After reading lots of homeschool books on our favorite era of history it was time for an 18th century Revolutionary Becoming History presentation!
VIRGINIANS MUST DANCE OR THEY WILL DIE
Incorporated into our presentation was a Subscription Ball, which we’ve attended numerous times in Colonial Williamsburg.
During the American Revolution, Congress mandated the end of frivolities like dancing.
Yet the Carter children’s tutor, Philip Vickers Fithian wrote in his journal, “Virginians must dance or they will die.”
Thus, Virginians found a legal loophole around the “no frivolity” mandate with Subscription Balls which were *only* held to raise money for charity.
When we attend these balls at Raleigh Tavern, we are always greeted by one of the townspeople who tell the story of the current events of the town and the “purpose” of the ball.
This guide also leads us from activity to activity, in the various rooms.
The tour guides for our Subscription Ball were members of the Robert Carter III family!
(Stay tuned for costume and character changes!)
18TH CENTURY VIRGINIA FEAST
As we led our guests in to dinner, we passed the kitchen where the punch bowl of Cherry Bump awaited service.
(We always pass the bar in the Raleigh Tavern to enter the Apollo Room for dancing.)
Ah, the feast in grand array!
(We are always led to the food after the dancing. On this evening, we were eating first.)
The table was set with lovely 18th century reproduction creamware which was purchased in the CW historic area at various auctions, where the highest bid is never allowed to go up to store price.
Our receipts included Cherry Bump, Sallat with herbal dijon vinaigrette, Yorkshire Christmas Pie, a meat and vegetable pie as seen at Mount Vernon, gravy for the pie, dressed mushrooms, marinated shrimp, and dressed french beans.
ROBERT CARTER III
During dinner, we told a bit about ourselves added to a bit of chatter about the success of the French and Indian War, which had only recently ended in this year of 1763.
Robert Carter III, whose family we represented, was one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest in Virginia.
His inheritance orginated from his grandfather who had owned most of today’s Virginia in the 17th century, Robert “King” Carter.
Squandering his education at law school in England, Robert Carter III never passed the bar.
As a result, Virginians looked down upon Robert Carter III and never won a seat in the House of Burgesses.
Not even able to attain a wife in Virginia due to his poor reputation, Carter traveled to Annapolis.
Meeting the popular Tasker family, he fell in love with the daughter, Frances, who was well-read from her father’s library…and it is she that I portrayed.
In 1754, they married and returned to Virginia.
Eventually Carter was appointed by the king to serve on the Governor’s Council, because of his wife’s family connections.
Regretting his misspent youth, Carter ensured his children’s education and place in society in part by hiring tutors such as Philip Vickers Fithian from New Jersey.
If you get the Colonial Williamsburg DVD, A Day in the Life, you will learn about him and his family.
By the end of the century, Carter famously freed all of his slaves before he died, after new legislation was passed, enabling him to do so.
I highly recommend the book, The First Emancipator by Andrew Levy, which Pastor Gowan Pamphlet told me about (when he was out of character).
RULE, BRITANNIA!
After dinner, we opened the entertainment as contented subjects of the king by singing: Rule, Britannia!
TIME MACHINE VIA HISTORIC FLAGS
In our review of history, the time machine of banners (all purchased at the CW Visitor Center Bookstore) helped us keep track of time.
1765 STAMP ACT
Although the Gadsen Don’t Tread on Me flag debuted in 1775, it’s origins reflect Benjamin Franklin’s illustration of a disjointed snake in 1754 to encourage the colonies to unite.
Thus, we used this flag to represent the tumultous post-French and Indian War years 1765-1775, where the colonists reacted to the king’s growing tyranny.
In 1765, the Stamp Act, forced upon the colonists by the king, caused many to protest this unprecedented taxation without representation.
Virginia, the oldest, largest, most populous, and wealthiest of all of Britain’s colonies, began self-rule in the early 17th century at Jamestowne, before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts.
Shortly thereafter the Pilgrims arrived in the New World and wrote the Mayflower Compact of their self-government, and so on as each colony was established.
Perhaps the most unsettled colonist of all was the fiery Patrick Henry, whom my son portrayed with all the proper gestures to the Give me Liberty or Death speech.
POETRY RECITATION
Despite rebellion, Virginians still made time for entertainment, one way or the other, so my daughter recited: Ode to the death of a favorite cat, drowned in a tub of goldfishes by Thomas Gray.
1776 GRAND UNION FLAG
After answering guest queries on the years 1765-1775, we discussed the features of the new flag of the United States of America, the Grand Union Flag, which the newly separated states from England displayed in 1776.
MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENTS
Enter the military fifer in most proper military form.
He’s been paying close attention to the fifers of Colonial Williamsburg. He put this entire musical program together himself.
I made a new cockade for the occasion, to represent the time before the French became our allies.
After the highly spirited fife show, I suggested proceeding downstairs when my daughter asked me to play the piano.
I politely declined but my son insisted, so I gave in, warning everyone I had only begun learning the “Regatta Minuet” a few days before.
(It was funny in that I had pre-arranged this scenario with my son, when my daughter wasn’t around. I’m not sure where she was. Yet she was the one who chimed in! The idea was to show that gentry ladies knew how to play the harpsichord or piano forte, but should decline at first, but to decline only once. They were expected to play and this was a sort of protocol.)
The “Regatta Minuet” is a fun piece. I told everyone I hoped it sounded like the boat races in the Tidewater…which surprised all that there were boat races in 18th century waters.
Why not?
Philip Fithian Vickers, who tutored the Carter children, also commented on boat races and perhaps this song, according to the 18th century keyboard tunebook (purchased at CW) from which I played.
Both the Rowers and dancers…will perspire freely-Or in plain English they will soak in Sweat! -Philip Vickers Fithian
POETRY RECITATION
When we returned downstairs, my daughter read a poem Phyllis Wheatley wrote for General Washington.
This poem she had memorized but the letters they exchanged she read to us.
CATO, A TRAGEDY
Then my son stormily marched through to recite a piece from Cato, which General Washington used to inspire his troops at Valley Forge.
1777 STARS AND STRIPES
Then I explained the history of the 1777 Betsy Ross flag, comparing it to the Grand Union flag.
Since American troops could easily confuse the Grand Union Flag with the British Flag on a field of battle, Congress outlined a national flag that would be a bit more distinctive of America, basically changing the Union Jack to an arrangement of stars that were never specified as to precise arrangement.
Also, I shared the story of the legend of Betsy Ross, which has yet to be substantiated. We also talked about today’s Flag Day.
FIRST NAVY JACK
Since this flag was adopted in 1775 by the navy, we used it for my son’s Captain John Paul Jones interpretation.
I’d have loved recreating the famed Serapis, but my time was limited.
Likewise with the costuming, because a proper regimental for this persona was an entirely new wool coat…which my son would have loved…but the time and expense, so we tweaked what we had.
This piece was the best my son has ever done!
While carrying a report in his arms he’s about to deliver, Jones spoke French, much to our confusion.
After apologizing, he spoke English to tell a story of how he dressed himself and his men in redcoats and flew the British flag while sailing to shore near a mansion.
Gleefully meeting the ship, the lord of the manor joined him on his ship to sail away.
Conversationally Jones asked how the British ships were doing, thus gaining top secret information.
In reply, the lord of the manor fussed about that scoundrel of a pirate named John Paul Jones who could not be trusted.
We were all laughing in a fit of giggles!
1781 YORKTOWN
Then the time moved to 1781 and the victory of the Battle of Yorktown.
My daughter extensively researched her primary character, Lucy Knox, wife of General Knox who oversaw artillery for General Washington.
DANCING THE MINUET
Then it was time for dancing the minuet, which my daughter and I thought would be fun, but my son did not.
A few days before the presentation she and I practiced dancing while my son rehearsed his other pieces for the program.
After our courtesies, the music began and we tip-toed with many a plie…then ended with courtesies.
Then my son wanted to try. 😉
After teaching him the basic steps, we presented our courtesies – gentlemen bow and ladies curtsy, first to the musician and then to each other – then we tip-toed and plied…finally ending with courtesies.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING
Then my son suggested some English Country Dancing, which might look familiar to Jane Austen fans.
My son did a fine job leading us in Haste to the Wedding, and it was hasty indeed with harpsichordist Peter Pelham playing for us with increasing tempo! (Colonial Williamsburg CD, Keys to the Palace)
LAFAYETTE GINGERBREAD WITH ORANGE CREAM
Then we retired to the dining room for Lafayette Gingerbread and Orange Cream, a receipt I obtained from a cookbook I recently purchased from Mount Vernon.
Inside is a story that General Washington’s mother served Lafayette gingerbread in her Fredericksburg home, so of course we had to as well!
END OF AN ERA PART I
This history presentation was far more fun than my son ever imagined! We were able to incorporate so much of what we’ve learned at Colonial Williamsburg over the years.
It was bittersweet in a way too, because this is my daughter’s last history presentation, since she has graduated from homeschool and is soon to start college.
In the last six years, we performed twenty-four specific eras.
That’s over twenty-four different historical people portrayed by my daughter alone in various historical eras.
Homeschool won’t seem right without her.
Two more years, then my son will graduate…End of an Era, Part II
