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JAMES TOWNE In the Words of Contemporaries |
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24. THE TOWN AND ITS GOVERNMENT—1676
DESPITE repeated efforts, Jamestown did not become the metropolis which had been hoped for. This can be seen from the extant descriptions of the town. On the eve of Bacon's Rebellion one writer recorded that:
. . . The Towne is built much about the midle of the Sowth line, close upon the River, extending east and west, about 3 quarters of a mile; in which is comprehended som 16 or 18 houses, most as is the church built of brick, faire and large; and in them about a dozen familes (for all the howses are not inhabited) getting their liveings by keeping ordnaries, at extreordinary rates.
A Narrative of the Indian and Civil Wars in Virginia in the Years 1675 and 1676.
In 1676 the assembly established limits for Jamestown and provided for its government.
[Enacted by the Assembly] . . . that the bounds of James Cittie include the whole island as farr as Sandy Bay, and that from henceforth the burgess or burgesses that shall be hereafter chosen to serve for the said Citty be elected by the majoritie of votes of the housekeepers, freeholders and freemen, as are at the time of such election listed within the bounds aforesaid, and soe liable to pay levies there, . . . and further, that the householders and freeholders have full power, and hereby be authorised, between this and the next assembly to make such good and convenient by laws as they shall think fitt, provided that the said by laws intrench not upon the privileges of James City county or any other county in the country.
Act of the Assembly, 1676.
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Last Modified: Thurs, Sep 11 2003 10:00:00 pm PST |