Category Archives: American History

The “Roots” of Labor Day

Posted on September 2, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

For this Labor Day, I am sharing a variety of sources on the history of the Labor movement and the founding of Labor Day in 1894. CNN tells us, “Labor Day was first celebrated unofficially by labor activists and individual … Continue reading →

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Proxy Marriages: Valid or Invalid?

Posted on July 10, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

Upon occasion I have come across a plot line in a Regency historical novel where the couple is married by proxy. Unfortunately, such a marriage was not valid. Today’s interpretation of a marriage by proxy tells us that it is … Continue reading →

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Thank a Veteran This Memorial Day for His/Her Service and Know Gratitude For … “Some Gave All”

Posted on May 27, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

In 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order Number 11 designating May 30 as a memorial day “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.” Continue reading →

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“Begging Letters” in History

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

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 →

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Sadie Hawkins’ Day, not a Leap Year Event, But Fun, Nevertheless

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

(Image from Sadie Hawkins’ cards at http://www.postcards.org) When I was a teen girl, I enjoyed the school-sponsored Sadie Hawkins’ dances. We didn’t exactly go for the girl asking the boy to the dance (like a date). But we did follow some … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American History, Appalachia, Austen Authors, customs and tradiitons, dancing, film, giveaway, history, holidays, legends and myths, marriage, marriage customs, Pop Culture, romance, tradtions | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Annulments, Divorces, Criminal Conversation in the Regency

Posted on January 1, 2024 by Regina Jeffers

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

A Bit on Copperplate Handwriting . . .

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Reader’s Question: Could someone tell if the person was right-handed or left-handed by the slant of their letters on a page? First, let’s speak to what was known as Copperplate Handwriting, what we now call “calligraphy.” Copperplate script is the … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, books, British history, England, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, reading, Regency era, research, terminology, Victorian era, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Letters patent is defined as a “type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title or status to a person or corporation. Letters patent can be used … Continue reading →

Posted in Act of Parliament, American History, aristocracy, British history, commerce, England, George IV, Georgian England, Georgian Era, Great Britain, history, kings and queens, laws of the land, Living in the Regency, Living in the UK, peerage, real life tales, Regency era, Regency personalities, research, terminology, Victorian era, word play, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What is a “Letters Patent” and Why Is the Term Always Plural?

Frances “Fanny” Austen and the Character of Mrs. Croft in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

Before discussing Fanny Austen, we must, first, establish the lady’s relationship to the author Jane Austen by mentioning the lady’s husband, Rear Admiral Charles John Austen (23 June 1778 – 7 October 1852), who was the sixth and youngest son … Continue reading →

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September 6, 1620, The Voyage of the “Mayflower” Begins with Captain Christopher Jones at the Helm

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Regina Jeffers

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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