When Williamsburg Bloomed: John Custis’s Garden Vision

November 14, 1749

On this day, John Custis IV, an American planter, politician, government official, and military officer, died.

His garden legacy has recently captured headlines as archaeologists uncover what was once colonial America's most lavish ornamental garden.

In 1717, Custis created a magnificent four-acre garden in Williamsburg, Virginia, that became known as "Custis Square."

Through his friendship and correspondence with renowned British botanist Peter Collinson, Custis transformed this space into what he proudly called a garden,

inferior to few if any in Virginia in which... my whole delight is placed.

The garden reflected both Custis's personal tastes and the height of colonial garden fashion:

1. Over 100 different tree species adorned the grounds
2. He was among the first to grow tomatoes in Virginia - then called "love apples"
3. Exotic plants from around the world arrived via ship from England
4. Elaborate topiary and "striped, gilded and variegated plants" lined the paths
5. His collection of English roses was particularly celebrated

Recent archaeological discoveries at Custis Square reveal fascinating details about both the garden's grandeur and its untold stories:

- Cedar fence posts 3 feet thick have been unearthed
- Gravel walkways and formal planting patterns are visible in soil stains
- Evidence of West African spiritual traditions has been found, including ritualistic animal burials beneath fence posts
- Artifacts from enslaved gardeners include a pierced coin worn as a good-luck charm

The excavation highlights the critical role of enslaved gardeners in maintaining this elaborate landscape. During droughts, Custis ordered them to fill countless buckets with water, let them warm in the sun, and water the plants at night - a testament to both their expertise and their forced labor.

Custis's garden influenced later American gardens, including those of his granddaughter-in-law Martha Washington, who would have visited the garden during her first marriage to Daniel Parke Custis. The property remained a landmark in Williamsburg until after the American Revolution.