Date: 11/21/00 4:58:30 PM Central Standard Time

To: HPIX2

Dear Ms Saunders...

It is refreshing to "hear again from Connecticut," and know of the (apparent) continued muddle as to its "affairs archeological" - which I guess continues now as in the past.... There would be no reason at all in my opinion for any loss of artifacts or information relative to investigations in the past which I did for WHS - other than just incompetence on someone's behalf charged with maintaining files and/or materials over the years....

I am unsure what exactly you are inquiring about on its behalf (are you an employee of WHS or retained by them or just what?). You could for instance refer to my long-since published formal site report on our dig at the so-called Lambert House (sometimes Lilacstead) the winter of 1972-73. Perhaps this has information about the artifacts that would help you. Go to my website Bernie Powell Published Biblio and check out "Excavations at Lambert House." If after you review it, you still have questions, it would be my pleasure to try and help answer them further, or see if I could yet recall anything else.

You refer to a "museum" (I knew of nonesuch when I lived there) - perhaps further up Rte. 7 (?) (You are right! I don't miss "7" even a little bit! lol) - the old building on the west side of the road which WHS owned too (was that headquarters?) - Yes, I conducted an "exploratory" there at its request, too, back some several years now (I would guess around Spring 1979 or 1980 maybe?). I cannot recall from memory the name of the building now... I do recall a delightful anecdote that it had been occupied by an early hatmaker back in 18th century maybe - said hatmaker having come to grief in the road outside his front door one day when his horse kicked over his buggy full of hats and did the hatmaker in...! (Perhaps the infamous "7's" first traffic fatality?).

In any event, there was some young gal from a local college around there - a teacher (that was not you, was it?) - and she and a couple of her students and I opened several units as I recall along the edge of a back garden wall or patio just outside the building and to the SW corner as best I can remember it. (There was a very large lilac bush there I remember). And there was quite an altercation and dispute at that time too between WHS and some abrasive garden service personnel who serviced the lawns and grounds for some kind of commercial operation just to the west of the WHS property, and which groundskeepers "trashed" our dig a couple times on the grounds we were on its customer's land (!) - until I threatened death and destruction on the spot one day! Perhaps as you grow older you remember the downside of things and not the upside - perhaps it is just me! Archeology was not always the easiest thing to follow in CT! LOL

We recovered a number of notable artifacts I believe: I recall an early inkwell perhaps (?), and the (usual) kaolin pipestem fragments perhaps, Colonial crockery, etc. and other objects too which escape me.

That they escape my memory should be of no concern however, for though I never published this material (yet), our dig plats, profiles, field catalog notes, and a preliminary assessment of the finds are - I am quite confident - yet filed with my personal papers - at this time (unfortunately) still in "deep storage" in CT, but hopefully I will perhaps soon have access to them again in which case I would see that you got a full copy posthaste (if you were still interested). In any event and more to the point, since this was my modus operandi - a duplicate set of these papers was, indeed, given to to WHS at the time, so its failure to have them at hand now is somethng it must account for, not me.... I am not too kindly disposed to the cavalier treatment of records, artifacts, etc. by agencies, museums, historical societies, local colleges, et al - all of whom ought to know better. But cheer up: the South Florida "scene" is even more chaotic and full of back-biting pettiness than was CT! Academics! Bah!.....

I don't remember you specifically, unfortunately. You were not one of a group of young ladies, were you, who once called on me one day at my home in Wilton many years ago - all were "anthroplogists" or undergrads - and all doing "research on CT prehistory" and to whom I freely loaned (!) at their request, a number of aboriginal pottery sherds for their further assessment - and which were never returned to me? I believe they all went on to fullblown careers in the field maybe - one of them I think was named something like you: only I think maybe she spelled it "Ceci". I have the impression she actually made quite a name for herself later in original research (I even seem to recall she published in Science on a hypothesis of hers which holds that Squanto, the famous Massachusetts Indian who greeted our "Pilgrim fathers," and whose every exploit is known to every schoolboy - or once was - had actually been a much earlier captive of the Spaniards when in youth (!), and they had taken him back to Europe, where he learned a number of advanced agricultural techniques at a monastery where he was held captive - including the so-called "aboriginal" secret of dropping a fish in every cornhill - and which he graciously "taught" the invading Englishmen how to do later on, after his several additional adventures and return to the New World, etc. etc. - which has always struck me as one hilarioius and ironic gem in New England prehistory which has largely gone un-noted by many! lol Didn't know if you ever heard of this one...

Tragically, also, I beleive this "Ceci" was perhaps later killed in an unfortunate traffic accident. My memory miight not be all as correct here as it might be... Or it might be quite on target, as "colleagues" so-called then (now?) in CT studies were mostly a suspicious and non-communicative lot. Mostly I conducted my investigations over the years alone or with my own associates. I would say remember me to Fred Warner, but I can't, since Fred Warner whom I never met, has never once responded to me since I pointed out the error of his ways a long time since in a most unfortunate item he published which completely misrepresented work I had done earlier (cf. for instance, "Foods of the Connecticut Indians" in the same Biblio, above...and make up your own mind).

As for Ernie Wiegand - who dug for us originally matter of fact at Lambert House - lol! (but I am sure he would not want to be reminded of this!) - he is more than disingenuous when he says "...thought (I) might have a recollection about these activities since (I) were living in the area back in the late 60s/early 70s".

Does no one up in CT read the literature or maintain collections? Or correctly cite the work of others?

I never understood his guarded ways as to an invitation I sought to visit a very early site he and his (later) group once investigated up off High Ridge Road in Stamford many years back and which I most sincerely wanted to see. I was pointedly ignored. Or so I felt.

I am content however, with my publishing record over the many years in Connecticut, and my other services and contributions to the furtherance of archeology in my once chosen state...

(If you find out where your derelict artifacts are from, I would most appreciate knowing how it all works out, and would hope you would tell me).

Sincerely,

Date: 11/26/00 4:51:54 PM Central Standard Time

From: HPIX2

To: Anvilbangr

Thank you for you the quick and informative response to query re: former testing at Fitch House, 249 Danbury Road (Rte. 7). The Fitch House, up until a month ago, was considered the Society's headquarters and "museum." Your work there, next to the lilac bushes, must be the precise garden we are now investigating for the widening of Route 7. To give you more background data, I am working with Historical Perspectives, a CRM firm. Historical Perspectives is working for Fitzgerald and Halliday in Hartford and they are under contract to an engineering firm that is under contract to the ConnDOT. Archaeologists are - as usual - the smallest of the subcontractors.

You must be remembering Lynn Ceci - Long Island archaeologist that did make a name for herself with the fertilizer theory and, subsequently, the wampum manufacturing theory. And, yes, she died a few years back.

With your information I can certainly insist that the Wilton Historical Society be a bit more exhaustive in trying to locate files and records they apparently have. Perhaps a long-time member of the Society could recollect the college teacher that did some of the work. The director has not demonstrated a keen interest in the archaeological heritage of this property nor the parcel to which the Fitch House is being moved. Glad the state regs are insisting upon the testing.

Again, thank you so much.

C. Saunders

Date: 11/27/00 8:26:02 AM Central Standard Time

From: Anvilbangr

To: HPIX2

Cece...

This bizz about the Fitch House at Wilton, CT is coming back in bits and starts: from somewhere out of the blue it came to me last night that maybe this Teresa's (Theresa?) name was something like "Bonheur" or "Bonne***" something. I am sure it was something like that - it had a French sound to it. Maybe this will help?

One other thing: I recall a find of an unusual object - and I believe it was either an early Colonial coin or a British coin, and this was around in front of the building in front of the window out a bit into the (very small) front yard maybe in line with the first floor window in the NE corner of the house (facing 7) a little distance. Or it might have been in closer more toward dripline. I am bit vague here as we did not dig or test this area with shovels or augurs - but I have distinct recollection of this find in this spot. And also a forged window-shutter dog, too... It was found I believe subsequent to our "dig," and was found by a friend of mine who had accompanied me back one time for a sort of general survey and check.

In all liklihood I sent this coin to a professional named Hillel or something like that with the American Museum and the New York Numismatic Society in NYC whom I used to use for all my coin assessments - and he would have made the designation and that is why I remember it. I cannot remember if if was copper, silver or gold: I do remember it was "appropriate" to time and place and was a very interesting find. Perhaps it rolled out of the pocket of some passing Redcoat during the infamous march by the British when they passed by on their way to burn Danbury! LOL

This coin ought to be in the box of artifacts you mentioned in your first e-mail to me if you have checked it thoroughly and if WHS took care of it properly (?). It is amazing how much goes out of one's mind in only twenty-odd years when I try to recall here, and I only wish you could locate (or WHS could locate) the copies of my report...

A thought occurs: Perhaps if you were to send me an inventory list of whatever it is you have there, it might further stimulate my lagging recall here and I might be able to provide you some additional data (?).

One other item of interest pops into my mind at this time: upstairs in this Fitch House - in one of the windows facing Route 7 - is a very old window pane - one of the originals. Lightly scratched into this pane (presumably by a diamond ring), is a notation by some visitor to the place, (was it once an inn also?) that records that it was an extremmely cold night that night, and it may give the reading of the mercury or something and it bears a date in the 1800's maybe - or maybe even late 1700's (?). This window pane may be well-known as part of the "lore" of Fitch House - I don't know. But I just mention it here FYI. Special pains (no pun!) might be indicated to preserve this pane if the house is to be moved...

BTW - contrary to our work at Lilacstead down the road, all our investigations at Fitch were outside on the grounds and in that garden you apparently have located: we conducted no interior investigations or examinations of fireplaces, etc. as best I can remember.

Best,

Bernie

Date: 11/27/00 11:12:19 PM Central Standard Time

From: HPIX2

To: Anvilbangr

Thank you, again, for stirring the memories and sharing with us. The Historical Society has located a 3-4 page faunal analysis from an on-site collection and this has a plan of test pits at the edge of the rear terrace. Plan matches up with a unit we identifed in our testing. They also recovered a box of bagged artifacts [nicely cleaned and somewhat labeled] from a 1983 excavation [perhaps by the missing Teresa B....] As the days go by there is increasing hope that their "digging" efforts will produce more information. Knowing your efforts were so well documented and presented to the HS gives me confidence to keep after them. We have some hours in our budget to attempt a coordination between prior on-site archaeological collections and our recoveries from current testing.

We will be going under foundation flooring after the house has been removed.

Worked on the well today [on the south lawn] but introduction of modern pumping equipment severely compromised integrity.

C. Saunders

Date: 12/7/00 7:22:34 AM Central Standard Time

From: HPIX2

To: Anvilbangr

More details to follow later. We are still in the midst of testing the WHS lawn and next go under the main structure [after they jack it up and move it across the street]. Wanted to let you know....under the flooring of foundation of the 1840s rear addition {which has already been removed} we found a truncated well. Lots of artifacts are coming out but we will finish after the removal of main upper structure so we have some safe, clear work room. Exciting. Thanks for all the help ....keep those thoughts coming. All info greatly appreciated.

Cece Saunders

Re: Seeking Whereabouts

Date: 12/14/00 4:07:12 PM Central Standard Time

From: HPIX2

To: Anvilbangr

good luck and thanks for helping us....we may be taking a backhoe to ramp down to the well next week....a cold wet Christmas present !

Seeking Whereabouts

Date: 12/14/00 2:42:44 PM Central Standard Time

From: Anvilbangr

To: corcoran@bridgeport.edu

CC: HPIX2

BCC: Anvilbangr

I hope you might be able to help me, or give advice as to where I might obtain same...

I am seeking whereabouts of a young woman who may have been both an instructor/teacher at BU - and a student. Her name was something like "Teresa Bonhomme" (sounded like) ...?.. Her interests were History and Prehistory (archeology) of CT - and she may have been in the appropriate department for that study. This would have been in the early 1980's.

She was a member of a local archeological "dig" at Wilton at that time, and it is thought she might have notes and/or personal recollections that are much desired at this time.

Thank you for your attention.

Bernie Powell

Subj: Hi, Cece

Date: 4/24/01 8:48:57 AM Central Daylight Time

From: Anvilbangr

To: HPIX2

File: fig 1 - block.ZIP (385064 bytes)

DL Time (48000 bps): < 2 minutes

Was wondering how your dig at the Fitch House ever came out and if you all were able to determine anything?

No field work here lately: I tell you the "laws" ...Fed, state, local combined with Indian activists, etc. are so involved anymore that there just is no effective archeology here anymore at all by anyone. Meanwhile, daily, the bulldozers and the construction folks fill in sinkholes with drowned remains in them, scatter Early Man sites everywhere, and fill over more recent mangrove middens and shore sites in South Florida's never-ending quest to build more land for its burgeoning population. It is disgusting. LOL

Recently, I have turned to plaster "block diagram" modeling of sites for display purposes but so scared are all the museums anymore they won't even put plaster models up on view...

Attaching pix of couple of digicam shot closeups of 1:30 model I did on the infamous "Miami Stone Circle" site...

Bernie

Re: Archaeology Awareness Week Calendar of Events

Date: 9/30/01 11:07:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time

From: HPIX2

To: Anvilbangr

Thanks for reminding me about the Rte. 7 copy for you....we submitted the final on the house excavations this past month and will forward a copy to you. The recon survey along the roadside has turned up zilch - not surprising considering all the roadwork that has gone on for generations

P. O. Box 3037

Westport, CT 06880

203.226.7654

To this date (12/08/07) ... nothing ever received!

QED!