Tag: Non Fiction

Podcast Indiana’s Timeless Tales Book 1, Road Trip Indiana Series

Westernmost Naval Battle of the Revolution

On 25 February 1779 Col. George Rogers Clark captured Ft. Sackville at Vincennes from the British. About 6 miles west at Pointe Coupee on the Wabash River on 2 March 1779 Capt. Leonard Helm commanding 3 boats and 50 volunteers from Vincennes captured a reinforcement fleet of 7 boats carrying 40 soldiers and valuable supplies and Indian trade goods. This small naval battle completed destruction of British military strength in the Wabash Valley. Continue reading Westernmost Naval Battle of the Revolution

Podcast - Stories of American History, United States History Series

American Row Galleys Attack British Ships

Americans used row galleys during the Revolutionary War to attack British ships. Row galleys were ships that used oars instead of sails to power the boat. Row galleys had advantages over wind driven ships because they were more maneuverable, especially when winds were fickle. Crews of up to 60 men manned the oars. The lanteen style ship had two sails. Many row galleys also had sails to use during periods when winds were sufficient. The row galleys were the Washington and Spitfire. The British ships were the Phoenix and the Rose.
The Washington was one of two row galleys constructed in 1775, commissioned by Rhode Island General Assembly. The ship had a rowing crew of about 60 men. Placed into service in January 1776 the Washington, in concert with the Spitfire, patrolled Narragansett Bay, protecting shipping, ferrying troops and collecting supplies for Washington’s forces. In July 1776 the commodore of the small flotilla, John Grimes, received orders to sail to New York to join the small fleet General Washington was assembly. Continue reading American Row Galleys Attack British Ships

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

The Battle of Esseneca

Major Andrew Williamson mustered the Ninety-Six District Regiment of Militia in response to the Cherokee attack at Findlay’s Station. The force totaled nearly 1100 men and included some Georgia militia as well as some Catawba Indians, Rangers and South Carolina troops. Williamson planned a raid against the Cherokee Esseneca Town, located near current Clemson, South Carolina, in Pickens County. As the troops traveled, they burned the home of the British Deputy Superintendent Alexander Cameron. Cameron had been agitating troubles with the Cherokee for some time. As the troops continued to advance after burning the home they approached the Keowee River, they attempted to cross at Esseneca Ford. Continue reading The Battle of Esseneca

History and Heritage of Indiana, Indiana History Time Line

The Miami Tribe in Indiana

The Miami tribe, along with their associated tribes the Piankashaw, Wea and Kickapoo occupied the Wabash River Valley in northern, central and southwestern Indiana. The Miami Tribe in Indiana includes their history, lifestyle and much more about the Miami culture in Indiana. Learn about the leading chiefs, their festivals and folklore.
Readers will learn about one of the most important tribes in Indiana in the years prior to settlement Continue reading The Miami Tribe in Indiana

Indiana State Park Travel Guide Series, Podcast - Indiana Places and History

Juliet V. Strauss

Juliet V. Strauss (Jan. 7, 1863 – May 22, 1918)
The second of four daughters born to William and Susan King Humphreys, Juliet was a native of Rockport, Indiana. As young girl, she loved wandering in the forest, a trait that earned her the nickname “Gypsy.” This later shortened to “Gyp.” She displayed a talent for writing at an early age. Many of the children asked her to complete their writing assignments. Continue reading Juliet V. Strauss

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

John Dickinson Submits the Articles of Confederation

Sitting as a committee of the whole Congress considered the printed draft of John Dickinson’s “Articles of Confederation,” which he had submitted on July 12, 1776.
John Dickinson (November 8, 1732– February 14, 1808)
The son of Samuel and Mary Cadwalader Dickinson, John was native to Trappe, Maryland. Mary was Samuel’s second wife. His first, Judith Troth, had passed away in 1729 after bearing nine children. He would marry Mary Cadwalader in 1731, with whom he would have three sons, of which John was the eldest. Primarily educated at home by his parents and tutors, John read law under John Moland in Philadelphia, beginning in 1750. He would travel to London, England in 1753 to study law at The Honorable Society of the Middle Temple. The Middle Temple is one of the four Inns of Court to which all English barristers must belong to one. He returned to Pennsylvania and gained admittance to the colony’s bar in 1757. He would marry Mary (Polly) Norris, in 1770. The couple would have five children, only two of whom would survive until adulthood. Continue reading John Dickinson Submits the Articles of Confederation

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

Bridgeton, Indiana

Bridgeton is on Bridgeton Road about nine miles south of its intersection with High Street in Rockville, Indiana.
Joseph Lockwood and Isaac J. Sillman built a sawmill just south of the 10:00 Line in 1823 on Raccoon Creek. They would later add a burrstone to grind grain. Daniel Kalley and a James Searing purchased the mill in 1837 and added a distillery. The mill and distillery burned down in 1845.By 1868 another mill, the current one, was built. Continue reading Bridgeton, Indiana

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

Council of War at Crown Point

On July 7, 1776, five generals met at Crown Point to hold a council of war. The danger to the fledgling rebel cause was serious. General Guy Carleton’s forces, arrayed in Canada, threatened to sweep south and join the British force led by General Howe now threatening to invade New York. If successful, the action would slice the New England colonies away from those to the south. The American generals at Crown Point desperately needed to slow the British advance. The four generals were:
Commanding Northern Department – Major General Philip Schuyler,
Commander of the Canadian army – General Horatio Gates
Major General John Sullivan
General Benedict Arnold
General Frederick William, Baron de Woedtke Continue reading Council of War at Crown Point

Indiana State Park Travel Guide Series, Podcast - Indiana Places and History

McCormick’s Creek Fire Tower

Used as an active fire tower from its construction in 1935 until 1967, the McCormick’s Creek Fire Tower now serves as a popular observation site for park visitors. Constructed by CCC Company #589, the tower is located on Trail 4 near the park Office. The elevation of the land the tower sits on is 770 feet above sea level. The eighty-six-foot-tall tower’s lookout cab measures seven feet along each wall with windows containing nine panes on each wall. The National Historic Lookout Register registered the tower on November 12, 2008. The tower underwent an extensive renovation in 2017. The park has opened the tower to the public.
Indiana Lookout Tower System Continue reading McCormick’s Creek Fire Tower

Exploring Indiana Series, Podcast - Indiana Places and History

Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel

Coxhall Gardens is a 125 acre park that includes a children’s garden, a bike trail, music pavilion, prairie garden and many other features. The Cox Hall Gardens Centerpiece showcases twin 90-feet bell towers, a recreation lake, fountains, gazebo and tiered lawn seating. The Garden was developed by Jesse H. Cox and his wife Beulah. The garden’s dedication ceremony took place on September 9, 2006. Continue reading Cox Hall Park and Gardens in Carmel

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

Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill George Washington

Early June 1776 – Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill Washington
General Washington had arrived at New York on April 13, 1776, to take charge of the defenses of New York against the expected British invasion of the city. Washington occupied a mansion called Richmond Hill, in Manhattan, to use as his headquarters. The approximately 150-man Commander-in-Chief’s Guard made camp on the 26-acre estate. Three taverns in the vicinity served as gathering places for these soldiers, Lowrie’s Tavern, The Highlander, and Corbie’s Tavern. Continue reading Thomas Hickey Joins Conspiracy to Kill George Washington

Indiana's Governors, Podcast - Indiana Places and History

Indiana’s First Governor – Jonathan Jennings

Native to Readington Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Jonathan’s parents were Reverend Jacob and Mary Kennedy Jennings. Both of his parents practiced medicine, as in addition to his ministerial duties Jacob was a doctor. Mary assisted him in his practice and may have possessed a medical degree. Sometime around 1790 the family migrated to Dunlap Creek in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where Jonathan grew up. He attended the public schools in the area and received home schooling. His mother passed away in 1792 and his sister Sarah, and his brother, Ebenezer took over his care. He studied law at Washington, Pennsylvania. Sometime before 1806 he moved to Steubenville, Ohio, to join his brother’s law practice. Continue reading Indiana’s First Governor – Jonathan Jennings

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

A Busy Week During the Revolutionary War

The members of the Council of Indian Affairs wished to discourage the tribes of the Iroquois League from allying with Britain during their war of independence from Britain. They extended an invitation to the League to meet with them in Philadelphia. A delegation of chiefs traveled to New York, arriving there by May 16. They continued to Philadelphia, arriving there on May 25, 1776, and requested to meet with the Congress. The Congress voted to meet with them on May 27 at 11:00 AM. Continue reading A Busy Week During the Revolutionary War

Podcast - Indiana Places and History, Road Trip Indiana Series

New Podcast/Video – James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa

James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa (February 14, 1913 – disappeared July 30, 1975)
The son of John and Viola Riddle Hoffa, James was native to Brazil, Indiana. His father, a coal miner, died of lung disease when Jimmy was seven years old. His early education was sporadic, due the the necessity of his having to work to help support the family. His mother went to work upon the death of her husband and eventually moved the family to Detroit. Continue reading New Podcast/Video – James R. “Jimmy” Hoffa

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

The Road to Independence – Forming Local Governments

By mid-May 1776 the movement for independence from Great Britain had coalesced across the colonies. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense,” which had been published in January and advocated independence sold thousands of copies. Colonial assemblies in eight of the colonies had passed resolutions advocating independence. The discovery that Britain had contracted to use German mercenaries to fight against them, a practice generally employed against foreign enemies, had encouraged the movement. On May 11, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the “Resolution for the Formation of Local Governments.” The resolution stated, “Congress recommends to the colonial assemblies and conventions, where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their affairs have been hitherto established, to adopt such government as shall . . . best conduce to the happiness and safety of their constituents in particular, and America in general.”
Many members of Congress hoped that the resolution would help persuade those supporters of independence in Pennsylvania to gain the upper hand. Many considered Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia key to independence.
The process of becoming a nation independent of Britain had passed another step. Continue reading The Road to Independence – Forming Local Governments