Colonial Williamsburg

The town of Jamestown collapsed. It was swampy. It had insects. The settlers were starving. Many Native American tribes had attacked.

Settlers wanted to move to a better place. They looked for higher ground. They wanted to be closer to the James and York Rivers. They like the idea of being safer from attacks.

Middle Plantation was the answer. By 1609, the settlers built a small town. It was safer and on higher ground. It was close to both rivers. Some of the settlers planned out the town using patterns of squares. As the town grew, people built stores and mills. There were churches and homes, and even taverns.

The people wanted to give the town a new name. They wanted it to be in honor of William II, the King of England. They named it Williamsburg.

By the time of the Revolutionary War, the city had 2,000 people. There were tailors, carpenters, and bakers. There were gunsmiths and store clerks. The small town had turned into a bustling city.