My Dear Friends,
As you may have noticed, the latest edition of THE PAMPHLET is live on the website. The Spirit of Industry marks a slight deviation from the normal format in that we had to hold some regular articles due to space restrictions. We cover a unique event in history called the Michianza. This unique series of events involved a flotilla of barges down the Delaware River to a spectacular Medieval Style Tournament. This event was supposed to celebrate the change of command from Howe to Gage but was a representation of how out of touch the government and its supporters were. We contrast that with the average everyday citizen in the colonies who were not even permitted to produce much of what they needed to survive.
I cant help by think about the gala, or high society socials that happen today, that sound exactly like the Michianza? While the rest of the citizens are trying to figure out how to buy groceries.
In this issue we review the events that led up to the American Revolution and the restrictions on local industry that were implemented. We touch on the Neabsco Iron Works in Virginia and other foundries in Pennsylvania and Connecticut as well as our First Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. Rebecca Lukens the first female American CEO of and Industrial company was covered in our Remember the Ladies column. The Diary of Matthew Petten along with several excerpts from it are introduced. This treasure trove of history allows readers to glimpse into the everyday comings and goings of a small community in New England. Quotes from James Madison, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and George Washington fill this month ‘Thoughts from our Fathers’, and we look in depth at the events of May 1778.
We take a fresh look at the Battle of Crooked Billet and General John Lacey’s escape from the British trap. We discuss the horrific raids against White Hill and Borden that occurred in early May and some of the horrific raids that Chief Joseph Brant conducted against settlers. We also covered some instances where Chief Brant showed mercy. We discuss the raids ordered by General Sir Robert Pigot against the towns of Warren, Bristol and Tiverton, and the brave resistance put up by the local’s population.
After all of that I take a dose of humble pie and attempt to write as a father, husband, and concerned citizen in my From the Editor column this month. We finish this issue off with three authentic recipes from ‘A Treatise on the Art of Bread Making’ by Abraham Edlin from 1805.
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