How Did Bacon Become An American Colony

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Nathaniel Bacon was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bacon. He was born January 2, 1647 in Suffolk, England. Bacon and several siblings attended Cambridge University. He married Elizabeth Duke in the spring of 1670. Elizabeth’s father, Sir Edward Duke, strongly opposed the marriage, so much that he disinherited her. Nathaniel Bacon arrived in New England in 1674. Governor Berkeley welcomed his cousin by marriage with open arms. Berkeley gave Bacon a hearty land grant when he reached Virginia. Then on March 3, 1675 Governor Berkeley gave Bacon a seat on the Virginia Council of State. Nathaniel Bacon is remembered for being a radical, rebel colonist that was not afraid to stand up to the authority figures in the colony. The colony went through many adversities during the first year Bacon arrived in the colony. Some adversities faced by the colonist were economical, political, and Native American problems. The original disagreement between Bacon and Berkeley was over Berkeley’s …show more content…
Bacon was elected to the House of Burgesses on June 5, 1676. The following day Bacon leads his armed men into Jamestown. Bacon is immediately captured and brought to see Governor Berkeley. There Bacon plead for forgiveness and requested a pardon. Governor Berkeley granted Bacon his request and reinstated Bacon into the council. Then the governor was pushed by a member of the assembly to make Bacon a general to combat against Native Americans. Berkeley then annulled his pardon and removed him from the council again. Bacon then leaves Jamestown. Nathaniel Bacon returns to Jamestown on June 23, 1676. Bacon returned with his army to insist a commission to be general from Berkeley to defend the colonist against the Native Americans. Bacon’s militia prepared to fire, aiming at the men of the house of burgesses and even Governor Berkeley. With his back against the wall, Berkeley surrenders to Bacon’s orders