American Slavery, American Freedom: The Ordeal of Colonial Virginia

Bacon came to the colony as a 29 year old from England. His wife was friends with the governor’s wife, and he arrived with enough money to get himself a good start. He set up a planation and quickly adopted a strong dislike for the Indians. Morgan introduces Bacon because he was the leader of Bacon’s Rebellion and because his personal attitudes toward both Indians and the rich were critical to fomenting and sustaining rebellion.

Berkeley served two terms as Virginia’s governor. While loyal to the king, he was a huge champion of Virginia planters, and while he supported diversification in his second term, he defied the king and allowed the planters to continue trading with the Dutch. In his second term he led the colony through Bacon’s Rebellion, managing to keep the lid on rebellion and leading the colony through the strife. Morgan introduces Berkeley because he was critical to the colony’s successful development. He was also one of the few leaders who sought to maintain positive relationships with the Indians.

Drake was an English explorer/pirate and slaver who joined up with the runaway slaves, the Cimarron people of Panama, to fight against the Spanish. Drake sailed to Roanoke with some freed Indians and Africans, but what became of them is unknown.