The last note, in quoting from a precessioner's report, referred to five men of whom four were named with a military title, e.g., Col. Alexander Spotswood. Though Spotswood earned his title as a member of the Royal British Army, the other men were members of the colonial militia which was organized along the lines of the formal forces. At this time, Spotswood could have been called Governor in recognition of his past services in the capacity of Lt. Governor.
This use of military titles in civil address developed in the southern colonies, probably first in Virginia and spreading to the other colonies. In England, titles were more common, but Virginia, that most English of the colonies, was populated by second and third sons who came without significant estates or any claim to a title. In Virginia, there was the militia organization which had ranks. Those who well placed probably encouraged the use of their title to set themselves apart from the rest.
The use of titles filtered down through the ranks to the Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns. Eventually the use of military titles had little to do with any position in the ranks. After a while, the use of terms such as Colonel was a matter of habit, not an earned right. People who wanted to curry favor with someone else would use the salutation, Colonel. The use of military titles took precedence over other titles. Thus, our first President was Gen. Washington, not President Washington.
John Gott wrote a short note in the Fauquier Heritage Society News on the use of the term "Gentlemen". I quote it here:
"Among the problems that bemused our colonial ancestors in Fauquier County was how to tell the "ordinary sort of folk" from the "gentlemen". As that distinction was then of utmost importance, one did not want to make a mistake. Unfortunately the ranks of the "gentlemen" shifted from time to time, and some of the "ordinary sort" became "gentlemen" for no apparent reason. Much might depend on the whim of the county clerk. Generally speaking rich landowners were gentlemen but not always. Some men with very little land were included. Elected officials were gentlemen almost automatically. The Justices were called "Gentlemen Justices," so were the members of the Vestry of Leeds and Hamilton Parishes. It was not by any means necessary to be able to read and write, but it helped. Some, however, prided themselves on being able to pay to have such menial tasks performed. Professional men, like doctors and lawyers, were gentlemen, but not surgeons who were classed with barbers and dentists. Merchants were gentlemen if they dealt in large wholesale operations, but not if they were merely "shopkeepers". To be "in trade" was not the mark of a gentleman, though obviously those in trade often did well enough to become landowners and merchants, this changing their status. Certain crimes could be committed by gentlemen and frequently were, but other crimes of the "lower sort" and, if a gentleman committed one, he soon found himself among the lower sort. Having something on the county clerk was useful in maintaining one's position. George Mason achieved the ultimate in one-upmanship by persuading a county clerk to record a deed in which he is called "George Mason, Gent" while the party of the other part is called mere "yeoman". That coup-de-main must have given the party of the second part something like a stroke."
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.