On August 26, 1768 Captain Cook departed England on his famous voyage aboard the Endeavor. Believing in the healthful qualities of Beer, Cook took along 4 tons of spruce beer. It didn’t last. He had to make several stops along the way to brew more including one notable stop in New Zealand. Want to have …
Category Archives: General history
Historical Tidbits — British take possession of New York City
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. August 26, 1776 British take possession of New York City Having defeated the Continental Army on Long Island and pursuing them into upstate New York, General Howe established a …
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Of Government in Petticoats!!!
The provision on suffrage in the New Jersey state constitution of 1776 granted the right to vote to “all inhabitants” who were of legal age, owned property worth 50 English pounds, and resided in a county for at least one year. No one is sure what was meant by “all inhabitants” since the New Jersey constitutional convention …
The First Steamboat Sailed on the Delaware
The era of the steamboat began in America in 1787 when John Fitch made the first successful trial of a forty-five-foot steamboat on the Delaware River on August 22, 1787, in the presence of members of the Constitutional Convention. Fitch later built a larger vessel that carried passengers and freight between Philadelphia and Burlington, New Jersey. …
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Historical Tidbits — General Howe enters Chesapeake
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. August 21, 1777 General Howe enters Chesapeake and lands 16000 men The largest armada ever assembled in America set sail off of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. It was carrying …
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Historical Tidbits — The Incredible Fear the British Bayonet Charge Creates
Battle of Fishing Creek — August 18, 1780 One of the most lopsided defeats for the Americans in the War for Independence came in 1780 in South Carolina at the Battle of Fishing Creek. At dawn, when it was clear that the British were forming ranks to attack, Maryland and Delaware regiments received orders from …
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Historical Tidbits — BATTLE OF CAMDEN
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. August 16, 1787 – BATTLE OF CAMDEN: Despite the proliferation of dysentery among his men, General Horatio Gates engaged General Charles Cornwallis’s army at Camden, SC. The American Army …
A New England Beer Run!
On August 15, 1620; the Mayflower and the Speedwell set sail for VIRGINIA. Unfortunately, after only about 200 miles in the rough waters of the north Atlantic, the Speedwell sprang began taking on water and had to turn back. The decision to abandon the Speedwell and transfer many of its passengers onto the Mayflower set …
Public Science – The Natural Philosopher as Entertainer
When most people think of science, they envision people cloistered away in labs working mostly with other scientists. This has never been the reality. Learning is a social activity the demands you communicate with others. In the 18th Century, this certainly took the form correspondence win notable journals and publications like the Proceedings of the …
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Slavery by Another Name
The acquisition of indentured servants and slaves began with the earliest days of the settling of America. Before 1680, the most common form of bound labor was the white indentured servant. Up to two-thirds of the English migrants who came to Virginia between 1630 and 1680 arrived in servile status. In return for the cost …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 