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 historical account written in the late 20th century. The work focuses on the archaeological and historical investigations of Marlborough, a colonial port town in Stafford County, paying particular attention to its origins, evolution, and the influential figure of John Mercer. It explores the material culture of colonial Virginian life through the lens of artifacts and historical documents, offering insights into the societal structures of the time. At the start of the text, Watkins introduces the motivations behind the archaeological and historical investigations that took place at Marlborough, a town established as a port under colonial law. The preface outlines the contributions of various scholars and the logistics of excavation, highlighting the limited yet significant findings connected to John Mercer's occupation and the town's rise and decline. The opening chapters discuss the struggles of establishing port towns in Virginia and the failure of Marlborough to thrive, offering context for its eventual decline as a viable community after the burning of its courthouse and the lack of economic activity.