
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 2, 1994                   TAG: 9401020069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILLIAMSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

PLANTATION RUINS TIED TO REBELLION

Construction for a new subdivision last year uncovered what archaeologists believe are the ruins of a 17th century plantation destroyed during civil unrest.

At first, experts thought the plantation was destroyed by a hurricane. All the buildings appear to have been demolished about 1680, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation archaeologist David Muraca said.

But when they started checking early records, "We didn't find a hurricane. We found the rebellion" - Bacon's Rebellion of 1676.

Nathaniel Bacon, a young planter who lived in the area, had demanded that the colonial governor, Sir William Berkeley, allow him to attack the local Indians in retaliation for an Indian attack on the colony's northern frontier.

Berkeley refused so Bacon marched to Jamestown and forced the colonial Assembly at gunpoint to give him authority to make war. He then attacked the Pamunkey tribe.

As Berkeley attempted to raise troops against him, Bacon attacked the governor's forces and drove them to the Eastern Shore. He burned Jamestown and plundered plantations in the area.

Bacon remained in control until his death a few months later.

by CNB