The mists of time blew our way again as we re-entered the church, this time to 1676 as we met Governor Berkeley, who dealt with a local rebellion.
Extremely troubled and emotional, Governor Berkely was persuaded to share a few words with us.
English troops were arriving. How would they respond? Whose side would they take?
Berkeley is the royal governor of Virginia. He has faithfully served the crown, tried to keep the peace, but things got out of control.
Would the English troops take him back to England? He wanted to stay in Virginia.
BACON’S REBELLION
Discontent among the people included “declining tobacco prices…rising prices in English manufactured goods.”
Exacerbating the situation were local Indian raids that caused tempers to flare.
Other historians say that this was merely a power struggle embedded in pride.
JULY 30, 1676 – DECLARATION OF THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA
Penned by Nathaniel Bacon, the document accused Governor Berkely of corruption in: taxation, judiciary appointments, personal gain, failure to protect the colonists, and executive appointments against public consent.
Bacon described the governor’s associates as: his wicked and pernicious councilors, confederates, aiders, and assisters against the commonalty in these our civil commotions…
Of the governor’s service to the king Bacon summarized: …we accuse Sir William Berkeley as guilty of each and every one of the same, and as one who has traitorously attempted, violated, and injured his Majesty’s interest here by a loss of a great part of this his colony and many of his faithful loyal subjects…
BURNING OF JAMESTOWNE
The powder keg of emotions led to the burning of Jamestowne.
{{{Although we tried to attend the reenactment of the burning of Jamestowne that evening, it was rained out.}}}
After Bacon died from dysentery on October 26, 1676, the rebellion lost steam.
Although Governor Berkeley seized property and hung many of the supporters of the rebellion, he only received criticism from King Charles II.
Losing his position as royal governor, Berkeley returned to England, where he soon passed away.
It’s said that Charles II complained: That old fool has put to death more people in that naked country than I did here for the murder of my father.
PRECURSOR TO 1776
Known as Bacon’s Rebellion, some historians say that the event was the rumblings of a revolution that erupted 100 years later.
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON FROM RUFUS KING, 20 DECEMBER 1803
New York, December 20, 1803
Dear Sir
While abroad I took some pains to collect the Publications that have been made respecting the discovery and settlement of America; among the Reports and Letters of the Early Settlers, I have a manuscript account of Bacon’s Rebellion in 1675, written by a member of your assembly for the County of Northumberland, and addressed to Sr. Robert Harley.
As this account is more particular than any other of the same transaction that I have seen, and differs from that of our historians in some important Circumstances, I have thought that you might be gratified in reading it: should it be in your power, I shall be obliged to you to give me the name of the author, whose initials only are subscribed to the Dedication—
With great Respect I have the honour to be your obt. & faithful Servt.
Rufus King
Above letter located at the Library of Congress
GEORGE WYTHE SUBMITS 1705 ACCOUNT BY THOMAS MATTHEWS TO THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER
The following manuscript is located at the Library of Congress
This Tract was first printed in the Richmond (Va.) Enquirer, of the 1st, 5th and 8th of September 1804, from an exact copy of the original manuscript, made by Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States; and was accompanied by the following introductory notice, addressed to the Editor:
To the Editor of the Enquirer:
This copy was lately sent as a curious and interesting historical document, by the President to his venerable friend, Mr. Wythe, with a permission to the bearer to communicate its contents to the public…The rebellion of Bacon, as it is improperly called, has been little understood, its cause and course being imperfectly explained by any authentic document hitherto possessed. This renders the present narrative of real value…
Read the entirety of Thomas Matthews account at this link from the Library of Congress.
NATHANIEL BACON STAINED GLASS AT COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
This 1898 postcard features two colorized photographs, on the left showing the Williamsburg historic powder magazine, and on the right a stained-glass window with an artist’s rendering of Nathaniel Bacon. The postcard was printed to commemorate the installation of the window in the powder magazine. Bacon’s Rebellion, centered in Jamestown, did not have anything to do with the Williamsburg powder magazine, which was a site of relevance to the Revolutionary War. The decision to display the window at that site shows how Bacon’s Rebellion and the American Revolution had become conflated in the public memory at this time. The window is currently displayed at Bacon’s Castle, a large Virginia residence which members of Nathaniel Bacon’s forces seized and occupied during the rebellion. –Encyclopedia Virginia
That memorial has since been relocated to Bacon’s Castle, across the James River in Surry.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES MEMORIAL TO NATHANIEL BACON
Behind the dais of the House of Delegates at the Virginia Capitol in Richmond, can be seen a plaque gifted by the Society of the Colonial Dames of America in 1916 which declares: A great Patriot Leader of the Virginia People who died while defending their rights October 26, 1676
