In this issue:

 

Twitterhttp:// twitter.com/uelac
Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/groups/2303178326/?ref=share

Merry Christmas, Riedesel Style
at St. Lawrence Branch, UELAC, 1 Dec. 2018
The first Christmas tree in Canada takes its origins from the American Revolutionary War.
During that conflict, Major-General Friedrich Adolphus Riedesel commanded troops from the German state of Brunswick. Britain hired these troops to help quell the American rebellion, and Riedesel spent time in Canada. In December 1781, he and his wife Friederike introduced to the Canadian scene the German tradition of the Christmas tree.
That year marked a turning point for the Riedesels. They had arrived in Canada four years earlier, in the spring of 1777. At that time, the Major-General immediately joined a British offensive led by John Burgoyne.  Read more…

Piecing Together a Loyalist Militia: James Thorne’s Company #46 – Part Two of Three
copyright Stephen Davidson UE
Among the Loyalists who sailed aboard the evacuation vessel the John and Jane in October of 1783 were members of Militia Company #46 that had been commanded by James Thorne during the American Revolution.  Some were single men and some were married men with families.
William Burtis and his wife Sarah boarded the John and Jane with five children and two servants in tow. A native of Westchester, New York, Burtis had joined the British army as early as 1778. While he was on a spy mission, he killed and captured several rebels. In 1780, Patriots captured him, stripped him, and flogged him with 39 lashes.
Although he was supposed to have been promptly executed, he was put in irons and taken to West Point where he was a prisoner for ten months. He was paroled, served as a spy once again, and became a prisoner of the French. After being seen by General Washington, Burtis was sent to Poughkeepsie, New York.
William wasn’t the only one to serve the crown. His wife, the former Sarah Bonsall, made sure that the intelligence her husband had gathered was delivered to the British. After arriving in New Brunswick, the Burtis family settled in Saint John. William was among those who signed the Huggeford Petition of Grievance in December of 1784 that demanded a better system of land distribution.  In March 1786, he also signed the Seditious Election Petition protesting the outcome of the colony’s first election.
William died on September 6, 1825, age 75. Ten years later Sarah Burtis died at age 68 on December 29.  A strange little story that has survived regarding William Burtis tells of how he bought a strip of land in Saint John for $200 on a dare, and then sold it for $4,000 a few years later.
William Ellsworth was a member of Company #46 who settled in Waterborough, Queen’s County after being granted land in what is now Saint John. Among those “recommended for charity“, he and his wife Mehitabel arrived in New Brunswick with three children under the age of ten. William died in 1835, leaving a will that fleshes out some of his post-war life. He bequeathed money to his sons Harding, Hanford, and John as well as to his daughters Rebecca, Rhoda, Catherine, Mary and Elizabeth.
Samuel Reynolds/Rannels was another member of Thorne’s company who settled in Queen’s County. He sailed on the John and Jane with his wife, a child over ten and two under ten years of age. One of the younger children died less than six months after the family arrived in New Brunswick.
As was common for Loyalists who had served together, the men of Company #46 settled near one another. Henry Sharp and his wife Amy also settled in Waterborough, Queen’s County. The couple had no children when they were evacuees, but would later have Henry Jr., William, John, James, Abigail (Thusten), Margreet (Smith), Amy (Ellsworth), and Mary (Hallet)John Ellsworth, Sharp’s son-in-law, was the son of Henry’s fellow comrade-in-arms, William Ellsworth.
Within the same parish was another member of Company #46, John Titus, who came to New Brunswick with his wife Elizabeth, three children over ten, and three children under ten. Two of their youngest died within seven months of their arrival in the colony. John Titus died at Grand Lake, Queen’s County in 1805 without having made a will. Only his son Jonathan is mentioned in the probate records.
Another Thorne Company passenger to settle in Queen’s County was John Hagerman who came to New Brunswick with his wife, two young children, and a servant.  By the time of his death in 1838, he was known as Captain John. He left a widow and five children. Remembered as being “one of the pioneer settlers of Queensbury“, Hagerman had a daughter Abbie (Mrs. Joseph Murch) who lived to be 89.
While on the John and Jane, Hagerman had served as an escort for a 40 year-old Black Loyalist named Francis. The latter had once been the slave of a Samuel Moore in Newtown, Long Island, but had been granted his freedom “as per paper produced“. Francis was just one of two Blacks aboard the John and Jane. Ephraim, a 60 year-old Indigenous man was also on the ship. It was noted that he was “freeborn“, an important distinction that indicates that some Native People were also among those enslaved by American colonists.
The last of those members of Company #46 who are known to have settled in Queens County was Thomas Griffin who came to New Brunswick as a bachelor. A man by that name married Amia Akerley on November 19, 1811 in Hamstead, Queen’s County.
Duplicate names in the records of Loyalists make it difficult to be certain of the later years of some of those who served in James Thorne’s militia company.
John Parent and his wife Esther sailed on the John and Jane with 3 children over ten and 2 under ten with a “recommendation for charity”. Fifty years later, a John Parent died in Queensbury, York County, New Brunswick, leaving a widow named Hannah. Are they the same John Parent?
John Cole as a bachelor with Company #46. The probate records for New Brunswick contain information about three men with that name who had all died by 1824. One lived in St. John County, another in Charlotte County, and the third had died in King’s County.  A knot to be untangled!
William Dunn was another bachelor member of the Thorne militia who came in impoverished circumstances.  A list of attainted persons in Pennsylvania includes a William Dunn. E.C. Wright’s book on New Brunswick’s Loyalists cites a Pennsylvanian mason by the name of William Dunn who was granted land in Saint John. Another source describes William Dunn as a labourer from Providence, Rhode Island.
The last of the stories of those who served in James Thorne’s Militia Company #46 will be told in next week’s Loyalist Trails.
To secure permission to reprint this article contact the author at stephendavids@gmail.com.

John Crysler Jr: I am the Son of Philip Crysler, NOT John Crysler Sr.
Many books have been written on the life of Col. John Crysler, Jr. of the “Battle of Crysler’s Farm”. What struck me was that so many writers got his parentage wrong;
On his tombstone is etched:  “John Crysler of Crysler Farm Williamsburg, Jan. 18, 1852, Age 84 yrs.”  (assumption – born in 1768).  It seems that even back in Col. John’s time, confusion reined as to who he was the son of.  Apparently he and his brother Geronomous were removed from the U.E.L. list, because it was thought they were the sons of John, Sr.
From John’s peitition:

“Humble sheweth that your Petitioner served in Butlers Rangers during the late war and was discharged on the 24th day of June 1784 and came and settled in the Township aforesaid.  That his name (was) inserted on the U.E.L. List, John Crysler Junior, and at the same time had an uncle of same name Senior, and in consequence was suspended as thought to be the Son of aforesaid.  But was the son of Phillip Crysler, also pray to have…. …..(illegible) to Crysler in the Books of the U.E.List for my Brother Geronomous, who also was in the Butler Rangers also as will appear by his discharge.  Dated February 20th, 1807.  Signed John Crysler”

It is interesting to note the Col. John Crysler played down his role in the battle that took place on his farm, referring more to his role with the militia.  Many stories have been written on the “Battle of Crysler’s Farm” but the most concise one I have read on the life of Col. John was written by C. Don Chrysler and posted at his web site http:// www.rootsweb.com/~nyschoha/crbook.html.
So, how did all this confusion come about, and why is Col. John referred to as ‘Jr’ when his father is Philip. There is no other documented source, but I have a theory.  Read more…

Thunderstruck: The Treaty of Paris Reaches the Frontier
by Joshua Shepherd 19 Dec 2024 Jurnal of the American Revolution
For Maj. Arent Schuyler De Peyster, his assignment as commandant of British forces at Detroit was growing increasingly frustrating. For years, British officers at Detroit had encouraged Indian allies to strike the American backcountry, rendering the frontier a scorched arc stretching from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. But by the late summer of 1782, De Peyster was struggling with new orders. With peace in the offing, commanders at frontier posts had been directed to discourage the Indians from making further offensive attacks against the Americans while peace negotiations were underway in Paris.
In a September 29 missive, De Peyster explained his predicament to Gen. Frederick Haldimand, commander of British forces in Canada. In compliance with orders, De Peyster had requested that the tribes refrain from taking offensive action, but the change in policy was clearly vexing the Indians. It was inevitable, De Peyster observed, that American settlers would continue to make war on the Indians, and that native war parties would continue to enter American territory for prisoners and scalps. “A defensive war,” he noted, “will, in spite of human prudence, almost always terminate in an offensive one.” As the Revolution slowly morphed from a shooting war to a tenuous peace, De Peyster summed up his dilemma: “I have a very difficult card to play”, he wrote.
For British officers who managed the war on the northern frontier, the diplomatic balancing act would only grow more difficult. By October 1782 Haldimand was likewise growing increasingly uncomfortable with the management of Indian relations and gingerly tried to inform his superiors in London that a complete diplomatic disaster was in the realm of possibility. According to orders he had received from Lord Shelburne, Haldimand had already begun reining in tribal war parties, ordering local commanders “in the Strongest Terms to discourage Hostile Measures on the part of the Indians.”
But the tribes had suffered immeasurably in the war, and American forces continued to harass native villages. British hesitancy to supply and encourage Indian war parties was beginning to be viewed as a sign of weakness. As Haldimand put it, reduced British material support was construed by the Indians as “a want of abilities to carry on the War.” The tribes had been faithful allies but were growing disillusioned with a waning prosecution of the war.  Read more…

In the News: Ronnie Archer-Morgan, A Black Loyalist Descendant
Contributed by Stephen Davidson
It won’t come as a surprise to you that someone interested in history would enjoy watching the TV program, Antiques Roadshow. But what was surprising was that in one episode there was a connection to Black Loyalist history.
The British version of the show features Ronnie Archer-Morgan among its antique experts. As he spoke to a Roadshow visitor, Ronnie revealed that he is a Black Loyalist descendant.
In the program that I was watching this morning, Archer-Morgan made reference to the fact that his great-grandmother had sailed from Nova Scotia to Freetown in Sierra Leone. He used the term “returned slave” rather than Black Loyalist to describe her.
Here’s the video clip where he references his Black Loyalist heritage.
Read an account of Archer-Morgan’s life

Quotes About or By Native Americans, 1751 to 1793
by Victor J. DiSanto 16 Dec 2024 Journal of the American Revolution
Quotes about indigenous Native Americans are brimming with paradoxes. Benjamin Franklin praised their martial skills and the political structure of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy yet labeled them “ignorant savages.” John Adams chastised the French utilization of native warriors in the French and Indian Wars while Philip Schuyler wooed Oneida warriors with false promises of equality and protection of their lands. Thomas Jefferson admired the relative lack of crime in native communities compared to white society despite not having a highly regulated system of criminal justice. The Hessian Jӓger Capt. Johann Ewald acted as keen observer of natives he encountered and left detailed descriptions of their dress. George Washington expressed a heartfelt appreciation toward Oneida and Tuscarora contributions and sacrifices although the newly formed government denied them pensions. James Thacher found little redeeming qualities demonstrated by the Continental Army’s native allies and illustrated the racism that would guide American native policy. The Seneca Chief Chainbreaker (Tan Wr Nyrs) ruminated that the Onondaga Nation had been wrongly attacked by Continental Forces during the Sullivan Expedition.

Benjamin Franklin to James Parker, March 20, 1751
Every Indian is a disciplin’d Soldier. Soldiers of this Kind are always wanted in the Colonies in an Indian War; for the European Military Discipline is of little Use in these Woods.

Benjamin Franklin to James Parker, March 20, 1751
A voluntary Union entered into by the Colonies themselves, I think, would be preferable to one impos’d by Parliament; for it would be perhaps not much more difficult to procure, and more easy to alter and improve, as Circumstances should require, and Experience direct. It would be a very strange Thing, if six Nations of ignorant Savages should be capable of forming a Scheme for such an Union, and be able to execute it in such a Manner, as that it has subsisted Ages, and appears indissoluble; and yet that a like Union should be impracticable for ten or a Dozen English Colonies, to whom it is more necessary, and must be more advantageous; and who cannot be supposed to want an equal Understanding of their Interests.  Read more…

Hessian Soldiers Travelling to America: Yorktown A Soldier’s Life October 1781
From a Hessian Diary of the American Revolution.
This excerpt from the diary of Johan Conrad Dohla (170 pages).

Major Moves during Johan’s deployment:

  • March 1777:   Depart Germany
  • 3 June 1777:   Arrive New York, then Amboy NJ
  • November 1777:  To Philadelphia
  • June 1778: to Long Island
  • July 1778: To Newport RI
  • October 1779: to New York
  • May 1781: to Chesapeake Bay (Yorktown).

Octber, 1781: At Yorktown. (page 104)

Continuation of Occurences in North America During the Fifth Year, 1781

IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER [1781]
11 October.  I went on boat watch on the water. Today there was exceptionally heavy firing by both sides. Thirty-six hundred shots by the enemy were counted in this twenty-four hours. These  were  fired  at the  city,  into our  lines,  and  against  the  ships  in  the  harbor.  These  ships were completely ruined and shot up. The bombs and cannonballs also killed many inhabitants and Negroes from the city and marines and sailors, and soldiers. People were to be seen lying everywhere,  fatally  wounded,  with  heads,  arms,  and  legs  shot  off.  Also  to  be  seen,  by  the water, were wounded being dragged and carried, who had been wounded on watch, at posts in the  lines,  on  defense,  and  on  work  details,  by  the  terribly  heavy  cannonade;  and  also,  the burial  in  the  sand,  near  the  river,  of  soldiers  and  sailors.  I  watched  in  awe  today,  while  on duty, how the enemy cannonballs, of twenty-four and more pounds, flew over our entire line, and over the city, and  into the  river, where they  often  hit  one  or two  ships,  and  also, ten  or twelve times,  fell  into the  water. Some even went clear  over  the  river,  as  far  as  Gloucester, where they still injured soldiers on the bank. I saw bombs fall into the water which often, five, six, or eight, or more minutes lay in the water and then exploded, which caused such havoc in the water that it was almost unbelievable. It threw sand and soil from the river onto the bank. When one sat there, it was as if one witnessed the shock of an earthquake.
The  shrapnel  and  shells  from  these  bombs  again  fell  short  and  fell  into  the  houses  and buildings of the city, and into our camp, where they did much damage and robbed many good soldiers  of  their  lives,  or  broke  their  arms  and  legs.  I  myself  had  a  piece  of  shell  from  an exploded bomb in my hands which weighed more than thirty pounds, and was more than three inches thick.
The  Hessian  Bose  Regiment,  which  was  in  the  second  line  on  the  left  wing,  was  in  a dangerous position  because  of  the enemy  bombs and  balls, which daily  killed  and wounded many.
The marines and sailors who were on the English ships had to move into the defenses and batteries and performed duties there. During the night another English frigate was set afire by an enemy cannonball. It could not be saved and burned completely. Also at night, a fireship, which  was  ready  for  use,  was  sunk  in  the  harbor  by  an  enemy  cannonball.  Grenadier Sch€nlein, of the command in the outermost redoubt on the left wing, was killed on October 11  by  a  howitzer  ball,  and  Grenadier  B†hlmann  and  Private  [Konrad]  Menzel,  of  Eyb’s Company,  were  wounded  in  this  redoubt.  Also,  a  man  of  the  Ansbach  Regiment  who  was there  was  blown  apart  by  a  bomb  that  fell  on  him.  This  evening  at  six  o’clock,  as  Private [Johann  Thomas]  Herterich  of  Quesnoy’s  Company,  born  in  Pappenreuth  in  the  district  of M†nchberg, sat before his tent in our camp, he was struck on  the  right  leg  by  a  piece  of an exploded bomb, so that he could no longer walk, but had to be carried in the camp by some of his comrades.
12 October.  There  was  a  heavy  cannonade  by  both  sides.  I  went  on  work  detail  at  the defenses  in the morning and again at night. This  night Drummer [Johann]  Schindelbauer,  of the Colonel’s Company, deserted from our regiment.
(to be continued)

Advertised on 18 December 1774: “POLITICAL PUBLICATIONS … written on the Whig and Tory Side”
What was advertised in a colonial American newspaper 250 years ago today?

December 18

“POLITICAL PUBLICATIONS … written on the Whig and Tory Side of the Question.”

In chronicling the momentous events of 1774, the Adverts 250 Project has frequently featured advertisements for books, pamphlets, and other items related to the imperial crisis as it intensified following the Boston Tea Party and the Coercive Acts passed by Parliament in retaliation.  Most printers increasingly privileged the Patriot’s perspective, both in terms of the news and editorials they selected for their newspapers and the works that they published, advertised, and sold.  Yet they did not uniformly do so.
James Rivington, a Loyalist, proclaimed in the masthead of Rivington’s New-York Gazetteer that his newspaper was “PRINTED at his OPEN and UNINFLUENCED PRESS.”  In Revolutionary Networks: The Business and Politics of Printing the News, 1763-1789, Joseph M. Adelman notes that “Rivington’s bookselling career was about making money rather than promoting a political ideology, so much so that he wanted to capitalize on relatively popular anti-imperial political tracts.”  One of his advertisements in the December 15, 1774, edition of his newspaper listed nine “POLITICAL PUBLICATIONS” that he sold.  He explained that he stocked pamphlets “written on the Whig and Tory Side of the Question.”  He demonstrated that was the case in the descriptions of some of those tracts.  For instance, he carried “A Friendly Address to all Reasonable Americans; ON THE Subject of our Political Confusions: In which the necessary Consequences of violently opposing the King’s Troops, and of a General Non-Importation are fairly stated” and “The other Side of the Question; OR, A Defence of the Liberties of North America; In Answer to the above Friendly Address.”  Debates over current events extended beyond the town common and newspaper editorials into pamphlet wars during the imperial crisis. Read more…

The Lincolnshire Ox by George Stubbs
By Sarah Murden 16 Dec 2024 at All Things Georgian
In 1782, John Bough of Gedney, Lincolnshire, bred a short horn ox which was ultimately to become famous. The ox was then acquired by John Gibbons, of Long Sutton ( a small town in Lincolnshire), who continued to rear it.
Forty year old farmer/grazier, John Gibbons and his wife, Sarah, decided not to feed the ox on oil cake, which was the norm, but instead, fed it on corn and hay. It was reported that the hay was laid in a small quantity at a time in front of the ox and a pail of water put near to it; The ox took up the hay with his mouth and always dipped it in the water before eating it. The ox began to grow and grow until it was far larger than any other that John had ever seen. With his unusual growth John and Sarah to hit upon a way to generate additional income from this large animal.
They began allowing locals to visit their farm to view this magnificent specimen, but by May 1789, the ox had become so large that more and more people wanted to view it for themselves, so much so that John had to place an advert in the local Stamford Mercury advising would-be viewers that as the animal was drawing such large numbers of people it was said to be causing injury to the animal, not to mention all the traffic on his premises, therefore he decided to make a charge of one shilling to view it.  Read more…

Ben Franklin’s World Defined – 20 Dec 2024
How do historians define Ben Franklin’s “world?” What historical event, person, or place in the era of Ben Franklin do they wish you knew about?
To celebrate our 400th episode, we posed these questions to more than 20 historians. Their answers offer many similarities in their temporal and geographic scope, but they diverge greatly on the people and places they would like you to know more about.  Listen in…

UELAC Loyalist Directory: New Contributions
    Entries which have been added, or revised, this week, with thanks:

  • To Lorraine Sherren UE for additional information about:
    • John Crysler (Jr)  served in Butlers Rangers and settled in Williamsburgh Twp, Eastern District, then Finch Twp. He fathered eighteen children. He is often considered to be the son of John Sr., when in fact he was the son of Philip Crysler. See more… 

If you are willing to submit some information, send a note to  loyalist.trails@uelac.org All help is appreciated.     …doug

Call for Nominations for 2024 UELAC Honorary Fellows
Again it is my honour to Chair the UELAC National Honorary Fellows Committee and I do need your thoughtful input. Our Committee is requesting that each of you to consider nominating people who have gone ‘above and beyond’ to promote and support our United Empire Loyalist Association. The criteria is listed below. If you know someone who would fit this description please send me their bio and a explanation as to why they should be nominated for this honorary position. As a reminder, your nominee does not have to be a member of UELAC.

Deadline for Nominations is 28 February (midnight EST)
As per UELAC Policy 2017.002 Honorary Fellows

Summary:
The UELAC Honorary Fellows Policy lays out the criteria for appointment of Honorary Fellows, describes their roles within the Association and establishes limits on their terms of office.

Authority: Paragraph 3.6 (Honorary Fellows) of the By-Law states, Honorary Fellowship may be conferred by the Corporation on a person for distinguished service to the Corporation by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of Members at an Annual Meeting, provided that notice of such intended action shall have been given in accordance with these By-Laws. While an Honorary Fellow may be a Member, the designation as an Honorary Fellow does not itself confer any membership rights.
Paragraph 5.1 (Powers) states, The Board shall manage or supervise the management of the activities and affairs of the Corporation.

Criteria for Appointment
Honorary Fellows of the Association are expected to demonstrate the following characteristics:

  1. Show a high degree of interest in supporting the goals and mandates of the Association;
  2. Have a solid base of professional and/or academic credentials that are relevant to the Association’s mission;
  3. Have contributed to and be likely to continue to contribute to the Association by way of their talent, profession, expertise or knowledge of Loyalist history or heritage;
  4. Have an exceptional desire and capacity to be involved with Association events during their term as an Honorary Fellow.

Please forward Nominations to Carol Childs UE, Chair, Honorary Fellows Committee honorary.fellows.committee@uelac.org

Volunteers Wanted for the Honorary Fellows Committee
I  would like to have two other UELAC members to be willing to serve on this committee which will decide who should receive this honour this year. If you would be interested in helping with this challenge, then please email me at carolmchilds@yahoo.ca    ….Carol

Events Upcoming

Everyone: A religious or secular celebration, a new year

    Christmas on Wed 25 December and New Year’s Day on 1 January 2025 and many other events that are celebrated at this time of year as we remember the many events of 2024 and anticipate what 2025 may bring us.
We all have personal and family thoughts and activities but it is also time for community and country. As the world seemingly gets ever smaller, we need to think and act on behalf of all, for in the sense of the universe, our earthly planet is but one big household.    ….doug

From the Social Media and Beyond

  • Digby, Nova Scotia to Loyalist Rev. Roger Viets
  • Townsends, and “anything food”

  • This week in History 
    •  20 Dec 1606 The Virginia Company’s ships Godspeed, Susan Constant, and Discovery set sail from England to establish Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent colony in America image
    • 17 Dec 1760 Plympton, MA. Deborah Sampson was born. She served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War & is one of a number of women with a documented record of military combat experience in that war. image
    • 16 Dec 1769 NYC Sons of Liberty member & merchant Alexander McDougall published a broadside that got him imprisoned for libel. He would later become a Major General during the Revolutionary War and Secretary of the Navy. image
    • 16 December 1773 Boston, Massachusetts. To protest British East India policies, several American cities refused to allow East India Company ships bearing tea. Royal governor Thomas Hutchinson determined to uphold the law and allowed three arriving ships, the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver, to enter Boston harbor should be allowed to deposit their cargoes and insisted crown-mandated duties be levied. On the night of December 16, 1773, some 60 men, egged on by a large Boston mob, donned blankets and Indian headdresses and made their way to Griffin’s wharf. While the onlookers cheered, the men, dressed as Mohawks, boarded the ships and dumped the tea chests, valued at £18,000, into the water. The British response was swift —a series of retaliatory laws known in the colonies that the Americans would call “the Intolerable Acts.”  Most significant among them was the Boston Port Bill, which shut off sea trade until Boston paid for the destroyed tea. The British measures backfired—singling out Massachusetts for punishment united the colonies in solidarity and turned the road to rebellion into a highway. image
    • 15 Dec 1774, the British House of Commons debated how large the army should be, given the unrest in North America in response to the government’s policy toward Massachusetts
    • 21 Dec 21, 1774, the ship “Dunmore” sailed from the James River in Virginia with 2,681 bushels of wheat & 521 bushels of corn for needy Bostonians. The cargo would be unloaded in Salem. Samuel Adams would write a thank-you note in March.
    • 21 Dec 1775 London, Parliament passed a bill calling for the confiscation of all American vessels and the impressment of their crews into service in the Royal Navy, The American Prohibitory Act. image  
    • 14 Dec 1776 Gen William Howe stops pursuit of Gen. Washington and sends the British army into winter quarters. Most return to NYC, while the Hessians under Karl von Donop have detachments at Amboy, Brunswick, Princeton & Trenton.  image
    • 15 Dec 1776 British agents approach Benjamin Franklin in Paris with offers of reconciliation short of independence. There were several such efforts made throughout the #RevWar, but despite bleak prospects for most of the #AmRev, the Americans resisted the temptation. image
    • 15 Dec 1776 To avoid panic, Gen George Washington is forced to issue a proclamation denying any intention of burning Philadelphia to prevent capture by the British. Anxiety caused by the actual burning of NYC by persons unknown. image
    • 19 Dec 1776 Thomas Paine sent “The American Crisis” to the publisher. A powerful follow-up to “Common Sense” and had a great deal of impact in motivating people to support the cause of Liberty when victories were few and the cause seemed lost. image
    • 19 Dec 1776 Capt. William Hallock and the 16-gun brig Lexington were captured by the British frigate HMS Pearl under Capt. Thomas Wilkinson, but the Lexington’s crew under Master’s Mate Richard Dale re-take it and sailed to Baltimore. image
    • 20 Dec 1776, New Jersey militiamen skirmish with a British patrol at Howell’s Ferry. NJ militia would play a key role during British occupation and throughout the #RevWar, particularly in Dec 1776. image
    • 20 Dec 1776 Gen Washington informs Congress he will only use his newly granted plenary powers to further the war effort. Many wanted him to assume the role of dictator, but he refused. image
    • 17 Dec 1777 France’s foreign minister, Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes, officially acknowledges the American colonies as an independent nation, the US. The victory at Saratoga was the tipping point for the French to openly support the Americans. image
    • 18 Dec 1777 The United States, in Congress, issued the nation’s first Thanksgiving Proclamation as an independent country, signed by President of Congress Henry Laurens. The proclamation was a means of giving thanks for the recent victory at Saratoga.  image
    • 19 Dec 1777 The  Continental Army struggles into winter quarters at Valley Forge, PA. The location protected Gen Washington’s communications & posed a threat to the British in Phila. But the harsh winter would reduce the force of 9K by almost one-third. image
    • 15 Dec 1778 Battle of St. Lucia or Battle of Cul de Sac between French fleet of 12 ships of the line & 4 frigates under comte d’Estaing & British fleet of 7 ships of the line &3 frigates under Adm Samuel Barrington.  French withdrew & lost the island.  image
    • 17 Dec 1778 Lt Col Henry Hamilton’s force of 500 British & Indians recaptures Vincennes, Indiana from Virginia Capt. Leonard Helm. Hamilton then releases his militia & Indians for the winter.  image
    • 18 Dec 1778 Liverpool, NS.  A force of New Jersey and New York Loyalists, The King’s Orange Rangers, traveled to arrive to help in its defense against patriot privateers, threatening commerce. image
    • 18 Dec 1778 St Lucia, West Indies.  French fleet under comte d’Estaing lands 9K men on La Vigie peninsula & attacks British forces under Gen James Grant. They are repulsed & retreat, losing 400 killed & 1,000 wounded. British casualties are less than 200.  image
    • 16 Dec 1779 Morristown, NJ Gen George Washington writes the State governors of the alarming state of food & supplies for his army. He warns: If the states don’t come through with supplies, the army will probably disband in 2 weeks. image
    • 16 Dec 1780 Following King’s Mountain, Col John Sevier and some 300 back-country militia inflict a decisive defeat on a Cherokee war party at Boyd’s Creek in today’s Tennessee. image
    • 14 Dec 1782 Charleston, SC. British forces under Gen Alexander Leslie evacuated the city, taking 3,000 Loyalists & 5,000 liberated slaves. The forces of American Southern Department commander Gen Nathanael Greene then occupied the city. image
  • Clothing and Related:

  • Miscellaneous
    • A Bronze Age food bowl that was found in a cist burial at Knocken, near Lesmahagow in South Lanarkshire. The bowl is now part of the collections at the Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery in Glasgow.
    • The small individual flower to the right of the circular painting is almost certainly there to cover up a firing flaw. This technique was often used by #Meissen and other manufacturers to cover up imperfections apparent after production.   Meissen waste bowl, c. 1740-5
    • A glimpse into 18th- century family life… In this intimate portrait, we see a mother nursing her baby—an unexpectedly modern image for the time. The father studies a print in his collection. The eldest son stores a portfolio of drawings or prints in the collector’s cabinet. Van Beeftingh’s son Jozua is plays with a whip and toy horse, while toddler Pieter enjoys a biscuit from his high chair, his padded head covering ready to protect him if he falls.

 

Published by the UELAC
If you do not now receive this free newsletter directly but would like to, you can subscribe here.