David S. Shields has an article on the history of ham in the U.S. in 
the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.  The article is in the most recent 
edition of the always interesting e-Journal "Common-Place" (www.common-
place.org)  Though Shields doesn't stricly focus on Virginia, I thought 
his article might be of interest to students of Virginia, the home of 
so much wonderful ham.
http://www.common-place.org/vol-08/no-01/shields/

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Matthew Mace Barbee
Department of Ethnic Studies
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio, 43403
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419-372-7118