Colonial Virginia Research Articles

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Persistence of the Idea of Negro Colonization

THE IDEA that the in the United States could be solved or alleviated by removing the Negroes or a portion of them distant lands, preferably beyond the confines of the nation, has persisted with amazing tenacity from colonial days the very present. As early as 1691 the colony of Virginia prohibited the further emancipation of slaves unless the owner provided for their transportation beyond the limits of the colony within six months from the date of manumission:'1 As recently as 1939, Senator Theodore G. Bilbo of Mississippi introduced into Congress a bill calling for federal government support of a large-scale voluntary migration of Negroes Liberia, as the only solution of all the discriminations, abuses, and hardships complained of by the black man in this During the long years between these dates numerous schemes and plans for the colonization of the Negroes were promulgated and given support by public men in all sections of the country. During the late eighteenth century there were no more vigorous champions of colonization than the Reverend Samuel Hopkins of Rhode Island, vigorous opponent of the slave trade who is sometimes called the father of abolition, Dr. William Thornton, Philadelphia and Washington architect, inventor and humanitarian, and Thomas Jefferson. In his notes on Virginia, written just at the close of the Revolution, Jefferson declared that continued attempt by the two races live side by side would probably end in the extermination of one or the other, and he proposed the emancipation of all Negroes at birth, their education at public expense under the guidance of their parents and their deportation when they reached the age of eighteen, in the case of the females, and twenty-one in the case of the males.' Nearly forty years later, with death not far distant, Jefferson reaffirmed his belief that this was the only practicable plan for solving the Negro problem and admonished the younger generation to rise and be doing for A million and a half are within

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Governor's "Extacy of Trouble"

Records of those years when fiery Francis Nicholson' was governor of Colony of Virginia have been quoted, discussed and written of in copious volumes. Also, there are to be found in various historical books and magazines, in biographies, histories and legends of several prominent families, numerous accounts of governor's infatuation for Martha2, beauteous daughter of Major Lewis Burwell3 of Gloucester. At this late day, to challenge authenticity of that oft told romance, seems almost like sacrilege. For this reason, some reluctance is admitted in publishing of following letters, which bring to light documentary evidence proving-after all these years-that it was not Martha4 with whom Francis Nicholson was so madly in love, but fair damsel deluged with that tempest of devotion was Martha's older sister, Lucy Burwell5. The spirited and piquant phrasing of this correspondence further reveals impetuous, passionate temperament of Nicholson, of which there is already no lack of evidence. Yet, through all lines of his letters there also runs an underlying chord, like beat of a steady refrain-that religious motif of his life to which he held steadfast and true. His worst enemies would have to admit he was a zealot in advancing causes of religion and church,6 in all colonies where he served. Of sincerity of his fervor and frenzy of devotion to Lucy, these letters seem to leave no doubt; nor to poignancy of his disappointment in this, which he termed, the most important affair of my whole life. The earliest letters were written when bachelor governor was about forty-five years old, while Lucy Burwell was then only seventeen or eighteen. Accordingly, it is not surprising that her choice was a young man nearer her own age. The favored suitor7

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

The Fish and Fisheries of Colonial Virginia

Genealogical Notes from "Virginia Colonial Decisions"

Genealogical Notes from "Virginia Colonial Decisions"

Pious Reading in Colonial Virginia

Pious Reading in Colonial Virginia

The Colonial Court Records of Lower Norfolk and Norfolk Counties

The destruction, principally by fire and war, of so many of the county court records of Colonial Virginia is an irreparable loss for many years regretted only by historians and genealogists, but now beginning to be felt keenly by a great many persons scattered far and wide, some of whom are finding occasion to consult the early record of a county only to find that such record no longer exists. It is appalling that so little has been done to preserve and protect the few records that remain, many of which are housed in non-fireproof buildings and are too readily accessible to careless hands. The importance of the early county court records to the posterity of the Nation cannot be over estimated. The joint administrative and judicial function of these courts, together with the established custom of recording historically important detail, has served to leave for us a wealth of information which, if properly analysed, would form the basis for an institutional, political, economic, social, military and ecclesiastical county history. But due to the loss of records few such histories are now possible. Of the eight Virginia counties antedating Lower Norfolk, six have suffered a total or almost total destruction of their records, (Charles City, Elizabeth City, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City and Warwick). The records of Accomack and York, five and three years older respectively, are complete.* The first court for the county of Lower Norfolk of which there is record, was held 15 May 1637. Its jurisdiction extended over that area now within the bounds of Norfolk and Princess Anne counties. In 1691 Lower Norfolk ceased to exist, Norfolk and Princess Anne being organized from its territory. The records of Lower Norfolk and Norfolk counties are lodged in the office of the Norfolk County Clerk in Portsmouth and are voluminous. Those of the 17th Century alone numbering approximately forty-four hundred pages of which only about twelve hundred have been restored. It is hoped that the appended brief catalogue of the principal 17th and 18th Century court records of Lower Norfolk and Norfolk counties will serve not only as a guide to their contents and chronological sequence but that it will also show the need and extent of further restoration.

The Federal Government and the Education of Indians and Eskimos

The discovery of the Western hemisphere coincided with a tremendous upsurge of religious evangelism on the part of both the Catholics and Protestants of Europe. Many of the early voyages the new world were justified, in part, by their proselyting service the Christian churches. Throughout the Spanish colonies the Cross accompanied the sword. Among the English, concern for the souls of the natives was only a little less violent, and priestly robes accompanied, and even at times preceded, the French voyageurs. Many missionaries sought learn the native languages, the better preach the Christian message. Others put forth great efforts teach the language of the invaders the Indians and sought through this medium bring them an acceptance of the religion, manners, and government of the white man. As early as 1606 the charter of the colony of Virginia listed as one of its objectives the desire to bring the infidels and savages human civility and a settled and quiet government. With this background it is quite natural that the formal education of Indians throughout the United States was inaugurated by and continued for many years under the direction of missionary organizations. Many of our early colleges such as Harvard, Dartmouth, and William and Mary were thought of by their founders as centers for the education of Indians. Today several of these institutions carry paragraphs in their articles of incorporation guaranteeing free tuition Indian students. Several others early received endowment funds provide for the education of Indians. The colonial governments displayed concern in the education of Indians which was repeated by the Continental Congress which on July 12, 1775, established a board of Indian commissioners and appropriated $500 for the education of Indian youth at Dartmouth College. The following year the Indian commissioners were directed employ a schoolmaster and a blacksmith for the Delaware Indians, and later were called upon select sites for a series of schools for Indians. The Revolutionary War seems have interrupted these plans, however, but in July of 1781 an appropriation was made for the support and tuition of three Indian boys of the Delaware Nation, at Princeton. In December 1794, the United States entered into the first treaty by which it agreed provide education for Indians, with the Oneidas, Tuscaroras, and Stockbridges. Many subsequent treaties carried similar promises that the government would supply schools and education, but for many years congress neglected provide the funds necessary carry out these agreements, despite the fact that the Secretary of the Interior, after the Indian Department was transferred his office, repeatedly called attention this neglect. In a majority of instances these treaty agreements

Genealogy of Some of the Descendants of Thomas Dew Colonial Virginia Pioneer Immigrant Together with Genealogical Records and Biographical Sketches of Families in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee

Genealogy of Some of the Descendants of Thomas Dew Colonial Virginia Pioneer Immigrant Together with Genealogical Records and Biographical Sketches of Families in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee

Private Libraries in Colonial Virginia

Private Libraries in Colonial Virginia

Pirates of Colonial Virginia

Pirates of Colonial Virginia

Private Libraries in Colonial Virginia

Private Libraries in Colonial Virginia

Colonial Virginia Shrines

Colonial Virginia Shrines

Robert Dinwiddie: A Chapter in the American Colonial Frontier

Research Article| December 01 1936 Robert Dinwiddie: A Chapter in the American Colonial Frontier Louis Knott Koontz Louis Knott Koontz Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Pacific Historical Review (1936) 5 (4): 359–367. https://doi.org/10.2307/3632891 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation Louis Knott Koontz; Robert Dinwiddie: A Chapter in the American Colonial Frontier. Pacific Historical Review 1 December 1936; 5 (4): 359–367. doi: https://doi.org/10.2307/3632891 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu nav search search input Search input auto suggest search filter All ContentPacific Historical Review Search This content is only available via PDF. Copyright 1936 The Arthur H. Clark Company Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Some References to Indians in Colonial Virginia

Some References to Indians in Colonial Virginia

The Bay System in Colonial Virginia Building

The Bay System in Colonial Virginia Building

Alexander Spotswood, Governor of Colonial Virginia, 1710-1722

Alexander Spotswood, Governor of Colonial Virginia, 1710-1722