April 1776 – The Deep Breath Before The Plunge
United Colonies
Following the British evacuation of Boston, General George Washington strategically repositioned the Continental Army to New York and began preparations for an anticipated attack by the Redcoats.
On April 6, Congress passed a resolution opening American ports to all nations except Great Britain. This was a significant move away from British restrictions and toward economic independence for the colonies. The last vestiges of British Royal rule over the colonies were crumbling.
On April 7, Captain John Barry of the Lexington captured the sloop HMS Edward off the Virginia Capes after a one-hour engagement. It was the first capture of a Royal Navy ship by the fledgling American Navy.
On April 12, the North Carolina Provincial Congress became the first Colonial legislature to authorize its delegation to the Continental Congress to vote for independence from Great Britain. This act became known as the Halifax Resolves, named after the town in which they were passed.
Virginia
During April 1776, free male property owners (freeholders) met on court days in counties throughout the colony— often held on the second Tuesday— to elect delegates to the consequential Fifth (and final) Virginia Convention. Notably, each freeholder verbally declared his vote in front of those present at the polls.
General Andrew Lewis, in command of the Virginia troops, moved to fortify mountain passes, confront Lord Dunmore’s forces along the coast, procure gunpowder, and secure recruits.
Carter Braxton, an influential conservative planter in eastern Virginia, published a pamphlet arguing against a purely democratic republic. While the leaders of the colony were united against Great Britain and Royal rule, division remained regarding what sort of government and society to build.
County Committees of Correspondence were tasked with keeping tabs on Loyalists throughout the colony.
Botetourt County
On April 4, George Skillern of Cherry Tree Bottom was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Botetourt County Militia by the Committee of Safety. His original commission has survived and is on display in the Botetourt County Museum of History and Culture in Fincastle. One of the first orders to Col. Skillern was to expedite the collection of saltpeter for the production of gunpowder.
The Botetourt County Court met twice in April, on the 9th and the 16th. Justices presiding at the first meeting were William Fleming, George Skillern, Philip Love, Andrew Woods, and Andrew Smyth. John Bowyer, William Fleming, George Skillern, Benjamin Estill, Philip Love, William McClenachan, and Adam Smyth presided at the second meeting. These were the first meetings of the court acting under the authority of the Virginia Conventions, not under the authority of the King of England.
Among the issues handled in the April 9 session were tax relief for John Davis due to age and poverty; the will of James Trimble; a report on the road from Botetourt Court House to the James River plantation of Alexander Stewart; the binding of Jane Welsh to Henry Woodley; and the recording of a deed for 4,395 acres on the Ohio River belonging to George Washington, filed by his agent James Cleveland.
In the session of April 16, the matter of Richard Woolley, an indentured servant of William Hutcheson, was heard. Mr. Woolley confessed that he had stolen his indenture bill from his master and destroyed it. The court ordered him to serve his master for an additional 10 years and 10 months from that day.
William Fleming was appointed sheriff of the county by the Justices, but he refused to serve. George Skillern was appointed sheriff in his stead, whereupon after accepting Skillern protested the poor condition of the county prison. Samuel Lapsley and Samuel Walker served as his deputies.
John Bowyer and Patrick Lockhart were elected to represent Botetourt at the Fifth Virginia Convention.
~ Submitted by Ed Holt, Historic Research Chair, Botetourt Preservation Partnership
