Tag «Colonial»

Declaration of Independence: Physician Josiah Bartlett of New Hampshire, First to Vote and Second to Sign

There were approximately 1,400 military ‘doctors’ during the American Revolution who treated American soldiers either on the battlefield or in hospitals. Of this number, only 400 were actually trained physicians; the other thousand or so were assistants or young apprentices who basically ‘learned on the job’. Several doctors put aside their scalpels for the sword …

Elizabeth Freeman: African American Woman Sued 1780 State Constitution Over Slavery and Won

In 1780, as the War for Independence raged throughout North America, a crier standing in the central square of Sheffield, Massachusetts, a small town in the western part of the former colony, read from the state’s newly enacted constitution. When he came to Article 1 he clamored, “All Men are born Free and Equal,” a …

Coffee Brewed Patriotic Passions in the American Revolution

In 18th century America, where news and the powers of persuasion depended on pamphlets or word of mouth, coffeehouses rose supreme among all outlets of media. Politicians, merchants, businessmen, farmers, and mekanics – the working-class muscle of rebellion – consumed pages upon pages of lengthy opinions detailed in pamphlets and distributed among the colonial American …

Slavery & Religion: Christian Slaveholders Claimed God Sanctioned and Ordained Slavery

The following is a letter addressed by John C. Calhoun (Vice President of the United States) to the Methodist Reverend Alexander McCain in response to McCain’s pamphlet in favor of slavery being ordained by God. “My Dear Sir. I have read with pleasure your pamphlet, entitled, ‘Slavery Defended from the Scriptures Against Abolitionists.’ You have …

General Washington’s Homespun Army

There were no great suppliers in 1775 vying for contracts to supply clothing or make uniforms for the Continental Army. If there were, there certainly was no money to pay them. Washington and others in the Second Congress were too concerned with providing enough shell, shot and other armaments with which to wage war. By …

Gunpowder and its Supply in the American Revolution

The supply of gunpowder haunted George Washington and the Continental Congress throughout the entire Revolutionary War.  The vast quantity of powder came from sources overseas , around 90% from French Colonies in the West Indies. The other 10% was produced domestically. With dwindling powder supplies and only three powder mills in operation in all of …

History of Maple Syrup & Sugaring in Colonial America

Most historians agree that the Native Americans introduced maple sugaring to the European settlers. When the first immigrants arrived, they traded with the indigenous people for many necessities, including maple sugar. Sugaring was known in America long before the land was colonized, as evidenced by old myths that describe how sugaring was discovered. The sap …