The Second Germanna Colony was greatly impacted by two individuals in Virginia, Alexander Spotswood and Robert Beverley, the Historian. These two were the chief partners in the giant Spotsylvania tract of more than 40,000 acres. But, had it not been for the Germans, it is very doubtful that there would have a Spotsylvania tract. So strong was the urge of Spotswood and Beverley to acquire land that they abetted the kidnaping of a whole boat load of Germans to obtain the settlers which made the tract possible. After they did have the settlers, Spotswood placed the naval stores work before the Germans, while Beverley urged the Germans into viniculture, the growing of grapes.
Robert Beverley is usually called the historian, first because he did write a history of Virginia, and second to distinguish him from his father, another Robert Beverley. The father, the founder of the family in Virginia, is called Major Beverley, or the elder, to distinguish him from the son. Major Beverley arrived in Virginia about 1663, the scion of small gentry in Yorkshire. He did have some capital with him, which he put to good use in acquiring a small property. Later, he acquired 50,000 acres of frontier land, personal property worth five thousand pounds, and forty-two slaves. All of this was done in a period of twenty-four years when, at his death, he was one of the richest planters of Virginia. He set an example for his children and, indirectly, for the future governor, Spotswood.
Major Beverley was politically active. Within seven years of his arrival, he was elected clerk of the House of Burgesses. He was a justice of the peace in Middlesex County and a member of the Council during Bacon's Rebellion, where he took an active role in suppressing the uprising. After the Rebellion, the governors did not trust him and Beverley returned their sentiments in a series of open actions against them. He became a Whig in a land of Tories. In a civilized way, he became rebellious, though his wealth was never in danger and he maintained support from a large segment of the population.
The younger Robert Beverley was born about 1673. His mother was the daughter of a merchant of Hull (and the widow of George Keeble). Major Beverly sent his sons to England for schooling. The son Robert returned to Virginia when he was nineteen years old. To learn something about Virginia law and politics, he worked as a volunteer in the office of the Colonial Secretary of State, who at that time was Christopher Robinson. This was the last time he worked as a volunteer and thereafter he always asked for a fee for the work he did for the Colony. Within a short time, he was Secretary of the Committee for Public Claims, Clerk of the General Court, Clerk of the Council, and Clerk of the General Assembly.
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.