Virginia During
the Time of Bacon's Rebellion
Bacon's Rebellion, popular revolt in colonial
Virginia in 1676, led by Nathaniel Bacon. High taxes, low prices for tobacco,
and resentment against special privileges given those close to the governor,
Sir William Berkeley, provided the background for the uprising, which was
precipitated by Berkeley's failure to defend the frontier against attacks
by Native Americans. Bacon commanded two unauthorized but successful expeditions
against the tribes and was then elected to the new house of burgesses, which
Berkeley had been forced to convene. When he attempted to take his seat,
Berkeley had him arrested. Soon released, Bacon gathered his supporters,
marched on Jamestown, and coerced Berkeley into granting him a commission
to continue his campaigns against Native Americans. A circumspect assembly
then passed several reform measures. The governor, having failed to raise
a force against Bacon, fled to the Eastern Shore. He gathered enough strength
to return to Jamestown, where he proclaimed Bacon and his men rebels and
traitors. After a sharp skirmish Bacon recaptured the capital (Berkeley again
took flight) but, fearing that he could not hold it against attack, set fire
to the town. Bacon now controlled the colony, but he died suddenly (Oct.,
1676), and without his leadership the rebellion collapsed. After a few months
Berkeley returned to wreak a bloody vengeance before he was forced to return
to England. Berkeley's removal and the end of attacks by Native Americans
were the only benefits the yeomen had won in the rebellion, and the tidewater
aristocracy long maintained its power.
See T. J. Wertenbaker, Torchbearer of the
Revolution (1940, repr. 1965) and Bacon's Rebellion, 1676 (1957); W. E. Washburn,
The Governor and the Rebel (1957, repr. 1967).1642
More Information on Bacon's Rebellion
Isle of Wight County, Virginia Patent Book 1, Part II, Page 857.
Francis England, 746 Acres, Isle of Wright
County, June 20,1642 for the transportation of 20 people.
Robert Hill, Mary Hill, his Wife
John Powell
Eliza Webb
Sarah England
Jno. Lippett
John Sikes
Robert Davis
Hugh Brent
Edward Palmer
John Acton
Thomas Coggin
James Piland, Alexandra, his Wife
Notes: Numerous references to Sion Hill.
Notes: Sion is the son of Robert Hill and Mary
Webb.
1677: Colonial Surry, Boddie, 1948, Chapter
XIII
1677: Surry County [Virginia] in Bacon's Rebellion,
C.B. Holtzclaw
Trails for depredations by the Baconians began
in the Surrey Court: May 1677.......All were found guilty and heavily fined.
The jury that convicted them was composed of
John Moreing, foreman Arthur Jordan, William Newsum, William Gray, George
Williams, Richard Jordan, Sion Hill, Joseph Ford, Robert Lancaster, Edward
Tanner, Thomas Sowersly and Christopher Foster.........
Sion Hill was from Lawnes Creek Parish
, VA.
Sion Hill also served on the jury in September.
1677. There is also account of arms sold by Capt. Charles Barham and Lt. Thomas
Busly... pistols and holster sold to Sion Hill.....Perhaps to keep order
during and after the Rebellion.
1724-1766: Land Transactions of Robert Hill
In 1724 was granted 145 acres in that county
on Jan 23 1724 Robert deeded to Arthur Jordon 145 acres on the south side
of Fountain Creek a plantation "on which the said Hill is now living with"
Tabitha his wife relinquishing owner. Witness: Thomas Alleman, Sr. and Jr.
In 1725 Robert was deeded 233 acres of land
in Isle of Wight County, Virginia
On May 22 1725 Robert was granted 160 acres
on the south side of Fountain Creek, Northampton County, North Carolina..
In 1738 200 acres on the south side of Blue
Marsh in Edgecomb County, North Carolina.
He conveyed 75 acres of this land in 1740 with
the deed witnessed by Abner Green and Thomas Hill.
He received several grants in Edgecomb County,
North Carolina.
Notes: These are transactions of Robert Hill
son of Sion W. Hill and Elizabeth Smith.
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