Well, Tis the Season when many of you are in a Dickens of a mood so let’s talk about 18th Century debtors in England. Prior to the Bankruptcy Act (1869), missing even a small debt payment could lead to decades of imprisonment. If you are familiar with Charles Dickens’ novel Little Dorrit, originally published as …
Monthly Archives: December 2025
How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools – Measuring Elevations
Measuring how high a hill rises or whether a field is level involves the following equipment: A Jacobs Staff — a stick or pole with length markings. A set of chaining pins – markers that can be placed in the ground A Gunter’s Chain – a steel chain of 100 links exactly 66 feet long …
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The danger of always marching in lockstep
If you’ve ever been part of an organization that marches — not just the military but even marching bands and re-enactors (sort of) — you know what it means to march in lockstep. Everyone steps in precision to a standard cadence (usually 120 steps/min, 28 in/step) and one person takes a step with his left …
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On December 13, 1636 our First “Citizen Soldiers” were Mustered.
While several of our military branches can be justifiably proud of over 246 years of service to our nation, one component of the military goes back much further! The National Guard is the direct descendent of America’s first militias. The oldest regiments drilled for the first time on the village green in Salem, Massachusetts, on …
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Louisiana Purchase finalized 12/20/1803
On December 12, 1803 the United States completed the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Frans for $15 million. This territory encompassed 530,000,000 acres of territory. As the United States spread across the Appalachians, the Mississippi River became an increasingly important conduit for the produce of America’s West (which at that time referred to the …
The Scourge of Slavery (#12) — How the Liberty Bell got its name
Every year millions of people come to Philadelphia to see the “Liberty Bell.” This large bell was commissioned in 1751 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly to hang in the new State House in Philadelphia. At the time it was commissioned, there was no thought about Independence. Philadelphia was the third most important city in the …
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Don Antonio de Medoza
On December 12, 1543 Don Antonio de Medoza granted authorization to Alfonso de Herrera to build and operate a brewery in Mexico City. Truly a landmark event, it was the first brewery in all of the America’s. Want to have the Regimental Brewmeister at your site or event? You can hire me. https://colonialbrewer.com/yes-you-can-hire-me-for-your-event-or-site/
Switchel
Switchel or “Haymaker’s Punch” is a drink made of water mixed with vinegar, and often seasoned with spices like ginger. It is usually sweetened with molasses or brown sugar. Switchel originated in New England, and it became a popular summer drink in the American Colonies in the late 17th century. By the 19th century, it …
Historical Tidbits — Congress adjourns to Baltimore
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. December 12, 1776 Congress adjourns to Baltimore In mid-December 1776 Congress decided to move to Baltimore to escape capture by the advancing British. The time in Baltimore was a …
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The British East India Company
Founded in 1600 by royal charter, the East India Company was established as a joint-stock trading company to exploit opportunities east of the Cape of Good Hope where it was granted a trade monopoly. Crucially, to conduct this trade, the EIC was permitted to ‘wage war’. Although the EIC did not hold sovereignty in its …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 