Colonial Williamsburg

A Planned Community in Early America

Apr 2, 2008

As one of America's first "planned communities," the city of Williamsburg, Virginia played a central role in the years prior the American Revolution.

Originally known as the Middle Plantation, the city of Williamsburg was a planned community from its origin. In October 1693, the Virginia General Assembly designated the Middle Plantation as the site for the “free school and college” of William and Mary, and after the state house in Jamestown burned to the ground in October 1698, the Middle Plantation became the seat of government.

Named Williamsburg, in honor of the king of England, King William III, the city included many new innovations. A 1699 act of the Virginia General Assembly divided the city into half-acre lots, with a directive that no house could be built within six feet of the main street, known as Duke of Gloucester Street. This act called for the creation of a brick Capitol building, the first in the American colonies, so that the governor and General Assembly could be housed in Williamsburg, as well as the construction of a brick prison.

The city progressed quickly in the early years of the governorship of Alexander Spotswood, and in May 1722, the city of Williamsburg became an incorporated city. As a result, the mayor, recorder, and aldermen were designated as justices of peace within the city limits, and were empowered to hold a hustings court on a monthly basis.

In addition, one delegate could be sent to the House of Burgesses, provided his estate was worth 200 pounds sterling if he were a Williamsburg resident, or 500 pounds sterling for non-residents. The original Williamsburg charter vested power in the hands of each corporation, such as the mayor or aldermen, yet the charter called for a division of powers between each group.

During the eighteenth century, Williamsburg became a major capital city, and played a role in the events leading to the demise of the American colonies and the formation of the United States. On May 30, 1765, Patrick Henry spoke his famous words, “if this be treason, make the most of it” in reference to the Stamp Act, which many felt violated the principle that no taxes or impositions could be imposed on Virginia citizens, without interference from the General Assembly.

Although the Stamp Act was repealed in 1767, Virginia led the way in uniting the colonies in resisting British encroachments on the rights of person and property. Williamsburg participated in the industrialization movement, creating a factory for making woolen and linen cloth, as well as a tannery, carriage factory, wig factory, and snuff mill.

In addition to the College of William and Mary, various schools, including schools exclusively for young women and African-Americans, were created, and these continued in some form even during the Revolutionary War. In 1780, the capital moved to Richmond, and Williamsburg once again became a rural county seat, causing the population to dwindle to one-third of its count of 2000 individuals in Williamsburg.

Bibliography

Cutler, William W. “Cultural Literacy, Historic Preservation, and Commemoration:

The copyright of the article Colonial Williamsburg in Colonial America is owned by Jennifer Harrison-Konz. Permission to republish Colonial Williamsburg in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.