Camp Security Artifacts Revisited

Camp Security is a Revolutionary War period prisoner-of- war camp that was occupied by British, Scottish and Canadian prisoners and camp followers (often wives and other family members) between 1781 and the end of the war in 1783. The site is located about four miles east of the City of York, in a relatively small, undeveloped portion of suburban Springettsbury Township. Thirty years ago, Barry Kent and Charles Hunter, archaeologists at the State Museum, located over 100 features here containing artifacts dating to the latter part of the 18th century. In all likelihood, these artifacts are related to the prisoner of war camp. Most of the features are pits, which were dug into the ground and which ultimately became receptacles for a variety of domestic debris.

The most numerous objects recovered from the pit features are discarded animal bones representing food refuse. A preliminary analysis of this faunal material (by Brenda Carr Weller, Lab Manager at McCormick Taylor, Inc.) indicates that beef and lamb were important components of the diet at Camp Security, with smaller amounts of pork and domestic fowl also represented. Wild food sources included small amounts of turtle. It appears the livestock was slaughtered and butchered on site, and the meat was probably eaten as large roasts and stews. These faunal remains suggest the inmates at Camp Security were reasonably well provisioned with food. This is in stark contrast to the experience of thousands of American prisoners who were captured when the Continental Army evacuated New York City in 1776. Many of the Americans were incarcerated in the notorious British prison ships anchored near the Brooklyn shore, where they were deliberately starved by their captors.

buttons fashioned from bone refuse

Other artifacts from the 1979 dig include thousands of fragments of window glass believed to be from the numerous log huts which were built as housing, according to contemporary written accounts. Pieces of clay “daub,” the material used for the chinking to seal gaps between the logs of the huts, were also recovered. The 1979 investigation also recovered hundreds of copper straight pins and crude buttons fashioned from animal bone. This corroborates the written accounts of the practice of “cottage industries,” such as the manufacture of lace and buttons, by the occupants of Camp Security.

straight pins

Currency, such as silver “pieces of eight” (Spanish coins known as “reales,” which were sliced into eight pieces so as to make “change”) was also found. This appears to corroborate written accounts that certain prisoners were allowed to work for local farmers and earn wages. Noticeably absent from the Camp Security collection are items such as fragments of tobacco smoking pipes and liquor or wine bottles. Such artifacts are often abundant on domestic sites dating to the 18th century. However, dozens of other personal items such as buttons, buckles, cuff links and clothing clasps are represented in the Camp Security collection.

Scottish silver brooch

One unique item is a silver brooch in the shape of a heart. This is a distinctly Scottish piece of jewelry, and members of at least one Scottish regiment of Highlanders are known to have been present at Camp Security. This brooch signifies a weeping heart and was given as a farewell token and hopefully, brought protection to a loved one who had been sent to the war in America.

In 2005, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Camp Security as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered historic places. Although this site has not yet been destroyed, the property is owned by a local individual who intends to ultimately convert this site into a housing development. We believe this unique place should be protected and preserved. So does a local preservation organization known as the Friends of Camp Security. We encourage all who cherish and respect our Revolutionary War heritage to contact the Friends of Camp Security for more information on how to assist with their preservation initiatives. campsecurity@HistoricYork.org

This week's guest blog is courtesy of BHP Historic Preservation Specialist Mark Shaffer.
For more information, visit PAarchaeology.state.pa.us or the Hall of Anthropology and Archaeology at The State Museum of Pennsylvania .

Saving our Revolutionary War P.O.W. Camp

On June 27th The Friends of Camp Security held a public program at Schultz House in Springettsbury Township, York County to raise public awareness and support for saving this very important historic site. Camp Security served as a Revolutionary War- era prisoner of war camp from 1781 to 1783, possibly housing as many as 1500 English, Scottish and Canadian soldiers along with their wives and children. Archaeological investigations conducted in 1979 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) archaeologists recovered artifacts which were linked to the occupation of the camp. The site is currently privately owned and is slated for development, destroying the only undisturbed Revolutionary War P.O.W. camp in the Nation.

Archival records indicate that Camp Security housed the remnants of Burgoyne’s Convention Army regiments after their surrender at Saratoga on October 17,1777. The force was composed of both British and allied troops (Hessians, Brunswickers and Canadians) with British troops numbering in the majority. Their arrival in July of 1781 required preparations by local carpenters for the construction of huts and fences. The troops performed the actual labor of creating their internment camp under guard of York County militia. The soldiers and the families who had followed them remained here until June 1783 and engaged in “mechanical trades” in the surrounding communities. These trades reportedly included making lace, spoons, and buckles. Archaeological evidence suggests they were also producing straight pins and bone buttons.

Plans for an archaeological excavation this fall by The Friends of Camp Security hope to further document the presence of troops at Camp Security and the significance of Schultz House which is believed by some to have served as the headquarters while the camp was in operation. The archaeologist hired to conduct the excavations, Steve Warfel, gave a presentation to over one hundred attendees on Saturday and was overwhelmed by the public support and enthusiasm of the local community. For additional information on the efforts of the Friends of Camp Security, please visit their web site http://www.campsecurity.com/

For more information, visit PAarchaeology.state.pa.us or the Hall of Anthropology and Archaeology at The State Museum of Pennsylvania .