1700s plantation, cemetery discovered

DANVILLE, Va. (AP) - Remnants of an 18th-century plantation and cemetery have been discovered on a 158-acre property in Danville.

The Danville Industrial Development Authority bought the property last fall. It was once owned by Thomas Fearn, one of Danville's original trustees.

Site studies have found foundations for the Fearn family's main house and what appear to be outbuildings, a separate kitchen, slave quarters, outhouses, a cistern and a well.

Investigative archaeologist Lyle Browning tells the Danville Register & Bee that depressions in the ground indicate up to 100 graves could be on the property.

The graves are located in the middle of the property, which could hinder plans to develop it.

Danville economic development director Jeremy Stratton says the authority is seeking the state's permission to move the remains to another cemetery.

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Information from: Danville Register & Bee, http://www.registerbee.com