Link to the World

Link to the World. . While the essentials of life could be had from the waters, fields, gardens, and forests of Popes Creek Plantation, true economic prosperity depended on the plantation's link to the world; the Potomac River., The boat landing for Popes Creek Plantation was located somewhere near here. Several times a year, ships from England would anchor in the river channel., A small fleet of boats would then ferry cargo - chinaware, spices, linens, wines, silver, and other luxuries - to the landing. On the return trip, the boats would carry hogsheads of Augustine Washington's primary cash crop, tobacco., When the ships arrived, Washington's slaves would leave the fields and workshops and temporarily assume the duties of longshoremen. Little of the cargo they unloaded was for their own use or consumption.