of the oval was closest to the top of the coffin.

Associated Artifacts

Five buttons were found: four Type 2 and one Type 2.2. No additional artifacts were found in

association with this burial.

Burial 179

Burial 179 was located in the northeast portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the sixth row north of the church. Burial 176 was to the west. No burials were identified east of

Burial 179.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular measuring 148 cm long × 46 cm wide (58.3 in × 18.11 in). A sample

of 15 wire nails was collected. Measureable nails were between 4.45 cm to 5.08 cm (1.75 in to 2

185
in). A Type 1.3 decorative cross was included with the burial. A fragment of metal piping was

also recovered. Three Type 14 thumbscrews were associated with the burial. Four Type 19

handles were attached to the coffin. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Pieces of shoes were associated with this burial. There seems to be enough pieces of the soles to

represent two shoes. No additional artifacts were found with the burial.

Burial 180

Burial 180 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fifth row north of the church. Burial 171 was to the west and Burial 169 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was four-sided and measured 78 cm long × 45 cm wide (30.7 in × 17.72 in). A

sample of 20 machine cut nails was collected. They were approximately 7.62 cm (3 in) in

length. No additional hardware was found.

Associated Artifacts

Twenty-nine fragments of ferrous metal wire fragments were found. One has unidentified cloth

attached to it. No additional artifacts were identified.

Burial 182

Burial 182 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. Burial 001 was to the west and Burial 188 was to the east and

was not excavated.

Coffin

The coffin shape was diffuse due to poor preservation, but it appeared to be four-sided with a

length of 108 cm and a width of 45 cm (42.5 in × 17.72 in). A large Type 2 glass viewing

186
window was recovered and likely took up much of the coffin lid. The viewing window had

remnants of paper, likely a prayer card, adhering to it. A nail sample 47 of wire nails was

collected. The length range is 4.45 cm to 6.35 cm (1.75 in to 2.5 in). Eight Type 3 handle parts

(brackets and tips from bar handles) were found in association with this burial, likely

representing four handles. Fragments of at least eight Type 5 coffin studs were found. They are

extremely fragmented, making the shape and design indiscernible. Several of the coffin stud

fragments had fiber on the back, suggesting the coffin may have been covered in cloth. Four

other pieces of hardware were found that are part of a latch system labeled as Type 1. They may

have been to latch the viewing window.

Associated Artifacts

Two fragmentary Type 8 buttons were associated with this burial. Three ferrous metal pieces

with fabric adhered to them were also identified. Their original form and function are unclear in

their current state. Paper fragments were found in association with this burial as well. They are

likely fragments of a prayer card placed on the viewing glass when the individual was interred.

Some paper was collected from the viewing window. The card is too degraded to determine the

image on it, but fragments suggest patterns seen on robes on other prayer cards. White, blue, and

red colors are visible. One ferrous metal blob was also found; its form and function are

unknown.

Burial 183

Burial 183 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. Burial 032 was to the west and Burial 005 was to the east.

The burial was heavily impacted by the backhoe.

Coffin

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No coffin was visible during the excavation of the burial. Five machine cut nail fragments were

recovered, none representing complete nails. No additional hardware was recovered.

Additional Artifacts

No additional artifacts were recovered with this burial.

Burial 184

Burial 184 was located in the west central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fourth row north of the church. Burial 133 was west of Burial 185 and slightly overlapped it.

Burial 038 was east of Burial 184 and overlapped it as well.

Coffin

The coffin was six-sided and painted white, measuring 159 cm long × 72 cm wide (21.7 in ×

13.78 in). There is also some green on the coffin, but it is likely from copper components in the

coffin decoration. A sample of twenty-three machine cut nails was collected. Nails ranged in

size from 3.81 cm to 6.99 cm (1.5 in to 2.75 in). Fragment of two screws were also recovered.

Four Type 1 screw covers were identified. Three Type 4 coffin studs were found with this

burial. The coffin had a Type 8 viewing window that was broken into three pieces. The tapered

end was towards the top of the coffin. Along with the viewing window, pieces of sealant were

found.

Associated Artifacts

Fragments of twisted ferrous wire were found with this burial. No additional artifacts were

identified.

Burial 185

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Burial 185 was located in the east central portion of the main excavation area. The burial was in

the fifth row north of the church. Burial 169 was to the west. No burials were identified to the

east of Burial 185.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape and measured 51 cm long × 22 cm wide (20.1 in × 8.66 in).

A sample of 14 machine cut nails was collected. Measureable nails were approximately 5.08 cm

(2 in) in length. One partial screw was also recovered. No additional hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

No additional artifacts were associated with this burial.

Burial 186

Burial 186 was located in the south central portion of the main excavation area and contains fetal

remains. The burial was in the first row north of the church. Burial 155 was to the west.

Feature 1 was east of Burial 186 and partially intruding into it.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 57 cm wide × 22 cm long (22.4 in × 8.66 in). A

nail sample included fragments making up possibly ten nails. They appear to be wire nails and

include a possible finishing nail and a tack. Additionally, one screw was recovered. Five coffin

studs were found, including one Type 4 and four Type 2 studs. The four Type 2 studs were

arranged around at the ends of the arms of the cross. This was near the head of the individual.

Associated Artifacts

Five buttons were associated with this burial, including one Type 1, one Type 1.1, one Type 7,

and two shell buttons of an indeterminate type. Two pins were found with hair and possibly

fabric adhering to them in the area of the neck vertebrae.

189
Burial 187

Burial 187 was located in the central portion of the main excavation area measuring 62 cm long

× 23 cm wide (24.4 in × 9.06 in). The burial was in the fourth row north of the church. Burial

147 was to the west and Burial 148 was to the east.

Coffin

The coffin was rectangular in shape, measuring 62 cm long × 23 cm wide (24.4 in × 9.06 in).

There were more than 16 wire nails recovered, each measuring 6.35 cm to 6.99 cm (2.5 in to

2.75 in) in length. No additional coffin hardware was identified.

Associated Artifacts

Seven buttons were associated with this burial: one Type 1 button, one Type 1.1 button, and

three Type 3 buttons. No additional artifacts were identified.

Feature 1

Feature 1 is a trench from a water line that likely disturbed burials when it was initially

excavated. Some historic artifacts and remains of a burial were recovered from this trench. One

Type 2.1 button was found in Feature 1. Two pieces of broken glass, one clear and one green,

were within the feature. A twisted piece of copper wire was also recovered, as was a metal pipe

fitting. Finally, six wire nails were collected.

Feature 2

Feature 2 was likely part of the same trench as feature one. Some debris was found in the

feature, but no human remains were uncovered. Four finishing nails with adhering wood were

contained within Feature 2. No additional hardware, artifacts, or remains were recovered.

Machine Scrape

190
Some artifacts were collected during machine scraping of the excavation area. These objects

were either unassociated with the burials or were not in context with a particular burial. A

silicified sandstone biface was recovered from fill. This artifact is not associated with the burials

in the historic cemetery. One Type 1.3 ornamental objet was also found. Although it is

fragmentary, the size and presence of “No 2…” on the back suggest it is a Type 1.3 ornamental

metal object. Additionally, four items were piece plotted during machine scraping. Piece plots 1

and 2 were wire nails measuring 3.18 cm (1.25 in) each. Piece plot 3 was a finishing nail

measuring 5. 08 cm (2 in) long. Finally, piece plot 4 was a mass of silver metal, possibly for

soldering. No additional hardware, artifacts, or remains were collected.

191