18th century Williamsburg, the colonial capital of Virginia, was a hotbed of American Revolutionary activity. At the time, Virginia was known to be the largest, most populous, most wealthy colony in the Americas. In addition, as Horace Walpole noted, it "contain(ed) the best heads," including Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and George Mason. During the Revolution, all of the other colonies, from Massachusetts to Georgia, looked to Virginia and Williamsburg, its capital, for leadership. Therefore it is appropriate to introduce some of the new Department 56 Williamsburg Village buildings and accessories during our Independence Day celebrations.
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Raleigh Tavern,
Present Day Williamsburg, VA
See "King's Arms Tavern
below and left. |
In late1773 and 1774 Britain and the American colonies were involved in a tense set of action/reaction that was raising the anger and fervor on both sides of the Atlantic. In colonial Boston, agitators boarded a ship laden with tea and threw the load overboard, rather than allowing it to be taxed or returned to England. In response to this "Boston Tea Party," Britain passed the Boston Port Act, closing Boston's busy commercial harbor. In solidarity with the Boston patriots, the Virginia Burgesses called for a day of prayer. Then, in retaliation, Virginia's Royal Governor Dunsmore dissolved the House of Burgesses. The Virginian leaders were not deterred, and simply moved to Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg to continue to continue conducting business.
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Dept. 56, Williamsberg Series,
"King's Arms Tavern," #4021333
Striking similar to the Raleigh Tavern
above and right. |
Meeting in Raleigh Tavern, (which looks strikingly similar to the "King's Arms Tavern of Dept. 56) the Burgesses continued to up the ante: they voted to ban commerce with Britain; ordered no payments of debts to the British; pledged support to Boston; and elected representatives to a Virginia Convention.
Williamsburg Village from Department 56King?s Arms Tavern
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Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"Drum Major and Brass Drummer,"
#4023620 |
In March, 1775, in a rising tide of independence fervor, Patrick Henry gave his 'Give me liberty or give me death' speech at the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond. After hearing of the speech, Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor of the Virginia Colony, began to fear patriot military action. He ordered all of the gunpowder removed from the magazine in Williamsburg and transferred to a British naval ship. This was April 20, 1775, one day after the Battle of Lexington and Concord, though the Governor had not yet heard of these events. The Williamsburg militia rallied to protest removal of the gunpowder and threatened Dunmore's home. Only when Petyton Randolph, the Speaker of the House of Burgesses, spoke did the crowd calm down.
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Soon after, a militia force lead by Patrick Henry marched to Williamsburg, where a compromise was reached before blood spilt. The British paid 330 pounds sterling to the colonists to compensate for the powder. Thoroughly frightened now, Dunmore retreated to a Royal Navy vessel, leaving Williamsburg to the colonial powers.
Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Fifes And Drums
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Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"Tavern Balladeers," #4020959 |
The King's Arms Tavern, established in 1772, was a popular spot for Williamsburg's leaders, who would meet to discuss business, politics, and eventually war with England. The owner, Mrs. Jane Vobe, who was noted as a fine cook, attracted luminaries like George Washington and Baron Von Steuben. Mrs. Vobe made her establishment a civic center by displaying the works of local artists, selling theater tickets, and advertising lost and found articles.
Williamsburg Village from Department 56 Tavern Balladeers
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R. Carlton Coffeehouse in Williamsburg,
Photo from history.org |
R. Charlton's Coffeehouse was another important site of Revolutionary action in Williamsburg. Very close to the colonial capital, R. Charlton's was a popular spot for politicians and gentlemen to gather in private rooms for hot coffee and chocolate and political plottings.
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Dept. 56, Williamsburg Series,
"R. Charlton Coffeehouse,"
#4023619 |
The porch of the R. Charlton's Coffeehouse is particularly important to history. In 1765 a mob of Williamsburg locals were incensed by the passage of England's Stamp Tax, and turned on George Mercer, a new Stamp Agent representing England's government. Ironically, Mercer had served as George Washington's aide-de-camp during the French and Indian War, and been elevated to the rank of lieutenant Colonel in the Virginia Regiment. Either the crowd didn't know, or didn't care. Mercer was chased down Duke of Gloucester, the main street in Williamsburg.
He jumped onto the porch of R. Charlton to take refuge, where the Colonial Governor Fauquier interceded and saved him from harm. Mercer later traveled to England, where he testified in Parliament that the Stamp Act could not be enforced without the introduction of troops into the colonies. His testimony helped influence the English Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act. Sadly, Mercer died while undergoing treatment for mental illness in 1784.
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Dept. 56, Williamsburg,
"Bruton Parish Church,"
#4018968 |
In subsequent blogs I will explore several other famous Williamsburg structures that are celebrated by Department 56, "Bruton Parish Church," "Tarpley's Store," and "Tallaferro-Cole House" and "Shop."
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