A History of Indiana – Beginnings
A History of Indiana – Beginnings Continue reading A History of Indiana – Beginnings
Tag: Reading
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’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
Washington Appoints John Manley as Commodore of his Fleet
General George Washington appointed John Manley as Commodore of his fleet, which became known as George Washington’s Fleet Continue reading Washington Appoints John Manley as Commodore of his Fleet
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
The American Revolution – 1776
The American Revolution – 1776 Buy Direct from Author – Free Shipping Online Book Retailers – Amazon, etc. Description: The … Continue reading The American Revolution – 1776
The First Thirteen Colonies
This is the story of the first 13 American colonies, from the time of their first settlement until the eve of the French and Indian War. This was the beginning of the colonial era when the process of creating America as we know it began. The history of the 13 colonies is the beginning of the United States History as many of our traditions, laws and much of our culture began. Continue reading The First Thirteen Colonies
Pivotal Event in American History – Thomas Paine Publishes Common Sense
January 10, 1776 “Common Sense” By Thomas Paine Published
Few men were as influential to the cause of American independence as Thomas Paine. His forty-seven page pamphlet “Common Sense,” published in 1776, became the most read pamphlet in the colonies. Many historians feel that most of the 2.5 million Americans either read it, or had it read to them. Many estimate that printers published over 400,000 copies. Many newspapers at the time printed the entire text of the document. Continue reading Pivotal Event in American History – Thomas Paine Publishes Common Sense
The First Execution for a Crime in British North America
After a trial in Plymouth for murder, the jury convicted John Billington of murder. Massachusetts Governor William Bradford, after consultation with the Massachusetts Bay Colony governor, decreed death by hanging for the convicted murderer. Continue reading The First Execution for a Crime in British North America
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 – 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
Author Paul Wonning at the Tri Kappa’s Winter Wonderland Bazaar 2025
Tri Kappa’s Winter Wonderland Bazaar 2025 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM November 8, 2025 South Ripley Elementary School 1568 S … Continue reading Author Paul Wonning at the Tri Kappa’s Winter Wonderland Bazaar 2025
Podcast – Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 April 15, 1865)
The son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, Abraham was native to Sinking Spring Farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Continue reading Podcast – Abraham Lincoln
Podcast – First Report of European Honeybees in the Colonies
The earliest evidence of the European Honeybee in America comes from a letter drafted by the Council of the Virginia Company, dispatched to Governor and Council in Virginia. The letter noted that the colonists had ordered seeds, apple trees, pigeons, mastiff dogs and beehives. The shipment of bees arrived in Virginia sometime in March 1622 to serve as pollinators for the European crops. The bees would also produce honey and beeswax, which the native bees did not produce. Continue reading Podcast – First Report of European Honeybees in the Colonies
Podcast – Boston Tea Party
Parliament had passed the Tea Act on May 10, 1773 to help the struggling East India Company compete with other tea importers. The legislation allowed the company to undersell their competition, including colonial tea smugglers. The company sent ships to Boston, New York, Charlestown, and Philadelphia in September 1773 with combined cargoes of over 500,000 pounds of tea. Tea importers in Charleston, New York, and Philadelphia, under pressure from local patriot groups, refused the shipments. However, the Boston merchants allowed the ships to dock. Continue reading Podcast – Boston Tea Party
Podcast – Beginning of the Boston Impressments – Sparked the Knowles Riots
Commodore Charles Knowles anchored his ship, the HMS Cornwall, in Boston Harbor in mid-November 1747 to retrofit and re-supply it. British seamen worked under harsh discipline, thus many of the crew deserted while the ship lay at anchor. When the ship prepared to depart, the ship was short of crew, so Commodore Knowles sought to replenish his crew by impressing Bostonians into naval service. Continue reading Podcast – Beginning of the Boston Impressments – Sparked the Knowles Riots
Working Men’s Institute Museum & Library
Philanthropist William Maclure established the Institute in 1838. The Working Men’s Institute inhabited a wing in the Harmonist Church until 1894. In that year, it moved to this impressive building three-story structure on Tavern Street. The Institute at one time comprised 144 Institutes in Indiana and additional sixteen in Illinois at its height. The Working Men’s Institute has dwindled to this location. This is the oldest continuously operating library in Indiana. Continue reading Working Men’s Institute Museum & Library
Podcast – Royal Proclamation of 1763
The Seven Years War, known as the French and Indian War in North America, ended with the Treaty of Paris on 10 February 1763. The French, by virtue of the treaty, yielded to the British vast stretches of land in North America and the Caribbean Sea. Continue reading Podcast – Royal Proclamation of 1763
Podcast – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia
The crises with England had grown after Parliament passed the so-called Intolerable Acts. In an attempt to provide a united response to Parliament and get the Acts repealed, delegates from twelve of the thirteen colonies on the Atlantic seaboard assembled in Philadelphia at Carpenter’s Hall. The last inter-colonial meeting had been the Stamp Act Congress of 1765. Continue reading Podcast – First Continental Congress assembles in Philadelphia
The Abduction and Rescue of Jemima Boone
An Amerindian raiding party consisting of four Shawnee and one Cherokee overcame a group of three girls as they drifted on the Kentucky River, capturing them. Continue reading The Abduction and Rescue of Jemima Boone
Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 