Monthly Archives: November 2011
News from the Colonies
When History Gets Ugly
One of the appeasing themes you hear lately in discussion of middle eastern troubles has been the notion that if we just didn’t involve ourselves in Israel’s defense, or foreign policy, we would have peace with the Islamic world.
As a student of history, I always have to chuckle whenever anyone seriously puts this one forward. From the Saracen raids on Europe to the Barbary pirates and beyond, Islamic aggression has been a problem for the west, with or without a modern Jewish state. Continue Reading »
Colony News
News from the New Hampshire Gazette, 1771
Editorial: Only Religious Men Should Hold Office
Portsmouth, NH, March 29, 1771: “..Good Rulers are the great Axis on which the Happiness of a People turns, and the only Way to have such, is for every one to use his influence to promote Men of Merit, and generously support them in their Office. Rulers are stiled Gods among Men, because they represent the Great Ruler of the Universe, (if they are good) by protecting the innocent; punishing the Wicked, and promoting universal Happiness, –and none should be Rulers but such as imitate the Divine Example; none but Men of true Religion, whose souls are too noble ever to prefer their private interest to the public welfare. Continue Reading »
It’s All Happened Before..
December, 1770: New Hampshire hears the final word on the soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre. They are largely acquitted of the crime.
January 1771 Governor Wentworth publishes reward for turning in deserted sailors, (40 shillings a piece)
January 11, 1771: in Marblehead, Massachusetts, 1000 men show up for a militia muster.
January 11, 1771: Five men arrested for burglarizing a shop in Dover, New Hampshire. (One later receives 20 lashes)
January 12, 1771: The New Hampshire assembly assigns a committee to report on the condition of Fort William and Mary. Continue Reading »
Thanksgiving
I’m trying to get a sense of what a New Hampshire Thanksgiving might have looked like in November of 1770. Bear in mind, how particular I am about the date itself. 1770. There’s a tendency to lump “the colonies” into a big basket containing everything from Jamestown in 1607 to the conclusion of the Revolutionary War in 1783.
Although Thanksgiving was officially designated a national holiday during the Lincoln administration, it was never a purely invented holiday. It has a long, long history in New England, however much secular revisionists may wish to deconstruct it. Continue Reading »
The Travels of Matthew Patten, January 1771
A Native Californian here again, pondering a New Hampshire winter and wondering how far horseback travel might take you during the winter. Matthew Patten, the justice of the peace for Bedford, NH recorded his several different journeys during the month. The center circle has a very rough one mile radius, the next a 4 mile radius, the next an 8 mile radius and the largest circle a 32 mile radius. (Very, very rough approximation). Click the map for more detail.
My temptation has always been to think that everything shut down during a New England winter, but Justice Patten did a lot of trading, (rye, rum, corn, needles, yarn). Continue Reading »
Reasons to Spread Courage!
Hi, folks. James Riley here. I wrote, directed, and acted in “Courage, New Hampshire,” and on behalf of the whole Courage, New Hampshire family (literally hundreds of people help make these episodes), I need to spend some time selling, so pay heed and spread the word.
Reason #1 for buying Courage right now:
IT IS FANTASTIC DRAMA
In 18th century New England you settled fights at the local public house where the tavern keeper was justice of the peace as well. Continue Reading »
Andrew Breitbart gets violent with Counterfeiter?
Counterfeiter hanged! Burglar spared with a branding!
In this sneak preview of Episode 2 Andrew Breitbart makes his big screen debut as the High Sheriff in 1770 Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
January 25, 1771
A summary of major stories from the New Hampshire Gazette
London: A reprint of his majesty’s speech to both houses of parliament dated November 13, 1770. While hoping to avoid war, the action of the governor of “Buenos Ayres” (sic) in seizing English possessions in the Falkland Islands required the King to petition the Spanish Crown for redress. While awaiting an answer, the King prepares for war and seeks the advice of parliament. As to the North American colonies, the king observes that most of them are inclined to renew commerce but “very unwarrantable practices” are still carried on among “combinations” in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Continue Reading »
January 18, 1771
New York: Jan 3, 1771 (More rumors of war being inevitable)
London: a report from Constantinople regarding the campaign appointments of the Grand Signior, the first Turkish emperor to lead an army since the time of Solyman the Magnificent. The imperial train is meant to match his title, for he considers himself the master of the world. It includes a harem of women whose tents it is “death to enter,” each with yellow silk covering and ostrich feathers on their tops. Continue Reading »
January 11, 1771
Portsmouth: Governor Wentworth publishes a proclamation of Commadore James Gambier extending amnesty to any of his majesty’s sailors who return to post, having deserted. Gambier also threatens press gangs if his majesty’s sailors do not return to their duty and promises a 40 shilling reward for the return of any seaman.
London: the electors of Westminster petitioned the king to dissolve parliament so as to elect new members who are not so dependent on royal favor.
London: A letter of Sir. Continue Reading »
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