Abstract
THE important way in which events at Williamsburg influenced political life of Virginia has been widely recognized. After removal of capital in i699 from Jamestown to its new location, Williamsburg was residence of governor or lieutenant governor, upholder of royal authority in Virginia; meeting place of House of Burgesses, representatives of colony's property owners; and seat of General Court, highest unit in province's judicial system.' However, neither contemporary observers nor writers of this century have been able to reach agreement on significance of community in colony's economy. A French traveler implied in I765 that in trade of Virginia town was second in only to Norfolk; yet St. George Tucker asserted in i795 that there never was much trade in Williamsburg. Lyon G. Tyler wrote in i907 that the city was center of business interests of colony, but Robert W. Coakley concluded in 1949 that Williamsburg's importance was political not economic. The economic role of Williamsburg was indeed different from that of large urban centers of eighteenth century, such as Philadelphia,
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call