The Washington times., 1933-09-02

= Colonial America, TO Cne SlCe OF
the first incorporated town in the
States, and the place which is
now being restored through the
generosity of the Rockefellers.
Williamsburg was, until the
State capital was moved to Rich
mond, the center Of culture and
politics in Virginia. In it is
located William and Mary Col
lege.
The place first was settled
about 300 years ago by an Eng
lishman from Harop, in York
shire, and he called it Middle
Plantation because it lay midway
between the James and York
rivers.
Once Was Port
Creeks flow past the town and
they were navigable for ocean
going ships of that time. Settlers
who came in with the Englishman
slept within a high stockade. Lit
tie by little the town grew.
Exactly 100 years before the
Declaration of independence, Ma
thaniel Bacon held the conven-
tion there that was to consider
the political rights of the Colo
nists. Bacon's Rebellion was a Sc
series of disasters in which the
Middle Plantation figured in more
ways than one.
A brick church was built there
in 1888, called, for the parish
in which it stands, the Bruton
Church. The Rev. James Blair
became its pastor and was the
founder and first president of the
College of William and Mary.
Good Roads Available
The old town is reached from
Washington over U. S. Route
to Richmond and Route 60 to
Williamsburg. Both are fine,
paved highways, well marked and
Interesting.
Returning, there are two routes.
One is to Yorktown, where Lord
CORVALLIS surrendered and thus
ended the Revolution, across the
river there by ferry to Glouces-
ter Point and using U. S. Route
1.-THE Tidewater Trail-to Fred
ericksburg.
The other route is to continue
to Newport News on Route go,
ferry to Norfolk and return on the
overnight boat to Washington.
The latter is restful trip and will
put the motorists back in Wash
ington in time for business Mon
day or Tuesday morning, de-: md
ing on whether Labor Day is a
holiday for you.
Historic Spots Marked
Route II runs through historic
and interesting country. The
State of Virginia has gone to
great lengths to mark every his
toric spot on the highways, even
to plaques giving the dates Of the
original land patents. The roads
through this section of Virginia
are literally dotted with these
markers, all historically accurate
and informative.
Williamsburg was named in
honor of King William III by Gov
Francis Nicholson. The governor
was the first city planner to land
on these shores and today, thanks
to the restoration, his idea OF
what a city should be is clearly
seen. Incidentally, he named two
streets for himself. One is called
Francis and the other Nicholson.
After the notorious pirate,
Blackboard, was killed in a naval
battle off the coast, 13 of his men
were taken to Williamsburg and
lodged in the Jail there until they
took up permanent residence in
graves near by. They were hanged
with great show for their mis-
deeds.
WASHINGTON Lived There
George Washington knew vii.
liamsburg well, for he married
Mrs. Gusts and, while he was a
member of the house of burgesses,
lived in the Custis winter home
there, called the House Of Six
ChimneyS.
Williamsburg boasted the first
theater in America. 1t was the
gayest capital in North America
and the gathering place Of such
men as Washington, Thomas JET
ferson, James Madison, James
Monroe, John Marshall, George
Mason and Patrick Henry.
The place continued to be the
center Of activities Of all kinds.
political, business and Army.
Yorktown is but a few miles away
and Williamsburg was popular
with those officers and men who
could get leave.
Capital Was Moved
The seat Of government was
moved to Richmond IN 1870 ana
then Williamsburg began to de-
cline.
At present Williamsburg is
the scene of the greatest restora
ton project ever undertaken in
the United States. John D. Rocke
teller. jr., attended the dedicatory
ceremonies of the Phi Beta Kappa
Memorial Hall at William and
Mary College in 1927 and heard
from the Rev. w. A. R. Goodwin
college professor and rector of
Burton Church, the latter's desire
some day to see the town restored
to its Colonial setting.
Mr.. Rockefeller acted quickly
and soon had men at work on the
project. Every avenue OF intor
L. fnllnMad ca the