Remembering Edward Winslow

Early New England

Edward Winslow was a prominent leader and diplomat among the early English settlers of Plymouth Colony in the 17th century. Born in 1595 in Worcestershire, England, Winslow was a well-educated man...

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Remembering Peter Minuit: The Man Who Bought Manhattan

Early New England, New Netherland

Most of us have heard the legend of Peter Minuit, who is said to have purchased the island of Manhattan from the Indians for $24. Well, the story is largely true, and I’ll talk about it below. It...

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Remembering Deborah Sampson, America’s First Female Revolutionary War Soldier

Revolutionary War Era

In the modern era, we take for granted that women can serve with distinction in the United States armed forces, whether as support personnel or on the front lines of battle. Reel back the clock 250...

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Remembering Pontiac, the Odawa War Chief

Revolutionary War Era

I’ve written before about the French & Indian War, which for several complicated reasons became a major cause of the American Revolution. Another thing it caused was a major upheaval in the...

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Remembering Roger Conant, Founder of Salem Massachusetts, 1626

Early New England

Most everyone in America today associates the city of Salem, Massachusetts with the infamous Salem Witch Trials, which took place in the year 1692. But I invite you to travel back even further in...

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Remembering William Brewster, The Soul of Plymouth Colony

Early New England

One of the most important passengers on the Mayflower in the year 1620 was William Brewster, who died this day on April 10, 1644. He was one of the original “Separatists” from Northern England...

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Remembering Benjamin Harrison

Early Virginia

The Harrisons were one of the most prominent Virginia families of the 17th and 18th centuries, including two U.S. Presidents, William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) and Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901)....

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Remembering Francis Cooke

Early New England

Among the most stalwart of the Separatists who lived through the entire saga of the Mayflower voyage to North America was Francis Cooke, who died this day on April 7, 1663 at the advanced age of...

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March 27, 1814: The Battle of Horseshoe Bend Spells the End of the Creek Confederacy—And the Rise of Andrew Jackson

Revolutionary War Era

What modern historians call the “Indian Wars” most often is understood to refer to the late 19th century wars of the Great Plains, including major events like the Battle of Little Big Horn, the...

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Remembering Thomas Prence, Long-Time Governor of Plymouth Colony

New Netherland, Uncategorized

Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown, Massachusetts We’ve written about several leaders of Plymouth Colony, including Mayflower passengers William Bradford, William Brewster, and John Howland. Another...

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