When I first visited Colonial Williamsburg in 1989, I was astonished to learn how much of America’s history began in Virginia…eventually propelling the Second Continental Congress to write the Declaration of Independence.
As the oldest of the successful British colonies in America, Virginia established the first representative legislative body, the House of Burgesses, in 1619 Jamestown.
Throughout the early days of the American Revolution, Virginia’s House of Burgesses led the colonies into unity as they aligned to convince the king to protect their British rights.
HOUSE OF BURGESSES DISSOLVED THREE TIMES
Because Virginia burgesses dared to unite the colonies against the 1765 Stamp Act, Virginia’s Royal Governor Fauquier dissolved the House of Burgesses…an action reminiscent of Charles I.
In 1769, when the burgesses passed the Virginia Resolves in retaliation for the 1769 Townshend Acts, Royal Governor Botetourt dissolved them.
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.
When the House of Burgesses called for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer on June 1, 1774 to show support of Boston, Royal Governor Dunmore dissolved them.
Assembling the next day at Raleigh Tavern, they wrote their sister colonies of a need for a 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
FIRST CONVENTION FORMED
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.
CONVENTION BRITISH ORIGINS
Virginia’s political leaders created a new, extraconstitutional institution, the constituent convention, to act for them when the regular, constitutional institutions failed them. –The Virginian Revolutionary Conventions 1774-1776, Encyclopedia Virginia
This extraconstitutional institution, which they called convention is based on the Glorious Convention that formed in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution.
…convention being the proper name for a meeting of members of Parliament who adopted no laws. A convention was the legitimate, immediate, undiluted embodiment of representatives of the people. –The Virginian Revolutionary Conventions 1774-1776, Encyclopedia Virginia
These conventions were essentially meetings of the House of Burgesses without the governor and Council. –House of Burgesses, Encyclopedia Virginia
COMMON SENSE
Inspired, in part, by the incendiary pamphlet Common Sense, Virginians, rich and poor, embraced its message: independence was possible and preferable to the yoke of a king and the British government. -Convening for Freedom: The Fifth Virginia Convention Forces the Question of Independence, Kelly M. Brennan, April 13, 2026, Trend and Tradition Magazine, Colonial Williamsburg
But only elected members of the Fifth Virginia Convention had the official power to dissolve the bond between Virginia and Great Britain, and only they could instruct Virginia’s delegates to the Continental Congress to propose independence for all the colonies. -Convening for Freedom: The Fifth Virginia Convention Forces the Question of Independence, Kelly M. Brennan, April 13, 2026, Trend and Tradition Magazine, Colonial Williamsburg
The question of independence dominated the April 1776 elections. The electorate was looking for delegates willing to pledge themselves to independence. Voter expectations upended the membership of Virginia’s elected body. -Convening for Freedom: The Fifth Virginia Convention Forces the Question of Independence, Kelly M. Brennan, April 13, 2026, Trend and Tradition Magazine, Colonial Williamsburg
It was the largest turnover in any general election in Virginia since that of 1758. –The Virginian Revolutionary Conventions 1774-1776, Encyclopedia Virginia
MAY 6, 1776 VIRGINIA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE
By far, the most influential factor in shifting American public opinion toward independence was the appearance of an anonymous forty-seven page pamphlet called Common Sense, in January 1776. –The Making of the American Mind, Matthew Spalding, p27
Eventually the world came to learn that the author was Thomas Paine.
The last of the Revolutionary Conventions met in the Capitol in Williamsburg from May 6 through July 5, 1776. On the morning of May 6, a few members of the House of Burgesses met there for the last time and let that body die. The members of the fifth Convention then began their meetings in the Capitol. –Fifth Virginia Revolutionary Convention Called for Independence, May 15, 1776, Shaping the Constitution, Education at Library of Virginia
Although there was general consensus to declare independence, the delegates debated the proper time and method.
According to Edmund Randolph, firebrand Patrick Henry spoke in favor of independence in his most uniquely inspiring way: (Henry) appeared in an element for which he was born. To cut the knot, which calm prudence was puzzled to untie, was worthy of the magnificence of his genius. He entered into no subtlety of reasoning but was roused by the now apparent spirit of the people as a pillar of fire, which notwithstanding the darkness of the prospect would conduct to the promised land.
On May 15, 1776, after two days of debate, the Fifth Virginia Convention unanimously declared independence from Great Britain, the first of the 13 colonies to do so.
Resolved, unanimously, That the Delegates appointed to represent this Colony in General Congress be instructed to propose to that respectable body to declare the United Colonies free and independent States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence upon, the Crown or Parliament of Great Britain... -Preamble and Resolution of the Virginia Convention, May 15, 1776
Thus, the message was sent posthaste to Philadelphia, received by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. (more on his role in the next blog post)
Meanwhile, the Fifth Virginia Convention made true on the rest of their resolution: Resolved, unanimously, That a Committee be appointed to prepare a Declaration of Rights, and such a plan of Government as will be most likely to maintain peace and order in this Colony, and secure substantial and equal liberty to the people. -Preamble and Resolution of the Virginia Convention, May 15, 1776
When they learned that Virginia had declared independence from Britain, the exuberant people of Williamsburg replaced the Union Jack with the Continental Union flag.
JUNE 12, 1776 -VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
Delayed by chronic illness, George Mason of Fairfax arrived at the Capitol a few days after the burgesses unanimously voted for Independence.
Virginia now needed its own Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
While others wrote their drafts, George Mason scribbled his own version in the Raleigh Tavern, while drawing upon ancient British documents: the Magna Carta, the English Petition of Right of 1628, and England’s 1689 Bill of Rights.
On June 12, 1776, George Mason’s Declaration of Rights passed in the Virginia Convention.
From his document familiar phrases resound:
That all men are by nature equally free and independent…
That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people…
That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation or community…
That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
During the writing of this historic document, many a communique traveled to another Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, who had been called to duty with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
Jefferson was completely aware of all that was happening in Williamsburg, receiving a final copy of the document in June, while drafting the Declaration of Independence, which uses similar phrases.
These Founding Fathers with a classical education had read the same freedom documents of the past…and together they penned documents of Independence for America.
JUNE 29, 1776 – VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION
Before the approval of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, Mason began composing the Virginia Constitution.
While Thomas Jefferson continued serving the Second Continental Congress, he corresponded with Mason, sending his drafts of the Virginia Constitution, and of a preamble to the Virginia Constitution.
One of the delegates sent to Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia a copy of the submitted Virginia Constitution with a note: the inclosed (sic) printed plan was drawn by Colo. G. Mason and by him laid before the committee.
Passed unanimously and signed on June 29, the Virginia Constitution declared the former colony would be called the Commonwealth of Virginia, because power is derived from the people.
Furthermore, the Virginia Constitution replaced the term burgesses with delegates, whom continue to represent Virginia, today.
PATRICK HENRY – FIRST GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA
Chosen as the first governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry was inaugurated on July 6.
My next blog post will feature Richard Henry Lee who called for independence at the Second Continental Congress.
