The Continental Line, Inc.
By Sue Huesken Diaries are a wonderful source of primary information on all aspects of 18th century life. They are also great fun to read. Job Whitall’s diary written during the American Revolutionary War gives a unique picture of life by the writer. Job Whitall was a Quaker living in Gloucester County, New Jersey. He…
By James E. Newell One aspect of life has changed little between the 18th and 20th centuries, and that is the need for organized bodies to create paperwork to assist in the process of managing official and private affairs. As reenactors, the question arises of which types of writing instruments are accurate for our period.…
Contributed by Jack Gardner Philip Morin Freneau was a patriot as well as one of America’s first romantic poets. Here are two pieces of his work: “To the Memory of the brave Americans, under General Greene, in South Carolina, who fell in the action of September 8, 1781”Inspired by the Maryland Line At Eutaw springs…
By Jim Hayden We all know the story, for better or worse. During the long winter at Valley Forge, Baron Von Steuben created what many call a miracle. Out of several drill manuals, and regiments working in some cases on their own, he created an army with one drill manual. “The Blue Book,” as many…
By Bob Sullivan Most of us decide to make or buy something in this hobby at some point. And when we are finished and proudly displaying our new creation or purpose, we often get the question that is the title of this article. As a sutler, and a member of some discussion groups, I keep…
By Jim Hayden — 1stNH Regt. Actually, quite a lot has happened in the 350 years of North Andover’s existence, but no, there were no battles in the town during the Revolutionary War. The town’s history is, however, very interesting. By the fact that the town is, along with Andover (her wealthier sister to the…
By Karen L. Hayden This article is a reprint of the Bringing Up The Rearfrom Spring 1991 and features excerpts from The Women of the Revolution, by Elizabeth F. Ellet, 3 volumes, originally published in 1848-50, republished in 1980 by Corner House Publishers, Williamstown, MA 01267. Though the majority of women stayed at home to tend to…
By Sue Huesken Burlington (New Jersey)June 1, 1776 Ran away from the subscriber, on Wednesday last, the 29th ult. an Irish servant woman, named SARAH CLARK, about twenty-four years of age, and of a very dark complexion. Had on, when she went away, a dark calico gown, check apron, a black calamanco skirt, a blue…
By Lieut. Ron Puza – Troop of Marechaussee Through the harsh winter of 1778 at Valley Forge, General Washington worked on plans to reorganize his bedraggled Army. Out of this reorganization, congress approved the establishment of a permanent corps of provosts, later known as The Marechaussee (styled after a French provost corps of that name).…
By James E. Newell All of us have had the experience of wondering or being asked about the value of eighteenth century sums of money in twentieth century terms. Fortunately, due to the work of Economic Historians such as John McCusker, average direct conversions from the early eighteenth century up through the present are relatively…