Category Archives: American History

Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor, the First Lady Who Did Not Want Her Husband Elected

Posted on January 5, 2022 by reginajeffers

I tend to be a history geek, thriving on snippets of history of which I had no prior knowledge. One of my grandkids is equally as interested in history as I; therefore, I love to find snippets I can share … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, history | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Annulments, Divorces, Criminal Conversation in the Regency

Posted on January 3, 2022 by reginajeffers

First, permit me to say that in the Regency period, divorces were few. They were expensive. The Church of England opposed divorce as vehemently as did the Roman Catholic church. The Church of England only permitted a “legal separation,” which … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, British history, Great Britain, Living in the Regency, real life tales, Regency era, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

The “British Aliens” in America During the War of 1812

Posted on September 29, 2021 by reginajeffers

While writing “Captain Stanwick’s Bride,” I spent a great deal of time researching personal papers, diaries, journals, and the like of people who lived during this second war between American and Great Britain. Many “Americans,” at the time, still claimed … Continue reading →

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The First Labor Day Celebration

Posted on September 6, 2021 by reginajeffers

New York City saw the celebration of the first Labor Day on 5 September 1882. The celebration marking the event was designed by the Central Labor Union.    According to the Department of Labor, “While most sources, even the Department of … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, holidays, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Christopher Jones and the Voyage of the “Mayflower “

Posted on August 25, 2021 by reginajeffers

Some of you have heard me say previously that my 10th great-grandparents were John Alden and Priscilla Mullins of Pilgrim and the Mayflower fame. So, when I came across a piece about Christopher Jones, I, naturally, stopped to read more … Continue reading →

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Edward Jenner, Father of “Vaccination”

Posted on August 23, 2021 by reginajeffers

With all the debate still going on about whether to vaccinate or not for COVID-19 and all the variants in the news, I thought we might have look at the first vaccines. Born in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, in May 1749, the … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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