Historical Tidbits — Battle of Long Island

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 27, 1776                Battle of Long Island After the British evacuation from Boston in March, the British general Lord William Howe moved to occupy New York City under the …

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 …

America has a new Guy Fawkes

Remember, Remember, on the 5th of November Remember, Remember, on the 5th of NovemberThat some candidates deal in treason and plot.I see no reasonWhy January 6th treasonShould ever be forgot. Donald Trump, the world’s biggest chump, ’twas his intentTo stop the vote and be forever PresidentThat he lost the election he refusedFalse claims of cheating …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Buff and Blue: Whigs and Tories

When George Washington choose his uniform, he could have literally chosen any color scheme, so why buff (tan) and blue. The choice was not arbitrary.  The Whig party in England (not to be confused with Andrew Jacksons divisive party in the 1830’s) had been standing against the abuses of the crown since 1688.  Their rallying …