Bacon Rebellion

[kmtuohy]

I was recently reading again the story of the Bacon Rebellion of 1676. I had forgotten how bizarre things had gotten with the James River estuary area. Indian raids were common place, the governor was a sicko etc.

I had also completely forgotten about the 'White Aprons' incident. It's the first recorded piece (that I know of in American history) where hostages were used as protection. That these were women was unheard of.

Any thoughts? Just wondering.

[Sponsored Links]

[John Bridge]

Hi Kathleen, Welcome. :)

In all honesty, I've not gone back that far, at least not in a consistant manner. I am aware of the Bacon incident but don't know much about it.

I am aware that Jamestown was the first English colony in North America (not Plymouth). Beyond that, . . . . I would be very happy if you continued. I love all history. I just don't seem to have enough time to absorb it all. :D

And I would be even happier if someone else stopped in and added a little something.

My own area of study begins in the mid-seventeen hundreds and continues through the War of 1812. I try to know about a few things that happened during that period.

[cx]

Was back way before ol' King George got in charge of merry old England, even. Nice place Jamestown. Up near RobZ's place, I think.

I'm afixin' to tell you all I know about it. Wont take long. :) I think it was founded by John Smith, who I think was a captain of something. He married (or didn't marry? Maybe he wanted to but somebody else did) that Indian girl name of Pocahontas.

OK, I'm done.

Can't say I ever heard of the Bacon incident. Bacon as is smoked flesh of dead pig, or was that somebody's name?

Let the education begin!

[Bri]

Hey John
I thought Newfoundland was the first British colony in North America (1583)?

[John Bridge]

You're probably right, Bri, but it won't count, of course, because you guys were on the wrong side during our revolution. :D

Jamestown was the first British colony in what would later be the United States of America. I stated it because a lot of people have the idea that that distinction belongs to Plymouth.

[kmtuohy]

The 'Rebellion' was a cause of actions which culminated when Governor William Berkely refused to act on Indian raids against the settlements along the James River. He opted to perform investigations, in Jamestown mind you, and requested the Indians & settlers go there to vent their greviances. Neither party complied. Nathaniel Bacon, against express orders from Berkely, took a group of 200-300 men and attacked Indian tribes. Unfortunately they were peaceful Indians who didn't take kindly to having their homes burned. What occured was exactly as Berkely didn't want, his fur trade business with the Indians stopped almost over night and he lost money, a lot of money.

Berekly retaliated, captured Bacon but released him when Bacon apologized publiclly. However the Indian raids continued, Berekly came under more pressure to do something. Bacon refused all peace negotiations with the Indians and/or Berkely. He set seige to Jamestown but couldn't get in (unbeknownst to him, Berekly had fled Jamestown for up river). Bacon kidnapped several of Berekly's top official's wives, including Bacon's own mother, and placed them on top of the ramparts of his fortifications, daring the Jamestown defenders to shoot them! This was the 'White Aprons' incident. This act outraged Virginians, even Bacon's own men who later refused to follow him. Bacon died of bloody fluex and body lice in October, 1676. Berekly died the following year after he was removed as Governor and returned to England in disgrace.

It was commonly thought to begin the stirings against the English crown when exactly 100 years later became our Independance. Within the last few decades, historians have uncovered Berekly memoirs in England which has changed the tone of previously thought of events. Berekly claims he didn't go after the Indians not because of the possible loss of trade, but because he wasn't sure it was the Indians that performed the massacres! He wrote that he was told, by his closest friends and advisors (also in the fur trade) that it was a group of colonialst trying to grap land. True? I don't think so, there were over 120 colonialist murdered (including slaves), 8 plantations and/or farms destroyed, maybe more. The survivors claimed it was Indians and a description of the massacres leaves one to think they were. Unfortunately many peaceful Indians paid the price.

It's a very unusual and complicated time for Jamestown and it's struggles in the wilderness. Thanks, y'all for responding. I love History too, but not much after 1910. Guess I'm too musty for it!

[John Bridge]

Great story, Kathleen, white aprons and all. ;)

I don't much care for history after 1910, either. In fact, I'm not fond of the history of the 19th Century, the Industrial Revolution and all. I'd much rather be carousing with the likes of Ben Franklin and TJ. Those were the days. :)

[GeneBeery]

I know this is a late entry but just pass by and tripped over that "slab"in the road.......
kathleen and John, I know you both mention your feeling about late history v early: that is great. If I might suggest the readings of the Supreme Court land mark cases as they ably to US Constitutional law. It is true more people would be better informed today if they shared your interest in history of the events of the past that led up to our rich freedom today. My interest in history delves into the thinking of man in the areana of mens treatment of man and why they treat each other so......(it is too big of a subject for me but along with tile setting I don't spend much time on the streets, with reading the musty old books and all). The period of thought put into framing of our Constitution (400 to 3500 years) and the 'freedom experiment' of the last 226 (years) is reflected by what our founding fathers wrote and how the Courts interpeted what was written. This is not knew to anyone. But what is interesting is the history cited within the opionions themself. I recommend to all who love history to read some of the High Courts cases and see the richness. I am not talking politics here just a lot of rich info from our highest court in the land about our history. (They have all those court clerks and paralegals that run around the country's archives digging up obscure unknow facts that even the founding guys didn't even know they wrote.) It puts an interest light on history and how it effects our every day walking around, at least I find it so................

Thanks for this out let John, by and by when DO you work?

[Gene Beery]

Oh I forgot.... I wanted to mention one book in my collection to see if any of you have read or seen it. The name is 'Continental Congress" Cir 1900 (just made it under your guys 1910 cut off). If you are unformiliar this book is a brief history of the Congress and who attended and the such. The heart of the book is a recording of both the official record recorded by the Secretary and unofficial records recorded by the attending founders within their personal notes and diaries on the days they may have attended. This book is a treasure house of 'inside' information.

Have a great day!

[John Bridge]

Gene,

Haven't read that book on the Continental Congress.

I have from time to time tried to keep up with the workings of the Supremes. I am aware of many of the "landmark" dicisions that have been handed down. I agree with some and not with others, but what really went wrong with the system occured rather early.

Marbury vs. Madison. It's been all downhill after that. :)

Thank you, John (Marshall). :)

[kdzgon]

In NJ, students are required to study quite a bit of social studies/history during their school years (12 of 13 years, incl. kindergarten). Unfortunately, so much of it seems to center on ancient Greek and Roman empires - years of study, in fact. When they finally move on from there, much time is spent on pre-America up to the Revolutionary War. It is a little less coverage continuing on to and through the Civil War. After that, it is almost like sound bites - Industrial Age, Roaring 20s/Crash of '29/the Depression (as if it was one event), WWII, Vietnam, and current events. One year (7th grade, here) is dedicated to geography. Within the last 10 years, one year is dedicated to studying state history only, another to county and local history.

After the birth of America, the history - or even the influences of (on the US) - other countries is pretty much limited to inclusion in wars and conflicts.

I hated history while in school - it was the same info over and over, and it seemed much of what was required was remembering dates. I now am fascinated by history, and so much that was barely covered in so many history classes - it is a shame with all the rich and interesting history of the world, that so many students have no interest due to the selection and presentation of the available material.

[John Bridge]

Well, I wouldn't force all kids to learn history, just as I wouldn't force all kids to learn biology. I did okay in history because I had teachers who could take it to a meaningful level. Names and dates are a waste of time if the kid doesn't grasp the significance of the events.

I've looked into the founding of the U.S. for a number of years. I don't know a lot of dates and don't care to. I'd rather try to figure out what was going through Washington's mind when he was presiding at the Philidelphia Convention.