From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the capital of the largest, wealthiest and most populous colony in British North America. Beginning in the 1760’s and continuing through the American Revolution, Williamsburg was at the center of a debate among diverse peoples with conflicting opinions and loyalties. At issue was the choice between independence from or continued allegiance to England.
As a colony, Virginia’s trade, economy and government were dominated by Great Britain. By the 1760’s, Virginians questioned the way in which British ministers and Parliament were managing the colonies. Virginians also began to doubt the integrity of British government, fearing that it had been compromised by corruption. Virginia joined her sister colonies in protesting The Stamp Act. They organized economic boycotts to protest the imposition of the Townshend Duties and tea taxes. Voters gathered at county courthouses to discuss the issues and instruct their legislators on how best to represent them on key issues.
Citizens formed militia groups – independent companies – to enforce the boycotts and demonstrate their resolve for political change.
Young, more aggressive leaders like Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington urged strong, direct protest against British policies. And they gathered popular support for their position.
Together at the Capitol in Williamsburg, these new leaders debated issues of freedom and liberty for Virginians. More than once, their debates so disturbed Virginia’s royal governor that he dissolved the legislature. They were not to be silenced.
When the governor prohibited them from meeting at the Capitol, Virginia’s new leaders exercised their British right of free assembly and met at the Raleigh Tavern. There in the Apollo Room, George Washington proposed the Nonimportation Association of 1769 in protest of the Townshend Duties.
Though three of Virginia’s royal governors worked to mediate between the British Ministry and the Virginia Legislature, relations between Britain and Virginia deteriorated through the years. By 1775, armed Virginians marched in the streets of Williamsburg. Governor Dunmore feared for the safety of himself and his family. He left the Governor’s Palace for the safety of British Navy warships which were sailing in the Chesapeake Bay.
For ten years, Virginians had debated the meaning of liberty and freedom as British subjects. Some suddenly realized by 1775 that the only way to protect their basic freedoms was to separate from the mother country.
Others could not bring themselves to take such a radical step. They believed the only effective path was for loyal British citizens to reform the British political system.
Both were honorable choices, but it was choice that could – and did – tear families apart. Peyton Randolph, first president of the Continental Congress, remained in Virginia and was a staunch supporter of Virginia and America. His brother John returned to Enland with his family, giving up the security of his position and property in Virginia to follow his strong faith in the British political system.
Virginians of all social ranks – free blacks, slaves, native Americans and working-class whites – examined their lives and their futures to choose loyalty to the crown or revolution. At Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll discover that they, just like us, struggled to fulfill the dream of making real the promise of America. |
