The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-12-29
- $s . ella &c G rs.
Christmas at jamestown, Virginia, in
1875.
A TALE OF oLDEN TIMES.
BY MARS.

81 MaRS
At the time of which | write, Berkely
was Governor of Virginia. He was a ty-
rant, and gloried in deeds of wickedness.
At this time the Governors headquarters
were in jamestown. He used to boast
that there twas neither free schools nor
printing here" and hoped "that they
would not have either for hundred years."
Shortly before this time the Indians devas-
tated the frontier, from the Potomac to the
James, numbering without mercy all that
came within their power. The colonists
urged the Governor to take measures for
the protection of their lives and property,
but he paid no attention to their request,
and the work of death went on.
The colonists at this early day had the
love of liberty in their manly hearts, and
the motto sic Semper tyrannis" became
their watch word. A gallant Briton,
named Nathaniel Bacon, resided not far
from jamestown. He was gentleman well
calculated to serve his country either as a
statesman or warrior. When the people
found that Berkely would do nothing for
them, they urged Bacon to lead them
against the Indians, but the Governor re-
fused to commission him. Bacon, regard
less of the tyrant, raised fifiy-seven men,
attacked the Indians, and drove them from
the neighborhood. Berkely was wild with
rage at the success of Bacon and proclaim
ed him and his followers rebels, swearing
the most horrid oaths that he would hang
them as fast as he could catch them.
The tyrant kept his word, and did not
stop until he had hung twenty-five of the
gallant colonists, whom he styled ID
rebels
About quarter of a mile from James
town, a large tree stood in the edge of a
dense pine thicket. The murderer called
this tree the rebel tanner" and IT was on
this tree he hung his innocent victims.
He had negro servant whose name was
Bob, who was most forbidding- looking
rascal and this Congo was his execution
er. The negro took great delight in his
avocation, and it was hard TO tell whether
Berkely or Bob took the greatest pleasure
in all execution. Richard Lee, who lived
in jamestown, had taken an active part
against the Indians. He acted as captain
under Major Bacon, and by so doing had
incurred the displeasure of Berkely, who
swore that Lee should soon march to the
"rebel tanner"
Mr. Lees interesting family consisted of
himself his accomplished wife and four
tine children, two boys and two girls. His
wife's name was Bertha. Her maiden
hume was Fitzhugh. They were both de-
scendants of the first families of England
and were firm believers in the Christian
religion, which was one cause of Berkely' 8
hatred, as lie was an infidel.
Mr. Lee had an Indian servant named Wah
Wah. This young Indian was about twen-
ty-one years of age. Mr.. Lee had saved
his life when he was drowning in the James
and the grateful son of the forest would
never after leave his deliverer, but became
one of the household. This young Indian
was an expert with the bow and arrow, and
kept the family well supplied with wild
game. When Mr.. Lee and his interesting
family knelt in prayer, they formed u group
for master artist to copy.
On the Gath of December, 1876, Berkely
called his guard and commanded them to
go to the rebel Lees after nightfall, cap
ture him and bring him before his honor
saying Z" that the id rebel had lived
long enough, and that he would hang hin
to the rebel tanner the next morning al
sunrise" as he wished to spoil their Christ