The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia An Archeological and Historical Investigation of the Port Town for Stafford County and the Plantation of John Mercer, Including Data Supplied by Frank M. Setzler and Oscar H. Darter

"The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia" by C. Malcolm Watkins is a detailed exploration of a colonial port town's rise and fall, set against the backdrop of Stafford County. The story kicks off by examining the reasons behind the archaeological and historical digs at Marlborough, a town dreamt up as a busy trading hub by colonial law. The book shows the essential roles of different scholars and the organization of archaeological expeditions. Even though the discoveries were not extensive, they offered critical details about John Mercer's influence during the town’s development, as well as its overall trajectory. The early chapters talk about the difficulties faced when trying to get port towns off the ground in Virginia. Marlborough struggled to make it, and the book explains how it ended up failing as a successful community after its courthouse was burned and economic activity dried up. The book gives us a window into the everyday life and cultural characteristics of colonial Virginia, using artifacts and historical records to bring the past to life.