July 2024

Happy Independence Day to all of you ungrateful colonials! Celebrating the 4th is a full day of food, family, and fun in our household. Did I mention food? Homemade peach ice cream is a tradition everyone looks forward to. With every bite we are grateful that it is not as difficult to make as it was in the 18th century. If you haven’t read our blog detailing iced treats in a period before convenient refrigeration, I suggest you grab a couple of scoops and check that out.

It is common knowledge that one cannot be two places at once.  That isn't going to stop us from trying. Keep an eye on our social media to see what the staff has dubbed “the History Machine”. The new addition will hopefully allow Samson Historical to add some of the smaller events to our schedule, in addition to the annual schedule we already maintain.  In the words of Jane Austen, “Success supposes endeavor.” So endeavor, we shall!

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Raising Rebels

Education is the great equalizer and the basis for education is reading. We diligently add new books to our selection. This month we have added three new picture books for elementary-age readers. Learn about Thomas Jefferson’s quest for science, Deborah Sampson’s fight for her country, and Prudence Wright with the Minute Women.  Each of these historical heroes engages and inspires young historians.

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In Eager Anticipation

The 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party has passed but there is one thought, large and looming this Independence Day. A total of 8 years, 4 months, and 15 days of anniversaries, beginning with the Battle of Lexington and Concord.  As a business and as people who are passionate about the era, it is like standing on the precipice and looking forward into an uncharted territory. The opportunity to stand in the shadows of those who changed the course of history almost 250 years to the day, makes the veil of time seem that much sheerer.

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From The Vernacular

“...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...”

We all know this passage but do we understand it as it was written? Here are two definitions form the Samuel Johnson Dictionary ca. 1768 for you to ponder.

To ALIEN v. a.

To make any thing the property of another.

ALIENABLE a.

That of which the property may be transferred.

This is stronger language than simply saying something cannot be taken. These rights are yours to control and control of such cannot be given to another in your stead. Essentially your rights are your responsibility as much as they are your non transferable property.

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THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

Every July 4th we commemorate the Declaration of Independence. However, there cannot be a Declaration without first having a resolution. Richard Henry Lee of Virginia introduced the Lee Resolution to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. 

Lee authored the following succinct, three part resolution at the instruction of the Virginia Convention.

“Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.

That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation”

Three committees were appointed on June 11th four days later. The first committee was to draft a declaration of independence, the second to draw a plan for forming foreign alliances, and the third was to “prepare and digest the form of a confederation.”

Because the members of Congress were sent to represent the opinions of their individual colonies, not all were comfortable passing a resolution that ended any hope of amicable reconciliation with Great Britain without first talking to their constituents. Therefore, the vote to approve the resolution was deferred until July 2nd.

On July 2nd, twelve of the thirteen colonies voted to approve the Lee Resolution. The colony of New York abstained until July 9th, at the New York Convention. John Adams relayed the gravity of the event to his wife Abigail in a letter dated July 3rd;

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.—I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with4 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more”

Two days after the nearly (and ultimately) unanimous vote to pass the Lee Resolution, the Declaration of Independence it had set in motion was adopted. The other products of the resolution came to fruition when a plan for entering treaties was approved in September, followed by the plan of confederation the following year.

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Upcoming Events

Old Fort Niagara
Youngstown, NY
July 27^th - 28^th

Napoleonic Days
Fort Wayne, IN
August 3^rd - 4^th

Ft. Meigs – Grand Encampment
Maumee, OH
August 24^th - 25^th