King George III’s Virginia than did small farmers on the frontier. When the Jamestown’s Legacy to the King George ascended to the British throne in 1760, colonies decided against the importation of British during the period of the Seven Years’ War, and before goods, it was Virginia’s large planters who sacrificed American Revolution the start of events that led up to the Revolutionary the most. The Ambler family suffered serious War. Throughout his rule, George III worked to financial reverses during the war, while By the time of the American Revolution, strengthen and reinforce British administration in the farmers like Azel Benthall were better able Virginia had outgrown its original 17th- American colonies, and in most colonies appointed to cope with wartime shortages. The century colonial capital city. Once at the a governor. The livelihoods of merchants who center of Virginia affairs, Jamestown ceased day-to-day depended upon both internal to be a real town in the early 18th century, administration of and external trade were affected and by 1775 few people still lived there. affairs was carried as well. However, Jamestown’s legacy endured. The out by representative Silver coffee pot, London, 1774-75. English- descendants of the colonists who had created assemblies that made silver coffee and tea pots were sold in clashed with the large numbers in the colonies. Jamestown and 17th-century royally appointed Virginia remained a vital governors. These Soldiers and Sailors force within Virginia colonial assemblies society. This special resisted attempts Most Virginians who fought in exhibition looks at to enforce royal the war served either as militiamen the lives of some of policies with which or as soldiers of the Continental Line. Militiamen they did not agree served part-time, patrolling the homefront and these individuals who keeping watch on Loyalist activity. Continentals were caught up in the and resented Britain’s control of their such as Colonel Richard Taylor served longer terms tumultuous events of trading enterprises. under the authority of the Continental Congress. the Revolution. Their Eventually, King Virginia’s regiments fought in New Jersey, New York, stories are illustrated George’s American Pennsylvania, Virginia and the Carolinas. with more than 60 subjects would rise A massive portrait of King George III in Virginia’s small naval force operated chiefly to keep period artifacts – a in opposition to coronation robes is one of several done by the the state’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay safe from the sampling of objects his policies. The studio of Allan Ramsay between 1762 and 1784. British navy and to assist in the transport of supplies The gilt frame also dates to the 18th century. acquired by the American Revolution for the Continental Army. Virginia’s Committee of Jamestown-Yorktown began a new Virginia Safety both purchased ships and built a fleet of row that was the creation of people who were born there galleys at scattered shipyards in remote locations up Foundation for and called it home. exhibit at the rivers and creeks so that they would not be easily attacked by the British navy. Experienced merchant future American Merchants, Planters and Farmers captains like Edward Travis IV were recruited to Revolution Museum command the ships of the small Virginia navy. at Yorktown. In pre-revolutionary Virginia, agriculture and trade drove the economy. This legacy began with Virginia’s founding and the introduction of tobacco Small trunks like A sword inscribed with the year cultivation. Scattered farms and plantations this 18th-century 1776 and the name of its owner has a predominated and kept most people rooted in the example, which silver pommel in the form of an eagle. soil, while towns remained small. Other colonists belonged to a Over the course of the Revolution, the shipbuilder for the eagle became one of the symbols of served as merchants who exported and marketed Continental Navy, the new United States. the agricultural products and imported supplies and were used to protect luxury goods that farmers and planters desired. valuable objects and important papers on The war had a greater effect on larger Tidewater sea voyages. planters who relied more on imported British goods Statesmen and Diplomats “Jamestown’s Legacy to the American Numerous Virginians served the Patriot cause in the Revolution” provides an advance look at a Jamestown’s public arena. Virginians who were famous for their selection of artifacts destined for exhibit at the oratory style, stirring essays and commitment to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Legacy Revolution included those who worked at both the planned to replace the Yorktown Victory Center state and national levels – men such as Jefferson, by late 2016. Located adjacent to the Yorktown Henry, Randolph and several Lees. Planter Richard Battlefield where American independence was won, Bland II was a strong advocate for colonial control of American internal affairs and served as a member of the Virginia this new museum is envisioned to be a nationally committees of Correspondence and Public Safety and significant facility with state-of-the-art exhibition Revolution the Continental Congress. galleries and an expanded living-history program, providing a renewed perspective on the meaning Other Virginians traveled as diplomats. The United and impact of the American Revolution. States Congress appointed ambassadors to European countries to solicit financial and military aid. A TheYorktown Victory Center, which will Virginian, Arthur Lee, helped to negotiate the French remain open during construction of the new alliance. Another group of Virginians looked west. Jamestown Settlement Some of them, like General museum, and are Joseph Martin, Jr., had administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown March 1, 2013 – January 20, 2014 experience dealing with Foundation, an educational institution of the Jamestown Settlement Indian tribes in the western Commonwealth of Virginia, accredited by the lands and were appointed American Alliance of Museums. agents to negotiate for the states and the new nation. The “Jamestown’s Legacy to the American An American-made, late-18th-century gorget with a silver bear Revolution” special exhibition, at symbol exemplifies ceremonial gift-giving that took place in Jamestown Settlement March 1, 2013, negotiations with American Indian tribes on the western frontier. through January 20, 2014, is supported with grants from James City County, Altria Group featuring The Father of our Country and Dominion Resources. George Washington, like many other Virginia patriots, artifacts could trace his ancestry back to a 17th-century colonist, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation acquired for one who sat in the House of Burgesses at Jamestown. P.O. Box 1607 Less than a decade exhibit after leading the Williamsburg, Virginia 23187 United States (757) 253-4838 at the to victory as toll-free (888) 593-4682 commander of the future Continental Army, George Washington www.historyisfun.org American reluctantly accepted Revolution the office of the first president of Museum at the United States, Front cover image: Statue of George Washington, 19th century, serving two terms William James Hubard after Jean-Antoine Houdon. Yorktown before retiring to Gift of the Library of Virginia. private life in 1797. All artifacts pictured in this brochure are in the This creamware jug, made in Liverpool, England, about 1800 Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation collection. bears an image of George Washington.