The American Revolution is filled with events that were completely unexpected, even shocking, but predictable when we take a closer look at what was happening in England and America. They were the kind of events that no one foresaw, but that changed the course of events to come. They often left one side or the.. read more →
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death – Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775 Countdown to Lexington & Concord Patrick Henry was elected to serve in the Second Virginia Convention which began its session March 20, 1775 in Richmond. Virginia had grown increasingly radical as a result of the Boston Port Act the year before and.. read more →
Edmund Burke (1729–97) was a Whig member of Parliament from 1766 – 1794. He was born in Dublin, Ireland and a graduate of Trinity College. He was an author, philosopher and political theorist. In the years leading up to the American Revolution Burke was a good friend of the American Colonies and argued on our.. read more →
March 18, 1766 – Stamp Act Repeal Passed the prior March 22, the Stamp Act caused widespread protests, violence and a complete boycott of British trade in the colonies. The boycott caused massive disruption in London trade and gave England and America their first taste of the colonies’ growing economic power. The Stamp Act repeal.. read more →
An Unusual Relationship: Aaron Burr and his Daughter Theodosia Many of you know that I am writing a biography of Aaron Burr’s daughter Theodosia Burr Alston. The book is for a young adult audience and will be a scholastic book for use in school libraries and classes. It’s a great opportunity to get young readers.. read more →
December 1769 – The author of “To The The Betrayed Inhabitants”, a broadside exposing corruption in the colonial assembly, Alexander McDougall, is arrested! When he arrives at the courthouse for his bail hearing it is so filled with supporters that he has difficulty getting in. McDougall makes his way to the front of the courtroom.. read more →
I’ve Not Yet Begun to Fight John Paul Jones and the Battle of Flamborough Head There was a recent story in the news that John Paul Jones’ ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was located off the coast of Yorkshire, England. The ship sank in 1779 during the naval battle of Flamborough Head and was the.. read more →
Tuesday, December 4, 1783 – George Washington says goodbye to his assembled officers at Fraunces Tavern in NYC. The best, I think, description of Washington’s Farewell comes from The Memoir of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge. So the rest of this post will be entirely his words. “We had been assembled but a few moments, when His.. read more →
October 2, 1780 – The Death of John Andre From the memoir of Banjamin Tallmadge – “Major Andre, having received his regimentals from New York, appeared in the complete uniform of a British officer, and, in truth, he was a most elegant and accomplished gentleman. After he was informed of his sentence, he showed no.. read more →
September 29, 1780 – The Trial of John Andre John Andre was charged with spying. A board of Washington’s officers was assembled for the trial. Present were Major Generals Nathanael Greene, Lafayette, Lord Stirling, Arthur St. Clair, Robert Howe, Von Steuben, Brigadier Generals James Clinton, John Glover, Edward Hand, Jedediah Huntington, Henry Knox, Samuel H… read more →