The Naval Act of 1794 and the Resurrection of the US Navy - Part II
In part 1 of this series, we looked at the reestablishment of the US Navy, The Naval Act of 1794, and the first three frigates built...
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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.
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Feb 1, 202136 min read
The Naval Act of 1794 and the Resurrection of the US Navy - Part 1
On 13 October 1775, a resolution of the Continental Congress set up what is now the United States Navy by authorizing, "a swift sailing...
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Jan 18, 202115 min read
EDUCATION IN VIRGINIA DURING THE COLONIAL ERA AND THE EARLY REPUBLIC
Throughout 2020 and into the new year, our ideas of what education should look like here in Virginia have been challenged by the effects...
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Jan 4, 202117 min read
Let Us Share a Bowl Together – Punch, the Forerunner of the Modern Cocktail
“A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. “A merrier...
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Dec 21, 202020 min read
A Holiday Horror Story: The Richmond Theatre Fire of 1811
2020 has been very “different” compared to most other years and so, our Christmas post this year is going to be “different” as well. The...
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Dec 4, 20208 min read
George Washington's 1791 Southern Tour - Part 2: The Way Home.
In our previous post, “George Washington’s Southern Tour – Part 1”, we wrote about the reasons Washington had for undertaking tours of...
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Nov 20, 202011 min read
George Washington’s 1791 Southern Tour – Part 1: The Journey South
When he became President, George Washington wanted to learn as much as he could about the United States and its people. As president,...
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Nov 6, 202013 min read
1804 - Mass Destruction and a "Snow Hurricane"
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane, now winding down, has arguably been one of the most active ever. With this in mind, I thought it might be...
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Oct 23, 20209 min read
The Unconquered Lord of the Card Room: Whist-its history and play
In life, as in whist, hope nothing from the way cards may be dealt to you. Play the cards, whatever they be, to the best of your skill....
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Oct 9, 202012 min read
America's First Political Factions - Federalists and Anti-Federalists
As we approach the November 2020 Presidential election, US voters find themselves sharply divided between the two candidates in a way I...
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Sep 25, 202015 min read
All the World's a Stage: Theatre in Colonial and Early America
Publisher’s Note: I originally authored this article in 2015 for another blog that I was writing for at the time. I have since rewritten...
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Sep 11, 202017 min read
“There we were entertained with scenes romantic and delightful beyond the power of description"
The Amusement Parks of Early America; Pleasure Gardens in America and their roots in England Before we begin our discussion of Pleasure...
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Aug 15, 202012 min read
“We have made trial of our owne English seedes, kitchen hearbes, and rootes”:
KITCHEN GARDENS IN COLONIAL AMERICA AND THE EARLY REPUBLIC This year, with shortages caused at least in part by the COVID-19 Pandemic,...
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Aug 1, 202017 min read
Horse Racing in Colonial America and the Early Republic
I was born and raised in the Louisville, Kentucky area and, even though I left the area when I was about 17, I think there are still...
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Jul 16, 202015 min read
I’ll Be at My Club – Gentlemen’s Clubs in Georgian England and America
The most natural privilege of man, next to the right of acting for himself, is that of combining his [energy, ideas and dreams] with...
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Jul 2, 202016 min read
The Tropical Import That "Plagued" Early America
For the last several months we have all been living in the shadow of the COVID-19 virus. For those of us with the Norfolk Towne Assembly...
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Jun 5, 202010 min read
Aaron Burr, Thomas Jefferson, and the Insurrection Act of 1807
The Insurrection Act of 1807 has been in the news quite a bit this past week with lots of people talking about what it is and whether it...
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May 21, 202011 min read
Volcanoes, Weather, Food Shortages and Westward Migration
“We have had the most extraordinary year of drought and cold ever known in the history of America. In June, instead of 3 ¾ inches, our...
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May 9, 202014 min read
Agrarianism, Jefferson, and Westward Expansion
In Thomas Jefferson’s book, "Notes on the State of Virginia", he argued for a United States founded on an agrarian ideology. But just...
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Apr 23, 202010 min read
Recreational Fishing in England and America – Part 2 - Equipment
In our last post, we took a brief look at the history of recreational fishing, with a focus on England, Colonial America, and the Early...
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Apr 9, 202013 min read
Recreational Fishing in England and America - Part 1
Spring is arriving here in Virginia. The sun is coming out, the weather is beginning to warm, and we are all feeling the urge to get out...
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Mar 26, 202011 min read
English Country Dance and it's History in America
Last time we talked about the Importance of Social Dance in Early America. This post we will take a quick look at the origins of English...
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Mar 13, 20208 min read
Importance of Social Dance in 18th and Early 19th Century America
In the Early Republic, balls were the venues where people went to network, develop develop business connections, and meet future wives
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Feb 28, 20209 min read
Testing the New Federal Government: The Whiskey Rebellion
The early US central government, under the Continental Congress and later under the Articles of Confederation had been unable to levy...
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