Boating activity on Carter's Creek dates back to colonial days when Robert "King" Carter of Corotoman settled in what is now known as Irvington, Virginia. Carter's ships loaded with tobacco sailed out of the creek to European countries and the West Indies and returned with necessities and luxuries needed by and sold to Carter's neighbors up and down the rivers of the Northern Neck of Virginia. Watercraft activity on the creek today consists mostly of pleasure boats heading in and out to the Rappahannock River and numerous deadrise workboats which make Carter's Creek their home port. The artist places the viewer out in the middle of the creek looking into the mouth of the eastern branch as a workboat returns and a sailing yacht enjoys the afternoon breeze. On the point sets the magnificent home built by Dr. Levin M. Irving (circa 1905) who was the son of Captain Levin H. Irving for whom the Town of Irvington was named in 1891.