The beginning of the book starts off by describing the colony of Williamsburg. The author goes into great detail about the history of the colony, as he describes the moving of the capital from Jamestown to Williamsburg. There are many picturesque details about the streets, enchanting taverns and lodging house that would have been located in Williamsburg, during the time period before the Revolutionary War. He states that Williamsburg was a very populous region, where many crowds of people would gather to listen to eloquent speeches presented by the members of the assembly. In fact, on their way back from the speeches, many could witness Patrick Henry or Thomas Jefferson strolling through Duke of Gloucester Street. However, once the Revolutionary War occurred, it was said that the enchanting atmosphere quickly dissipated. Many politicians …show more content…
The events in this story occur in the town of Williamsburg, during 1780’s, as in this time period there was little compromise in the judiciary process. A individual who was convicted of a crime such as, murder, piracy, or horse stealing, would often be sentenced to hang, if found guilty. Despite how horrid this sounds, people found this more humane than being confined to a prison cell, as the cell would often be cramped and infested with rodents, roaches, and lice. The criminal would be situated in this cell, until the wagon of death came. Once the wagon arrived, the criminal would literally sit in his coffin for a mile-ride, until he arrived to his hanging. The whispers of the ghost tales started when people reported hearing whips, horses, and the sound of a wagon strolling by during the predawn hours. However, when they went to witness this scene, there was no evidence of this activity taking place. Many who have inhabited nearby hotels by Nicholson street, state this tragic scene plays every night, and only voices are