Hello Everyone,
I thought you would all enjoy a description of various events, contests, etc.
at a fair in 1737 in Hanover Co, apparently on some of Wm Byrd's land (what
acreage wasn't his?? :-)). This appeared on the rootsweb Croley (Crowley)
list. FYI, to Saunders researchers, John Hyde Saunders, Sr., will proven
1768 in Cumberland Co VA, has a fiddle listed in his inventory.
Best Regards, Janet Hunter
Posted on: CROLEY Queries
Reply Here:
http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/c/r/CROLEY/queries/10312
Surname:
-------------------------
From the book "Old Virginia and Her Neighbors" and the chapter "Society
in the Old Dominion."
"An interesting newspaper notice, in the year 1737, shows that some of
the innocent open-air sports of medieval England still survived: 'We have
advice from Hanover County, that on St. Andrew's Day there are to be Horse
Races and several other Diversions, for the entertainment of the Gentlemen
and Ladies, at the Old Field, near Captain John Bickerton's, in that county
(if permitted by the Hon. Wm. Byrd, Esquire, Proprietor of said land),
the substance of which is as follows, viz.: It is proposed that 20 Horses
or Mares do run round a three miles' course for a prize of five pounds.'
'That a Hat of the value of 20s be cudgelled for, and that after the first
challenge made the Drums are to beat every Quarter of an hour for three
challenges round the Ring, and none to play with their Left hand.'
'That a violin be played for by 20 Fiddlers; no person to have the liberty
of playing unless he bring a fiddle with him. After the prize is won they
are all to play together, and each a different tune, and to be treated
by the company.'
'That 12 Boys of 12 years of age do run 112 yards for a Hat of the cost
of 12 shillings.'
'That a Quire of ballads be sung for by a number of Songsters, all of them
to have liquor sufficient to clear their Wind Pipes.'
'That a pair of Silver Buckles be wrestled for by a number of brisk young
men.'
'That a pair of handsome shoes be danced for.'
'That a pair of handsome silk Stockings of one Pistole value be given to
the handsomest young country maid that appears in the Field. With many
other Whimsical and Comical Diversions too numerous to mention.'"
The book further states, "The part played by violins in this quaint programme
reminds us that fiddling was an accomplishment highly esteemed in the Old
Dominion. As an accompaniment for dancing it was very useful in the home
parties on the plantations. The philosophic Thomas Jefferson, as a dead
shot with the rifle, a skilful horseman, and a clever violinist, was a
typical son of Virginia. As boys learned to play the violin, and sometimes
the violoncello, girls were taught to play the virginal, which was an
ancestral
form of the piano."
The book quoted, Old Virginia and Her Neighbors by John Fiske was copyrighted
in 1897 and published by Houghton Mifflin Company and the Riverside Press
Cambridge.
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
|
