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John Chamberlin papers

1 carton (1 linear feet)

(1910 – 2010)

bulk 1991-2003

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2011.005
Creator(s) Chamberlin, John
Acquisition

The John Chamberlin papers were donated to the Nabb Research Center by John Chamberlin, December 2010.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Michelle Davenport, November 2011 with edits and additions completed by Regina Miller, January 2015.
Related Materials None
Separated Materials

Oversize materials have been housed in the Nabb Research Center’s Flat File storage system.

Library materials have been cataloged and placed into the Nabb Research Center’s non-circulating collection.

Rare books have been transferred to the Nabb Research Center’s rare book collection.

Three-dimensional objects have been placed into object storage. 
Abstract

The John Chamberlin papers document his archeological excavations in Maryland. Records include his archeological surveys, artifact lists, proposal documents, maps and artifacts collected during his digs. These materials date from 1910-2010, with the bulk of the material dating from 1991-2003. Many of the documents relate to William Claiborne, who established a trading settlement on southern Kent Island in 1631. Chamberlin also excavated at Rich Neck Manor, later named Sherwood Manor, in St. Michaels, Maryland which is assumed to have been originally occupied in 1649-1652 by Captain William Mitchell. The Kent Fort materials include information on The Claiborne Project which was an archaeological survey that attempted to locate Kent Fort using Chamberlin’s research. The archeological artifacts contain Native American and colonial finds dating to the 17th and 18th century. These artifacts include bones, stones, tools, beads, and pottery, pipe stems fragments, and wooden and metal artifacts including coins.

Biographical History

John Chamberlin is an archaeology enthusiast from Washington, D.C. whose focus is on colonial Maryland, specifically related to Kent Fort and William Claiborne. He has worked on at least two archeological digs at Kent Fort, on Kent Island and at Rich Neck on St. Michael’s Island, which may be the first residence ever established on the mainland of Talbot County, Maryland. His excavation at Kent Fort included the use of underwater archaeology. His work has resulted in the discovery of numerous artifacts including pipe stems and glass beads.

Scope and Content Note

Series I: Kent Fort

Series II: Rich Neck Manor / St. Michael's Island

Series III: Research

 

Arrangement Statement

The John Chamberlin papers have been arranged into three series, KENT FORT, RICH NECK/ ST. MICHAEL’S ISLAND, RESEARCH. The Kent Fort series documents the archeological dig Chamberlin conducted at Kent Fort. It contains artifact lists, notes, surveys and photographs related to his excavation on Kent Island, Maryland. The Rich Neck/St. Michael’s Island series documents a second dig at Rich Neck on St. Michael’s Island, Maryland. This series contains a research proposal, further research and surveys conducted from his dig site. The Research series consists of research conducted about artifacts discovered at previous digs as well as other areas of interest including, William Claiborne, Dutch trading, and St. Mary’s City, Maryland.

Folders are listed by their location in each box; any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entirety of the collection.

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Architecture
  • Personal Names
    • Chamberlain, John ( )
    • Claiborne, William ( )
  • Location Terms
    • Kent County (Md.)
    • Kent Island (Md.)
    • Talbot County (Md.)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series I: Kent Fort

Box 1

1.      Permits and papers, The Claiborne Project, Kent Island, Maryland, 1991

2.      Proposal, Kent For Archaeological Excavation, 2003 June

3.      Photographs, Brick Well Excavation, Compact Disc, 2003, 2010

4.      Maps, Plans and Notes, Kent Island, Maryland, 2010

5.      Surveys, Kent Fort 1620, Kent Manor 1802, 2003

6.      Notes, Archaeological finds at Kent Fort, 1991 - 1996

7.      Notes, Archaeological finds at Kent Fort sorted by type, 2000 October 30

8.      Paper Outline, Kent Fort, undated

9.      Research and Notes, Kent Fort, Kent Island with transparency maps, undated

Series II: Rich Neck/ St. Michael’s Island

10.  Proposal, The Hambleton Maritngham Project, undated

11.  Archeological Survey, Rich Neck manor site, artifacts notes, 1993

12.  Notes, Archaeological finds at Rich Neck, 1992-1995

13.  Research, Rich Neck, New Netherlands, Charles II, 2002

14.  Research, Rich Neck and its artifacts, 2001-2003

15.  Land Notes, 1634-1655, Maryland Historical Magazine, Photocopies, 1910-1912

Series III: Research

16.  Early Colonists, Captains and Mariners, undated

17.  Glass beads found in Kent Island, 2000-2003

18.  William Claiborne, 1977-2002

19.  William Claiborne and Kent Island, 1957-1981

20.  Indians, Tobacco and Mortality, 1984-1989

21.  Colonial Wells, Architecture and Archaeology, 1982

22.  Swedish and Dutch Trading in America, 2003-2004

23.  Archaeology and architecture, undated

24.  Maryland’s early settlers, undated

25.  St. Mary’s City, 1981-1984

26.  Research and Notes, Glass Beads, expenses, 2001

27.  Biography, William Claiborne, Photocopy, 1917

 

Oversize         

1.      Map, southern tip of Kent Island, undated

2.      U.S. Geographical survey showing ‘Claiborne Quadrangle’, 1942

3.      Map, Rich Neck, undated

4.      Map, Kent Island Point shorelines, undated

5.      Map, Talbot County, William H. Dillworth, 1858

6.      Poster, Glass beads of the Northeast, 1991

7.      Photocopies from History of Delaware, 1609- 1888, By J. Thomas Scharf, 1888

8-10. Photographs of Glass Beads found at Rich Neck, undated

11.  Map, photocopy showing Kent Island point, undated

12.  Survey of Kent Fort Manor, 1802

13.  Map, Kent Island, undated

14-16. Kent Fort Archaeological site, 1970

 

Library Materials     

1.      Kent Island, Maryland’s Oldest Settlement, Reginald V. Truitt, 1965

2.      King’s Reach and 17th Century Plantation Life, Dennis J. Pogue, 1990

3.      A Brief History of Charles City County, Virginia: Gleanings from the past, D. Gardiner Tyler, 1984

4.      Indians of Kent Island, Emily Roe Denny, 1959

5.      Indians of Kent Island, Emily Roe Denny, 1959

6.      A Patent for Conflict: The founding of Kent Island, a Historical Pageant in three acts, Paul C. Sherr, 1981

 

Rare Books

1.      Maryland During the English Civil Wars Parts I and II,  Bernard C. Steiner, 1907

2.      Know Your State- Maryland, Standard Oil Company, 1925

3.      Claiborne and Kent Island in Maryland History, by De Courcy W. Thom, 1915

4.      The Mining of Gems and Ornamental Stones by American Indians, by Sydney H.  Ball, 1941

5.      The Founders of Maryland as Portrayed in Manuscripts, Provincial records, and Early Documents, By Rev. Edward D. Neill, 1876

6.      The Youth’s History of The United States from the Discovery of America by the Northmen to the Present Time, by Edward S. Ellis, 1887

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None