Patrician and Plebeian : Or The Origin and Development of the Social Classes of the Old Dominion

Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson, 1879-1966

Patrician and Plebeian : Or The Origin and Development of the Social Classes of the Old Dominion - 1 online resource : multiple file formats

Release date is 2009-04-02

Produced by Mark C. Orton, Jeannie Howse and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net Produced by Mark C. Orton, Jeannie Howse and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

"Patrician and Plebeian in Virginia" by Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work examines the origins and development of the social classes in Virginia, particularly focusing on the aristocracy rather than the commonly held belief that they descended primarily from noble English families. The book delves into the interplay of economic, political, and social factors that shaped Virginia's class structure, revealing a more complex history than previously understood. The opening of the work offers a detailed preface where Wertenbaker argues against the traditional narrative surrounding Virginian aristocracy, stating that it arose from a mixture of merchant swells and less distinguished immigrants rather than from English gentry or Cavaliers. He discusses the shift in status and identity among Virginia planters over time, their relationships with the mother country, and how they adapted to local conditions. This portion sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the political and economic dynamics that influenced social hierarchy, dispelling myths and painting a vivid picture of colonial Virginia’s societal evolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)



59011227

Virginia -- History -- Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775 Virginia -- Social life and customs -- To 1775

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