Historical Tidbits — Battle of Golden Hill

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. The Battle of Golden Hill was a clash between British soldiers and the Sons of Liberty in the American colonies that occurred on January 19, 1770, in New York City. Along with the Boston Massacre and the Gaspée Affair, the event …

Making Gunpowder

Gunpowder that was of vital to the success of the American soldiers in the American Revolution.  Bunker Hill was lost not because of overwhelming British superiority but rather because the militia entrenched on Breeds Hill ran out of ammunition.  In all of England, including the colonies, making black powder was legally a Crown monopoly. While …

“Beer” Recipe — Black Cider

One of the biggest atrocities of the Revolutionary War was committed not by our enemies the British or even the Hessians, it was committed within our hallowed halls and ultimately enshrined in the Constitution and that atrocity was slavery.  Eighteenth Century white men all felt that they were morally and intellectually superior to men of …

Lords a Leaping…

Social Stratification in English Society Under English Common Law, you are entitled (in some situations) to a “Jury of your Peers.”  As Americans, we frequently misinterpret “peers” to mean people like us.  This is because with the adoption of the US Constitution in 1787, we officially renounced all references to “peerage” and titles of nobility …

Historical Tidbits — Treaty of Paris

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. January 14, 1784 – Congress formally accepts the terms of the Treaty of Paris, ending American participation in the Revolutionary War.  George III will not sign this treaty for …

Historical Tidbits — Battle of Cowpens

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. January 17, 1780               Battle of Cowpens Shortly after sunrise, the American rifleman encountered the lead elements of Colonel Balastre Tarleton’s British Legion, the 7th Regiment of Foot, 71st Regiment …

Benjamin Franklin was born on 17 Milk Street in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, on January 17, 1706.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706 in the city of Boston in a small house on 17 Milk Street, across the street from the Old Meeting House.  His father was Josiah Franklin, a chandler (soap and candle maker).  Josiah Franklin, emigrated from England in 1682. He had seven children with his first wife, …

Historical Tidbits — Cook Crosses Antarctic Circle

When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. January 17, 1773 – HMS Resolution, under the command of James Cook, became the first vessel to cross the Antarctic Circle. The Royal Society and the government were eager …