1730s Spanish Coin Found
July 24, 2004
On July 24, 2004 community volunteers working at the Elk Run Dig under the direction of Archeologist, Dr. John Eddins, discover a piece of a 1730s Spanish coin.
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Help Us Finish the Elk Run Project
July 14, 2004
The Fauquier Times-Democrat, Wednesday, July 14, 2004 (with permission)
It all began in 1998 when a neighbor started clearing brush from the Elk Run property. Less than a year later, members of St. Stephen’s Church in Catlett began to uncover the remains of what is believed to be the first brick church in Fauquier County’s mid-1700s frontier.
The Elk Run Anglican Church was built sometime in the 1750’s. It served as the mother church for Hamilton Parish and its first rector, the Rev. James Keith, was the grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall.
The Elk Run Church Site Preservation Committee, led by members of St. Stephen’s, Catlett in collaboration with St. James, Warrenton, is leading the archaeological effort to preserve this colonial church site.
Over the last five years, 50 controlled excavation units have been laid out and five remain to be excavated this summer. Volunteer archaeologist, Dr. John Eddins, completed the digital survey of key excavation unit points on July 10, and designated a section of the foundation to be enclosed for year-round viewing once the site is converted into a Historic Park. To date, found artifacts include handmade nails, ceramic dish fragments, 19th century coins and Indian arrowheads dating back 4000 years or more. Some of these artifacts can be viewed in a display case at the Old Jail Museum in Warrenton.
The all-volunteer archaeological team has confirmed that Elk Run Church was a rare Greek cross structure with roughly equal sized extensions on all sides. At least two other pre-Revolutionary Anglican churches in Virginia - Aquia and Abingdon - were built in the cruciform plan.
The Preservation Committee needs community volunteers this summer to complete the archaeological work. The Site offers a unique opportunity for citizens to not only participate in “digging up some history,” but also learn some fundamentals of doing archaeological work.
The volunteers meet every Saturday, weather permitting. Summer and fall “dig hours” are from 8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. You can join them anytime during that period.
Participants should wear work clothes and hats suited to the weather, and bring gloves, kneeling pad, and a bag lunch. Tools, water, hot coffee, tea, and snacks are provided.
Local citizens, Church youth groups, Boy Scouts, 4H Club members, are invited to participate in this community historical project. The Dig Site is located 100 yards west of the intersection of State Route 806 and State Route 610.
The Elk Run Web Site has been recently updated and a new Homepage design implemented. The web site provides photos, research, genealogy information, historical maps, and progress to date.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Ed Dandar by email (efdandar@us.net) or telephone (703-791-6158).