From its completion in the early 1740s, Stratford Hall, home to this black locust tree, was a teeming complex of plantation industry. Except for its need of manufactured goods, it was a self-sufficient community. "A towne in itself" was how one visitor described it. The Lees owned or held interest in several vessels which sailed from Stratford 's landing on the Potomac . Deep-draft ships unloaded their cargoes of tea, textiles, metalware, porcelain, tools and other British goods into lighters that ferried them to the "wharff." Tied up at the landing were shallops and commercial craft that plied between the river plantations, as well as pleasure craft and gaily decorated row barges.