Centerville near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Timeline of the Hot Water Tract

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

1. Timeline of the Hot Water Tract Marker

Inscription.

Timeline of the Hot Water Tract. . , As you explore the cemetery grounds, imagine what life was like at "the Hot Water Tract." Please remember this is the final resting place of as many as 160 people now "known only to God.", Sources: Alain C. Outlaw, Archaeological and Cultural Solutions; Douglas Owsley and Kari Bruwelheide, Department of Anthropology, National History Museum, Smithsonian Institution; and Martha W. McCartney, Twin Paths to Freedom: The History and Archaeology of James City County's Free Black Communities., 1652 , Royal Governor William Berkeley (owner of Green Spring Plantation) acquired this tract of land known as "the Hot Waters.", 1677 , Royal Governor William Berkely dies. The Hot Water Tract was inherited by the Ludwell and Lee families., 1680-1700 , Based on historical evidence and archaeological findings, someone of higher status lived here. This likely included the Secretary of the Colony, Colonel Nicholas Spencer, who resided on Hot Water plantation, from the early 1680s until his death in 1689. Spencer would have occupied the principal dwelling just south of the marked cemetery area. An adjacent and smaller outbuilding was found at the eastern edge of the cemetery location. This dwelling may have served as a servant/enslaved quarter during Spencer's residency on the Hot Water Tract., 1700-1745 , The area was likely used as quarters for enslaved individuals for subsidiary farming. After Spencer's death, it is likely that another tenant lived in this location., 1770-1810 , The cemetery continued to be used as a burial site. Artifacts recovered from the fill dirt in several grave shafts indicate use of the area 40 years after the home site's abandonment., 1803 , William Ludwell Lee dies. The enslaved were freed one year after his death or upon reaching 18 years of age. Those underage were given an opportunity to receive education further north., 2004 , The skeletal remains recovered from the 20 graves that were excavated were re-interred after a ceremony officiated by the Reverend Robert A. Whitehead, Sr. of New Zion Baptist Church., This story continues in the park's reconstructed Free Black Settlement which sheds light on one of our nation's first Free Black Settlements, established in 1803, Donated by the estate of Josephine B. Chandler

As you explore the cemetery grounds, imagine what life was like at "the Hot Water Tract." Please remember this is the final resting place of as many as 160 people now "known only to God."

Sources: Alain C. Outlaw, Archaeological & Cultural Solutions; Douglas Owsley and Kari Bruwelheide, Department of Anthropology, National History Museum, Smithsonian Institution; and Martha W. McCartney, Twin Paths to Freedom: The History and Archaeology of James City County's Free Black Communities.

1652
Royal Governor William Berkeley (owner of Green Spring Plantation) acquired this tract of land known as "the Hot Waters."

1677
Royal Governor William Berkely dies. The Hot Water Tract was inherited by the Ludwell and Lee families.

1680-1700
Based on historical evidence and archaeological findings, someone of higher status lived here. This likely included the Secretary of the Colony, Colonel Nicholas Spencer, who resided on Hot Water plantation, from the early 1680s until his death in 1689. Spencer would have occupied the principal dwelling just south of the marked cemetery area. An adjacent and smaller outbuilding was

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found at the eastern edge of the cemetery location. This dwelling may have served as a servant/enslaved quarter during Spencer's residency on the Hot Water Tract.

1700-1745
The area was likely used as quarters for enslaved individuals for subsidiary farming. After Spencer's death, it is likely that another tenant lived in this location.

1770-1810
The cemetery continued to be used as a burial site. Artifacts recovered from the fill dirt in several grave shafts indicate use of the area 40 years after the home site's abandonment.

1803*
William Ludwell Lee dies. The enslaved were freed one year after his death or upon reaching 18 years of age. Those underage were given an opportunity to receive education further north.

2004
The skeletal remains recovered from the 20 graves that were excavated were re-interred after a ceremony officiated by the Reverend Robert A. Whitehead, Sr. of New Zion Baptist Church.

*This story continues in the park's reconstructed Free Black Settlement which sheds light on one of our nation's first Free Black Settlements, established in 1803

Donated by the estate of Josephine B. Chandler

Erected by James

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

2. Timeline of the Hot Water Tract Marker

The cemetery is within the fenced area beyond.

City County Parks & Recreation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Anthropology & Archaeology • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1652.

Location. 37° 19.234′ N, 76° 48.02′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. It is in Centerville. It can be reached from Hotwater Trail one mile west of Centerville Road (Virginia Route 614), on the right when traveling west. This marker stands on the grounds of Freedom Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5537 Centerville Road, Williamsburg VA 23188, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

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,

Hot Water Tract Cemetery Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

3. Hot Water Tract Cemetery Monument

Installed to commemorate the ~160 unknown persons buried in the adjacent, fenced-in cemetery. This monument is directly adjacent to the marker at the end of the walking path.

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 of this marker: Archaeological Analysis of Hot Water Tract (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the Hot Water Tract (about 300 feet away); Welcome to Freedom Park (about 600 feet away); Engagement at Spencer's Ordinary (about 600 feet away); Brown Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Free Black Settlement (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jackson Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lightfoot Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Early Settlement and Cemetery (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Hot Water Tract Ground Stains image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

4. Hot Water Tract Ground Stains

Ground staining typically indicates archaeological sites and underground features like building foundations. Two are visible here, just south of the cemetery. They are most visible in winter and from the air.

Hot Water Tract Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

5. Hot Water Tract Exhibit

Within the Freedom Park Interpretive Center. The exhibit is four panels. This is just one of the four.

Cemetery & Tract Digital History image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, February 14, 2026

6. Cemetery & Tract Digital History

Presented on an interactive screen within the Interpretive Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 13, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.