Robert Beverley, also known as Robert Beverley Jr. or Robert Beverley the historian, was a member of the House of Burgesses (1699–1706) and clerk of that body, and served as chief clerk of the governor’s Council.
He is best known, however, as author of The History and Present State of Virginia, In Four Parts (1705), the first published history of a British colony by a native of North America.
Probably born in Middlesex County, Beverley worked as a clerk in Jamestown, using family connections to advance politically while acquiring substantial wealth. In 1703 he sailed to England to appeal a suit he lost before the General Court, and there he penned his history, a collection of personal history, official accounts, and material borrowed from others.
Beverley self-consciously identified himself as a Virginian and used the books to settle political scores. In particular, he was highly critical of Lieutenant Governor Francis Nicholson, who made sure that Beverley lost his positions as clerk of the House of Burgesses and of King and Queen County. In his later years, Beverley retired to his large estate, Beverley Park, where he experimented with wine-making. He may have accompanied Alexander Spotswood on his journey to the crest of Blue Ridge Mountains. Beverley died in 1722.
Text from the Encyclopedia Virginia
The History and Present State of Virginia, 1705
While in London in 1705, Robert Beverley wrote and published The History and Present State of Virginia, one of the earliest printed English-language histories about North America by an author born there.
The plates shown below feature the original descriptions.
The History and Present State of Virginia, by Robert Beverley Jr, 1705.
Their Idol in his Tarbernacle.
This plate represents the Burial of the Kings.
Indians in a Canoe with a Fire in the Middle, tended by a Boy and a Girl. In one End is a Net made of Silk Grass, which they use in Fishing their Weirs. Above is the Shape of their Weirs, and the Manner of setting a Weir-Wedge, a-cross the Mouth of a Creek.
An Indian man in his Summer Dress. The upper part of his Hair is cut short, to make a ridge, which stands up like the Comb of a Cock, the rest is either shorn off, or knotted behind his Ear. On his Head are stuck three Feathers of the Wild Turkey, Pheasant, Hawk, or such like.
Two Indian Men in their Winter Dress. Seldom any but the Elder people wore the Winter Cloaks, (which they call Match-coats,) till they got a supply of European goods; and now most have them of one sort or other in the cold Winter Weather.
A Priest and a Conjurer in their proper Habits. The Conjurer shaves all his Hair off, except the Crest on the Crown, upon his Ear he wears theskin of some dark colour'd ird; he, as well as the Priest, is commmonly grim'd with Soot or the like.
The dress of the Woman is little different from that of the Men, except in the tying of their Hair. The Ladies of Distinction wear deep Necklaces, Pendants and Bracelets, made of small Cylinders of the Conque shell.
The Boy wears a Necklace of Runtees, in his right hand is an Indian Rattle, and in his left a roasting Ear of Corn. Round his Waste is a small string, and another brought cress thro his Crotch, and for decency a soft skin is fastn'd before.
A couple of Young Women. The first wearing a Coronet, Necklace, and Bracelet of Peak; the second a wreath of Furs on her Head, and her Hair is bound with a Fillet of Peak and Beads. Between the two, is a Woman under a Tree, making a Basket of Silk-Grass, after their own manner.
Indian Settlements is altogether by Cohabitation, in Townships, from fifty to five hundred Families in a Town, and each of these Towns is commonly a Kingdom. Sometimes one King has the command of several of these Towns, when they happen to be united in his Hands, by Descent or Conquest.
This plate represents the manner of their Roasting and Barbacueing, with the form of their Baskets for common uses, and carrying Fish. Their Food is Fish and Flesh of all sorts, and that which participates of both; as the Beavor, a small kind of Turtle, or Tarapins, (as we call them) and several Species of Snakes.
A Man and his Wife at Dinner. (1) Is their Pot boiling with Homony and Fish in it. (2) Is a Bowl of Corn, which they gather up with their Fingers, to feed themselves. (3) The Tomahawk, which he lays by at Dinner. (4) His Pocket, which is likewise stript off, that he may be at full liberty. (5) A Fish. (6) A heap of roasting Ears, both ready for dressing. (7 )The Gourd of Water.(8) A Cockle shell, which they sometimes use instead of a Spoon. (9) The Mat they sit on.
A solemn Festival Dance of the Indians, round their carv'd Posts. Those which on each side are hopping upon their Hams, take that way of coming up to the Ring, and when they find an opportunity strike in among the rest.
This plate shews their manner of Felling great Trees (before they had Iron Instruments) by Fireing the Root; and bringing them to fit lengths, and shaping them for use, by Fire alone.
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Full biography of Robert Beverley (d. 1722) at the Encyclopedia Virginia
Full text of the History and Present State of Virginia, 1705, by Robert Beverley Jr.