James Barbour – Governor, Senator, Cabinet Secretary, and Diplomat
As we have seen in previous posts, in the early years of the United States men with leadership abilities tended to become prominent, thru...
top of page
Here is where we publish articles about the social, political and military history of American society during the Colonial and Early Republic Eras. Where we feel it is needed, we also examine the origins of the subject. From time to time, we will also publish articles regarding Living History interpretative skills.
Please let us know in the comments if you enjoy our posts.
Search
- Aug 10
- 14 min
Where There's Smoke, There's Barbecue
Man has grilled meat over open flames since he first discovered how to make fire. As a result, outdoor cooking has been a part of every...
210
- Jul 20
- 7 min
The Origins of the American Picnic
“One of the pleasantest forms of entertainment is a well-arranged picnic (if only a fine day be selected), while nothing is calculated to...
290
- Jul 4
- 12 min
Henry Dearborn – Soldier, Politician, Cabinet Secretary, Diplomat
Today, unless one was born and raised in the Old Northwest Territories (particularly Michigan) or New Hampshire, you may not have ever...
160
- Jun 16
- 17 min
"The Great Compromiser" - Henry Clay
In the formative period of the American Republic, one of the most prominent people in American politics was Henry Clay of Kentucky. From...
130
- Jun 2
- 12 min
America’s Swiss “Founding Father” – Albert Gallatin
"If any one part of the Union are suffered to oppose by force the determination of the whole, there is an end to government itself and of...
100
- May 19
- 10 min
Francis Cabot Lowell and the Beginnings of American Industrial Manufacturing
The Industrialization of manufacturing in England During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, artisans—skilled, experienced craft...
100
- May 5
- 11 min
Negotiator, Lawyer, Representative, Senator, and Commissioner - Littleton Waller Tazewell.
Littleton Waller Tazewell was born in Williamsburg, Va. on December 17, 1774, almost 150 years after his first ancestor left England for...
90
- Apr 21
- 15 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 3 – Cocoa/Chocolate – “The Food of the Gods”
”With regard to drink, his liking was for the strongest, as it was not the flavour, but the effect, he sought for, and professed to...
100
- Apr 7
- 11 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 2 - Coffee
“Coffee fortifies the Stomach and Brain, promotes Digestion, allays the Head-ach, suppresses the Fumes caused by Wine, and other...
160
- Mar 24
- 9 min
Beverages of the 18th and Early 19th Centuries – Part 1 - Tea
"There is more to be learned about pouring out tea and coffee, than most young ladies are willing to believe. If those decoctions are...
300
- Mar 10
- 10 min
Noah Webster - Father of “American” Culture and Image in the New United States
For many of us today, the name Noah Webster Jr. is mainly remembered as the author of An American Dictionary of the English Language,”...
440
- Feb 24
- 12 min
Worth its Weight in Salt - History of Salt and its Importance in Early America
Today, in 2023, we here in the United States, take salt for granted. If we need it, we just run down to the corner market and pick up a...
1910
- Feb 12
- 12 min
The Old Southwest Territory and the Origins of Tennessee
An Act for Government of the Southwest Territory Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States...
1180
- Jan 27
- 9 min
Living History – Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs – Part 2
Today we continue our discussion of Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs that we began in our last post. In Part 1, we touched...
330
- Jan 13
- 12 min
Living History – Developing and Giving Engaging Public Programs – Part 1
“A story, in which native humour reigns, Is often useful, always entertains; A graver fact, enlisted on your side, May furnish...
550
- Dec 16, 2022
- 11 min
Eggnog – Origins, History, and How it Caused a Riot
Christmas is just over a week away and so; it is time once again to think about “Christmas traditions.” One of those traditions...
1620
- Dec 2, 2022
- 17 min
Wrestling and Pugilism – Entertainments and Self Defense in 18th and Early-19th Century America
In our last post, we talked about some of the methods that people used to defend themselves, their loved, and their property against...
690
- Nov 19, 2022
- 19 min
Crime in 18th and early-19th century America - Part 2 – Self-Defense with Sword, Stick, and Cudgel
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at Crime in 18th and early-19th century North America and at the policing, and protection options...
1460
- Nov 4, 2022
- 9 min
Crime in 18th and early-19th century America - Part 1 – Crime, Policing, and Protection options
It seems like “street violence” (shootings, assaults, robberies, burglaries, etc.) is on the rise, and many of us feel “unsafe” on the...
2150
- Oct 21, 2022
- 15 min
Witches, Ghosts, and Monsters in 18th and Early-19th Century Native American Culture
“Spooky Season” ("spook" is a Dutch word for spirit or ghost) is once again upon us. As a result, although this blog usually only deals...
6320
- Oct 7, 2022
- 15 min
Naval Stores and Ropewalks – Vital Backbones of the Maritime World
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the strength of the economy of the British Empire and the early United States was dependent on...
1530
- Sep 23, 2022
- 8 min
Period Dramas and Living History: A Love-Hate Relationship That Doesn't Have to Be.
Let me begin by admitting that I have been, and still am at times, the guy in the picture above. I try to not do this, and, for the most...
200
- Sep 9, 2022
- 9 min
“Standards of Beauty” in 18th and Early 19th Century England and America
The ideal of feminine beauty is a specific set of traits that are ingrained in women throughout their lives and from an early age to...
6,9000
bottom of page