In 1803,27-year-old William Ludwell Lee died and, in his will, freed his slaves. Less than ten years earlier, Lee had inherited nearly 8700 acres and property that included 54 enslaved people ages 16 and older, 11 children ages 12 to 16, and a few children who were 11 and younger. While there is no evidence that Lee freed any enslaved people during his lifetime, upon his death, his slaves were freed effective January 1 in the year following his death (1804). He is buried on Jamestown Island.
Hot Water Tract Became Home
His will also stated that the freed slaves would be provided “comfortable homes” and a “year’s supply of corn.” It took some time for the executor of the will to interpret what a comfortable home would be and get those homes constructed. While some of the originally enslaved people left the area, the Hot Water Tract became a safe haven for Black people of the time. And it was their home for the first half of the nineteenth century.
Forests As a Food Resource
Tree Stewards in the 2018 class investigated what trees and woody plants the settlers might have depended on for food. The project involved researching native plants that were fruit or nut producing in addition to learning about trees, like apples, that would have been brought here by earlier settlers. The project also involved identifying and labeling many of the existing trees, which are part of the Williamsburg Botanical Garden and Freedom Park Arboretum. During the last few years, many trees and woody plants have been identified and labeled and additional trees and shrubs have been planted.
If you look along the edge of the woods, you will see that dozens of trees have been tagged. Trees that were already established when the project was started included walnut, hickory, pawpaw, and oak. Woody shrubs and vines found growing included high bush blueberry, huckleberry, devil’s walking stick, and muscadine grapes. The early settlers would probably not have planted many of these trees or shrubs because this settlement was temporary, and the will allowed them to live in the area for ten years while they transitioned into their free lives. However, nearly all of the trees and shrubs are native, so the people who lived here would have known where to find them in nearby woods.
Native Fruits
In the woods surrounding the Settlement, in addition to the fruit-bearing plants listed above, during this time, people would have used acorns for flour, and there are mature oak trees. Native seedlings that were added to the area include hackberries, elderberries, persimmons, and beauty berries, in addition to passion vine and pawpaw seeds. Because the time period for the Settlement is the first half of the nineteenth century, apple trees would have been present in the region, so apple trees were also planted near the cabins.
New Authentic Plantings
Three areas have been planted with shrubs that naturally grow in clumps. These include highbush blueberries, hazelnuts, and chokecherries and two mulberry trees. Planting the shrubs together made them easier to fence and protect from deer.
Volunteers have also planted seedlings to increase the variety of species in and around the settlement. In addition to the trees previously mentioned, oak varieties, button bush, silky dogwood, sumac, hornbeam, long-leaf pine, and sweetspire have been planted. The first tree tags and seedlings were purchased through a Trees Virginia grant.
Kitchen Gardens
The kitchen garden beds at the front of two cabins have been rebuilt. In the past, the gardens were planted and maintained, but they have not been planted for several years. Deer browsing complicates vegetable gardening in the Settlement. While all these plants might not have grown right next to the cabins, they would have been in the nearby woods and Settlers would have foraged for them when they were in season. Next time you are at Freedom Park, stop by the Settlement and take a look at what is growing now.
If you have questions about this project, contact us at [email protected]
