As work progresses for the Intercounty Connector, linking central and eastern Montgomery County (web|news) and northwestern Prince George's County, time is being scrapped away and history being sifted through.
For the Jackson family, it's a very personal history being unearthed by State Highway Administration archaeologists in Burtonsville. They found the Jackson's 19th century homestead during preparations to build the connector.
"This site is very significant because it hasn't been plowed, pilfered or developed." From the artifacts, the Jackson's can trace their roots in America back seven generations to Melinda Jackson. She was a freed slave who paid $64 for nearly nine acres at the site in 1869. A small hole in the ground was her small, two story stone home.
"She was able to hold on to that American dream; that common denominator that makes us Americans," said Spencer Jackson.
Melinda's five kids and many of their kids played within the 27 by 14 foot home. It burned in 1917, the family sold the land and on the spot, within sight of Route 29, time essentially stopped. "Its been burned in time. It has all the items, all the personal objects that were here in 1917.
Researchers found more than 100,000 artifacts at the site. They'll go to a state museum for further study. Most are everyday items like pots, bottles and jewelery, but a very rare 1860 Abraham Lincoln campaign pendant was found. It reads "Free Soil, Free Men" which is something Melinda Jackson clearly took to heart.
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