University in Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Slaves' Garden

— Historic Smithfield Plantation —

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 25, 2020

1. Slaves' Garden Marker

Inscription. Brief History of Slavery at Smithfield Plantation
William Preston purchased eighteen enslaved Africans in 1759 from the slave ship the True Blue, a part of the African Company of Merchants. The slaves were originally West African and their roots could be traced back to the modern-day of countries Gambia, Senegal, and Ghana. Many were craftsmen, weavers, and carpenters—valued skillsets on the isolated frontier of Virginia. Preston returned with the slaves to Greenfield Plantation where the family was living at the time. In 1774 the Preston family moved to the completed Smithfield Plantation, a home which the slaves had been instrumental in building. By the time of Preston's death in 1783 there were 42 people enslaved at Smithfield plantation.

Tending the Garden
Small gardens planted by and for slaves were common practice at plantations as a way for enslaved people to improve their diet, provide medicine and healing, and to continue spiritual traditions and practices. Many captured Africans were able to bring familiar plants with them by hiding rootstock and seeds in their clothing and hair. In addition, Africans

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

frequently brought with them a rich heritage of agricultural knowledge which helped them grow traditional crops in new environments and to cultivate unfamiliar European and American crops. With little free time to tend their own gardens, slaves favored low-labor crops that were high-yield and calorie rich. They often planted a combination of African plants (such as cowpeas, sorghum, lablab bean, watermelon, muskmelon, okra, eggplant, and bottleneck gourd) and European and American plants (including mustard, cabbage, onion, corn, and potatoes). The crops that were nurtured in these gardens enabled enslaved Africans to carry on cultural and food traditions, a legacy that was continued and reshaped by future generations, and thereby permanently woven into the American cultural tapestry.

Wattle and Daub
The fence that protects this garden was built by weaving together vines and sticks found on the property, strengthened by a clay and sod base. Wattled fences can be traced back thousands of years to societies throughout the globe and was a fence commonly built by enslaved Africans.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 25, 2020

2. Slaves' Garden Marker

topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1759.

Location. 37° 13.083′ N, 80° 25.9′ W. Marker is in Blacksburg, Virginia, in Montgomery County. It is in University. It can be reached from Smithfield Plantation Road 0.1 miles south of Smithfield Road, on the right when traveling south. On the grounds of the Historic Smithfield Plantation. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Blacksburg VA 24060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Virginia,

in the Blue Ridge Highlands,

and in the New River Gorge.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Paid Advertisement

of this marker: 1820 Slave Cabin (here, next to this marker); Site Of The Law Offices Of Wm. Ballard Preston (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Patriots (a few steps from this marker); Liberty and Justice for All (a few steps from this marker); William Ballard Preston (a few steps from this marker); Smithfield Plantation (within shouting distance of this marker); Smithfield Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Preston Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Blacksburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,304 times since then and 70 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.