Category: Timeline of United States History

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

War Between the Colonies – The Yankee and Pennamite War

Greetings, in this episode I discuss a dispute over land erupted between the Yankees and Pennamites in 1775.
The Wyoming Valley in the Appalachian area of northeastern Pennsylvania became the focus of warring factions from Connecticut and Pennsylvanians after the French and Indian War ended in 1763. The colonists had driven the Delaware tribe out of the coveted valley after the death of Teedyuscung, King of the Delaware in 1763. Problems among the white colonists arose because of a mistake made one hundred years earlier by King Charles II. Continue reading War Between the Colonies – The Yankee and Pennamite War

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History, United States History Series

Battle of Block Island

Commodore Essex Hopkins, on his mission to the British fort on Nassau, had captured the HMS Bolton and Hawke on April 5, 1776.
After capturing the HMS Hawke and Bolton, the ships of the Continental Navy were overloaded with spoils from Nassau. Since they had captured two British ships, Admiral Hopkins had taken crew members from the American ships and used them to man the captured ships. Thus, the Continental Navy’s ships were undermanned. Continue reading Battle of Block Island

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

British Evacuate Boston

The British evacuation began at four o’clock AM. By ten o’clock AM they had loaded 10,000 troops and about 1500 Loyalist citizens that wished to depart Boston on ships. Howe issued orders when the evacuation began to burn the city if the rebels interfered with the evacuation. The British had 120 ships on hand to use to transport the people and soldiers to a temporary sanctuary in Halifax, in Nova Scotia. They left a large quantity of supplies behind. A short time after the Union Jack had disappeared; soldiers of the Continental Army marched into Boston, flags flying and fifes playing “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
A wary General Washington, fearing British attack on New York, dispatched five regiments of his troops towards that city with General William Heath in command. Continue reading British Evacuate Boston

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Congress Invites Canadians to Join the Struggle

One of Congress’ main goals of launching the Canada invasion in June 1775 was to bring the Canadians into their cause as the 14th colony. This effort had failed, but their efforts continued. On February 14 a messenger arrived from Canada, authorized by General Wooster, to carry a message to the members of Congress. The Committee of Correspondence conferred with the man on February 14 and relayed their report on the meeting. Continue reading Congress Invites Canadians to Join the Struggle

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Set to Invade South Carolina – General Cornwallis Departs Cork, Ireland

Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marques Cornwallis had retired to southern England to recruit troops to participate in this action. He gathered a force of about 2500 recruits and sailed for Cork to unite with Commodore Sir Peter Parker. With the fleet and the troops assembled, Parker and Cornwallis sailed from Cork on his way to South Carolina. Ethan Allen, whom the British had captured earlier, languished below decks as a prisoner. Continue reading Set to Invade South Carolina – General Cornwallis Departs Cork, Ireland

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History, United States History Series

1776 – The Week of February 1 – 7

King George Appointed Admiral Richard Howe as Commander of North American Operations on February 2, 1776. After completing his studies at Eton Coollege, he entered the British Navy in 1740 at the age of 14. He rose in rank, attaining the rank of Rear Admiral in 1765. Sympathetic to the colonies, Howe had opposed many of the provisions of the Stamp Act. He collaborated with Benjamin Franklin, whom he had become acquainted with while Franklin lived in London, with a peace plan that failed. Continue reading 1776 – The Week of February 1 – 7

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History, United States History Series

1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

On January 18, officials from the Georgia Provincial Congress arrested Georgia’s Royal Governor James Wright. Wright had been the governor of Georgia since 1760, having previously served as South Carolina’s representative to the Crown and as South Carolina’s attorney. His problems began with the Stamp Act, passed by Parliament in 1765. He managed to be the only royal official to successfully import and sell the stamps despite the efforts of the local Sons of Liberty to stop him. On January 12 a small British fleet had arrived in Savannah’s harbor. The fleet had intentions of purchasing a load of rice to take to Boston’s besieged troops. Delegates for the Georgia Provincial Congress had arrived and decided they did not want Wright to purchase the rice and had him arrested. Continue reading 1776 – The Events of January 18 – 24

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony condemned Margaret Jones to hang for the crime of witchcraft on June 13, 1648. Mrs. Jones was the first victim executed for this crime in Massachusetts. She was probably not the first ever accused. But Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins’ methods provided a framework of gathering evidence. Accusers used his methods to gather the evidence used to convict her. The accounts of her trial and execution come from Governor John Winthrop, who presided over the trial, and John Hale. Authorities also charged her husband with witchcraft. He was not convicted. Continue reading First Execution for Witchcraft – Margaret Jones Hanged

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Timeline of United States History

The New England Earthquake of 1638 – Like Elvis, the Pilgrims Were All Shook Up

The Earthquake
It was a sunny, warm and pleasant day in New England. The colonists were involved in their normal, everyday activities. In Plymouth, some of the settlers had adjourned a meeting to discuss a proposed migration to another area. In Newberry, Massachusetts, the town residents were attending a town meeting. Farmers worked in their fields and wives tended their chores. Sometime between one and two o’clock a curious, low rumble began in the north. The rumble increased, like low thunder as it approached. People paused in their tracks, wondering at the sound. Continue reading The New England Earthquake of 1638 – Like Elvis, the Pilgrims Were All Shook Up

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

The charter granted by the Crown on March 3, 1629 stated that the Massachusetts Bay Colony’s General Court had to meet on an annual basis. This General Court admitted new freemen, chose officers, and made laws and ordinances for the good and welfare of the company. These laws could not conflict with Britain’s laws. The first meeting of this General Court at Boston occurred on October 19, 1630. The main order of business was to admit freemen to the colony. Continue reading Representative Government Birthed in Colonial America

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – King Charles I Grants 2nd Lord Baltimore Rights To Chesapeake Bay Area

The Province of Maryland began life as a propriety colony of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. In theory, all land in the British Empire belonged to the King. He could divide it amongst his subjects any way he saw fit. The king used this type of colony to reward loyal supporters. The proprietor became, in effect, the supreme ruler of the colony. Of course, the proprietor was ultimately subject to the King. Lord Baltimore established the colony in 1632 as a refuge for Catholics. Religious wars in Europe caused many Catholics to face persecution. This was especially true in England during this time. Continue reading Podcast – King Charles I Grants 2nd Lord Baltimore Rights To Chesapeake Bay Area

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Before the Table Fork, there were Fingers and Knives

Governor John Winthrop turned many heads with his use of a “split spoon” as he sat at his meal. During this time, Winthrop likely owned the only fork in North America as the clergy considered split spoons evil. Opposed to the use of the new eating utensil they considered that the only thing worthy of touching “God’s food” were fingers. Many considered them effeminate since Thomas Coryate introduced them to England. Continue reading Before the Table Fork, there were Fingers and Knives

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – Charles I grants Royal Assent to the Petition of Rights

In a pinch for money, English King Charles I ratifies the Petition of Right. This document is still in force in England and many historians give it equal standing with the Magna Carta in terms of importance. Approved by both Houses of Parliament, Charles I agree to it so Parliament would provide funds for his Thirty Years War effort. It provided precedent for the 1641 Massachusetts Body of Liberties. Several amendments in the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution also have roots in the Petition. Continue reading Podcast – Charles I grants Royal Assent to the Petition of Rights

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – The Beginnings of New Netherlands

After Hudson’s brief foray into the Hudson Bay in 1609, the next Dutchman to enter the Bay was merchant Arnout Vogels, who went on a secret mission to the Hudson Bay in 1611. His success on that trip caused him to make two more trips, in 1612 and 1613. These trips he did not keep secret resulting in competition from other merchants seeking to cash in. The Netherlands formed the New Netherlands Company on October 11, 1614, which received a three-year monopoly from the Netherlands’s government to establish a trading post. This post proved successful, however they did not get a renewal of the monopoly and they abandoned the post. The Dutch decided they needed a permanent presence in the area to ward off threats from the Spanish, French and English, thus they created the Dutch West India Company in 1621. Continue reading Podcast – The Beginnings of New Netherlands

Podcast - Stories of American History, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving feasts were a common practice for the European settlers and their native neighbors. It was tradition for the Europeans to set aside days of thanksgiving. They celebrated for a bountiful harvest, drought-ending rains or other providential events. These events did not have any connection with their worship service. They were set during week and commonly involved fasting beforehand. After the fasting, they would have one or several days of celebratory feasting. The Indians had similar traditions. They had thanksgiving celebrations sporadically throughout the year for special events. Thus, both peoples had traditions of this type of celebration. Continue reading Podcast – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

Podcast - United States History Timeline, Timeline of United States History

Podcast – Ill Fated Treasure Ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha Departs

By the early Seventeenth Century, Spanish settlement delved deep into the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. The Bolivian city of Potosi, Mexico City and Lima, Peru all had larger populations than any city in the parent nation, Spain. The colonists grew coffee, sugar, tobacco and other agricultural products for export to Europe. The silver and gold mines of the regions also supplied a vast quantity of wealth for Spain. The ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha carried a large quantity of this treasure in its holds when a hurricane sank it off the coast of Florida. Continue reading Podcast – Ill Fated Treasure Ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha Departs