Gentlemen wore Perukes or Periwigs in Williamsburg

During the 1700s wigs were worn by gentlemen. It was fashionable for everyone. The wigs had to be made by barbers in Williamsburg such as Edward Charlton whose shop was located next to the Raleigh Tavern. Charlton served famous people such as Peyton Randolph, Speaker of the House of Burgess, George Washington (who wore no wig, but patronized the shop for barbering, etc.), John Randolph, Attorney General, young Thomas Jefferson, George Mason of Gunston Hall, Patrick Henry. Legal tender in those days was paper currency printed by William Hunter on Gloucester Street, bills of exchange on a London merchant, or warehouse receipts for tobacco. Women frequented the shop to purchase curls for their wigs. Source: Receipts and records of Edward Charlton found in an attic in Williamsburg.

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