The Present State of Virginia

A detailed snapshot of mid‑century Virginia, this work blends travelogue, anthropology and economic report. Written by a chaplain who served the colony’s assembly, it offers a clear‑sighted look at the people, lands and institutions that shaped the region, aiming to correct the many misconceptions held by readers back in England.

The author surveys the origins and customs of the Native peoples, the English settlers, and the enslaved African population, describing their religions, governments and daily lives. He also turns his eye to the colony’s geography, from coastal plains to the Appalachian foothills, and explains how tobacco, corn, timber and emerging industries sustain the local economy. Throughout, practical schemes for improving education, religious outreach, manufacturing and trade are laid out in concise proposals.

For anyone curious about the early American frontier or seeking a window into the challenges and ambitions of Virginia’s growing society, the book provides a concise, well‑organized guide that still resonates with today’s interest in colonial history.