Patrician and Plebeian: Or the Origin and Development of the Social Classes of the Old Dominion

Published in the early 20th century, 'Patrician and Plebeian' by Thomas Jefferson Wertenbaker examines the origins and development of social classes in colonial Virginia from approximately 1600 to 1775. Wertenbaker challenges the traditional belief that the Virginian aristocracy descended solely from noble English families, arguing instead that it emerged from a mix of merchant elites and less distinguished immigrants. The book explores the complex interplay of economic, political, and social factors that shaped Virginia's class structure, providing a nuanced understanding of the region's history and societal evolution.