Page content
Resize textResize textResize text largerEmail pagePrint pageShare this page
View related multimedia and links Libraries : Exhibits : Discovery

The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia:
being an Essay towards a General History of this Colony
by William Stith
Williamsburg. Printed by William Parks, 1747

Stith's History of Virginia was the first history book printed in the colonies. While his book was not a commercial success--Stith had advertised for subscribers in The Virginia Gazette prior to publication, and he still lost fifty pounds on the venture--it represents a well-documented account of the first seventeen years of the colony. In writing his history, Stith consulted manuscripts belonging to William Byrd II and Sir John Randolph, county court books, and the official records of the London Company, as well as Captain John Smith's General Historie of Virginia. . . , which was originally published in 1624. For his research, he examined virtually all the contemporary sources available on this side of the Atlantic.

Today, Stith's History is valuable to researchers in different subject fields. Historians can study how Stith evaluated and incorporated the various sources available to him. Individuals interested in printing history can examine this major work of 343 pages from William Parks' press. Stith's History is one of the few surviving Williamsburg imprints that was printed on paper made at Parks' mill in Williamsburg.

Read Stith's account of Captain John Smith's rescue by Pocahontas.

Native Plants-->


Read More About It:

Beverley, Robert. The History and Present State of Virginia. Reprint of the London 1705 edition. Chapel Hill: Published for the Institute of Early American History and Culture at Williamsburg, Va., by the University of North Carolina Press, 1947.

Jones, Hugh. The Present State of Virginia: from whence is inferred a Short View of Maryland and North Carolina. Reprint of the London 1724 edition. Chapel Hill: Published for the Virginia Historical Society by the North Carolina Press, 1956.

Smith, John. General Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles. . . . Reprint of the 1624 edition. Ann Arbor: University Microfilms, 1966.

Stith, William. The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia. Reprint of the 1747 edition. New York: Johnson Reprint Corporation, 1969.

Multimedia and related links

  • slideshows
  • videos
  • podcasts
  • Interactive
  • downloads
  • audio

  • Video

  • Swordmaking in the 18th Century

    Swordmaking in the 18th Century

    Colonial tradesmen learned the swordmaking craft as Virginia armed itself for war. Journeyman brass founder Suzie Dye describes the process. March 2, 2009

    Launch

  • A Splendid Coincidence

    A Splendid Coincidence

    Inspiration intersects with means in a partnership that resurrects a city. Character interpreter Ed Way portrays W.A.R. Goodwin at Colonial Williamsburg. November 3, 2008

    Launch

  • Prisoners of War

    Prisoners of War

    As long as there have been wars, there have been prisoners of war. September 7, 2009

    Launch

  • We Hold These Truths

    We Hold These Truths

    The foundation of American democracy rests on one sheet of parchment. Bill Barker reads the Declaration of Independence. June 29, 2009

    Launch

  • The Revolution

    The Revolution

    Visit Colonial Williamsburg

    Launch

  • more...

  • Related Information