The New Kent Resolves III- Postscript

The New Kent Resolves appeared first in the The Virginia Gazette of Williamsburg on July 21,1774. They were not the only county resolutions to appear of course, the same issue also had proclamations from York, Dinwiddie, Essex, Surry, and Chesterfield. The most famous remonstrance from a Virginia county was the Fairfax Resolves of July 18, 1774, authored primarily by George Mason with some assistance by George Washington. Washington was also connected deeply to the revolutionary power structure of New Kent. Burwell Bassett and Bartholomew Dandridge, New Kent's two delegates mentioned in the Resolves, were both his brothers-in-law. Bartholomew Dandridge was Martha's brother, and Burwell Bassett was married to Martha's sister, Anna Maria.

William Clayton the clerk of the meeting was the Clerk of the County Court. It was his office built on his own land a short distance from the court house that was burned by an arsonist in 1787 resulting in the loss of most of the county's colonial era records.

The New Kent Resolves II

 New Kent's response to the crisis of 1774 . . .

At a Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of New Kent, at the Courthouse of the said County, on Tuesday the 12th of July 1774, Thomas Adams, Esquire, being first chosen Moderator, and William Clayton, Esquire, Clerk, the present State of America being seriously and duly considered, the following Resolutions were proposed and agreed to, as an Instruction to our Deputies hereafter named:

Resolved, that our Sovereign Lord King, George III, is lawful and rightful King of Great Britain and all his Dominions in America, to whose Royal Person and Government we protest all due Subjection, Obedience, and Fidelity; and that we will, at all Times, defend and protect the just Rights of his Majesty with our Lives and Fortunes.

Resolved, that the Inhabitants of the British Colonies in America are entitled to all the Rights, Liberties, and Privileges, of free born English Subjects.

Resolved, that the Right to impose Taxes or Duties to be paid by the Inhabitants of this Dominion for any Purpose whatever, is peculiar and essential to the General Assembly, in whom the legislative Authority of the Colony is vested, and that Taxation and Representation are inseparable.

Resolved, that the Trial by Jury of the Vicinage is the Glory of the English Law, and the best Security for the Life, Liberty, and Property of the Subject, and is the undoubted Birthright of all his Majesty's free born American Subjects.

Resolved, that the several Acts and Resolutions of the Parliament of Great Britain made during his present Majesty's Reign, imposing Taxes or Duties on the Inhabitants of America, for the express Purpose of raising a Revenue, and for altering the Nature or Punishment of Offences committed in American, or the Method of Trial of such Offences, are unconstitutional, arbitrary, and unjust, and destructive of the Rights of America, and that we are not bound to yield Obedience to any such Acts.

Resolved, that the late cruel, unjust, and sanguinary Acts of Parliament, to be executed by military Force and Ships of War upon our Sister colony of the Massachusetts Bay, and Town of Boston, is strong Evidence of the corrupt Influence obtained by the British Ministry in Parliament, and a convincing Proof of their fixed Intention to deprive the Colonies of their constitutional Rights, and Liberties.

Resolved, that the Cause of the Town of Boston is the common Cause of all the American Colonies.

Resolved, that it is the Duty and Interest of all American Colonies firmly to unite in an indissoluble Union and Association, to oppose, by every just and proper Means, the infringements of their Rights and Liberties.

Resolved, that we do heartily approve of the Resolutions and Proceedings of our sever late Assemblies for affecting and supporting the just Rights and Liberties of America, from their patriotick Resolves in 1765 this Time.

Resolved, that we will most firmly unite with the other Counties in this Colony, in such Measures as shall be approved of by Majority as the best and most proper Means of preserving our Rights and Liberties, and opposing the said unconstitutional Acts of Parliament.

Resolved, that the most effectual Method of opposing the said several Acts of Parliament will be to break off all commercial Intercourse with Great Britain, until the said Acts shall be repealed.

Resolved, that the several counties within this colony ought to nominate and appoint, for every County, proper Deputies to meet upon the first Day of August next, in the City of Williamsburg, then and there to consult and agree upon the best and most proper Means for carrying into Execution these or any other Resolutions which shall be best calculated to answer the Purposes aforesaid.

Resolved, that it is earnestly recommended to the Deputies at the said general Convention to nominate and appoint fit and proper Persons, on Behalf of this Colony, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by the other Colonies in General Congress, to consult and agree upon a firm and indissoluble Union and Association, for preserving, by the best and most proper Means, their common Rights and Liberties.

Resolved, that BURWELL BASSETT and BARTHOLOMEW DANDRIDGE, Esquires, our late and present worthy Representatives, be and they are hereby nominated and appointed Deputies, on the Part and Behalf of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of this County, to meet such Deputies as shall be appointed by the other Counties within this Colony, in the City of Williamsburg, on the first Day of August next, or at any other Time or Place, for the Purpose aforesaid.

Resolved further, that our said Deputies agree to join in any proper Means that shall be adopted for the Immediate Relief of the present Necessities of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston.

Resolved, that the Clerk transmit the foregoing Resolutions and Instructions to the Printers, to be Published.

                                            WILLIAM CLAYTON, Clerk of the Meeting



- The Virginia Gazette(Williamsburg), July 21, 1774

The New Kent Resolves I

How to start a revolution . . .

In the spring and summer of 1774 the American colonies were convulsed by the repercussions of the Boston Tea Party. Seen as a mere political prank by many today, the dumping of the tea into Boston harbor by the Sons of Liberty brought down the wrath of the British empire on the Colony of Massachusetts and the town of Boston. The so called "Intolerable Acts" passed by Parliament showed how far the Ministry in London was willing to go in quelling the rapidly rising American dissent.

On May 23, 1774 the House of Burgesses declared that June 1 would be a day of "fasting, humiliation, and prayer" in sympathy and solidarity with the people of Massachusetts. Attempting to nip Virginia's political fervor in the bud, the Earl of Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, dissolved the General Assembly. Scattering the Burgesses to the winds proved a miscalculation however, as they called for a meeting that would become the first Revolutionary Convention and then organized the political forces of their respective counties. The political leadership in counties across the colony drafted protests expressing their commitment to opposition to Great Britain.

-TO BE CONTINUED

New Kent's Members of the House of Burgesses - Bios IV

 It has been a while a since I touched on the Colonial period, so here is the new section to my New Kent House of Burgess biography file, which I last updated in August of last year . . .

Bassett, William, of Eltham, New Kent county, Virginia, was son of Col. William Bassett and Joanna Burwell. He was a  member of the assembly of 1742 and 1744, but died in 1744 before the termination thereof. He married Elizabeth Churchill, daughter of Col. William Churchill, and was father of Burwell Bassett I.

Littlepage, Richard, was son of Mr. Richard Littlepage who patented land in New Kent, Virginia in 1660. He was vestryman of St Peter's church, justice and burgess for New Kent in 1685. He died March 20, 1717, and was father of James Littlepage.

Leigh, William, probably a son of Francis Leigh of the Council was burgess for King and Queen county in 1696, 1697, 1698, 1699, 1700, 1702, 1703, dieing(sic) the last year 1704. He was in 1702 colonel commanding the militia of King and Queen county as well as judge of the vice admiralty court of the colony.

-Most of this information came from Stanard's The Colonial Virginia Register, Cynthia Leonard's The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978, A Bicentennial Register of Members and Gardiner's Encyclopedia of Virginia

New Kent's Members of the House of Burgesses - Bios III

West, Colonel John, son of Captain John West governor, etc. He was born at Bell Field on the York river in 1632, being the first child of English parents born on the York river, lived at West Point. He sat on the courts martial that tried the rebels in Bacon's time and was senior justice and colonel of the New Kent county militia. He married Unity daughter of Major Joseph Croshaw Burgess for New Kent county in 1685 and 1686. He had three sons John, Nathaniel and Thomas, and one daughter Unity who married Henry Fox of King William county. 

Foster, Joseph, nephew of Captain Will1am Bassett first of that name in Virginia, he came from Newport, Southampton county, England and was a justice of New Kent county and Burgess in 1688, 1696, and 1700 1702 vestryman of St Peter's parish New Kent and lieutenant colonel of the militia. He died about 1715 leaving issue.

-Most of this information came from Stanard's The Colonial Virginia Register, Cynthia Leonard's The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978, A Bicentennial Register of Members and Gardiner's Encyclopedia of Virginia.

New Kent's Members of the House of Burgesses- Bios Part. II

Claiborne, William. The ancient family of Claiborne derives its name from the Manor of Claiborne or Cliborne in Westmoreland county England near the river Eden and which is named in the Domesday Book AD 1086. William Claiborne was born about 1587 and came to Virginia with Gov. Wyatt in 1621 in the employ of the Virginia Company as surveyor general of Virginia at a salary of thirty pounds a year a house and in all probability fees. 

He quickly became prominent in colonial affairs and in 1624 was commissioned by the King as first royal secretary of state a position which he held off and on for eighteen years. In 1626 he became a member of the council. On July 22 1629 he received a commission from Gov. Pott appointing him captain and commander of all the forces to be levied for a war against the Indians and as a reward for the successful conduct of the campaign was granted in 1640 a tract of land on the Pamunkey river. In the latter year he petitioned the King to create an office which should have the keeping of the Virginia seal. The King referred the matter back to the governor and council of Virginia who decided that such an office was appropriate and appointed Claiborne to fill it. In 1634 through the influence of Harvey he lost his place as secretary of state but on Apr 6 1642 Charles I appointed him treasurer of Virginia for life. 

He again commanded forces against the Indians in 1644 and again received a grant of land in reward Claiborne was a great explorer and traded with the Indians as well as fought them. In 1627 the government of Virginia gave him permission to discover the source of Chesapeake Bay and explore any body of water between the thirty fourth and forty first parallels of latitude and on May 16, 1631 the King granted a license to “our trusty and well beloved Wm Claiborne” to trade in the colonies of New England and New Scotland, and commanded Gov Harvey and the council to allow him to do so. Claiborne soon afterwards established a trading post on Kent Island near the present city of Annapolis and this caused him to oppose with great persistence the efforts of the Baltimores to establish the colony of Maryland. When in 1632 that part of Virginia lying north of the Potomac was granted to Cecilius Calvert, Lord Baltimore, the Virginians including Claiborne protested against it on the ground that it was a territorial spoliation. They brought the matter before the King and urged that in revoking the charter and assembling control over Virginia both his father James and himself had given assurances that the intention was to alter the form of government not to dispute property rights. 

The political existence of the colony remained as much a fact as before and if the King could grant away Maryland he could grant away Jamestown itself. The King and his commissioners of foreign plantations were nevertheless adverse to this view and the legality of Baltimore's charter was upheld. The Virginians hoped however to except Kent Island from its operation on the ground that the Island was actually occupied by Virginia settlers. They argued that the assurances given at the revocation meant at least that actual occupation was to be respected. It made no difference whether Claiborne had any title to the soil or not, under his license to trade the colony of Virginia had extended its laws over it and the occupation was a legal one. When therefore Leonard Calvert, Baltimore's governor, called upon Claiborne to recognize his authority in Kent Island the council of Virginia to whom Claiborne referred the request considered the claim and declared that the colony had as much right Kent Island as any other part of the country given by his Majesty's patent in 1609. This particular phase of the question came before the King like the more general phase and was referred by him as in the former case to the commissioners of foreign plantations. It pended before them for several years and in the interim feeling grew warm. A miniature war developed and several persons were killed on both sides Sir John Harvey interfered in behalf of Lord Baltimore and this so incensed Claiborne's friends in Virginia that he was seized and sent back to England. At length however the commissioners in 1638 decided for Lord Baltimore and Kent Island having been seized in Claiborne's absence in England by Capt. George Evelyn in behalf of Lord Baltimore has remained ever since a part of Maryland. While Claiborne never admitted the justice of the decision it does not appear that he ever tried again to set up Kent Island as independent of Maryland. During the disturbances of Richard Ingle 1645-1647 he visited Kent Island but appears to have come over to look after his property rights which had been confiscated. Instead of posing as a friend of parliament he showed a commission and letter from King Charles I, by whom he appears to have stood till the King's death in 1649. After that time Claiborne went to England and espoused the parliament side and Gov Berkeley in 1650 declared the office of treasurer vacant on account of Claiborne's delinquency. 

In Sept 1651 Claiborne was appointed with Capt Robert Dennis, Mr. Richard Bennett and Mr. Thomas Stegg on a commission to reduce Virginia to obedience to the parliament of England an office which they succeeded in performing in Mar 1652. They then repaired to Maryland and reduced that province also. The ascendancy of Claiborne in Maryland was complete but beyond renewing this property claim to Kent Island he did not treat it politically different from the rest of Maryland. In Virginia the two surviving commissioners Bennett and Claiborne shared the chief offices between them Bennett became governor and Claiborne secretary of state. Maryland was only temporarily pacified. Lord Baltimore encouraged his adherents to resist and a civil war ensued and much blood was shed. The design of the commissioners appears to have been to have brought about the union of Virginia and Maryland again but Baltimore won such favor with Cromwell in England that the contest was given up and his authority finally recognized. 

When the restoration of Charles II took place Claiborne was deprived of his office as secretary and removed from Elizabeth City where he had formerly lived to Romancoke near West Point the scene of one of his former victories over the Indians. Romancoke was then situated in the county of New Kent which had been cut from York in 1654 when Claiborne was at the height of his power. The county was evidently named by him after his beloved Kent Island. Here he lived many years siding with the government in the disturbances of Bacon's rebellion and dying about 1677 when he was upwards of ninety years of age. To the last he remained unconquered in spirit and as late as 1675 he sent to parliament a long recital of his injuries suffered at the hands of the Baltimores asking satisfaction and urging the union of Maryland with Virginia.

 - This follows the list of June 15, 2013 and is part of a series. Most of this information came from Stanard's The Colonial Virginia Register, Cynthia Leonard's The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978, A Bicentennial Register of Members and Gardiner's Encyclopedia of Virginia.



See also my previous posts on Claiborne.

New Kent's Members of the House of Burgesses- Bios Part. I

Abrahall, Robert, came to Virginia about 1650 and settled in New Kent county which he represented in the house of burgesses in 1654 and 1660. In the first year he was captain in the New Kent militia and in the last he was lieutenant colonel. He used a seal having the arms of Abrahall of Herefordshire.

Hammond, Mainwaring, who had been an officer in the royal army during the civil war came to Virginia early in the year 1650. Col. Henry Norwood also a cavalier officer says in his Voyage to Virginia that when he landed in York county Feb 13, 1650 he found that Capt. Wormeley of his majesty's council had guests at his house feasting and carousing that were lately come from England and that most of them were of the writer's intimate acquaintance. These guests were Sir Thomas Lunsford, Sir Henry Chicheley, Col Philip Honeywood afterward Sir Philip and Col Hammond. So far as the records show Col. Hammond held no public office until Gov Berkeley was restored to power in 1660. Soon after his arrival in Virginia however he acquired by patent a large tract of land On March 15 1649 probably 1650. Manwaring Hammond Esq. was granted 3,760 acres on York River on the south side called Fort Royall, 600 acres of which he purchased from Captain Marshall and the remainder of which was due for the transportation of sixty persons to Virginia. On Nov 11 1659 as Col. Mainwaring Hammond he was granted 600 acres adjoining the above. As soon as Sir William Berkeley was reelected governor Hammond who seems to have been one of his favorites was brought into the public service. At the session of March 1659 60 the assembly ordered that Colonel Mannering Hammond according to the desire of Sir William Berkeley Knt, Governor and Capt General of Virginia be constituted authorized and made Major General of Virginia. In Oct 1660 the governor and assembly employed Maj Gen Hammond and Col. Guy Molesworth another distinguished cavalier officer to go to England and procure from the King pardon for the Virginians for submitting to the parliamentary authority. In their lack of knowledge as to what might be the policy of the restored royal government this was no act of mere sycophancy on the part of the colonists but may have been necessary to secure them from fines or other legal penalties. It was ordered that the two agents should be paid 11,000 pounds of tobacco apiece out of the levies of that year and 11,000 more the next year. It was in 1660 also that Gen Hammond was appointed to the council but few references to his services as a member of that body have come down to us. On Feb 3 1661 he and Col Edward Hill sat with the court of Charles City county as itinerant judges and on Nov 6 of the same year he was present as a councilor. It is likely that he soon after sailed for England and never returned to Virginia He had a brother in Virginia named Francis Hammond. 

Blacky, William, was a burgess from New Kent county in the general assembly of 1657 58 that convened March 13th. He is evidently the William Blacke, burgess from New Kent in the succeeding sessions of 1658 59.

- This follows the list of June 15, 2013 and will be a series. Most of this information came from Stanard's The Colonial Virginia Register, Cynthia Leonard's The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978, A Bicentennial Register of Members and Gardiner's Encyclopedia of Virginia.

New Kent's Members of the House of Burgesses

1654         Robert Abrell* (or Abrahall)

1656        ----------------

1658         William Blacky (or Blacke)

1659         William Blacky

1660         Robert Abrahall    William Claiborne    Manwaring Hamond

1661-76    Robert Abrahall(1661 sess.- Mar. 1662)    William Blackey
                 William Claiborne

1680-82    John Langston1 
                 Charles Turner
                 George Morris(Jun. 1680)    John West

1684         John West    Joseph Foster       

1685-86    John West    Richard Littlepage

1688         John West    Joseph Foster

1691-92    John West(1st sess.)    William Leigh2 
                  David Crawford    John Lydall

1693         William Bassett    John Lydall

1693         William Bassett    Gideon Macon*

1695-96    William Bassett    Daniel Parke(1st Sess.)3    Joseph Foster

1696-97    William Bassett    Gideon Macon     William Crawford4 

1698         William Bassett                Gideon Macon

1699         William Bassett                Gideon Macon

1700-02    William Bassett                Gideon Macon

1703-05    Joseph Foster                    Gideon Macon5        William Bassett

1705-06    Nicholas Merriwether       Nathaniel West

1710-12    Nicholas Merriwether        John Stanup

1712-14    Nicholas Merriwether        John Stanup

1715         Nicholas Merriwether        John Stanup

1718         Nicholas Merriwether        John Stanup

1720-22    Nicholas Merriwether        John Thonton    Thomas Massey

1723-26    John Thornton                    Thomas Massey

1728-34    Richard Richardson    ______ Bacon   
                  William Chamberlayne     William Bassett

1736-40    William Macon                   William Chamberlayne⁶    ____ Doran

1742-47    William Bassett                   William Gray

1748-49    William Hockaday              William Massie

1752-55    Richard Adams                    James Power

1756-58    Richard Adams                    James Power

1758-61    Richard Adams                    Lewis Webb

1761-65    Richard Adams                    Gill Armistead        Burwell Bassett7  

1766-68    William Clayton                   Burwell Bassett

1769         William Clayton                   Burwell Bassett

1769-71    William Clayton                   Burwell Bassett

1772-74    Bartholomew Dandridge8    Burwell Bassett

1775-76    Bartholomew Dandridge      Burwell Bassett




1- Disallowed for participating in Bacon’s Rebellion
2- Represented New Kent in 1st session than new county of King and Queen
3- Elevated to Governor’s Council
4- Represented New Kent at one day April session
5- Died during session
6- Died during session
7- The senior and brother in law of General Washington
8- Brother of Martha Washington

- Chiefly from The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619 - January 11, 1978


I will be following this up with brief bios of the members over the next few weeks . . .