Site of the Meat Rations Building / Jail

This archaeological site is the location of the rations building for the enslaved community. At one time this building contained 113 barrels of salted pork and 15 ½ barrels of lard. Each week, every member of the enslaved community old enough to work received 3 ½ pounds of salted pork and fish. Tradition holds that this building may have also been used as a jail.

The exposed archaeological foundation you see here was the site of the Meat Rations Building. From this structure, the overseer issued weekly rations to each enslaved person old enough to work, which included 3 ½ pounds of salted pork and fish, along with basic foodstuffs like flour, cornmeal, and molasses. Since the overseers were responsible for keeping the rations secure, the building was located close to the Overseers’ Home. Rationing food also served as a means of controlling the enslaved community because it forced them to rely on the Collins family for their sustenance. As a result, withholding of rations was one of the many punishments inflicted upon enslaved people at Somerset Place, as was solitary confinement. Tradition holds that this building may have also served as a jail for enslaved persons.

Self-Guided Tour Brochure, Somerset Place State Historic Site.