State of Virginia Prayer Focus Virginia was the "covenant root state." We have birthed eight U.S. presidents and have a governmental anointing and assignment. As well as having the oldest continuously governing elected assembly in North America, the CIA and the Pentagon are on Virginia soil. We were the first permanent English settlement and hosted the 400th anniversary of that event in 2007. We are home to the world's largest naval base and have more than 50 military installations within our borders. Eight states were formed in whole or part from the original borders of the state. The Virginia Charter, written in 1606 in England, declared the mission of the colony to evangelize the unsaved native peoples.13 Virginia Prayer Points These 13 points are in honor of our 13 original colonies, 13 stripes on the U.S. flag, and 13 stars on the first flag. (Virginia is known as the mother of presidents. Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.) 1570 Spanish explorers entered the Virginia region; several Indian tribes inhabited the area. Missionaries built a settlement along the York River, but were killed only a few months later. 1580 English explorers arrived. In Roanoke Island the Indians of Virginia were well established and orderly with well laid out areas for dwelling, eating and worship. 1607 First landing by George Pearcy at Cape Henry. The spot was named in honor of the Prince of Wales. First Governor was named: Sir Thomas West. 1619 First English women and Africans came to Jamestown. The first representative legislature met. Virginia was noted as the most populous and prosperous of the original 13 colonies. 1622 An Indian massacre occurred, followed by a siege of the plague.1624 English government revoked the charter of the Virginia Company and Virginia was organized into a royal colony. Captain John Smith identified Virginia as the “Ould Virginia” where to this day the alternate identification of “the Old Dominion” still stands. It’s noted that a strong spirit of independence started to manifest in the colonists along with a growing political maturity. 1652 Parliamentary commissioners assumed control of the colony.1660 Virginia was founded as a colony and referenced by King Charles II as the “Old Dominion”. 1676 Indians, made desperate by English encroachment, began to war on the colonists. The people found Berkeley unable, and as they believed, unwilling, to protect them; they chose Nathaniel Bacon as their leader. Bacon followed the governor against the Indians and forced reforms through the assembly. When the governor threatened military force, Bacon defied him. On the death of Bacon, Berkeley ended the struggle with a series of hangings which brought his recall. 1730- Presbyterians gained a strong foothold in Virginia and organized Hanover 1740’s presbytery. 1750 Separate Baptists from New England entered the colony. Both denominations increased rapidly. Virginia grew in strength and political maturity, its House of Burgess became increasingly active. The Proclamation of 1763 restricted westward expansion, and taxes imposed by Parliament. Population was evenly divided between whites and slaves. 1765 Stamp Act Resolution enacted. 1769 Boycott of British goods started.1773 Committee of Correspondence of 1759 now revived brought about an inter-colonial committee. 1774 First Continental Congress formed; Virginia furnished its president, Peyton Randolph. 1775 First Continental Congress established a Revolutionary Committee of Safety and armed for defense. Gov. John Dunmore, fearful of the volunteer riflemen gathering in Williamsburg, fled to the safety of the British fleet and on November 7th declared martial law and waged war against Virginia until he was forced to leave the following July. 1776 Richard Bland and Jefferson formulated the constitutional and ethical basis for revolt; Patrick Henry was becoming an orator and George Washington was acquiring military and political experience. The First Continental Congress declared independence in May. It furnished the author of the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson) and provided the leader of the Revolutionary Army, George Washington. Also in 1776, the Congress formed a union, made foreign alliances, set up a commonwealth and chose Patrick Henry as its first governor. 1778 George Rogers Clark led an army of Virginia and Kentucky riflemen in the conquest of the Northwest Territory; his campaign ended the Indian “menace.” 1780 Virginia moved its capitol from Williamsburg to Richmond. It had set up 19 counties in the west (1776-1782), abolished its African slave trade (1778), and reformed its code of laws in 1779. The British captured Portsmouth in October of 1780.1781 In Yorktown, Virginia, British forces under General Cornwallis surrendered to the combined French and American forces under the command of George Washington, thus ending the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Yorktown. Benedict Arnold took Richmond and set up headquarters at Portsmouth. 1789 George Washington, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, becomes the first President of the United States, setting a pattern for all following presidents. 1801 Thomas Jefferson, born in Albermarle County, Virginia becomes the third President of the United States.1804 Virginia began an efficient system of chartered banks. The state undertook, or aided in the building of, roads, canals and railroads, and Virginians began direct trade with Europe and South America. 1809 James Madison, born in Port Conway, Virginia, becomes the fourth President of the United States. He is known as the Father of the Constitution.1817 James Monroe, born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, becomes the fifth President of the United States. He is known for the “Monroe Doctrine”. 1831 Nat Turner’s slave insurrection in Southampton took place. 1841 William Henry Harrison, born in Charles City County, Virginia, becomes the ninth President of the United States. He was the first president to die in office. 1841 John Tyler, born in Greenway, Virginia, becomes the tenth President of the United States. He annexed Texas at the end of his administration. 1846 Public schools were established. Numerous private schools were flourishing. 1849 Zachary Taylor, born in Barboursville, Virginia, becomes the twelfth President of the United States. He was the first career soldier to become president.1850 A state university and several colleges were founded. 1851 The Constitution provided for the popular election of many officials, including the governor. Virginia was the leading manufacturing state in the South. 1861 Virginia seceded from the Union and Richmond became the capitol of the Confederacy. The American Civil War was fought in Virginia from 1861 until 1865. More major battles occurred in Virginia than in any other state. One-third of America’s most important Civil War battlefields are located in Virginia. Virginia lost one-third of its territory to form West Virginia. 1867 Congress placed the South under military rule, Virginia being Military District No. 1, with Gen. John M. Schofield in command. Congress readmitted the state to the Union in January. The Democrat Party was revived. Virginia adopted a new constitution. 1913 Woodrow Wilson, born in Staunton, Virginia, becomes the twenty-eighth President of the United States. Harry F. Byrd became governor of Virginia. 1969 State elections resulted in Linwood Holton being elected as the first Republican governor since the reconstruction. America’s first seven astronauts were trained at NASA Langley Air Force Base in Hampton. Newport News is the site of the nation’s most powerful continuous electron beam accelerator. 1981 First test tube baby born in the U.S. was delivered in December at Norfolk General Hospital. 2007 The 400th anniversary of Jamestown will be celebrated. |
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