After learning yesterday afternoon how very large an area “Colonial Williamsburg” covers, this morning we took the shuttle bus from the visitors’ center to our first stop of interest for the day. We visited the Magazine Building and heard from a member of the Colonial Militia about how the British weapons were far superior to the colonial weapons, and that the Colonial Militia was in “bad shape”. (I’m not normally a betting person, but stepping back in time I would tell him I’d bet on the Colonists to win…LOL!)
We then strolled by the outdoor market on our way to the Courthouse. If you see on the news that Ladd and I were in court in Williamsburg that is correct. In the Courthouse there was a reenactment called “Order in the Court”. The audience witnessed and participated in a typical colonial court session. Well, Ladd was chosen to play the part of the only lawyer in the court! (Ladd was given a typed script to follow developed from historical records.) There were not juries yet, but there were “justices” chosen from the community to work with the “Chief Justice.” The “Chief Justice” and the “Scribe/Recorder” were legally trained. The community justices did NOT have any training in law, and were just volunteers. The community “justices” usually came from “well-to-do” families and were well educated. They did cast votes on the verdicts. I was chosen to be one of the community “justices”! (Ladd, the lawyer, had to address me as “Your Honor”! <g>) On the docket today were three historically accurate “cases” to be heard. One was regarding a colonist who had not attended church. It seems many colonists “skipped” church, but just paid the fines to avoid a court appearance. This particular colonist wanted his “day in court” to contest the charge with his reason for not attending. He said he did not attend because there were no Roman Catholic churches in Williamsburg. The “Chief Justice” said that “The Church of England” was the official church, and that Episcopal and Methodist churches were “tolerated”, but that he was lucky the charges today were not concerning his membership in the Roman Catholic Church. The “Chief Justice” suggested we allow the man to pay the fine for missing church and he should get out of court “while the getting’ was good”! All the community justices agreed with just the fine. The second case heard was the one in which Ladd was the lawyer. A tavern owner was accused of serving liquor to an apprentice (14-year-old minor) and in consideration was the removal of his license. Ladd’s “client”, the tavern owner, did not show up in court, but the apprentice testified. This case was handled as a “continuance” with a fine issued to the tavern owner as motivation to appear in court next time. Ladd the lawyer therefore did not get paid…the story of our lives…ha! However, the “Chief Justice” assured Lawyer Ladd that he would indeed get his fee…”the check is in the mail”-ha! The last case was a woman tavern owner coming in for the yearly renewal of her license. She was well-liked by the “Chief Justice” and had already paid her charges for the year, so this was like a “rubber stamp” case. She did at the end of the case invite all “your honors” to her tavern for some “punch”! The “Order in the Court” reenactment was a perfect combination of lots of facts with some humor.
Then we walked to the “Governor’s Palace” and took a guided tour there. This mansion is absolutely beautiful…impressive! Two of my favorite items in the “palace” were the baby’s, (Lady Virginia’s), cradle with a canopy and an intricate wooden bird cage. Everything in the “Governor’s Palace” was expensive, luxurious, and meant to impress everyone with the “high status” of the Governor. We strolled the manicured lawns and gardens. We also visited the “Cook House” where a Colonial cook actor was actually cooking as he talked about the foods of the times, the Governor’s tastes for “meats and sweets”, and methods of preparation.
Next we then walked over to “Merchants’ Square”. This is an area of modern shops and restaurants. Ladd sat in the middle of the Square taking in the sights and the sun while I explored the shops. I hope I won’t disappoint anyone when I say that I didn’t buy anything this time!
A large, beautiful Art Museum is a part of “Colonial Williamsburg”, and the next scheduled presentation of interest to us was being held in the auditorium there. So off we went to the Art Museum to see/hear “A Conversation with Thomas Jefferson”. The actor portraying Thomas Jefferson was absolutely amazing…one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in a “one-man show”. Thomas Jefferson shared his thoughts, memories, and beliefs as a Founding Father. He kept a full-house audience enthralled for the nonstop first half hour. Then he impressed Ladd and me even more in the second half hour as he answered questions from the audience. Of course he had no way of knowing what questions audience members would ask, and a couple of them were confrontational and obnoxious…just talking to hear themselves talk and to express their opinions. (I guess by now I shouldn’t be surprised that there are some of those types in every audience.) The Thomas Jefferson actor actually managed to “put them in their place” without even a hint of anger or sarcasm. He stayed totally in character and showed the ridiculousness of their questions/statements with facts, facts, and more facts from history and the Constitution. Talk about “knowing his stuff”! The audience clapped and clapped giving him a standing ovation.
We then went in our car on the Jamestown- to-Scotland Ferry. This ferry is free and runs 24/7 from Jamestown to Scotland Wharf in Surry County. Since the weather was so gorgeous, we stood outside on the ferry both going and coming back.
Since we didn’t have lunch we opted for an early dinner back in Williamsburg. Without any of Ladd’s computer research this time, we just came upon a neat looking restaurant/bar called “Cove” and decided to try it. We lucked out this time. Ladd had an Oyster Po’ Boy sandwich and I had a pulled-pork sandwich which were both great. But the BEST part for me was a drink I tried that I had never had before. It was called “Cove Orange Crush”. It consists of SVEDKA Clementine Vodka, triple sec, O.J., topped with lemon-lime soda. Smooth, cooling, and refreshing for this summer-like day! (I will have to try this out at home…IF warm weather ever arrives there!)
Can’t wait to explore more of “Colonial Williamsburg” tomorrow!
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