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 …
Category Archives: Ideas
Colonial Surveyor will be in Cheltenham
Sunday, August 25, 20241:00 – 4:00 pmRichard Wall House1 Wall Park DriveElkins Park, PA 19027 The Richard Wall House is hosting Michael Carver in his impression of the noted surveyor David Rittenhouse, to teach 18th Century surveying on August 25 from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm. The public is invited to participate in a hands-on program …
Edward Jenner did not “Invent” Vaccination
We often refer to Edward Jenner as the ‘father of vaccination.’ He was not, however, the inventor of the process. Jenner reported his famous story about inoculating young James Phipps with cowpox and then demonstrating immunity to smallpox. Taken the pus from a smallpox blister and introducing into a scratch in the skin of an …
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“New Wales?”
Pennsylvania isn’t named after William Penn. And if you’re confused, he deliberately wanted you to be. William Penn preferred the name “New Wales” for Pennsylvania to avoid the appearance that the commonwealth was named after him. It’s pretty to think that Pennsylvania was named after its founder, William Penn, who started the commonwealth as a …
Colonial Surveyor will be in Cheltenham
Sunday, August 25, 20241:00 – 4:00 pmRichard Wall House1 Wall Park DriveElkins Park, PA 19027 The Richard Wall House is hosting Michael Carver in his impression of the noted surveyor David Rittenhouse, to teach 18th Century surveying on August 25 from 1:00 pm to 4:00pm. The public is invited to participate in a hands-on program …
Washington’s Visit to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, R.I. 18 August 1790 Gentlemen,While I receive, with much satisfaction, your Address replete with expressions of affection and esteem; I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you, that I shall always retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citizens. The reflection on the days of difficulty …
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Why Spruce Beer?
Many aficionados of Jane Austen will tell you about Spruce Beer in England but spruce trees are not native to Britain, and spruce beer, cannot be produced locally. Spruce beer in only exists as an imported product. There are several distinct traditions of spruce beer. The ‘North American tradition’ of Spruce Beer (which I brew) …
Britain’s Wonkiest Pub
Known as “Britain’s wonkiest pub”, the Crooked House was a pub in South Staffordshire, England with a truly unique appear appearance. Because of 19th-century mining subsidence, one side of the building is approximately 4 feet lower than the other causing all sorts of optical illusions inside the building. This is a pub where you might …
Historical Tidbits — Battle of Bennington
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, 1777 Battle of Bennington The Battle of Bennington took place in Walloomsac, New York, about 10 miles from its namesake Bennington, Vermont. The American force was primarily …
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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 