Claim: First Families of Virginia (some lead the revolution) favored the first sons' inheriting lands while other sons went to the colonies and went to Virginia.
Evidence: While some First Family members were loyal to Britain, others were Whigs who not only supported, but led the Revolution. Primogeniture favored the first sons' inheriting lands and titles in England. Second or third sons went out to the colonies to make their fortune, or entered the military and the clergy. Tidewater Virginia evolved as a society descended from second or third sons of English gentry who inherited land grants or land in Virginia.