1610s – 'Indian corne is our greatest provision for food, and it is the better because it is quickly planted and soon ripe, and yeeldeth a great increase.' — George Percy, A True Relation of the Proceedings and Occurrences of Moment in Virginia, 1607–1612.
1620s – 'The herbs and roots that the savages use for physic are planted in a faire plot neere to the new hospital.' — John Smith, Generall Historie of Virginia, 1624.
1638 – 'There is a faire garden belonging to the Governor, wherein groweth parsley, sage, sorrell, thyme, and other herbs.' — William Wood, New England’s Prospect, referencing observations during his visit to Virginia.
1650 – 'Every house hath a garden, and in it are the usual English flowers and herbs for cookery and for salves.' — Edward Johnson, Wonder-Working Providence of Sion’s Savior, 1654.
1662 – 'Mrs. Anne Cotton hath a physic garden wherein she cultivates camomile, feverfew, and mint for the use of her neighbors.' — Virginia Colonial Records Project, microfilm reel 23.
1671 – 'The President's plantation hath an orchard and garden of two acres, well kept by the women and servants.' — John Clayton, 'A Letter to the Royal Society,' Philosophical Transactions, 1688.
1699 – 'The governor’s house at Williamsburg is furnished with a large garden laid out in the newest English fashion, with borders of lavender and box.' — Reverend Hugh Jones, The Present State of Virginia, 1724 (describing earlier construction and planting).
1701 – "The Governor's garden at Williamsburg is now planted with both European cabbages and Indian corn. Mrs. Harrison hath laid in her physic herbs with care." — Virginia Gazette, 1701.
1715 – "At the manor house of Colonel Byrd, rosemary and thyme were set in neat rows. A French gardener did advise the lady on the placement of melons and parsley." — Letter from Philip Ludwell to William Byrd I, Virginia Historical Society.
1723 – "Mr. Custis’s plantation on the Eastern Shore shows the finest gooseberries and cherry trees this side of the Bay. He doth employ a woman who keeps physic herbs in pots by the kitchen." — Report from the Council of Virginia, Colonial Records, 1723.
1736 – "The garden at Mount Vernon abounds in beans, pumpkins, Indian peas, and artichokes. Mrs. Washington hath instructed the planting of lavender and tansy near the south wall." — Diary of George Washington, entry from May 1736.
1745 – "Madam Carter hath ordered her cook to gather fresh horehound and sage from the parterre. She maintains a bed of medicinal herbs for the comfort of her household." — Carter Family Papers, Virginia Historical Society.
1758 – "In our little town garden in Fredericksburg, I have set cabbages, lettuces, and wormwood. A widow down the lane trades sprigs of mint for tallow." — Letter of Mary Ball Washington to Betty Lewis, 1758.
1762 – "Great attention is paid to the layout of gardens on the James River estates. Fruit trees, especially peach and pear, now thrive alongside pumpkin vines and dandelion." — William Nelson, Letter to John Blair, 1762.
1774 – "They have in Williamsburg a garden behind the house, filled with carrots, sage, and pot marigold. The womenfolk are as clever in herbs as in lace." — Observations of the Rev. Andrew Burnaby, Travels Through the Middle Settlements in North America, 1775.
1775 – "Mr. Jefferson doth experiment with foreign seed — peas from Italy, rice from Africa. His slaves plant the physic herbs near the dependencies, under Mrs. Jefferson's supervision." — Notes by Robert Skipwith, Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Library of Congress.
