The Second Colony of 1717

In July of 1717, a second group of about 80 immigrants arrived at Germanna. This group consisted of Luthern Palatine Germans from Alsace, Palatinate and other regions of Western Germany who had intended to go to Pennsylvania, but ended up in Virginia after their ship captain was arrested in London. It is thought that over 50 passengers died before reaching the colonies. Upon their arrival in Virginia, these colonist became indentured servants to Alexander Spotswood. Eventually, Spotswood would end up suing some of these settlers because he felt they should be indentured for a longer period of time. Eventually, settlers of the colony relocated to Madison County, Virginia in 1726.

Spotswood at the Time of the Second Colony and his "Enchanted Castle"

Not long after the second colony was established, Alexander Spotswood was impeached by the House of Burgesses. It is thought that trading disputes led to the misfavor of Alexander Spotswood in the House.

In 1722, Spotswood was replaced by Hugh Drysdale as Lt. Governor, who was commissioned by King George a few months earlier. "Spotswood had apparently been suspecting for some time that this was in the works. He returns from Albany in triumph, delivers his report and makes plans to remove himself from Williamsburg to Germanna."

In 1724, Spotswood sails for England to answer charges raised concerning his land aquisition practicies and failure to pay quit rents. He now owns between 83,000 and 85,000 acres in Virginia. Ultimately Spotswood is allowed to keep his land. On March 5 of the same year, he marries Anne Butler Brayne. Ultimately, the couple would have four children: John (b. 1725), Anna Catharine (b. 1728), Dorothea (b. 1731), and Robert (b. 1733). They returned to Virginia in 1726. In 1730 he was named the postmaster for North America and the West Indies and extends postal services to Williamsburg in 1732. Previous to this, services had not be offered south of Philadelphia.

By 1732, the Spotswood's house only referred to as "enchanted castle" by William Byrd, was finished and well furnished. William Byrd further described the site as "a baker's dozen of ruinous tenements on the other, where so many German families had dwelt some years ago...." Byrd describes his visit to the Spotswoods as a leisurely one. Spotswood had a pet deer (a popular pet amongst the extremely wealthy in the early 18th century), pier glass, a tea table, and china. There was fine dining, horseback riding, and walking through the three-tiered falling garden at the "enchanted castle."

To understand more about the Spotswood family and their life at Germanna, click here.

To learn more about the archaeological excavations at the Enchanted Castle, click here.