Quakers on the Hoosier frontier : a diachronic perspective on the archaeology of Huddleston House, a nineteenth century Indiana farmstead

Abstract

This study focuses on interpreting the archaeological evidence from the Huddleston House farmstead, in Wayne County, Indiana. Four generations of Huddleston families called the farmstead their home. A diachronic perspective is used to reconstruct the historic landscape and economic changes over time. This thesis uses statistical analysis of data contained within primary documents to gain historical context. Fluctuating economic conditions and the passing of the frontier greatly influenced local and regional roles within the larger global economy. This thesis explains the effects these changes had on farm families like the Huddlestons. Local economic trends are established through documentary analysis. Exploring the level of congruence between the Huddleston family and the local trend, and then using that information to interpret the archaeological evidence was the goal of this research. In addition, archaeological evidence is used to link specific households to specific deposits.