FREE BLACKS AND THE ST. JAMES CHURCHYARD: A GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY

A team of Vassar students conducted a geophysical survey of a suspected burial site in the southeast corner of the St. James Churchyard in Hyde Park, New York. Several non- invasive geophysical tools were used to search for anomalies in the soil that would suggest the presence of unknown burials. Data showed evidence of two previously known unmarked graves, but no additional burials were found.

In the early 1800s, this church was closely associated with Guinea, a free black community about a mile away. It was suspected that the unmarked graves were those of the free black church members. The church's first sexton, Richard Jenkins, was a black man who was very highly regarded in the community. Jenkins was buried with his family in the center of this historically significant churchyard.

Over the course of four months our team conducted geophysical survey of the churchyard's southeast corner. The tools used include a total station surveyor, electrical resistivity meter, Cesium-vapor magnetometer, and ground-penetrating radar. Although there were no markers or other evidence of graves at the site, subtle variations in the electromagnetic properties of the soil can show disturbances that may correspond to graves. The area surveyed included existing interments that we used as a control.

To supplement the geophysical surveys and to provide a historical context, we also conducted archival research using materials from the St. James Church vault, with the assistance of church members Nancy Alden and Gloria Kidd Golden. These resources included the Church's historical minutes, Sunday School records, census records, and maps. Lorraine Roberts and Jackie Harper from the Black History Committee of the Dutchess County Historical Society also contributed their knowledge of the Guinea site and African American history of the region to the class.

After analyzing the geophysical data and historical research, it is likely that the presence of shallow bedrock prevented burials in this corner. The anomalies found correspond more to bedrock, trees, and power lines than to potential graves.