fasting

Becoming Americans: Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer
by: Julia A. Moniz

WHEREAS dangerous commotions and insurrections have been fomented and raised in the town of Boston, in the province of Massachusets�s Bay, in New England, by divers ill-affected persons, to the subversion of his Majesty's government, and to the utter destruction of the publick peace, and good order of the said town; in which commotions and insurrections certain valuable cargoes of teas, being the property of the East India Company, and on board certain vessels lying within the bay or harbour of Boston, were seized and destroyed: ��. from and after the first day of June, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-four, it shall not be lawful for any person or persons whatsoever to lade, put, or cause or procure to be laden or put, off or from any quay, wharf, or other place, within the said town of Boston, or in or upon any part of the bay, commonly called The Harbour of Boston, ��..

Excerpt From the Boston Port Bill � 1774

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Two men were riding up the Richmond Road in the direction of the Capital City of Williamsburg. Although both men were covered in the dust from the road, the observant passer-by could tell by the fine cut of the suit of the taller that he was the master while the younger, smaller man who rode with him, although clothed in fine livery, was the servant. The riders were Benjamin Ellison of Hanover County and his indentured servant, Phillip Livingston. Nearly a week after setting out from the home of Ben�s father, just north of Richmond, they were nearing the end of their journey in Williamsburg.

�Will we be staying at Mr. Southall�s, Ben,� queried Phillip. At 24 he had been indentured to Ben�s father William since his birth and would remain so until his 31st birthday.

Ben, older than Phillip by five years, was one of the Burgesses elected from Hanover County, absently answered the younger man. �Yes, Phillip, we shall.� As they neared the city Ben was feeling a sense of forboding overcome him. He knew there would be news of King George�s response to the �Tea Party� in Boston and he feared it would only be of the worst sort.

�Oh,� Phillip answered despondently, �I thought that, perhaps, for a change you�d want to stay at Mrs. Vobe�s instead.�

Lost in his thoughts Ben didn�t hear Phillip�s response to the news that they would be staying at the Raleigh Tavern yet again. Phillip immediately noticed his master�s distraction and began questioning him as to the cause.

�Ben? Ben? Sir?�

�Yes, Phillip, what it is?� finally came the somewhat exasperated response.

�I asked if you�d, perhaps, like to stay at Mrs. Vobe�s instead. You seem distracted, Sir. Is something wrong.�

Ben answered the worried younger man, �No Phillip, nothing�s wrong. I was just thinking, that�s all.� And seeking to distract Phillip from his line of questioning he answered his original question. �We�ll be staying at the Raleigh again. Mr. Southall keeps the best rooms in town. Why ever would you want to stay at Mrs. Vobe�s, Phillip.�

Allowing Ben to steer the conversation in another direction, Phillip answered Ben hoping to turn the conversation back to what was bothering Ben later. �It�s just the Mrs. Vobe�s has much better food and while you can choose to stay at Mr. Southall�s and go across the street to eat at Mrs. Vobe�s or any other tavern, I�ll be eating in the Raleigh kitchen with the rest of the servants.�

�Ah, I understand now. Yes, Phillip you�re quite right, the food at Mrs. Vobe�s is a far sight better than what the Raleigh serves. If you�d like I can loan you 2 shillings so that you can take dinner in Mrs. Vobe�s public room. I�m sure it won�t be long before you make that back and then some playing at the subscriptions and assemblies that will be happening during Public Times.�

The Raleigh Tavern, owned by James Southall, had a reputation of being one of the finest � if not the best tavern in Williamsburg. Mr. Southall made sure not to ever sleep more than two to a bed, made sure the bed clothes were changed at least monthly, and always had chamber pots enough for all of his guests. He had the finest private rooms of any tavern in the city and with a little bit of haggling they could be had at a good price. The one thing, however, the Raleigh Tavern could not claim to have was the best food. It was a well known fact that the food served at Mrs. Vobe�s King�s Arms Tavern was the best to be had. Though many of the Burgesses and other prominent men who stayed in Williamsburg took rooms at the Raleigh most could be found dining at Mrs. Vobe�s.

Not to be deterred from his original questioning, Phillip again questioned Ben as to where his thoughts had been earlier. �Ben, what were you thinking about earlier. You seemed quite distracted � almost as if you were contemplating the end of the world.�

�It may well be just that Phillip,� Ben answered him. I�m sure that when we get into Williamsburg there�ll be news of the king�s reprisal over Boston�s �Tea Party�. I dare say the tea dumped into Boston Harbor may well wash up on our shore. But enough of this gloomy talk. We�ll soon find out what will happen and to speculate on it until then is nothing but a waste of our time.�

The two men road silently for the next several moments before hearing a rider behind them. Looking back over his shoulder, Phillip spied a lone rider. �It appears to be Mr. Henry, Ben.�

Looking back over his shoulder Ben confirmed what the younger man had told him. �It appears you�re right Phillip. Ride on ahead into the city and secure our room at the Raleigh. I believe I�ll fall back and ride in with Mr. Henry.�

�Very well, Ben. I�ll see you in Williamsburg.� As Ben stopped his horse to wait for Mr. Henry to catch up with him Phillip put his heels to his horse and took off up the road at a fast trot.

�Mr. Henry,� Ben called as the rider drew closer, �good day to you.�

�Ah, Ellison,� responded the tall, red-haired rider. �It�s good to see you. It�s been sometime since we�ve had the opportunity to converse. Allow me to extend my condolences to you on the death of your wife. She was a wonderful lady and will be sorely missed.�

Ben�s wife, Carolyn, had died in child birth two month�s previously. His trip to the capital city was the first he had taken since the unhappy event.

�Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Henry,� Ben replied with a downcast look. �It was a great blow to me when I lost my Carolyn and the babe. The doctor said she just wasn�t strong enough to bring the child into the world. How are Mrs. Henry and your young ones?�

�The children are well, Ben. They are a joy to me. Little Neddy�s nearly 3 now and Patsy looks so much like her mother.� The joy that shown in the elder Burgess� face slowly faded as he began to talk about his wife. �My dear Sally is no better. It seems every day I lose more and more of her. I fear she�ll never come back to me.�

�Is there nothing that can be done to help her?� inquired Ben.

�The doctors say there�s nothing to be done. It�s been suggested that I bring her here to Williamsburg to the new Public Hospital. I�ve visited that place, Ben and no, I won�t bring my Sally there. It�s more a prison than anything else. No, Sally will stay at Scotchtown where she can be cared for by those who love her. I�ll not send her away. I�ve created a commodious room for her in the basement � full of sunlight from the half windows. She can see the garden from the window � she always did like the gardens. And somedays�somedays I do believe she does recognize me.

�Such dreary talk, though. It doesn�t belong on a day as glorious as this. I heard you had moved back to your father�s plantation since your wife�s passing. How goes he?� Henry inquired.

�Yes, I have moved back to Willowcrest. Riverdale isn�t the same without my Carolyn. Now as to my father,� answered Ben, �my father is well, although when I left I had vexed him mightily.�

�May I inquire as to what the vexation may be. Or should I venture a guess that you�ve disagreed on the events up in Boston and what His Majesty�s response may be.�

�How well you know us, Mr. Henry,� replied Ben with a smile.

�It�s no secret, Ben, that you and your father disagree on your political views. And I think it�s high time you dispensed with calling me Mr. Henry. We�ve known each for quite sometime. I think it would be acceptable for you to use my Christian name.�

�Very well, Patrick. Yes, Father and I had a disagreement on the situation in Boston. He believes that the Bostonian�s deserve all they may get and more. I hold that although they had no right to destroy public property, the whole city should not be punished for what just a few have done. About the only thing Father and I can agree on is that when it comes the punishment will be quite severe. Have you heard anything on the subject, Patrick.�

�I�ve heard none as of yet, Ben. I�d venture that when we arrive we�ll hear the news. We need to be prepared to respond to whatever the king does. And we must stand united � all of the colonies. Remaining divided we�ll gain nothing.� As he continued talking of the political situation, Henry had gone from congenial and easygoing to very determined and passionate. Ben knew that whatever lay in store for Boston, Patrick Henry would have some answer for it in Virginia. Of that there could be no doubt.

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Setting a faster pace up the road Phillip was soon beyond the site of Ben and Mr. Henry. At the fast trot the horse was going he would be in the city within 20 minutes. He was looking forward to the time he and Ben would spend in Williamsburg knowing that he would be accorded more freedoms than he would have if he were at home at Willowcrest.

Five years younger than Ben, Phillip had been born into indentured servitude and would remain so until for seven more years. He would be free then, and when that time came he planned to make something of himself. Phillip had been blessed with a natural intelligence and Ben had recognized it in the younger child and taken it upon himself to share his learning with Phillip. Although it had been Ben who attended the College of William and Mary, Phillip also felt that he had a bit of a college education since Ben had passed so much on to him.

Although he didn�t delude himself into thinking he would ever be part of the gentry class, Phillip felt that with a little hard work he�d be able to at least make himself moderately successful, find a good wife, and settle down. That he had no idea what he would do when he was free didn�t worry him now, after all he had seven years before that would be an issue and he was sure by then he�d have an answer.

Approaching the western end of the city he looked at the Wren Building where students from the college attended class. How wonderful it would have been to attend the College. Just a bit further down the Duke of Gloucester Street he could see the bell tower of Bruton Parish Church rising into the sky and beyond that, at the far eastern end of the city was the Capitol Building where Ben would be spending much time in meetings with the Burgesses.

The bustle of the city was all around him now. It was Public Times and everyone had come into Williamsburg for the market. On the western end of town were several shops and most of the private homes in the city. The church sat at one end of the Palace Green and at the other was the imposing Governor�s Palace. The Raleigh Tavern, where he and Ben would be staying, was at the other end of town closer to the Capitol where most of the taverns were located.

As he road up the Duke of Gloucester Street Phillip recognized many people that he knew. Some were influential men like his master, some were of the middling sort, and quite a few, like himself, were the slaves and servants of the rest. Nearly half of the population of Williamsburg was made up of blacks and Phillip knew that unlike him, many of them would never know the hope of freedom.

Riding past John Greenhow�s store Phillip noticed a wagon outside which he recognized as belonging to the carter, Micah Burns. Micah was a free man of color whom Phillip had met on previous trips to the city. He was a tall man, probably as tall as Col. Washington who was all of 6�4�. He was broad in the shoulder�s and possessed a tremendous strength which aided him in his work as a carter.

Seeing Micah walk out of the store, Phillip walked his horse over to greet him. �Micah,� he called out. �How are you.�

Looking in the direction he had heard his name called from, Micah saw Phillip and came over to greet him. �Phillip. I�m doing fine. I�m supposin� you and Mr. Ellison are comin� into the city for the public times.�

�Yes,� responded Phillip. �Ben�s come to take his seat in the House of Burgesses.�

�I heard he lost his wife a few month�s back � and the child she was carryin�. It�s a pity, Mrs. Ellison was a mighty fine lady. Mr. Ellison must be heartbroken.�

�He hasn�t been to Riverton since the night she died,� responded Phillip. �I chanced to hear him talking with his father about selling it. I must confess, Micah, I�d be happy if he did sell Riverton and moved back to Willowcrest.�

�I�m sure you would,� the carter responded with a smile. �It�s no secret that when Mr. Ellison�s in residence at Riverton his father is much easier on you. I still don�t know why Mr. Ellison didn�t buy your indenture from his father when he married.�

�He tried but Master William would hear nothing of it,� explained the younger man. �According to Master William I was a bad influence on Ben. Seems Master William thought Ben got all of his bad ideas about rights and freedom and such from me. I�m fortunate though, since Ben�s been in the House of Burgesses Master William blames Patrick Henry for being the bad influence now.�

�Well then, Phillip, Mister Ellison�s in for a sight more of bad influencing. I heard tell that word from England�s come back about that there Tea Party up in Boston and it�s not good. I�m sure once Mr. Henry hears there�ll be no end to his speechifyin��

�We met up with Mr. Henry on the road. Ben�s riding in with him and I�m sure Mr. Henry�s taking the opportunity he�s been presented with to do some more of his influencing. I�d best be getting along now, Micah. Ben sent me ahead to secure his room at the Raleigh and it won�t do if he comes down the street and I�m standing here talking to you. Have a good day, Micah.�

�The same to you, Phillip. I�d best get finished emptying this cart before Mr. Greenhow starts to bellowing.�

With a wave to the older man Phillip urged his horse to walk up the street in the direction of the Raleigh.

A few minutes later he pulled the horse up in front of the tavern and dismounted and tied the animal to the hitching rail in front. Entering the tavern he was immediately aware of the general hubbub inside the place � much more than would be expected at noon when dinner wouldn�t be served for another two hours.

Immediately upon walking in he was noticed by William Drinkard, the barkeep. Drinkard, the only paid employee at the Raleigh made his way over to Phillip to inquire as to his needs. �Phillip Livingston, am I right?� he asked.

�Yes, I�m Phillip Livingston,� Phillip replied. �I�m here to see about a room for my master, Benjamin Ellison.�

�Yes, Mr. Southall received Mr. Ellison�s message about needing a room. He said that Mr. Ellison�s usual room would be ready at the usual rate. I reckon that�ll be acceptable to Mr. Ellison,� came the cheerful response.

�I�m sure it will be quite acceptable. We�ll also be needing stabling for the horses. My horse and the pack horse are tied up out front and Mr. Ellison should be along soon.�

�Well bring �em around back and Joseph will see to their stabling. Are you gonna be sleeping in the kitchen with Mr. Southall�s people or in Mr. Ellison�s room?�

�I�ll be staying in Mr. Ellison�s room � if that�s acceptable that is.�

�Don�t make no nevermind to me where you sleep,� came Drinkard�s quick response. �That�s between you and your master. I just wanted to know if I should have Besty send up some bedding for you.�

�Oh,� answered Phillip, �yes, um, that would be appreciated. Thank you. I�ll bring the horses around back to the stable now. If Mr. Ellison comes in could you please let him know where I am?�

�Will do.�

As Phillip turned to leave he was stopped by a tall red-haired gentleman. �It was not my intention to evesdrop but did I hear you say that Benjamin Ellison would be here shortly,� the gentleman inquired.

�Yes, he was riding in with Mr. Henry and they should be here shortly,� Phillip responded.

�Good, Mr. Henry as well. Could you relay a message to them, please? Tell them that Mr. Jefferson has asked that they meet him, Col. Washington, Mr. George Wythe, and Mr. Richard Henry Lee in the Daphne Room at six of the clock this evening. We�ve had word from England and there�s much we must discuss.�

�Certainly, Mr. Jefferson. I�ll be sure to let them both know. May I inquire, sir, is it as bad as everyone had said it would be.

�I�m afraid it�s much worse than what anyone could have imagined. Please be sure to pass my message along to your master. It�s imperative we that we meet to discuss this. Now if you will excuse me, I must be going.� Jefferson quickly exit the Raleigh and headed up Duke of Gloucester Street in the direction of the college � no doubt going to either Mr. Wythe�s home, whom he had studied law under, or his cousin Mr. Randolph�s house.

Following behind Jefferson, Phillip untied the two horses from hitching post and mounting his horse led the pack horse up Duke of Gloucester Street to Botetourt where he turned left onto Nicholson Street and headed for the Raleigh Tavern stables.

Arriving at the stable, Phillip was met by the Raleigh Tavern stablehand, Joseph. Joseph had been one of Mr. Southall�s people for over ten year years. Joseph was one of those rare individuals who always sough to make the best of everything and greeted the world with a cheerful countenance. Often times when he was working in the stables his baritone voice could be heard singing as he worked. Today was no exception and as Phillip dismounted in front of the stable he smiled as he listened to Joseph singing.

Having heard the horse approach, Joseph came out of the stable and greeted Phillip. �Well if it isn�t Phillip Livingston. I suppose you�ve come to Williamsburg with young Master Ellison so�s he can meet up yonder at the Capitol with the rest of the Burgesses.�

�Yes, Joseph, I have. How have you been,� Phillip asked the genial stable hand.

�I�ve been right well. Can�t complain � �sides don�t do no one any good to go compainin�. Is young Master Ellison�s horse still around the front of the tavern?�

�No, Joseph. Master Benjamin hasn�t arrived yet. He met up with Mr. Henry on the road and was riding in with him. He sent me ahead to secure his room.�

�Well then, Phillip,� said Joseph with a wide grin, �I guess you have a little bit o� time before you gots to be running of to do young Master Ellison�s bidding. Gives us a bit o� time to be catching up while I�m seeing to these here animals. How�s thing been at Willowcrest. We heard news that young Master Ellison�s wife died while birthin� their little one and that he�s moved back to Willowcrest.�

�You�ve heard right,� Phillip replied. �I feel mighty bad that Master Benjamin lost his wife and the child but I am happy that he�s been at Willowcrest. Sometimes I think he�s the only one there who remembers that I�m really a person and not a piece of property without feelings.�

�You don�t have to tell me �bout not be treated like a person,� Joseph said. �Although when they forget you�re there and starts to talking around you it can get mighty interestin�.