Town of Bolton, MA - ASSESSMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL

The project area, consisting of the Town of Bolton, Massachusetts, was divided into seven survey units during the background research for this project (Figure 3). These survey units were designed to facilitate the field survey as well as the discussion of archaeological potential. The choice of boundaries revolves around the potential of the individual survey units to be eligible as historic districts. It is hoped that should National Register districts be desired in the future, the text provided below, and in the historic contexts sections above will be of use to the historical commission and town planners. The survey units include: Bolton Center, Still River, Vaughn Hills, East Bolton, Ballville, Fryville, and Hudson Road.

As historical and archaeological information was gathered during the present community-wide reconnaissance, Archaeological Services assigned temporary archaeological site numbers to known and inferred site locations in chronological order of their recording. In some cases, sites had previously been reported to the MHC. A list of all sites recorded during the project is provided in Table 10. In the following text, the names of archaeological sites are followed by site numbers assigned by the MHC. These numbers correspond to the survey unit maps and tables included in this report.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the central section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by Old Bay Road north of Wataquadock Hill Road and Wilder Road north to its intersection with Route 117. It is bordered on the north by the pipeline corridor between Nourse and Harvard Roads, then Harvard Road north to Golden Run Road and Interstate 495, south along Interstate 495 to Burnam Road, and east to Route 117. The eastern edge of the survey unit is drawn along Meadow Road, south from Route 117 to Long Hill Road, and then in a line between West and Little Ponds, west to Interstate 495. The southern edge of the Bolton Center Survey Unit is drawn from I-495 along South Bolton Road to the intersection with Berlin Road, and then west to the intersection of Old Bay Road and Wataquadock Hill Road. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on earlier 7.5-minute Hudson (1943, 1979) topographic quadrangles.

The Bolton Center Survey Unit includes the Bolton Center National Register Historic District, as well as sections of the Pan, Nashaway, and Wataquadock Hill Vistas and Farms historic landscapes detailed in the Preservation Plan for the Town of Bolton (Lima 1998).

Topography. The topography of the Bolton Center Survey Unit is primarily hilly, interrupted by the upper sections of Great Brook and Sunk Meadow Brook. The western part of the survey unit includes the northern section of Wataquadock Hill, at an elevation of 192 m (630 ft), descending to the east into the headwaters of Great Brook, and center of Bolton. The northern part of the survey unit includes all of Powder House Hill, which reaches 168 m (551 ft), and three branches of Great Brook, which drain to the south into Bolton center. The eastern part of the survey unit includes the southernmost arm of Rattlesnake Hill, and the streambed of Great Brook, as well as West Pond. The southern part of the survey unit consists of Sunk Meadow, which drains to the south, and an eastern arm of Wataquadock Hill. In the center of the survey unit is Bolton Center itself, which lies in the small swale along Great Brook, between Powder House Hill and Wataquadock Hill. Elevations within the survey unit range from a low of 87 m (285 ft) at the eastern edge of the Great Brook drainage, to a high of 192 m (630 ft) on Wataquadock Hill. The community center lies at between 117 and 126 m (384 to 413 ft).

Water Sources. The Bolton Center Survey Unit includes two different freshwater systems, which offer a number of different sources for obtaining potable water. The Great Brook system has three main arms, one of which drains the south side of the unnamed hill between Harvard and Nourse Roads, another which drains the west side of Powder House Hill, and the third of which drains the east side of Powder House Hill. The western two arms drain south, joining on the north side of Main Street, and flowing east, where the third arm joins at the Pan. West Pond is a dammed section of another smaller arm of Great Brook. The second water source is the upper section of the Sunk Meadow drainage, which is filled by runoff from the east side of Wataquadock Hill, and flows south and east into Mill Brook.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are somewhat favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. Due to the hilly terrain, there are no large areas of flat soil development (0 to 3 percent slopes). There are, however, substantial areas of gently sloping (3 to 8 percent) terrain, which include well-drained soils. Areas around Sunk Meadow include Merrimack fine sandy loam, Hinckley sandy loam, and smaller areas of Windsor loamy fine sand and Paxton fine sandy loam, all of which are favorable for settlement and agriculture (Taylor and Hotz 1985). The terraces on the east sides of both Wataquadock Hill and Powder House Hill include well-drained soils, primarily Paxton, but also small areas of Merrimack and Hinckley soils. The other favorable location is the flat top of Wataquadock Hill, north of Old Bay Road, which is moderately well drained Woodbridge fine sandy loam, and is suitable for agricultural purposes, and settlement during dry times of the year, but is often wet in the spring. The remaining hill slopes are comprised of Chatfield-Hollis rock outcrops, which are rocky. The drainage beds of Great Brook and Sunk Meadow are classified as primarily Freetown muck, with smaller areas of Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, both of which are poorly drained.

The Town Center Meeting House (HA-4). The Town Center Meeting House was shown on the historic maps of 1794, 1831, and 1857, north of the Great Road. It was noted by Whitcomb (1988:95-98). After some debate in 1739, the founders of Bolton agreed Athat the place to set up the House of God To meet in, Shall be on the Nole Nearest to the Barn called the Widdow Townsends Barn@ (Whitcomb 1988:96). This building is standing today.

The Whitcomb Garrison (HA-8). The Whitcomb Garrison was previously recorded as MHC Historic Site HA-8, and was referenced by Whitcomb (1988:9). It was the subject of an academic excavation project conducted in 1988 under advice from Dr. Donald Brown of Boston University. Dr. Jeffrey Brain of Harvard provided expertise on pottery. The project was directed by Linda Engelmann.

The Town Center Saw Mill (HA-9). The Town Center Saw Mill was shown on the historic map detail of 1870. It was located on the millpond just south of Main Street. It was constructed by Joel Sawyer between 1831 and 1833 and was in use for many years (Whitcomb 1938:200; Whitcomb 1988:224).

The Moses Wilder Blacksmith Shop (HA-14). The Moses Wilder Blacksmith Shop was referred to by Whitcomb (1988:235). It was moved to Old Sturbridge Village. The site of the shop was excavated archaeologically by Sturbridge Village in 1957. The house was used also as an icehouse (Lima 1998:61).

The Col. Robert Longley Brickyard (HA-19). The Col. Robert Longley Brickyard is located near 610 Sugar Road. It is suggested by Whitcomb (1988:230) that the clay may have been obtained from the brook behind his house. The brickyard provided bricks for a fireplace at the North East School in 1788-1790.

The Engine House (HA-25). The Engine House was shown on the historic map of 1831. It was referred to by Whitcomb (1988:224). Mentioned in an 1833 deed, it likely Ahoused the Quickstep, Bolton=s first fire-fighting apparatus.@ Houses are in this location today.

The Wagon Factory (HA-34). The Wagon Factory was shown on the historic map of 1898. The manufacture of wgons and carriages began in Bolton earlier in the nineteenth century. This site was at the location of Pond Park. When the machine shop was in operation this property was owned by W.H. Dow. Maloney=s carriage painting shop and a woodworking shop were located on buildings over the pond. Many mill components are intact, preserved by Pond Park, which was established in 1905 by the Village Improvement Society.

The Samuel Baker Tannery (HA-35). The Samuel Baker Tannery was referred to by Whitcomb (1988:229). The earliest tannery in Bolton, it was established in 1750 and served as past of Baker=s early mill complex. The tannery remained in operation until at least 1770. A large gravel pit at this location may have destroyed this site.

The Benjamin Sawyer Grist Mill (HA-36). The Benjamin Sawyer Grist Mill was shown on the historic maps of 1794 and 1831. It was previously recorded as MHC Form 930 and part of MHC Form 64. It was noted by Whitcomb (1988:224). Sawyer built the gristmill ca. 1791 on West Pond, near a sawmill (HA-37) he had purchased. His descendants used the sawmill until the late 1800s.

The Samuel Baker/John Sawyer Saw Mill (HA-37). The Samuel Baker/John Sawyer Saw Mill was shown on the historic maps of 1794, 1831, and 1857. It was previously recorded as part of MHC MHC Form 64, and was noted by Whitcomb (1988:224). Built ca. 1750 on a small seasonal stream that flowed into Great Brook, it was sold to Benjamin Sawyer with a house and tannery in 1791. His son John continued the use of the sawmill.

The Pan No. 2 School House (HA-38). The Pan No. 2 School House was shown on the historic map of 1831. The school was considered new in 1867 (Whitcomb 1988:180), but was not mapped by Beers in 1870. Beers= actual survey predated construction. This area is undeveloped.

The Town Center Potash Works (HA-40). The Town Center Potash Works was shown on the historic map of 1794. It was previously recorded as MHC Form 947. Potash is either potassium carbonate from wood ashes, used as a fertilizer, or a potassium compound used for iron smelting and other industrial purposes. This was one of two locations where potash was obtained in Bolton during the eighteenth century. This site is located on the west side of the Bolton firehouse property, and is a fieldstone circle, probably a foundation (Forbes 1998).

The Old South Cemetery (MHC 800). The Old South Cemetery, the town=s first cemetery, was established in 1739, and was first shown on the historic map of 1831. The land was donated by William Sawyer, who was also the first person buried there (1741). Originally 2 acres in size, the cemetery was extended in the north and northwest with additional land purchases. There are reportedly several Revolutionary War veterans= graves located there. Many of the headstones that were recorded in Bolton=s Vital Records in 1910 were missing by 1988 (Whitcomb 1988:145-146). It was previously recorded as MHC Form 800.

The Pan Cemetery (MHC 801). The Pan Cemetery, originally known as the East Burying Ground, was first shown on the historic map of 1831. It is one of two cemeteries established in 1822 when the Old South Cemetery (MHC 800) had reached capacity. The land, consisting of 1 acre on Great Road (now Main Street), was donated to the town in 1822 by Oliver Barrett. In 1863 an additional strip of land to the west was added. Six Bolton men who fought in the Revolutionary War are buried there. It was previously recorded as MHC Form 801.

The Powder House (MHC 913). The Powder House was shown on the historic map of 1831. It was previously recorded as MHC Form 913, and was referred to by Whitcomb (1988:385-386). Constructed of brick, the Powder House was built in 1811 so that Athe town=s stock of powder and balls@ could be moved from their storage place Aunder the pulpit.@ The small structure was restored in 1975. This building is standing today.

Archaeological Services Survey. During the reconnaissance at the Bolton Center Survey Unit, the Samuel Baker Saw Mill (HA-37) and the Benjamin Sawyer Grist Mill (HA-36) were viewed. A high concentration of historic structures and historic archaeological sites are located on the Great Road at the town center. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, such as paving or ground disturbance, it is assumed that the house lots of all historic buildings in Bolton possess high potential for archaeological resources such as sheet middens of domestic refuse, stone-lined wells, privies, or buried foundations. Consequently, site numbers were generally not assigned to standing structures. The well-maintained Old South Cemetery (MHC 800) overlooking Sunk Meadow was viewed. The site of the Whitcomb Garrison (HA-8) was also visited. At this site, the foundation of the house was the subject of a recent archaeological research project. It is presently visible and open to the public.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the northwestern section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by the town line with Lancaster. The north side of the survey unit is formed by the town lines of Lancaster and Harvard. The eastern edge of the survey unit is drawn from the northern edge of town along Still River Road to Vaughn Hill Road, and south along Vaughn Hill Road to Green Road. The survey unit then runs northeast along Green Road and south along Nourse Road to Main Street. The southern edge of the Still River Survey Unit is drawn from Main Street southwest along Wilder Road to the Lancaster town line. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on earlier 7.5-minute Clinton (1943, 1979) and Hudson (1943, 1979) topographic quadrangles.

Topography. The topography of the Still River Survey Unit is divided: flat and low in the northwestern section, and hilly in the remainder. The Nashua River flows in a northeasterly direction through the northwestern most section of the town, and the Still River runs in a parallel direction to the east. Almost all of the lands to the west of Still River Road are flat and low, mostly below 75 m (246 ft). The area between Still River Road and Vaughn Hill Road, north of Main Street is dominated by a large flat plateau at 120 m (394 ft), on which the high school now stands. To the south of Main Street, the southern part of the survey unit includes the northern most section of Wataquadock Hill, descending from 153 m (502 ft) to a low of 75 m (246 ft) along Forbush Mill Road and Forbush Brook.

Water Sources. The Still River Survey Unit includes a variety of water sources, all part of the greater Nashua drainage system. Both the Nashua and Still River flow through this survey unit, toward the northeast, with the Still River joining the Nashua just to the north of the town line in Harvard. Two streams in this survey unit contribute to the flow of the Still River before it enters the Nashua. An unnamed stream flows down the south side of Vaughn Hill, turning west and then north, and flowing down the west side of Nashaway Road and under Still River Road into the Still River. Forbush Brook collects runoff from the north side of Wataquadock Hill, as well as the south side of the hill overlooking Nourse Road, flowing along a section of Main Street, then along Forbush Mill Road into Lancaster. Several areas along Forbush Brook were dammed in the past for industrial uses, forming reservoirs that still remain.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are very favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. Although most of the area between the Nashua and Still Rivers is only poorly or moderately drained, the terraces to the west of the Nashua River and east of the Still River are highly favorable. These terraces consist of sizable formations of Hinckley sandy loam, Merrimack fine sandy loam, and Windsor loamy fine sand, all of which are favorable for settlement and agriculture (Taylor and Hotz 1985). This flat, well-drained terrace is cut by Forbush Brook, and continues south into the Ballville Survey Unit. Some areas of this terrace have been disturbed by gravel operations and development. The western slopes of Vaughn Hill are rocky and steep Chatfield-Hollis soils. The northern slopes of Wataquadock Hill include well-drained soils, primarily Paxton, but also moderately well-drained Woodbridge fine sandy loam, and are suitable for agricultural purposes, and settlement. The drainage beds of the rivers and brooks are classified as Limerick silt loam, Saco silt loam, Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, Raynham silt loam, and Walpole fine sandy loam, all of which are poorly drained and unfavorable for settlement or agriculture.

The Farrell Still River M-12 Site (19-WR-351). The soil type is Merrimac fine sandy loam (a well-drained glacial outwash deposit) with slopes ranging from 3 to 8 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 70 m (230 ft) above sea level in an open rural area. Reported artifacts include Brewerton Notched (4,079 to 4,900), Squibnocket Triangles (4,000 to 5,400 years ago), and Small-Stemmed and Small Pentagonal points (2,800 to 5,075 years ago). Edge tools, cores, and lithic debris also are reported. The artifacts reported from this site are in the Dale Farrell collection. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples during the Late Archaic period, a time span between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and a site examination would be needed to determine it.

The Farrell Still River M-11 Site (19-WR-352). A large wetland abuts the site. The soil type is Windsor fine sandy loam (a glacial outwash soil that is well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 3 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 81 m (265 ft) above sea level in an open rural area. Reported artifacts include Brewerton Notched (4,079 to 4,900), Squibnocket Triangles (4,000 to 5,400 years ago), and Small-Stemmed points (2,800 to 5,075 years ago). Other artifacts include broken point tips, edge tools, pounding stones, bifaces, ground stone gouges, and an adze. The artifacts reported from this site are in the Dale Farrell collection. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples during the Late Archaic period, a time span between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and a site examination would be needed to determine it.

The Farrell Still River M-33 Site (19-WR-353). The soil type is Windsor fine sandy loam (a glacial outwash soil that is well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 3 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 78 m (256 ft) above sea level in a wooded rural area. Gravel quarrying activities have disturbed parts of the site. Reported artifacts include Small-Stemmed and Small Pentagonal points (2,800 to 5,075 years ago), Atlantic (2,700-4,000 years ago), Susquehanna Broad points (3,300 to 3,600 years ago), an Orient Fishtail point (2,700-4,000 years ago), and a Levanna point (400 to 1,600 years ago). Other artifacts include broken point tips, a knife blade and two chert scrapers. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples through the Late Archaic period and Late Woodland period, a time span between 5,000 and 400 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and a site examination would be needed to determine it.

The Powers Locus of 19-WR-353. Information concerning this locus was contributed during the present survey and is added to the existing site form. The site is an activity locus encompassed by the boundaries of site 19-WR-353. The soil type is Windsor Loamy fine sand (a well-drained glacial outwash deposit) with level terrain. Windsor soil often is associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 78 m (360 ft) above sea level in an open rural area. Reported artifacts include Brewerton Notched (4,079 to 4,900 years ago), Squibnocket Triangles (4,000 to 5,400 years ago), and Small-Stemmed and Small Pentagonal points (2,800 to 5,075 years ago), Susquehanna Broad (appx. 2,700 to 3,200 years ago) and Orient Fishtail (appx. 2,800 years ago). Raw materials are predominantly quartz, with some rhyolite and chert. Edge tools and lithic debris also are reported. The artifacts reported from this site are in the collection of John C. Powers of Bolton. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples during the Late Archaic through Woodland periods, a time span between 5,000 and 2,800 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it.

The Farrell Still River Intersection Site (19-WR-356). The soil type is Windsor fine sandy loam (a well-drained glacial outwash soil) with slopes ranging from 3 to 8 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 74 m (243 ft) above sea level in an open rural area. This site is reported by avocational archaeologist Dale Farrell of Bolton, but has not been collected. Thus, artifact styles and the time of occupation are unknown at present. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it.

The Still River Road Site (19-WR-544). The soil type is Windsor fine sandy loam (a glacial outwash soil that is well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 3 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 81 m (265 ft) above sea level in a wooded rural area. Gravel quarrying activities are evident to the northeast of the site. The site was discovered during an archaeological survey conducted by the Office of Public Archaeology at Boston University during a survey for a gas pipeline replacement. The site is located beneath 2 ft of fill (Jones et al. 1992). Reported artifacts include 30 quartz waste flakes and two fragments of quartz angular waste. The period of occupation is unknown. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it.

Hillside Church Monument (HA-2). A stone monument marking the approximatelocation of the Hillside Church appears on an existing MHC site form. Recorded by E.K. Whitcomb of the Bolton Historical Society, the church may have been destroyed by widening of the road.

Sawmill Brook Mills (HA-7). A number of mills including the Morse Grist Mill, the Creampot Pond, the Forbush Lower Mill, the Upper Mill and mill dam, and Wilder Pond, are included in an existing site form covering a large area in which there are several sites and roads, and recorded by Anne Forbes in 1998. Site forms have been prepared for each individual site during this survey.

The Lower Mill (HA-70). The Lower Mill was shown on the historic map of 1831, on a small pond known as the Acreampot.@ The mill may have been built as early as the mid-1700s. Benjamin Morse operated the mill until his death in 1844 (Whitcomb 1938:201,202; Whitcomb 1988:225,226). The mill is opposite 131 Forbush Mill Road (Lima 1998:12). This site consists of mill, dam, and access road ruins. The mill foundations are in good condition. It is part of MHC Historic Site HA-7, previously recorded, and MHC Form 938.

The Sampson Wilder/Upper Mill (HA-71). The Sampson Wilder/Upper Mill on Wilder Pond was shown on the historic maps of 1831, 1857, and 1870. It is part of MHC Historic Site HA-7, previously recorded, and MHC Forms 937 and 941. The mill is believed to have been built ca. 1830 by Sampson Wilder, and may have been used as a shingle, sash, and blind mill (Forbes 1998). The site is on Bolton conservation land.

The Barnard Saw Mill and Turning Lathe (HA-78). The Barnard Saw Mill and Turning Lathe was built on Sawmill Brook (then known as Billings Brook) by Joel and Joab Barnard in 1815. It mill operated until ca. 1831. This mill was upstream from the Sampson Wilder/Upper Mill (HA-71). The mill remains are not visible but a thorough site examination may reveal them.

The West Cemetery (MHC 802). The West Cemetery, located approximately a mile and a half northwest of the town center on what is today Green Road, was first shown on the historic map of 1831. It is one of two cemeteries established in 1822 when Bolton=s Old South Cemetery had reached its capacity. The land for the cemetery, consisting of 1 acre, was donated to the town by Thomas and Silas Welch. There are eleven graves of Revolutionary War veterans in the West Cemetery. This cemetery was still being used for burials in the late 1980s (Whitcomb 1988:146,147). It was previously recorded on MHC Form 802.

Archaeological Services Survey. During the reconnaissance at the Still River Survey Unit, a small pond with an apparent headrace and stone walls were viewed at the site of the Barnard Saw Mill and Turning Lathe (HA-78) shown on the historic map of 1831. The fields containing prehistoric sites 19-WR-351, 353, 356, and 544 were viewed from Still River Road.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the north central section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by Vaughn Hill Road and on the north by the town line with Harvard. The eastern boundary is drawn along Interstate 495. The southern boundary with the Bolton Center Survey Unit follows Golden Run Road, Harvard Road, the pipeline between Harvard and Nourse Roads, Nourse Road from the pipeline northwest to Green Road, and Green Road southwest to Vaughn Hill Road. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on earlier 7.5-minute Hudson (1943, 1979) and Clinton topographic quadrangles.

Topography. The topography of the Vaughn Hills Survey Unit is hilly. Three major hills comprise most of the survey unit. The Vaughn Hills are really two peaks, 193 and 194 m (635 and 637 ft) in elevation, which make up all of the survey unit west of Green and Bare Hill Roads. Vaughn Hills descend to a low of 72 m (236 ft) along Still River Road, in the extreme northwest edge of the survey unit. The second major hill is the unnamed rise between Harvard and Green Roads, which reaches 195 m (642 ft). The third major hill lies north of Golden Run Road, and east of Harvard Road, and is the southern end of Bare Hill. This hill is highest just east of Harvard Road at the Harvard town line, where it reaches an elevation of approximately 172 m (565 ft).

Water Sources. The Vaughn Hills Survey Unit has a variety of small streams that drain the three large hills. An unnamed stream collects water from the west side of Vaughn Hills, and flows northwesterly into the Still River. The east side of Vaughn Hills is drained by an unnamed stream that flows south, wrapping around the hills and turning north into the Still River, and by Bowers Brook, which flows north into Bare Hill Pond in Harvard, eventually reaching the Nashua in Ayer. There are numerous unnamed streams that drain the unnamed hill in the center of the survey unit, some flowing south and then west to the Nashua, and others south and east toward Great Brook and the Assabet. The largest brook in the survey unit begins on the north side of the unnamed central hill, flowing southeast and collecting runoff from the south side of Bare Hill, and continuing toward Great Brook. Another unnamed stream drains the east side of Bare Hill, flowing southeasterly through the northeast corner of the survey unit toward East Bolton.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are not very favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. There are small formations of well-drained Merrimack fine sandy loam and Hinckley sandy loam, mostly concentrated around Bowers Brook, with some small areas also at the eastern end of the survey unit, along Corn Road (Taylor and Hotz 1985). These landforms are favorable for settlement and agriculture. There are larger formations of well-drained Paxton fine sandy loam and moderately well-drained Woodbridge fine sandy loam located along the flat, low terraces, at the bases of the hills, as well as on flat upper terraces. These formations are concentrated on the north side of Vaughn Hills, the north and west sides of the unnamed central hill, the north side of Powder House Hill, and on the high, flat section of Bare Hill. The drainage beds of the streams in this survey unit are Whitman loam, Ridgebury fine sandy loam, Freetown muck, and Swansea muck, all of which are poorly drained and unfavorable for settlement or agriculture. Most of the hilltops and slopes in the survey unit are rocky and steep Chatfield-Hollis soils.

The Smallpox Cemetery (MHC 804). The Smallpox Cemetery was previously recorded on MHC Form 804. It is located close to where the bridge crosses Interstate 495, and contains the graves of two smallpox victims from 1845. It was believed that moving the bodies of smallpox victims for burial would spread the disease, so smallpox victims were typically buried quickly in the vicinity of their own homes. The burial ground contains the bodies of John P. Hatch and his four-year-old daughter, both of whom died from smallpox and were buried in 1845. Today this smallpox burial ground is overgrown (Whitcomb 1988:148).

Archaeological Services Survey. During the reconnaissance at the Vaughn Hills Survey Unit, the Vaughn Hill Road Foundations (HA-83) were recorded. They consist of a cellar hole, lined with stone foundation walls, located on the north side of the road, with a larger enclosure or foundation in the pasture beyond. The Green Road Barn (HA-84), a foundation built of stone, was viewed next to an historic house. The Smallpox Cemetery (MHC 804) was viewed.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the northeast section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by Interstate 495 and on the southwest by the Bolton Center Survey Unit, which follows the south side of Rattlesnake Hill to Meadow Road, and south along that road to Long Hill Road. The northern boundary is formed by the Harvard town line. The eastern boundary is formed by the town line with Stow. The southern boundary is drawn along an east-west line running from Long Hill Road over Long Hill to the Stow town line. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on earlier 7.5-minute Hudson (1943, 1979) and topographic quadrangles.

Topography. The topography of the East Bolton Survey Unit is hilly, dominated by two primary peaks: Rattlesnake Hill, at 146 m (480 ft); and Long Hill. Rattlesnake Hill forms most of the western section of the survey unit, with a low area along the unnamed stream to its north, and the east side of the hill cut by Great Brook. Long Hill comprises most of the eastern part of the survey unit. The community center of East Bolton and Brockway Corner is in the low area northeast of Rattlesnake Hill and north of Long Hill, formed by the junction of Great Brook and the unnamed stream that flows north of Rattlesnake Hill. The highest point in the survey unit is on Long Hill, at 147 m (482 ft), while the lowest elevations are along Great Brook, at 71 m (233 ft).

Water Sources. The East Bolton Survey Unit has several sources of fresh water, all of which are part of the greater Assabet drainage. The largest is Great Brook, which flows in a northeasterly direction from Bolton Center, winding in between Rattlesnake and Long Hills, through East Bolton into Stow, where it meets Elizabeth Brook, and enters the Assabet River near the Stow-Maynard town line. Several unnamed streams drain the south and western sides of Rattlesnake Hill, flowing south into Great Brook at the Pan. An unnamed stream drains the north side of Rattlesnake Hill, flowing east from the Vaughn Hills Survey Unit, meeting Great Brook at the community center of East Bolton. Another unnamed stream drains the north side of Long Hill, flowing north into East Bolton, and joining Great Brook. Finally, an unnamed stream drains the top and east side of Long Hill, flowing southeasterly into Stow.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are somewhat favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. The terraces along Great Brook, and the unnamed stream north of Rattlesnake Hill that are flat and well drained, and include small formations of Merrimack fine sandy loam, Hinckley sandy loam, Sudbury fine sandy loam, and Woodbridge fine sandy loam, all of which are favorable for settlement and agriculture (Taylor and Hotz 1985). These landforms include the central and northern parts of the survey unit. There are also moderately well drained soils on the terraces on and around Long Hill, comprised of Woodbridge fine sandy loam and Paxton fine sandy loam. Some smaller formations of Paxton and Woodbridge soils are also found on the north and west sides of Rattlesnake Hill. The drainage beds of Great Brook and the other streams in this survey unit are Freetown muck, Swansea muck, Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, and Whitman loam, all of which are poorly drained and unfavorable for settlement or agriculture. The hilltops and slopes in the survey unit are rocky and steep Chatfield-Hollis soils.

The David and Abel Whitcomb Grist Mill and Saw Mill (HA-69). The David and Abel Whitcomb Grist Mill and Saw Mill was built in the eighteenth century by Abel Whitcomb (Lima 1998:12-31). The mill was located on a tributary of Great Brook north of 496 Sugar Road.

The Moses H. Mentzer Inn and Barn (HA-88). The Moses H. Mentzer Inn and Barn have been destroyed. The inn burned in the 1920s and the barn was destroyed in the 1938 hurricane (Linda Engelmann, personal communication 2000; Beverly Mentzer, personal communication 2000). The inn foundation is on the north side of the road and has been filled in. The barn foundation is exposed.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the southwestern section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by the town line with Lancaster. The northern edge of the survey unit is drawn along Wilder Road and Old Bay Road from the Lancaster line to Wataquadock Hill Road. The eastern edge of the survey unit follows Wataquadock Hill Road south from Old Bay Road to West Berlin Road, and south along that road to the Berlin line. The south edge of the Ballville Survey Unit is formed by the Berlin town line. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on the earlier 7.5-minute Clinton (1943, 1979) topographic quadrangles.

Topography. The topography of the Ballville Survey Unit is mostly hilly. This survey unit includes the western half of Wataquadock Hill, including its peak at 201 m (660 ft), and the western terraces of the hill slope. In the north central part of the survey unit is a smaller hill reaching an elevation of 177 m (577 ft). The western part of the survey unit includes a flat terrace at 115 m (377 ft), now occupied by the International Golf Club, and a slightly higher flat hill at 136 m (448 ft), with one peak reaching 153 m (502 ft). The lowest topography in the survey unit lies along the Runaway Brook at 96 m (315 ft).

Water Sources. The Ballville Survey Unit contains fresh water from Runaway Brook, and from two arms of North Brook. Runaway Brook drains the western part of the survey unit, including the flat terrace and 136 m (448 ft) flat hill, to the west into the Nashua River in Lancaster. North Brook flows south into Berlin, and joins the Assabet in South Berlin. The eastern arm of North Brook drains Wataquadock Hill, and includes Welch Pond. The western arm of North Brook forms the western base of Wataquadock Hill, draining south from Old Bay Road, and including several millponds, the largest of which is in the Fyfeshire Conservation Area.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are mostly favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. The flat terrace and 136 m (448 ft) flat hill consist of sizable formations of Merrimack fine sandy loam, Windsor loamy fine sand, and Paxton fine sandy loam, all of which are favorable for settlement and agriculture (Taylor and Hotz 1985). The flat, well-drained terrace is cut by Runaway Brook, and is bordered on the east by an arm of North Brook. A few small areas of this terrace have been disturbed by gravel operations and development. The western slopes of Wataquadock Hill are rocky and steep Chatfield-Hollis soils. The drainage beds of Runaway and North Brooks are classified as Freetown muck, Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, Raynham silt loam, Whitman loam, and Walpole fine sandy loam, all of which are poorly drained and unfavorable for settlement or agriculture.

The International Golf Locus 1 Site (19-WR-666). The soil types evident at the site are Hinckley and Windsor (all glacial outwash soils that are well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 15 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites in other parts of the state. The elevation of the site is 90 m (285 ft) above sea level in a wooded residential setting. The site was discovered during an archaeological survey conducted by the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. prior to construction of the golf course (Rainey and Mair 1999). In all, 93 artifacts were recovered from the site. They include one quartz Squibnocket point (4,000 to 5,400 years ago), 83 quartz flakes, two argillite flakes, and seven fragments of schist. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples during the Late Archaic period, a time span between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it.

The International Golf Locus 2 Site (19-WR-667). The soil types evident at the site are Hinckley fine sandy loam (a glacial outwash soil that is well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 5 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 105 m (314 ft) above sea level in a wooded setting. The site was discovered during an archaeological survey conducted by the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. prior to construction of the golf course (Rainey and Mair 1999). In all, five artifacts were recovered from the site. They include one quartz Small-Stemmed point (2,800 to 5,075 years ago) and four quartz flakes. The site probably witnessed a single occupation by prehistoric people during the Late Archaic period, sometime during a time span between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it.

The International Golf Locus 3 Site (19-WR-668). The soil type at the site is Windsor fine sandy loam (a glacial outwash soil that is well drained) with slopes ranging from 0 to 5 percent. This soil is often associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 114 m (374 ft) above sea level in a wooded setting. The site was discovered during an archaeological survey conducted by the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. prior to construction of the golf course (Rainey and Mair 1999). One flake of an unidentified lithic material was recovered from the site. This site is considered a findspot and is not archaeologically significant.

The Schultz Site (19-WR-709). The soil type is Agawam and Hinckley fine sandy loam (both are well-drained glacial outwash deposits) with slopes ranging from 0 to 3 percent. Both soils often are associated with prehistoric sites throughout the state. The elevation of the site is 120 m (360 ft) above sea level in an open rural area. Reported artifacts include Brewerton Notched (4,079 to 4,900 years ago), Squibnocket Triangles (4,000 to 5,400 years ago), and Small-Stemmed points (2,800 to 5,075 years ago), Jack=s Reef Pentagonal (1,200) years ago, a groundstone axe head, a hammerstone and a ground stone celt. The artifacts reported from this site are in the collection of Herman Schultz of Bolton. The site was occupied on several occasions by prehistoric peoples during the Late Archaic and Woodland periods, a time span between 5,000 and 1,200 years ago. The subsurface condition of the site is unknown and would require a site examination to determine it. Schultz mentions that this is also the site of a mill/block house.

The Fyfe Button Factory Complex (HA-46). The Fyfe Button Factory Complex, featuring a Dam, was referred to by Linda Engelmann (personal communication 2000), and was previously recorded on MHC Form 957 (which includes 958-962). Located on town conservation land, the site consists of the ruins of a dam. The site is in good condition.

Archaeological Services Survey. During the reconnaissance of the Ballville Survey Unit, the Fyfe Button Factory Dam complex (HA-46), located on a stream that flows under Wataquadock Hill Road, was visited. A series of stone dams and small millponds are located there. Another dam, which was likely used to power manufacturing devices, was viewed at the site of the Ballville Comb and Shoe Shop (HA-43). The sites of the nineteenth-century Ballville Store (HA-42) and the Ballville Railroad Station (HA-47) were also visited.

Boundaries. This survey unit is located in the south central section of Bolton (Figure 3). It is bordered on the west by the Ballville Survey Unit, which is drawn along West Berlin Road north to Wataquadock Hill Road. The northern edge of the survey unit is drawn along a line from the intersection of Old Bay Road and Wataquadock Hill Road east to the intersection of South Bolton Road and Berlin Road, and then southeast along South Bolton Road to Interstate 495. The eastern edge of the survey unit follows Interstate 495. The south edge of the Fryville Survey Unit is formed by the Berlin town line. This survey unit is depicted on the Hudson (1997) USGS 7.5 H 15-minute quadrangle, and on earlier 7.5-minute Hudson (1943, 1979), and Clinton (1943, 1979) topographic quadrangles.

Quaker History. Beginning in the eighteenth century, there was a considerable presence of Quakers in the Fryville section of Bolton. Several Quaker families moved to Bolton in the mid-eighteenth century. Between 1762 and 1789 a meetinghouse was constructed on the land of John Fry (Whitcomb 1988:122). The meetinghouse was removed to Sturbridge Village in the twentieth century. The cemetery remains. For well over a century, many of the Quaker families lived within a mile of the center of what is known today as Fryville. While dedicated to their religious pursuits, the Quakers were also dedicated to excellence in education and production. The Fry Quaker School was noted in the nineteenth century as a model for good-quality education. The school was open to Quakers and non-Quakers (Whitcomb 1988:124).

Many of the Quaker families ran mills and commercial establishments. There were several industrial sites in Fryville in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Lewis Fry and Joseph Holder produced high quality shoes with leather tanned in Bolton. The industry developed into the well known AFrye Boots@ line of the twentieth century. The Fry card and machine shop produced textile cards and curry combs. Amos Evans produced furniture in a building on Berlin Road (Whitcomb 1988:122-124; Lima 1998:84).

By the 1870s, many of the houses in the vicinity of the village of Fryville retained the names of Quaker families. The Quaker families of Fry, Powers, Wheeler, Babcock, Kimmers, Osgood, Watson, Houghton, and Evans are mapped on the Beers Atlas of 1870 (Figure 9), all within a mile or so of the village.

Topography. The topography of the Fryville Survey Unit is primarily divided between hilly areas and swampy areas. This survey unit includes the eastern half of Wataquadock Hill, and the eastern terraces of the hill slope, which range from 189 m (620 ft) to 120 m (394 ft). This includes the western half of the survey unit. The eastern part of the Fryville Survey Unit is comprised of numerous streams and brooks that drain Wataquadock Hill to the east into Mill Brook, east of Interstate 495. This includes the northern section of Hog Swamp, which lies at 106 m (350 ft).

Water Sources. The Fryville Survey Unit contains abundant freshwater associated with the upper sections of the Mill Brook drainage. Mill Brook flows east into Danforth Brook, which flows into Hudson into the Assabet River. The southern part of Hog Swamp drains to the south into Hog Brook, which also enters the Assabet in Hudson.

Soils. Soils in this survey unit are not very favorable for the presence of Native American archaeological sites. However, there are several small terraces and low hilltops bordering the edges of Hog Swamp and the arms of Mill Brook that are comprised of well-drained soils. These include small formations of Merrimack fine sandy loam, Hinckley sandy loam, Windsor loamy fine sand, and Paxton fine sandy loam, all of which are favorable for settlement and agriculture (Taylor and Hotz 1985). These landforms lie scattered across the eastern part of the survey unit. The drainage beds of Hog Swamp are Freetown muck, Swansea muck, and Scarboro mucky fine sandy loam, all of which are poorly drained and unfavorable for settlement or agriculture. The eastern slopes of Wataquadock Hill are rocky and steep Chatfield-Hollis soils, except for a few flat terraces, which include formations of Paxton fine sandy loam.