The Virginians boasted that King Charles II.

had been king in Virginia before he had been king in England.

English king and English church were alike faithfully honoured there.

The resident gentry were allied to good English families.

They held their heads above the Dutch traders of New York, and the money-getting Roundheads of Pennsylvania and New England.
Never were people less republican than those of the great province which was soon to be foremost in the memorable revolt against the British Crown.
The gentry of Virginia dwelt on their great lands after a fashion almost patriarchal.