Nathaniel Bacon – First American Rebel
Nathaniel Bacon, a figure etched in the annals of early American history, stands as a symbol of defiance against perceived injustice and the nascent spirit of rebellion that would eventually blossom into the American Revolution. This English merchant adventurer, who initially sought opportunity in the Virginia Colony, found himself at the helm of a dramatic uprising known as Bacon’s Rebellion. Though ultimately unsuccessful in its immediate goals, the rebellion ignited a spark of resistance that would resonate through generations. Nathaniel Bacon’s actions, born from a complex interplay of personal ambition, colonial grievances, and frontier tensions, cemented his place as a pivotal figure in the narrative of colonial America.
Born on January 2, 1647, in Friston Hall, Suffolk, England, Nathaniel Bacon was the progeny of landed gentry. His father, Thomas Bacon, was a man of considerable influence, and his mother, Elizabeth Brooke, was the daughter of Sir Robert Brooke of Cockfield Hall, Yoxford. Nathaniel was the sole son, with one full sister and a half-sister from his father’s subsequent marriage to Martha Reade. Tragedy struck early in his life with the death of his mother in 1649, when he was just two years old.
Young Nathaniel received a privileged education, befitting his family’s status. He attended the prestigious University of Cambridge and gained admittance as a fellow commoner at St Catharine’s College in 1661. This academic foundation was further broadened by extensive travels across Europe. From 1663 to 1664, he journeyed through Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, accompanied by the renowned naturalist John Ray and fellow students Francis Willughby and Philip Skippon. This exposure to diverse cultures and intellectual pursuits shaped his worldview and instilled a sense of worldly experience. Returning to England in April 1664, he pursued legal studies at Gray’s Inn in November of the same year.
Further adding complexity to Nathaniel Bacon‘s story, he married Elizabeth Duke, daughter of Sir Edward Duke of Benhall and Ellenor Panton, against her father’s wishes. Following accusations of deceit regarding another young man’s inheritance, Thomas Bacon provided his son with a substantial sum of £1,800, effectively funding his exile across the Atlantic. He arrived in Jamestown, Virginia, where his cousin and namesake already held a prominent position as a colonial leader and friend of Governor William Berkeley. Bacon invested in two frontier plantations along the James River. By 1675, his status allowed him to be appointed to the governor’s council.
The year 1676 proved to be a crucible for the fledgling colony of Jamestown. The weight of hardship and injustice descended upon its inhabitants, fanning the flames of discontent. Governor Sir William Berkeley, characterized by many as cruel and self-serving, ruled with an iron fist, prioritizing personal gain over the welfare of the colonists. Through unjust taxation and the monopolization of the fur trade with the indigenous populations, Berkeley amassed considerable wealth while keeping the populace in a state of economic hardship. The Governor’s Council, populated by his allies, served as a rubber stamp for his policies, leaving the colonists with no avenues for redress.
Adding to the colony’s woes, escalating tensions with Native American tribes led to increasingly frequent attacks on frontier settlements. Fields were ravaged, settlers were killed, and livestock was stolen and slaughtered. Despite the pleas of the colonists, Governor Berkeley refused to authorize retaliatory action, fearing that such measures would jeopardize his lucrative fur trade with the very tribes that were inflicting harm upon the settlers.
Simultaneously, the echoes of King Philip’s War, raging in New England, reached Virginia, carrying tales of brutal massacres and escalating the sense of vulnerability among the colonists. The Susquehannock Indians and other tribes, pushed to the brink, posed an ever-present threat to the exposed frontier settlements. Yet, Governor Berkeley remained steadfast in his refusal to provide adequate protection, further fueling the colonists’ anger and desperation.
Faced with governmental inaction, the settlers began to organize their own defense. A company of approximately 300 men was formed, but Governor Berkeley refused to grant them official commissions or permit them to engage the Native Americans in battle. This intransigence served as the final catalyst for open rebellion.
Amid this turmoil emerged Nathaniel Bacon, a young lawyer and recent arrival to the colony. Having established a plantation near the Indian frontier, he had firsthand experience with the devastating impact of the attacks. He implored Governor Berkeley to allow him to lead the volunteer troops, but the Governor remained unmoved, arguing that any military action would only exacerbate the situation and that the Indian unrest would soon subside.
The colonists, however, recognized the futility of Berkeley’s passive approach. They pleaded with Bacon to defy the Governor and lead them in defense of their homes and families. Initially hesitant, Bacon eventually yielded to the overwhelming pressure and accepted command of the volunteer army. With their charismatic leader at the helm, the small force marched towards the Indian encampments along the Roanoke River.
Governor Berkeley reacted with fury upon learning of Bacon’s insubordination. He assembled a contingent of loyalists and set out to apprehend Bacon, declaring his intention to hang him for acting without authorization. However, Bacon and his volunteers were already engaged in skirmishes with the Native Americans, and Berkeley’s party hesitated to venture into the fray. Upon returning to Jamestown, Berkeley was met by a delegation of colonists who voiced their support for Bacon and demanded the election of a new legislature that would represent the interests of the people. Realizing the extent of the colonists’ discontent, Berkeley reluctantly agreed to convene a new legislative assembly.
In the meantime, Bacon and his volunteers had successfully routed the Native Americans and returned to Jamestown. Bacon’s supporters elected him as a member of the new legislature. When the time came for him to take his seat, he was accompanied by 40 armed supporters who traveled with him to Jamestown by sloop. Anticipating their arrival, Governor Berkeley captured the sloop with the aid of two boats and a ship. However, when Bacon arrived in Jamestown, Berkeley was intimidated by the show of force and the widespread support for Bacon among the colonists. He was forced to allow Bacon to take his rightful place in the legislature.
However, Nathaniel Bacon was warned that a warrant for his arrest was imminent and that the roads and rivers were being guarded to prevent his escape. Displaying resourcefulness and determination, Bacon evaded capture by fleeing into the countryside under the cover of darkness, seeking refuge with allies.
The next morning, Berkeley’s men were thwarted to discover Bacon’s escape. Enraged, Bacon’s supporters gathered a force of approximately 500 strong, vowing to retaliate against the Governor and his allies. To quell the escalating unrest, Berkeley was forced to grant Bacon a commission as a Major-General. Furthermore, Bacon successfully lobbied the legislature to enact laws aimed at alleviating the suffering of the colonists. These measures, known as "Bacon’s Laws," stood as a testament to his commitment to the people’s welfare. On July 30, 1676, Bacon and his followers issued the "Declaration of the People of Virginia," a scathing indictment of Berkeley’s administration, accusing him of unfair taxation, cronyism, and failure to protect the settlers from Indian attacks.
While Bacon and his supporters grappled with the Governor and the legislature, Native American forces launched a surprise attack on a village north of Jamestown, resulting in a brutal massacre. General Bacon promptly mobilized his troops to respond. As he prepared to leave the last town on the frontier, a messenger arrived with news that the Governor was raising troops to capture him upon his return. Reacting swiftly, Bacon turned his army around and marched towards Jamestown.
However, the militia, upon discovering that they were being called upon to apprehend Bacon rather than fight Indians, refused to comply and deserted the field. This act of defiance left the Governor in a state of anger and mortification, forcing him to flee across the Chesapeake Bay for his safety.
Upon Berkeley’s departure, Bacon assumed control of the government, fulfilling the wishes of the people. However, he faced threats from both the Native Americans and the exiled Governor. The Indians, seizing the opportunity presented by the power vacuum, resumed their attacks on the vulnerable frontier settlements. Bacon, prioritizing the protection of the colonists, immediately set out to confront the Native American threat. After several days of intense fighting, Bacon and his troops returned home, confident that they had inflicted sufficient losses to deter further attacks.
Upon reaching the frontier settlements, they discovered that Governor Berkeley had somehow regained control of Jamestown.
Upon learning of Berkeley’s return, Nathaniel Bacon faced a critical decision. Having already disbanded most of his troops, he was left with only 136 men. Despite their fatigue and hunger, they were united in their opposition to Berkeley and eager to confront him.
Fueled by a shared sense of purpose, the men rallied behind Bacon, chanting "On to Jamestown!" With unwavering determination, they marched towards the capital, encircling the town before Berkeley could react.
Under the cover of darkness, Bacon and his men constructed entrenchments around Jamestown, effectively trapping the Governor and his loyalists. As news of Bacon’s advance spread, fresh recruits flocked to his banner, bolstering his forces and solidifying his control over the colony. Faced with mounting pressure, Berkeley and his supporters slipped away by sea, abandoning Jamestown to Bacon’s control. Recognizing the strategic importance of preventing Berkeley from reclaiming the town, Bacon ordered it to be burned to the ground on September 19, 1676.
With Jamestown in ashes, nearly all of Virginia was in open rebellion. The colonists rallied behind Bacon, determined to restore order to the shattered government. A new legislature was formed, with Bacon at its head, but amid his successes, Bacon succumbed to dysentery on October 26, 1676.
Bacon’s death was a devastating blow to the colonists, who recognized that no one else possessed his leadership qualities. They also knew that Berkeley would soon return to power, and that their situation would likely worsen. Their fears were realized when Governor Berkeley returned, seizing the property of rebels, hanging 23 men, and imprisoning dozens more.
The colonists’ outcry reached King Charles II, who relieved Berkeley of the governorship and returned him to England.
Although Nathaniel Bacon and his rebellion was short-lived, his actions resonated throughout the colonies and beyond. Bacon’s Rebellion highlighted the deep-seated grievances of the colonists, exposing the tensions between the wealthy elite and the struggling farmers, the injustices of the colonial government, and the desire for self-determination.
Bacon’s Rebellion served as a precursor to the American Revolution, demonstrating the colonists’ willingness to fight for their rights and freedoms. Future governors were careful not to oppress the people too much lest another Bacon rise to right their wrongs.
As King Charles II aptly observed, Berkeley’s harsh reprisals far exceeded the severity of his own actions in England, highlighting the oppressive nature of his rule and the desperation that fueled Bacon’s rebellion.
