Saturday, October 6, 2007

From Pirates and Wolves to Politicians and Operas

According to Kim Kihl, the early public records of Port Tobacco are filled with talk about two issues: piracy on the Potomac and an overabundance of wolves. Piracy was a problem all along the Chesapeake Bay and wolves were an issue in many Colonial towns.

Somehow Port Tobacco overcame their problems with pirates and wolves to become a destination for theatrical companies and politicians. In 1752, the Murray-Kean Company arrived from Williamsburg to present The Beggar's Opera, Richard III, The Spanish Friar, and Sir Harry William. The Murray-Kean Company had previously played in other important urban centers such as Philadelphia and New York.

By the time the American Revolution came about, Port Tobacco was home to General Smallwood, John Hanson, James Craik, Daniel Jenifer, Thomas Stone, and Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown. Common visitors included George Washington and John Randolph.

-April

No comments: