A small island of trees known as a hammock formed a slave community on Recess Plantation, beside Laurel Hill Plantation, rising as high ground amid wetland rice fields. In the woods stood a round brick cistern that stored drinking water and perishable foods because local well water often was unfit to drink. Rainwater probably was collected from the roofs of six slaves’ quarters and funneled into the brick-lined reservoir, which was about seven feet deep and covered by a wooden lid to keep out animals and debris. The hammock also contained Chinese parasol trees planted for shade on Low Country plantations, periwinkle once cultivated as groundcover, and mature hardwoods that sheltered birds such as warblers, thrushes, wrens, and sparrows.