Tag «New Amsterdam»

Battle of Golden Hill New York City: First Blood Spilt in the American Revolution

The first major clash between British soldiers and a colonial mob was not the March 5, 1770 Boston Massacre, a title given by Boston’s skilled propogandists. The first instance of open aggression between opposing forces in America occurred in New York City, on January 19, 1770, nearly two months prior.  After the 1763 conclusion of …

Fort George Guarded New Amsterdam and New York City for over 250 Years

The stakes were first laid for Fort George in 1625, marking the official seal of New Amsterdam and what would become New York City.  From pine palisade to earthen embankments to stone fortress, the fortification was reconstructed many times by the Dutch and English on the tip of Manhattan Island, mainly with African slave labor. …

How Manhattan Island of New York City was Named

A letter written by Peter Schaghen from the ship Arms of Amsterdam in November 1626 is the first to refer to the island as Manhattes.  The Dutch, early on began calling the Native Americans who resided on the island they settled as well as to the surrounding region as Manhattan Indians, however no such tribe …

The Royal Colonies in North America: England, France, Netherlands & Sweden

Royal Colonies were established in North America by England, France, Netherlands and Sweden.  Spain launched earlier settlements and claimed lands south of the present Canadian border clear to the Pacific Ocean, but only established outposts and missionaries, particularly in Florida, which they maintained until 1763 when British took control. Different nations claimed many of the …