Tag Archives: American history

Young Children’s Clothing in the 18th and 19th Centuries

Before the 20th Century, clothing for boys and girls lacked “gender” distinctions. Up until the 16th Century, both males and females worn some sort of gown or tunic. However, eventually, male and female clothing became more distinct. Boys and girls … Continue reading

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Major General Adam Stephen, Real-Life Model for Doctor Spurlock in My Tale, “Captain Stanwick’s Bride”

In my tale “Captain Stanwick’s Bride,” I based Elizabeth Spurlock on my own 8th great-grandmother, a Powhatan Indian Princess. But where did I find the inspiration for the lady’s husband? Easy enough to answer. I am from West Virginia originally, … Continue reading

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

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

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

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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Christopher Jones and the Voyage of the “Mayflower “

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”

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

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

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

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?”

“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

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A Great Hoax: Sawing Off Manhattan Island

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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