Military History.

BACON'S REBELLION: In this, the first fight in this country for constitutional liberty, Isle of Wight, undoubtedly, bore her full part, although the record does not disclose the names of her citizens who actually participated, but history records that Colonel Joseph Bridger, of this county, the President of the King's Commissioners, had to fly to Accomack, where Governor Berkeley was, to protect his life from his enraged countrymen; and on the return of this "resolute old gentleman," after the death of Bacon and the dispersion of his followers, he became very active in punishing and bringing back to their allegiance those who had been his opponents. John Jennings, the clerk of his court, was one who espoused the cause of Bacon and was sentenced to be banished from the colony; but being very old and broken down in health and fortune and the time of executing the sentence of banishment having been, by appeal, extended several times, he died before it could be carried into effect.

     John Marshall, another prominents adherent of Bacon, was made to beg pardon in court on bended knees for "scandalous words uttered before the commissioners"; and the following recantation was subscribed by Ambrose Bennett, John Marshall, Richard Jordan, Richard Sharpe, Anthony Fulgham, James Bagnall, Edward Miller, John Davis and Richard Penny:

"We, the subscribed, having drawn up a paper in behalf of the inhabitants of Isle of Wight county as to the grievances of the said county, recant all the false and scandalous reflection upon Governor, Sir William Berkeley, contained in a paper presented to the commissioners and promise never to be guilty again of the like mutinous and rebellious practices." We further find that Colonel James Powell, while serving in the army of Berkeley, was wounded in the knee.

Revolution:

Another century rolls around and the colonists are again involved in a war for preservation of their rights as British subjects, and in the long and tedious, but glorious war that followed the Declaration of Independence, its citizens bore their full share. Before a gun was fired in actual warfare, when the port of Boston was under an embargo, Isle of Wight county promptly came forward with a written expression of sympathy; and a vessel loaded with corn for her assistance was sent.

     A complete list of the quota of soldiers sent to the Continental Army will never be known on account of the destruction of records in Richmond by Arnold and in this county by Tarleton; and only a very incomplete list can be offered; but it is known that the following were in the army with Washington: Colonel Josiah Parker, Major Francis Boykin, Captain James Johnson, General John S. Wills, Jesse Matthews, James Casey, Edward Ward, Robin Turner, Samuel McCoy, John Forrest, Henry Hill, Ben (Whalebone) Jones and Moses Atkins. We find that Sarah Atkins, the wife of this last named soldier, was allowed three pounds annually during his absence.

     The militia companies were kept with a full complement of officers, for, in almost every court, we find orders supplying the vacancies caused by death or resignation; and although there was not much actual fighting in this county, and only three actual invasions by the British, but many threatened invasions, they must have been, on account of the large water front, kept quite busy.

     Colonel Tarleton, at the head of a considerable body of British Cavalry, passed through the county twice, visited Smithfield (then the county seat) with the intention of destroying the records, but was foiled in that purpose as has been narrated already. They then visited "Macclesfield," the home of Colonel Josiah Parker, in the hope of capturing the Colonel, but were also foiled in this purpose; however, they destroyed many valuable papers they found there; and everywhere along their line of march they committed the most wanton destruction, carrying off the slaves, cattle, horses and other property. In one of these raids they were attacked by a body of Isle of Wight militia at a place called "Scotts Old Field," now known as Exchange, in Nansemond county, and met with a defeat, being driven across Milners Creek by the militia.