Architecture, Settlement Structure, and Labor Relations At Three Antebellum Plantations On Sapelo Island, Georgia

Research at three antebellum plantations on Sapelo Island, Georgia indicates a wide variety in Geechee settlement forms, construction techniques and materials, and architectural artifacts associated with structures. Based on documentary and archaeological data, two contrasting forms of settlement patterning are described that correlate with distinct labor relations at individual plantations. Significant slave cabin construction changes over a 60 year period are presented that resulted from either coercion or choice. Finally, archaeological manifestations of slave cabin details (windows and tabby plaster) are described and related to status differences between planter and slave.