Category Archives: American History

A War Between the U.S. and the U.K. Over a Pig

Posted on June 7, 2021 by reginajeffers

We are all aware of the history of “disagreements” between the United States and England that resulted in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, but what do you know of the 1859 Pig War? Never heard of it? … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, England, Great Britain, history, military, real life tales, war | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The “Feejee Mermaid,” Another P. T. Barnum Hoax

Posted on May 21, 2021 by reginajeffers

I have always been a Hugh Jackman fan, first for his musical performance, and, then, because he portrayed my favorite X-man, James “Logan” Howlett, on a string of Marvel Universe films. Therefore, I dearly loved the film, “The Greatest Showman.” … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, business, commerce, film, history | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The “Feejee Mermaid,” Another P. T. Barnum Hoax

Origin of a Sea Shantie: “What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?”

Posted on May 5, 2021 by reginajeffers

“What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?” was a work song, mainly sung on ships with a large number of crewmen. According to Song Facts, it is one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon sea shanties, one sung by the Indiamen … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British history, British Navy, music, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

A Great Hoax: Sawing Off Manhattan Island

Posted on April 30, 2021 by reginajeffers

Whether this story of true or not, it does make a fabulous read. “Supposedly,” in 1824, a retired ship carpenter convinced the people of New York that the southern tip of Manhattan Island was getting too heavy because of the … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, real life tales | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A Great Hoax: Sawing Off Manhattan Island

What Do You Know of Gail Borden, American Inventor of “Condensed Milk”?

Posted on April 28, 2021 by reginajeffers

Born November 9, 1801 in New York state, Borden spent parts of his childhood in New York, Kentucky, and Indiana. When his father expressed a desire for more fertile lands than he owned in New York, the elder Borden made … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, business, commerce, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What Do You Know of Gail Borden, American Inventor of “Condensed Milk”?

The Real-Life Myles Standish’s Influence on “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst”

Posted on April 21, 2021 by reginajeffers

As my previous two posts on John Alden and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow have indicated, my most recent tale, “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” was inspired by Longfellow’s narrative poem, “The Courtship of Myles Standish.” Other than the knowledge of Standish … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, book excerpts, book release, British Navy, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, research, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Real-Life Myles Standish’s Influence on “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst”

John Alden’s Influence on the Release of “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 19, 2021 by reginajeffers

My story, “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst,” is heavily influenced by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Courtship of Miles Standish.” Many of the characters names, for example, derive from the poem. However, in Longfellow’s narrative, John Alden speaks to Priscilla Mullins because his … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, book excerpts, book release, British history, Dreamstone Publishing, excerpt, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Living in the Regency, marriage, marriage customs, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s Influence on “The Courtship of Lord Blackhurst” + a Giveaway

Posted on April 16, 2021 by reginajeffers

According to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: A Maine Historical Society Website, “Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a commanding figure in the cultural life of nineteenth-century America. Born in Portland, Maine, in 1807, he became a national literary figure by the 1850s, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, book excerpts, book release, British history, eBooks, Georgian England, Georgian Era, giveaway, historical fiction, Living in the Regency, marriage, publishing, real life tales, Regency era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Regency Era Con Man, Gregor McGregor and “Mr. Darcy’s Bargain”

Posted on April 12, 2021 by reginajeffers

In writing my Austen-inspired vagary, Mr. Darcy’s Bargain, I researched LOTS of scams of the Regency era. One of the most prolific of those who practiced a scheme to defraud others was a Scot named Gregor McGregor. Gregor McGregor was … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, Austen Authors, blog hop, book excerpts, book release, books, British history, British Navy, eBooks, excerpt, George Wickham, Georgian England, giveaway, historical fiction, history, Jane Austen, Living in the Regency, Pride and Prejudice, Regency personalities, Regency romance, Vagary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“Begging Letters” in History

Posted on March 8, 2021 by reginajeffers

We have all received those letters and emails requesting money or asking someone to invest in a scheme. Here is one of the recent ones I received, which is addressed to “Dear Sir.” OOPS!!! Obviously, my gmail account sent the … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, British currency, British history, Georgian England, Georgian Era | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Begging Letters” in History