Colonial Records of Virginia

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22594

Title

Colonial Records of Virginia

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This historical compilation presents primary documents from the early Virginia Colony, including the proceedings of its first 1619 Assembly, a 1623 census, and a 1668 royal letter regarding silk production. Edited with scholarly notes, the text offers a vivid glimpse into the colony's transition from despotism to self-governance, its demographic struggles, and its economic ambitions.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1874, the *Colonial Records of Virginia* assembles critical manuscripts from the Public Record Office of Great Britain to document the infancy of the Ancient Dominion. Originally collected by Colonel Angus W. McDonald and Hon. D.C. De Jarnette to resolve boundary disputes between Maryland and Virginia, these documents unexpectedly yielded invaluable records of the colony's early history. The volume begins with the proceedings of the First Assembly held in Jamestown on July 30, 1619. This event marked a pivotal transition from the 'laws written in blood' enforced by Treasurer Sir Thomas Smith to a system of self-government. Under Smith's despotism, the colony languished in dire conditions; of the emigrants sent over at great cost, not one in twenty remained alive when Sir George Yeardley arrived in April 1619. Yeardley brought commissions to establish a Commonwealth, leading to the election of burgesses and the abrogation of cruel laws. The text details the colony's precarious state, noting that in James City only the houses built by Sir Thomas Gates remained, and at Henrico (now Richmond), there were merely three ruined structures. A detailed list from February 1623 reveals a population of 1,277, including only 22 negroes. By 1634, the population had grown to 5,119, demonstrating significant growth despite the hardships of sailing voyages lasting months. The collection further documents the colony's economic and religious development, including a 1668 letter from King Charles II acknowledging a present of Virginia silk and promising royal protection to the industry. Additionally, a 1680 list of parishes and ministers highlights the spiritual deficiencies of the era, where some parishes lacked ordained clergy and relied on readers. Editor Thos. H. Wynne provides an introduction explaining the provenance of these papers, which were obtained after restrictions on the State Paper Office were lifted, allowing access to manuscripts that had not been seen on the continent since their originals were sent from the colony.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
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