Brent - that's what we thought too, but one of the Birth Nights they
mentioned was in the same context as Christmas - it might have meant from
Christmas until February when Washington's birthday happened, there were
many festivities and balls, so people would come from the country to enjoy
city life in Richmond for several weeks.  Thanks!  ATW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brent Tarter" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2002 2:19 PM
Subject: Re: Birth Night Festivities


> I think that references before the Revolution are almost certainly to
> commemorations of the king's and/or queen's birth. Afterward, I shouldn't
be
> surprised to find that the tradition transformed into a commemoration of
> George Washington's birth.
>
> Brent Tarter
> The Library of Virginia
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Visit the Library of Virginia's web site at http://www.lva.lib.va.us
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alyson L. Taylor-White [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 29 March, 2002 2:01 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Birth Night Festivities
>
>
> This one has us stumped.  The reference to attendance in 18th century
> Virginia of "Birth Night Balls" and other festivities seems to refer to
the
> King prior to the Revoluntion, and continues to have some context after
the
> war.  What were "Birth Night Balls" for, and where does the tradition come
> from - someone's birthday like the monarch?  These references have mostly
> been discovered in letters from young ladies who are anticipating these
> exciting events in the "Metropolis" of Richmond circa 1790s. Thanks!
>
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