Last winter I discovered this beautifully bound book about Colonial Williamsburg history authored by a certain Rutherfoord Goodwin!
Searching through my books, I discovered these fascinating details about Rutherfoord Goodwin:
One who made as significant and far more graceful a contribution was Rutherfoord Goodwin. A man of keen intellect and winning personality…quickly took charge of education, training, public relations and publications. It was Rutherfoord who hit upon the idea of recruiting hostesses from among the region’s gentlewomen and training them in matters of history and Restoration philosophy. He also had them dress in colonial clothes so that they could be identified by (and distinguished from) the visitors who started arriving in ever greater numbers once Raleigh Tavern opened in 1932. His band of three ladies grew into something that wasn’t considered at the outset, a corps of “interpreters” eventually numbering in the hundreds to make visitors’ experiences “educational.” – Colonial Williamsburg, Philip Kopper, p 187
The same book also describes this unique book in an intriguing way:
A skillful scholar and writer, Rutherfoord had both intelligence and imagination. Since Williamsburg started attracting visitors from the outset, he provided a Baedeker in the sort of book once called a “conceit.” The choice volume contained his entertaining and accurate narrative written in the style of the 18th century along with appendices of historical documents. Printed and bound in engaging mimicry of colonial books, A Brief & True Report Concerning Williamsburg in Virginia first appeared in 1935 and still sells steadily. – Colonial Williamsburg, Philip Kopper, p 190-191
So…let’s define the terms: baedeker and conceit
BAEDEKER 19TH CENTURY TRAVEL GUIDES
After Napoleon’s exile, European roads, that had been improved by the former emperor, were suddenly full of visitors from afar, touring fashionable places like Paris, Italy, and the Alps.
Thus, travel guides soon became the latest fashion.
Meanwhile, Karl Baedeker of early 19th century Germany, who descended from a family of printers, didn’t think the books as helpful as they could be.
Thus, in 1832, he published his own travel book with many distinctives for improved travel advice.
His aim, he stated, was to protect the traveller from unwanted molesters, touts, and undesirables, ‘to render him independent, and to place him in a position from which he may receive his own impressions with clear eyes and lively heart’ (Deutschland, 8th edn, 1858). –British Journal of General Practice
Published with a distinctive red cover, these guides were handily sized about 6″x4″ to easily fit into a bag or pocket.
Constantly researched and updated, these handy books also had the first starred rating system along with helpful tips, such as:
‘A porter in Mannheim should receive 12 kreuzer for carrying a trunk weighing more than 40 pounds, 8 kreuzer for one weighing less’ –British Journal of General Practice
In 1929, humorist and novelist AP Herbert who represented Oxford in Parliamet proclaimed: Kings and governments may err, but never Mr Baedeker.
Well, with that description of Baedeker, the personal application I’d make is that it is a most unique travel guide, perfectly styled in the era of the 18th century, that a true Colonial Williamsburg lover would enjoy reading on a bench under a tree…so as to relive the amazing actions that formed America…as well as how a sleepy 20th centuy town literally returned to its 18th century past.
The outside is covered in period accurate marbled paper…
There are even pull out maps!
CONCEIT – METAPHOR TO PROVE INTELLCTUAL POINT
While metaphors can range from simply to extended, a conceit is the most extended of the metaphors, in this case, for the entire 406 pages of the book…including the covers, marbled paper, and leather cover with embossed title on the spine…along with the printing style within the book and verbiage.
It’s a total 18th century styled book!
Meanwhile, the conceit proves an intellectual book.
In this case, this book proves that Viginia led the colonies to form America…little heard of outside Colonial Williamsburg.
RUTHERFOORD GOODWIN – SON OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDER
Who better to author this book, than one of the sons of the proclaimed Father of the Restoration of Williamsburg, Reverend W.A.R. (William Archer Rutherfoord) Goodwin.
Born in 1901, Thomas Rutherfoord Le Baron Goodwin (aka Rutherfoord Goodwin) spent the early years of his boyhood growing up in the sleepy village of Williamsburg that echoed of America’s history.
According to this interview with Howard, another of Goodwin’s sons who was eighteen years younger than Rutherfoord, all six of the kids enjoyed playing in the sleepy town of Williamsburg with ancient architectural bones scattered about here and there.
While the oldest sister wrote a booklet of her times playing in the Bruton Parish graveyard, Howard recalls playing with his pals atop the old foundation of the Capitol, that had been decimated by fire in 1832.
While Howard’s childhood memories of Williamsburg began in 1923, when he was four years of age Rutherfoord’s began at age at age two, in 1903…because Goodwin spent two distinct eras at Williamsburg as rector of Bruton Parish Church: 1903-1908 and 1923 until his passing in 1939.
Despite the 18 years difference in age, Howard reports that they were close.
When Goodwin returned to Williamsburg in 1923, he and his large family lived at 124 East Francis Street, including Rutherfoord while he attended college.
College of William and Mary, perhaps?
Although Rutherfoord pursued the newspaper trade after college, his father enlisted him for research during the restoration years.
Meanwhile, he apparently married a lady related to former Williamsburg resident, Peyton Randolph!
This third edition of the book Rutherfoord wrote in 1941 carries his father’s legacy of excellent detail to history while romantically writing of the lives that walked the streets of the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg while forging a nation.
Have I mentioned how 18th century this book is?
Due to the limitations of my complex modern day technology that understands little of the 18th century, imagine the letter s written more like an f, in the manner of that long ago day.
TITLE PAGE
While the shortened title on the spine of the book simply reads, Williamsburg in Virginia, the title page is much more 18th century in scope and style:
A
BRIEF & TRUE REPORT
CONCERNING
Williamsburg
in VIRGINIA:
Being an Account of the most important
Occurences in that Place from its
first Beginning to the present Time.
TO which is added an Appendix composed
of Records and Works from which this
Account is drawn; with Copies of the
Acts for building the Capitol and the
City of Williamsburg, and its Charter.
By RUTHERFOORD GOODWIN,
An Inhabitant of the Place.
PREFACE
Continuing the Goodwin-Rockefeller legacy of restoring Williamsburg to its former glory so Americans can visit to learn the history of their country at the place it originated in Virginia…Rutherfoord begins with the dedication page to the reader in the 18th century manner:
GOOD FRIEND, what Matter how or whence you come
To walk these Streets which are the Nation’s Home;
Rest for a Time and – resting – read herein,
Seek from the Past and – seeking – Wisdom win:
For if the Things you see give you no Gain,
The LIVES of many MEN were lived in vain.
Truly, Rutherfoord holds firm to his promise, that only the most important details are mentioned in this book.
It is tightly written.
Of the 406 pages, the first 124 is a recounting of the most important history of the town.
Beyond that is the appendix containing documentation, resources, and index.
VIRGINIA FORMED AMERICA
For the purpose of this blog post in preparation for the big 250, I want to share the points made in this book that showcases what most textbooks and history books ignore…how Williamsburg inspired 13 colonies to independence.
It has been held that the History of the chief City of a Country is, in great Measure, the History of that Country itself. And if there be any Truth in this Philosophy, it will be left to the Reader to judge how much greater would be that Truth if the chief City should also be the only City of Consequence in such a Country: For, through those Years of the eighteenth Century in which it was the Metropolis of the Virginia Colony, Williamsburg was not only the Seat of Virginia’s Government, but also the principal Seat of its Religion, Education, Society, Commerce, and Fashion. Moreover, it enjoyed this unusual Distinction in a Colony which was then everywhere acknowledged to be the most populous, the most powerful, and the most prosperous of all Great Britain’s Plantations in America; so that though Williamsburg was in Virginia what Boston was to Massachusetts and what Philadelphia was to Pennsylvania, yet, because of its unusual Importance in Virginia and because of Virginia’s Ascendancy among the Colonies, it was (although smaller in Size) in many Ways more potent than even those great Places. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p17.
COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY LEGACY
In describing the legacy of the College of William and Mary to the formation of our great country, Rutherfoord catalogues the following:
- 15 members of the Continental Congress
- Peyton Randolph, the first president of the Continental Congress
- 4 signatures on the Declaration of Independence
- 4 of the first 10 presidents of the United States
- 4 Supreme Court justices
- 4 Secretaries of State
- 29 Senators (17 of which were from Virginia)
- 3 Speakers of the House of Representatives
- 58 members of the House of Representatives
- 4 Attorney Generals (one of whom was the first Attorney General)
- 1 Secretary of War
- 1 Secretary of the Navy
- 1 Postmaster General
- 1 Secretary of the Treasury
- 1 Secretary of the Interior
- 18 Ministers to Foreign Countries
GEORGE WASHINGTON INFLUENCED BY WILLIAMSBURG
Now a catalogue of how Williamsburg shaped George Washington:
- Surveyor’s commission obtained from College of William and Mary
- Military career began under the Royal Governor, as envoy
- Military career continued under the Royal Governor as Major over the Virginia Militia against the French
- 16 years as member of the House of Burgesses (Virginia’s colonial legislative body)
- Delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress
- Marriage to Martha Parke Custis, resident of Williamsburg
1765 STAMP ACT
Regarding the firebrand Patrick Henry who passed the bar exam in 1760 after studying law himself, and before that studying the classics with his father won the 1763 Parson’s Cause opposing British tyranny over Virginia legislation.
In response to the 1765 Stamp Act, Henry presented his resolutions before the House of Burgesses, arousing discord and debate among the members, to which he proclaimed: “Caesar had his Brutus; Charles the First, His Cromwell; And George the Third” — (“Treason!” cried the Speaker — “Treason, treason!” echoed from every part of the house). Henry faultered not for an instant, but rising to a loftier attitude, concluded thus – “may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.”
Of Patrick Henry’s speech and resolutions against the Stamp Act, Rutherfoord wrote:
News of the Resolutions and the Action of the Assembly traveled through Virginia and throughout the Colonies. Thus, for those that relate Causes and Results, and for those ingenious Persons who can bring themselves to attribute the Beginning of any War to a single Event, the American Revolution was born in the Capitol at Williamsburg on May 30, 1765. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p51
VIRGINIA UNITES COLONIES WITH HENRY’S RESOLVES
Because Virginia burgesses dared to unite the colonies against the Stamp Act, Virginia’s Royal Governor Fauquier dissolved the House of Burgesses…an action reminiscent of Charles I.
Further, when George Mercer, the stamp collector arrived in Williamsburg, a mob surrounded him but Governor Fauquier managed to safely remove Mercer, who abandoned his authorized task.
In this Cause the Colonies of Virginia and Massachusetts Bay were, beyond Question, the Leaders; and though an Effort to distinguish the relative Importance of these two can be considered an invidious Thing, Virginia may be held with some Truth to have carried the more Weight, both because of its Size and because of the greater Prestige which it enjoyed in England and among the other Colonies. An Indication of this last, by Way of Example, may be seen in the Statement of John Adams of Massachusetts to the Effect that he, in commenting to Thomas Jefferson upon the Propriety of the latter’s Authorship of the Declaration of Independence, said, “You are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the Head of this Business.” –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p53
Moreover, it should be pointed to that in seeking to effect her Purpose of Taxation and also to subdue the Opposition to this Purpose, England, at the first, sent Troops to Massachusetts, but Virginia she sought to appease with Diplomacy and Politicks. Thus, it is but natural, as it turned out, that Massachusetts was the first to enter the Field with Arms, and that Virginia became the leading Force in the Field of Politicks; though it is equally true that Virginia and Massachusetts entered each into both Fields and were by no Means the sole Occupants of either. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p53-54
After the repeal of the tax, Fauquier passed away, and another new royal governor was assigned to Virginia, Lord Botetourt.
1769 TOWNSHEND ACTS
On May 16, 1769, the House of Burgesses protested the Townshend Act which imposed taxation, while leaders in the many colonies were sought for arrest and transport to England to stand trial.
Thus, the House of Burgesses passed the Virginia Resolves, written by George Mason and presented by George Washington (both burgesses of Fairfax County).
While copies of the Virginia Resolves spread through the colonies, Royal Governor Botetourt, dissolved the House of Burgesses.
Setting new precedent, the House of Burgesses simply moved to Raleigh Tavern, down the Duke of Gloucester Street from the Capitol, where they composed Articles of Association in a Non-Importation Agreement.
1773 VIRGINIA UNITES COLONIES THROUGH COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE
After the repeal of the tax, Botetourt passed away and another new royal governor was assigned to Virginia, Lord Dunmore.
When the House of Burgesses reconvened in March of 1773, they dealt with the turmoil causing Rhode Islanders to burn a British ship, which exacted their arrest and shipment to England to stand trial.
Privately several of the burgesses met in Raleigh Tavern: Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and Dabney Carr.
…they draughted Resolutions calling for the Appointment of a Committee of Correspondence to secure authentic Intelligencies concerning the Actions of Great Britain and to communicate with the sister Colonies concerning such Things. And these Resolutions were offered in the House of Burgesses by Dabney Carr on March 12, and, they being passed, brought about the Formation of similar Committees in the other Colonies. This Action, being looked upon by some Historians as the first successful Step toward a Uniting of the Colonies, has been considered the most significant Advance of the revolutionary Movement since the Resolutions against the Stamp Act. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p65
Instead of dissolving the House of Burgesses, Governor Dunmore prorogued (discontinued) them for over a year.
Even so, the Committees of Correspondence kept busy, while Boston held a rebellious tea party in December 1773.
1774 DAY OF FASTING, HUMILIATION, AND PRAYER IN SUPPORT OF BOSTON
When the House of Burgesses reconvened in May of 1774, they learned that Britain’s punishment of Boston entailed closing their ports and installing MORE troops on the tiny land mass of the town…effective June 1, 1774.
In response, the burgesses called for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer to show support of Boston.
While Governor Dunmore responded by dissolving the House of Burgesses, 89 of them reassembled the next day at Raleigh Tavern:
1774 VIRGINIA SUGGESTS CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
…We are further clearly of Opinion, that an Attack, made on one of our sister Colonies, to compel Submission to arbitrary Taxes, is an Attack made on all British America, and threatens Ruin to the Rights of all, unless the united Wisdom of the Whole be applied. And for this Purpose it is recommended to the Committee of Correspondence, that they communicate, with their several corresponding Committees, on the Expediency of appointing Deputies from the several Colonies of British America, to meet in general Congress, at such Place annually as shall be thought most convenient; there to deliberate on those general Measures which the united Interests of America may from Time to Time require. -Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia
Upon learning that the colonies agreed to a general Congress, the future Continental Congress, Virginia formed the First Virginia Convention to choose delegates to attend: Peyton Randolph, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Edmund Pendleton.
1774 VIRGINIAN PEYTON RANDOLPH UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
Convening in Philadelphia in September 1774, the First Continental Congress unanimously elected Peyton Randolph of Virginia as president of the convention because he was so well known for his even temper and wise leadership as Speaker of the House of Burgesses in Virginia.
Had he lived, his name would have been largest on the Declaration of Independence, because he was elected for the position again for the Second Continental Congress, but he passed away soon after.
At the First Continental Congress, Patrick Henry made his great Speech, in which he declared that British Oppression had effaced the Boundaries of the several Colonies. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p67
1775 PATRICK HENRY – PREDICTS LEXINGTON AND CONCORD
At the Second Virginia Convention, while introducing legislation to form a militia, Patrick Henry burst forth:
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace– but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! -Patrick Henry, St. John’s Church, Richmond, March 23, 1775
1775 GUNPOWDER STOLEN IN WILLIAMSBURG DAY AFTER LEXINGTON-CONCORD
In retaliation, Royal Governor Dunmore stole gunpowder from the Williamsburg magazine in the dark of night on April 20, 1775.
It is both interesting and a significant Thing that the Confiscating of the Powder at Williamsburg…occurred on the 20th Day of April 1775; which was the Day after the Battle at Lexington in Massachusetts…(in the short Space of nine Days) Word of the Affair at Lexington and Concord was received at Williamsburg (which was already virtually in Arms), a Broadside was issued by the Virginia Gazette closing with the Words, “The Sword is now drawn, and God knows when it will be sheathed.” –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p70
On May 3rd Patrick Henry arrived with his Hanover County militia of 150 men to demand either the gunpowder or a financial settlement…Dunmore complied with monetary settlement.
As anger grew throughout the colony, Dunmore left Williamsburg forever on June 8th, although he did try to rule the colony from aboard a British ship in Yorktown.
1775 VIRGINIAN GEORGE WASHINGTON COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
With the appointment on July 2, 1775 of Virginian George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, Dunmore sailed from Yorktown to capture the highly signifcant southernmost part of Virginia along the Chesapeake, Great Bridge, where he again failed in part due to sharp shooters from the militia of Virginia’s Culpeper County.
At that, Dunmore sailed away forever, never to threaten Virginia again.
1775 VIRGINIA PREPARES FOR WAR
After Dunmore evacuated on June 8, the Virginia Convention of Delegates appointed a Committee of Safety, then appointed Patrick Henry as the commander-in-chief of Virginia, with Williamsburg as the “gathering place” for the troops.
1776 – WHILE HOUSE OF BURGESSES ENDS…
Despite efforts to assemble on occasion as the House of Burgesses, a quorum was not to be seen again, so the final note of the final session on May 6, 1776 read:
SEVERAL Members met, but did neither proceed to Business, nor adjourn, as a House of Burgesses. FINIS -Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia
Thus ended the first representative legislative body in America, first forming in 1619 in Jamestown.
For one Hundred and fifty-seven Years it made the Laws for the Virginia Colony; and for at least one Hundred and fifty-three Years of this Time it had claimed and defended its sole Right to levy and approve Taxes upon Virginians. Now in the Victory of this Principle, it passed away. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p72
…THE FIFTH VIRGINIA CONVENTION DECLARES INDEPENDENCE 1776
On that same day, the Fifth Virginia Convention met at the capitol at the behest of several of the counties requesting their delegates to declare independence from Britain.
The specific words from Cumberland County directed their delegates to “abjure any Allegiance to his Britannick Majesty, and bid him a good Night forever.”
During the discussions, notable Virginians such as Patrick Henry, Thomas Nelson, Jr., and Edmund Pendleton were “conspicuous.”
On May 15, 1776, the Virginia delegates voted unanimously for independence…the first colony to do so, thus directing Richard Henry Lee to take their news to the Second Continental Congress.
The Instructions of the Convention were fulfilled at Philadelphia by Richard Henry Lee, where they brought about the Declaration of Indepedence. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p73
While awaiting for news from Philadelphia, the Virginia Convention carried on with Virginia business.
On June 12, 1776, the Virginia Convention passed the Virginia Declaration of Rights, primarily written by George Mason with similar verbiage as the famed document Thomas Jefferson was currently writing in Philadelphia.
Then on June 29, 1776, Virginia unanimously passed the Virginia Constitution, also primarily drafted by George Mason, creating a new state government with a House of Delegates (in lieu of burgesses) and Senate (in lieu of the general council representing the Crown)…which governs Virginia to this present day.
In the role of governor, leading Virginia, the Virginia Convention chose Patrick Henry.
After his term, Thomas Jefferson succeeded him as governor of Virginia.
Thus, when the Declaration of Independence was signed at Philadelphia, Virginia already existed as an Independency. –Williamsburg in Virginia, Rutherfoord Goodwin, p74
JOHN ADAMS TO JEFFERSON – YOU ARE A VIRGINIAN WHO MUST BE ABOUT THIS BUSINESS (OF WRITING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE)
While Virginia was the first colony to declare independence, wrote a Declaration of Rights, and their state Constitution from May-June 1776, Thomas Jefferson yearned to be with them.
However he was at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, on a committee to draft the Declaration of Indpendence.
Mr. Jefferson came into Congress, in June, 1775, and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent of composition. Writings of his were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive upon committees and in conversation, not even Samuel Adams was more so, that he soon seized upon my heart; and upon this occasion I gave him my vote, and did all in my power to procure the votes of others. I think he had one more vote than any other, and that placed him at the head of the committee. I had the next highest number, and that placed me the second. The committee met, discussed the subject, and then appointed Mr. Jefferson and me to make the draught, I suppose because we were the two first on the list.
The sub-committee met. Jefferson proposed to me to make the draught I said, “l will not.” “You should do it.” “Oh! no.” “Why will you not? You ought do it.” “I will not.” “Why?” “Reasons enough.” “What can be your reasons?” “Reason first–You are a Virginian, and a Virginian ought to appear at the head of this business. Reason second–I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular.– You are much otherwise. Reason third–You can write ten times better than I can.” –Letter from John Adams to Timothy Pickering
