Site of purported African-American cemetery discovered near Frankford

By Doug Denison, director of community relations, Delaware Department of State

Archaeologists working at a property near Frankford, Sussex County, Del., have discovered what appears to be the site of a cemetery known to the local community to contain the remains of African Americans who lived in the area.

Under the observation of an archaeologist from the Delaware State Historic Preservation Office, archaeologists employed by a private landowner have delineated at least nine graves at the site, known as the Orr property or Hall Plantation.

A headstone was also found at the site bearing the name C.S. Hall and the lines “Co. K, 32nd U.S.C.T.” (an abbreviation for U.S. Colored Troops, the designation for units comprised of African American soldiers during the American Civil War).

C.S, Hall Headstone
Headstone of C.S. Hall of the United States Colored Troops. The headstone was found on the Orr property (Hall Plantation).

The headstone has not been correlated to a specific grave, and no further information is yet known about the identities of the burials at the site. The presence of the remains of enslaved persons has not yet been confirmed through archaeology or review of the historical record.

“This cemetery is a significant discovery for the community and for all Delawareans who value and appreciate our state’s rich history,” said Tim Slavin, director of the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, which oversees the State Historic Preservation Office. “As work continues at the site, we hope to learn more about those who are interred there, so that they may be properly memorialized and their personal stories retold.”

The State Historic Preservation Office will offer guidance, advice and supervision as the landowner continues archaeological work at the site. Though the site is located on private property, the state will take an active role in ensuring that the ongoing archaeological investigation is thorough, professional and carried out in an ethical and responsible manner.

The landowner was an active participant in the gathering of local information about the site, and has indicated that the cemetery will be preserved. The state will work closely with the landowner to determine a plan for preservation.

“I would also like to thank the neighbors nearby for their role in calling attention to the presence of a cemetery here,” Slavin said. “Their recollections and local knowledge about the site and its location were key to discovering these burials. They spoke up, and thanks to them we can add a new page to Delaware history.”

For press coverage about the discovery of unmarked graves at the Orr property (Hall Plantation), go to the following:

USCT’s Headstone Discovered in Delaware
Emerging Civil War, onlineFeb. 23, 2019

Archaeologists thank Sussex oral history for unmarked African-American grave discovery
Daily Times, Salisbury, Md.—Feb. 25, 2019

Civil War soldier’s gravestone discovered, may offer vital clue to long-lost African-American cemetery
Fox News, New York, N.Y.—Feb. 22, 2019

Archaeologists Surveying Delaware Site Find What Appears To Be Unmarked African-American Grave Site
Blavity, online—Feb. 21, 2019

Delaware archaeologists find African-American graves that may date to Civil War
WHYY, Philadelphia, Pa.—Feb. 20, 2019

19th Century African American Cemetery Found Near Frankford
WBOC TV, Salisbury, Md.—Feb. 19, 2019

‘A needle in a haystack’: archeologists find 11 graves at Frankford site
Delaware Public Media, Dover, Del.—Feb. 19, 2019

Unmarked graves found at site where blacks said to be buried
Washington Post, D.C.—Feb. 19, 2019

African American cemetery discovered during archaeological dig at Frankford plantation
WDEL Radio, Wilmington, Del.—Feb. 18, 2019

Archaeologists Unearth What Appears To Be African American Cemetery In Delaware
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, Pa.—Feb. 18, 2019

Unmarked graves found at development project where African-Americans said to be buried
Daily Times, Salisbury, Md.—Feb. 18, 2019

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