DOCSLIB.ORG

1. Title, Copyright, Acknow., Tab O Con. Raising a New Standard

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
1. Title, Copyright, Acknow., Tab O Con. Raising a New Standard ! ! ")! homes and businesses in Southwark, situated so close to the Delaware River and the heart of Philadelphia’s shipbuilding industry, strongly suggest that William McMullin’s endeavors in carpentry involved the maritime construction trades. By January 2, 1777, Captain William McMullin was assigned to lead nearly one-hundred men in a militia company of Philadelphia’s “City Guards of the Southern District under the command of Lewis Nicola, Town Major.”95 The muster roll record also lists the name William McMullin, Jr., by then age fourteen, as a drummer. The senior McMullin’s name appears in the member rolls of the Carpenters Company for just two years, from 1768 to 1770.96 His two eldest sons names, Robert and William, Jr. both appear in the Philadelphia City Directories as either ship joiners or ship carpenters, trades they most likely learned from their father. William McMullin and his adult sons lived within blocks of one another. All except John were employed in Philadelphia’s ship building industry that burgeoned before and immediately after the Revolution, so close to their homes. The name McMullen’s [sic] Wharf appears as a location in the City Directory of 1811 and existed still earlier. An announcement of “The ship George Washington. Now lying at M’Mullin’s Wharf,” appeared in the Pennsylvania Gazette of February 27, 1782.97 In a notice dated 1778, William McMullin offered the return of an assortment of men’s and women’s clothing and household textiles, “FOUND in a den of thieves (supposed to have been stolen)…. Any person having lost any of the above articles, are desired to apply to the subscribers or to William McMullin, Esq.”98 This is the first known mention of the term “esquire” attached to his name. ! ! #+! During 1779, America’s economic woes reached a crisis. To finance the Revolution, the Continental Congress and individual states repeatedly issued paper money. Without tax revenues and with the expense of its military forces, “…by 1779 the nation was awash in public paper,” and the value of a Spanish milled gold dollar was a hundred Continental dollars.99 In the spring of 1779, more than seven-hundred American men sent to Congress a petition expressing their grave concerns over … the Decay of Credit and the Depreciation of Money emitted on the faith of the United States. We have long viewed the melancholy Approaches of this Evil in silent Agony, but the rapidity with which it has lately increased and the threatening Aspect which it now bears to everything valuable and precious to us, constrain us to speak. That if possible this Torrent which is sweeping away our Liberties, Happiness, and Integrity in one common Ruin may be stopped.100 Among those Philadelphians whose names appear together as subscribers with William McMullin, are his relatives, colleagues, and neighbors John Ord, brothers Jehu and Manuel Eyre, George Ord, William Linnard, and Stephen Beasley, all engaged in either house carpentry, building ships, or maritime trade. The signatures of silversmiths William Hollingshead, William Ball, Abraham Dubois, and Richard Humphreys appear in proximity to William McMullin’s, perhaps because they all lived in Southwark. The silversmiths’ names in this document could also suggest clues to the master of the young John McMullin who would have been apprenticed in 1779 at the age of fourteen. Consideration of Possible Masters: Born in 1728 in Rocky Hill, New Jersey, William Hollingshead worked from 1754 to 1785, the year that McMullin likely sold a dish cross to General Washington. Hollingshead retired to Bucks County in 1785, where he died in 1808. His shop was ! ! #*! located at the corner of Arch and Second Streets. Hollingshead and William McMullin were the same age within one year.101 William Ball was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1729, the same year as William McMullin. ,-!./0!/!.123456!0478-2094:;!<219!*'%$!:1!*'("!45!=;47/>-7?;4/! <219!;40!0;1?!/:!@125-2!1<!A215:!/5>!B/23-:!C:2--:0D!E<:-2!*''%F!;-!2-71@/:->!:1!:;-! 512:;!04>-!1<!B/23-:!C:2--:D!,-!died in 1810. It’s unlikely that he would have taken on John McMullin as an apprentice due to his retirement four years before McMullin would have been fully trained.102 Abraham Dubois is thought to have been born around 1751. Though trained as a silversmith, he carried on an extensive business in trade goods in the West Indies. Dubois is listed in the city directories from 1785 to 1793 and from 1798 to 1802. He trained his son Abraham Dubois, Jr. as a silversmith and left him all of his tools when he died. Dubois’s papers stored at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania likely would have yielded any additional apprenticeship indentures. Dubois died in 1807.103 Quaker silversmith Richard Humphreys was born February 13, 1750 on the Tortola.104As a boy, his parents sent him to apprentice in Wilmington, Delaware with another Quaker, Bancroft Woodcock (1732-1815), from approximately 1764 to 1771. Humphreys’s ad that ran in 1771 in the Pennsylvania Gazette still places him briefly in Wilmington after completing his apprenticeship though by 1772 he and his first wife Hannah Elliott had moved to Philadelphia where she died the following year. When an ad in the September 23, 1772 Pennsylvania Gazette announced Philip Syng, Jr.’s (1703- 1789) retirement, it also introduced Humphreys as successor to both Syng’s business and his residence at 54 High Street.105 He married Ann Morris in 1774. ! ! #"! Certainly old enough to have been McMullin’s master, Humphreys’s influence does not appear evident in McMullin’s work, in particular since Humphreys had begun making silver in the neoclassical style before the Revolution. Both Humphreys and McMullin were ardent abolitionists; Humphreys’s estate earmarked a $10,000 gift to establish The African Institute in 1837, a school for African American young people to offer them training in mechanic arts, trades, and agriculture in Philadelphia. It is known today as Cheney University, the oldest historically Black college or university. Silversmith John Myers completed an apprenticeship with Humphreys that began in 1773 and then plied his trade in Philadelphia from 1785 to 1804 the years that his name appeared in the city directories.106 Among these four silversmiths William Hollingshead may be the closest choice to possibly be considered McMullin’s master. He and McMullin’s father were virtually the same age and likely would have been acquainted in Philadelphia before the Revolution. Hollingshead retired in 1785; the year John McMullin began his working career. Hollingshead could easily have trained young McMullin, but without a great deal of silver to be compared, this is simply a calculated guess. John David (1736-1794) could be another silversmith to be considered as McMullin’s possible master. Three clues point toward this relationship: the location of David’s shop on Front Street was within two shop fronts of McMullin’s shop throughout his life after 1794; David’s date of death in 1794 and burial in the graveyard of Third Presbyterian Church where the McMullins worshipped until 1814; and David’s French Huguenot ancestry and partnership with his brother-in-law, fellow Huguenot Daniel Dupuy from 1763 until 1772. A French master may have influenced McMullin’s use of ! ! ##! the rivets that appear frequently as a step in a soldering technique in a good number of pieces he produced after 1800.107 (Explanation of the technique appears on pages 53 and 54.) To date, no records have been discovered that shed any definitive light on who trained McMullin. A handful of Philadelphia silversmiths placed advertisements during the Revolution including William Ball from 1752 to 1782; Henry Guest Brown in 1777; John David between 1763 and 1777; George Dowig from 1770 to 1778, Abraham Dubois in 1778; John Jenkins in 1777; William Pinchon in 1779; William Seal, Jr. in 1775; and Thomas Shields from 1769 to 1776.108 By the end of the Revolution in 1781, John McMullin had reached the age of sixteen and would produce his first datable piece of silver by 1785. One further possibility can be considered. Since he died prior to the publication of the first city directories, the trade of George Hutton, son of John Strangeways Hutton and John McMullin’s first father-in-law, is unknown. Within the cemetery at Third Presbyterian Church, the burial plots of John Strangeways Hutton and William McMullin are nearly side-by-side. The senior Hutton, who worked with Joseph Richardson, Sr. when he first arrived in Philadelphia, could have assisted in arranging an apprenticeship. William McMullin’s Appointment as Agent for Confiscated Estates: On March, 1, 1780, the Pennsylvania Gazette announced William McMullin’s appointment as, “… Agent for confiscated estates for the county of Philadelphia, in the room of Thomas Hale.”109 In this capacity he is mentioned in three actions, two involving the forfeiture of land and one to secure a tenant for a large and grand estate of historic note. In the case of the two forfeitures, both notices state, “…to prevent all difficulties ! ! #$! with respect to payment, the Agents will attend at the house of William McMullin, Esq.; below the New Market,” thereby agreeing with the location of his residence shown in the 1790 Census. William McMullin was listed at dwelling 19 on Vernon Street. His home was not far from the waterfront and below the New Market, built in 1745 on South Second Street between Pine and Cedar Streets, six blocks south of Philadelphia’s earlier market on High Street.110 In November of 1780, William McMullin announced in the Pennsylvania Gazette, “TO BE LETT, THAT elegant Seat called MOUNT PLEASANT, about four miles from Town, on the Wissahickon road, with or without the Farm belonging thereto.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • May 1975 Vol. XXII, No. 2
    Masonic Culture Workshops Scheduled In Four Areas The PENNSYLVANIA To Assist Lodge Officers The Grand Lodge Committee on Ma­ sonic Culture has divided the Jurisdic­ FREE1VIASON tion into four areas, one more than was previously announced. AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF Masonic Culture Seminars are being FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA conducted in these areas to assist Lodge Officers to prepare interesting Lodge meetings. The agenda for the Seminars covers VOLUME XXII MAY • 1975 NUMBER 2 introduction materials and services pro­ vided by the Grand Lodge Committee "Rededication Month" on Masonic Culture. 197 6 Lodge Programs A " Packet" of informative papers, pamphlets and other helpful guides is Are Being Distributed Five members of the Rodd family, all Officers of Chartiers Lodge No. 297, Canonsburg, are being distributed to those attending the Grand Master Calls Craft to Labor shown with Bro. Eugene G. Painter, District Deputy Grand Master for the 29th Masonic District. Front row, left to right: Bro. Robert C. Rodd, Senior Deacon; Bro. Painter, and Bro. Seminars. October has been designated " Re­ John T. Rodd, Worshipful Master. Rear row, left to right: Bro. John R. Rodd, Past Master The four Area Chairmen, Members of dedication to Freemasonry" Month by By District Deputies and Secretary; Bro. Howard J. Orr, Past Master and Secretary Emeritus and cousin of Bro. the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic John R. Rodd; and Bro. Robert C. Rodd II, Junior Warden. Bro. John R. Rodd is the father the Grand Master. of the three Rodds. Culture, are responsible for the follow­ In making the announcement, Bro.
    [Show full text]
  • V 52, #1 Fall 2015
    THE SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Cincinnati fourteen 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. P A I D fourteen Cincinnati Washington, DC 20008-3640 WASHINGTON, DC PERMIT NO. 8805 Volume 52, Volume No.1 Fall 2015 Fall 2015 Members and guests of the New Hunter Lowell Davis, son of Pennsylvania Society member Brad Jersey and Pennsylvania societies Davis and grandson of former president Lowell Davis, was admitted convened on April 25 on a perfect as a successor member this fall. A student at the Friends School in Spring Saturday for a tour of Fort Baltimore, Hunter is spending the fall at the prestigious School for Mifflin, south of Philadelphia. The New Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington. The Davis family Jersey group started at Fort Mercer traces its lineage to two brothers who served as officers in the on the eastern bank of the Delaware Pennsylvania line. River and were joined by the Pennsylvanians at Fort Mifflin on Mud Island on the western bank. Lunch Friends of Independence National Historical Park; “We want as little busing to get to venues as was served inside the fort, followed by the National Park Service; Bartram’s Gardens possible,” said Jim Pringle, the state society’s vice a guided tour of the stone fortress and (oldest surviving botanic garden in North president. “By staying in the historic district, we demonstration of musketry and America); the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; can minimize all forms of transportation,” Pringle Revolutionary War cannon. The the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Free and explained. “We will concentrate the activities so dogged defense of Fort Mifflin by Accepted Masons; The Barnes Foundation (art they’re easily walkable, as much as possible.” American soldiers under constant museum); and The Barnes Arboretum (gardens).
    [Show full text]
  • Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Volume 1, Part 8
    Naval Documents of The American Revolution Volume 1 AMERICAN THEATRE: Dec. 1, 1774–Sept. 2, 1775 EUROPEAN THEATRE: Dec. 6, 1774–Aug. 9, 1775 Part 8 of 8 United States Government Printing Office Washington, 1964 Electronically published by American Naval Records Society Bolton Landing, New York 2012 AS A WORK OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THIS PUBLICATION IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. EUROPEAN THEATRE From June 29, 1775, to Aug. 9, 1775 EUROPEAN THEATRE From June 29, 1775, to August 9, 1775 SUMMARY Even the news of Lexington had not aroused George I11 or his Ministers to the seriousness of the revolt in the American colonies. Were not three major generals and three more regiments of infantry already on the high seas to rein- force Thomas Gage's force? And had not the Admiralty been ordered to aug- ment Samuel Graves's squadron by such a number of frigates as would suffice to secure obedience to the Restrictive Acts recently enacted, and prevent succour from the southern colonies reaching New England? Hhere seemed little doubt in the British mind that with "One tolerable Drubbing," rebel resistance would collapse. Warnings from Whig leaders that conquest would not be so simple, and that possible loss of the American colonies would leave the Empire an easy prey to revengeful France, were discounted as political clap-trap. France was in no position to capitalize upon the American troubles, and her partner, Spain, engrossed in the Mediterranean, could be discounted entirely. So thought the Ministry. As far as concerned Spain, this conclusion was justified.
    [Show full text]
  • Crucible of War: Conflict in North America 1757–1792
    CATALOGUE THREE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN Crucible of War: Conflict in North America 1757–1792 WILLIAM REESE COMPANY 409 Temple Street New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 789-8081 A Note This catalogue derives its title from Fred Anderson’s superb history of the French and Indian War, The Crucible of War. That colonial war shaped an aftermath of colonial dis- sent and imperial struggle which led directly to the American Revolution and ultimately to the federal government of the United States as we know it. The third of a century covered in this catalogue is the crucible out of which the United States emerged. We are pleased to offer many landmark books here, among them the Paris 1785 edi- tion of Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia; a wonderful James Sharples portrait of Alexander Hamilton; Simcoe’s Journal..., a legendary Revolutionary rarity; and General Gage’s proclamation of martial law after Lexington and Concord. Also offered are sets of the Journals of the Continental Congress and The Pennsylvania Magazine of 1775-76; a series of crucial Revolutionary pamphlets; a set of the Intolerable Acts; and much more. Available on request or via our website are our recent catalogues 311 American Women, 313 World Travel & Voyages, 314 Recent Acquisitions in Americana, and 315 The Only Copy For Sale, as well as Bulletins 33 American Natural History, 34 Adams & Jefferson, 35 American Travel, 36 American Views & Cartography, 37 Flat: Single Significant Sheets, and many more topical lists. Some of our catalogues, as well as some recent topical lists, are now posted on the internet at www.reeseco.com.
    [Show full text]
  • Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences The
    Charles University in Prague Faculty of Social Sciences Institute of International Studies Department of American Studies The Aspirations and Ascent of George Washington in the Context of His Times: From His Early Years to the End of the Revolutionary War Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Author: Mgr. Stanislav Sýkora Supervisor: Prof. PhDr. Svatava Raková, CSc. Year: 2012 ABSTRACT George Washington’s relatively obscure beginnings did not preclude him from admiring and acquainting himself with chivalrous role models and genteel guidelines. Longing for recognition, Washington sought opportunities to serve his influential patrons to merit their further approbation. The dissertation sets Washington’s aspirations in the context of honor-based sociocultural milieu of his day and thus provides the reader with an insight into the conventional aspects of his ascent to the upper echelons of the colonial society of Virginia. At the time of the Revolution, Washington’s military reputation, leadership, and admirable character earned him a unanimous election to the chief command of the American armies. The complexity of Washington’s venture of accepting, exercising, and ultimately resigning the supreme military powers in relation to his reputation and sense of patriotic duty is thoroughly analyzed. Key words: George Washington, convention, ascent, ambition, patriotism, virtue iii I declare that I have worked on this dissertation independently, using the sources listed in the bibliography. …………………………………… Author’s signature iv CONTENTS Introduction 1 Chapter One: The Early Influences 11 Chapter Two: “Honour and Glory” 42 Chapter Three: The Gentleman of Mount Vernon 113 Chapter Four: “It Surely Is the Duty of Every Man Who Has Abilities to Serve His Country” 123 Chapter Five: “My Plan Is to Secure a Good Deal of Land” 168 Chapter Six: “Certain I Am No Person in Virginia Takes More Pains to Make Their Tobo Fine than I Do” 184 Chapter Seven: “George Washington, Esq.
    [Show full text]
  • The Newburgh Conspiracy and Identity
    George Washington’s Finest Hour: The Newburgh Conspiracy and Identity Full Lesson Plan COMPELLING QUESTION To what extent are you cultivating the identity necessary to achieve worthy goals such as enhancing freedom in the lives of yourself and others? Would you have given up the opportunity to be king? VIRTUE Identity DEFINITION Identity answers the question, “Who am I?” LESSON OVERVIEW In this lesson, students will evaluate George Washington’s actions to understand his approach to the principle of identity. OBJECTIVES • Students will understand how George Washington’s identity resulted in lasting benefits for the nation he helped create. • Students will analyze their own goals and ambitions to determine how identity contributes to achievement of worthy goals. • Students identify a situation in which a flawed sense of identity resulted in failure to meet some personal or group goal. https://voicesofhistory.org 1 BACKGROUND In 1781, the Continental Army won the Battle of Yorktown, the last major battle against the British. The Americans had won the Revolutionary War, despite the fact that the Congress could rarely supply the army adequately, the states often looked out for their own interests rather than the common good, and civilians frequently failed to support the war effort. By late 1782, military operations had largely ended, but the army remained mobilized at its main garrison in New York in case of a major British attack. Officers and soldiers went unpaid for long stretches because the Articles of Confederation had created a weak national congress that could not collect taxes from the states. The United States, with no formal independence, risked collapse into military rule as many republics such as ancient Rome had done.
    [Show full text]
  • George Washington: Progenitor of American Public Administration Theory Scott A
    Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2012 George Washington: Progenitor of American Public Administration Theory Scott A. (Scott Alan) Cook Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PUBLIC POLICY GEORGE WASHINGTON: PROGENITOR OF AMERICAN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THEORY By SCOTT A. COOK A Dissertation submitted to the Reubin O’D. Askew School of Public Administration and Policy in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2012 Scott A. Cook defended this dissertation on June 22, 2012. The members of the supervisory committee were: William Earle Klay Professor Directing Dissertation Deana Rohlinger University Representative Ralph Brower Committee Member Lance deHaven-Smith Committee Member The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements. ii I dedicate this to my wife Thanks for doing everything else so that I could do this iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am forever grateful to my committee chair, Earle Klay. His intellectual guidance, humble mentorship, and unselfish patience made this dissertation process an enjoyable success. I am also thankful to my committee members, Deana Rohlinger, Ralph Brower, and Lance deHaven-Smith. Their insightful comments and feedback enhanced the quality of this research project beyond my natural abilities. Each member provided inspiration that became tangible parts of my dissertation. I also acknowledge the contributions of my friends and colleagues at the Air Command and Staff College.
    [Show full text]
  • Bill of Rights Institute – American Portraits 1 George Washington's Finest Hour: the Newburgh Conspiracy and Identity • Co
    George Washington’s Finest Hour: The Newburgh Conspiracy and Identity • Compelling Question o To what extent are you cultivating the identity necessary to achieve worthy goals such as enhancing freedom in the lives of yourself and others? Would you have given up the opportunity to be king? • Virtue: Identity • Definition – Identity answers the question, “Who am I?” • Lesson Overview o In this lesson, students will evaluate George Washington’s actions to understand his approach to the principle of identity. • Objectives o Students will understand how George Washington’s identity resulted in lasting benefits for the nation he helped create. o Students will analyze their own goals and ambitions to determine how identity contributes to achievement of worthy goals. o Students identify a situation in which a flawed sense of identity resulted in failure to meet some personal or group goal. • Background o In 1781, the Continental Army had won the Battle of Yorktown, which ensured American independence. The Americans had won the Revolutionary War despite the fact that the Congress could rarely supply the army adequately, the states often looked out for their own interests rather than the common good, and civilians also failed frequently to support the war effort. By late 1782, military operations had largely ended, but the army remained mobilized in case of a major British attack from its main garrison in New York. Meanwhile, the Articles of Confederation had created a weak national congress that could not collect taxes from the states. Therefore, the officers and soldiers of the army went unpaid for long stretches and were increasingly discontented.
    [Show full text]
  • When We Were Young: the American Philosophical Society in the 18Th Century1
    When We Were Young: The American Philosophical Society in the 18th Century1 GARY B. NASH Distinguished Research Professor University of California, Los Angeles n 2018 the American Philosophical Society celebrated its 275th anniversary, though in truth, 1743 is a shadowy date. Some think Ithe APS began in 1727, when Benjamin Franklin, at age 21—having resided in Philadelphia for less than two years since he first arrived in late 1723—convened his famous Junto of leather apron men (Figure 1). Drawing up rules for this private self-improvement group, 12 in number and limited to that size, he tasked “every Member in his Turn” to produce “one or more Queries . to be discuss’d by the Company.’’2 Among the founding group, four were from Samuel Keimer’s print shop (Franklin, Hugh Meredith, Stephen Potts, and George Webb) while the others were shoemakers (John Jones and William Parsons); a surveyor (Nicholas Scull); a scrivener (Joseph Breitnall); a carpenter (William Coleman); an ironmaker (Robert Grace); a glass maker (Thomas Godfrey); and a cabinet maker (William Mangrudge). It was a noble start, indeed an astounding venture, ushered into the world by such a youth striving to implant himself in a young river port, where Quaker merchants and landowners of growing wealth held sway.3 The APS website today claims our Society as an “offshoot” of 1 Read 26 April 2018. My thanks to the anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions for this paper. 2 The editors of the comprehensive edition of the Papers of Benjamin Franklin aver that Franklin had been influenced by Boston’s venerable Cotton Mather’s Essays to Do Good (1710), which proposed voluntary groups to encourage morality and religion.
    [Show full text]
  • An Historical Account of the Old State House of Pennsylvania Now
    Independence Hall, 1876. FRONT VIEW. AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT UK THE OLD STATE HOUSE OF PENNSYLVANIA NOW KNOWN AS THE HALL OF INDEPENDENCE « BY / FRANK M ETTING WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS BOSTON JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY 1876 Copyright, 1874, By FRANK M ETTING KIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: •EREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. PREFACE In the work that I had " found for my hand to do," it became necessary to examine carefully into the details of the building of the State House of Pennsylvania ; much that surprised me came to light not only in the circumstances of its erection but in its subsequent C history. Instead of Dr. Kearsley, to whom the credit had been as- cribed, I discovered that its Architect and actual Builder was one of the greatest men ever fostered by Pennsylvania ; and that every important movement, from the very inception of the efforts of the colonists to assert their constitutional liberty, first assumed shape either within this building or under the shadow of its walls. A friendly suggestion thrown out induced me to extend still further my investigations, with a view of preserving the information in print in some accessible form. This desire was enhanced by the hope that the general public would ultimately share in the interest which every brick of this old build- ing possesses for me, and thus be inclined to lend each his individual aid towards its preservation, and to insure its proper custodianship for all time. The desultory way in which, from causes unnecessary to be detailed, my memoranda have been thrown together, must leave its impress, and I cannot expect to be exempt from inaccuracies ; but having done my best without fee or reward, present or prospective, I have no apologies to make to the public for claiming their notice.
    [Show full text]
  • Disabled Revolutionary War Veterans and the Construction of Disability in the Early United States, C
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Helsingin yliopiston digitaalinen arkisto Disabled Revolutionary War Veterans and the Construction of Disability in the Early United States, c. 1776–1840 Daniel Blackie Academic Dissertation To be presented, with the permission of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Helsinki, for public examination in the Small Festival Hall, University Main Building (Fabianinkatu 33, fourth floor), on the 12th of August, 2010 at 10 a.m. Helsinki 2010 © Daniel Blackie ISBN 978-952-10-6342-8 (Paperback) ISBN 978-952-10-6343-5 (PDF) PDF version available at: http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/ Helsinki University Print Helsinki, 2010 Cover design and illustration by Nicholas Young For Nanny Blackie iv ABSTRACT In this thesis, I address the following broad research question: what did it mean to be a disabled Revolutionary War veteran in the early United States during the period from 1776 to roughly 1840? I approach this question from two angles: a state-centred one and an experiential one. In both cases, my theoretical framework comes from disability studies. This means that I view disability as a sociocultural phenomenon rather than a medical condition. The state-centred approach of the study explores the meaning of disability and disabled veterans to the early American state through an examination of the major military pension laws of the period. Based on my analysis of this legislation, particularly the invalid pension acts of 1793 and 1806, I argue that the early United States represents a key period in the development of the modern disability category.
    [Show full text]
  • George Washington's Military Manuals
    George Washington’s Military Manuals Compiled by Virginia Steele Wood Remember, that it is the actions, and not the commission, that make the Officer–and that there is more expected from him than the Title. Do not forget, that there ought to be a time appropriated to attain this knowledge. And as we now have no opportunities to improve from Example, let us read there is Bland’s and other treatises which will give the wished for information. George Washington addressing his officers, 8 January 17561 During the American Revolution, twenty years after advising his officers to spend an “appropriated” time to study military manuals, Commander-in-Chief George Washington issued a general order on the “pernicious consequences . of GAMING.” He reminded his Continental Army officers that nothing will “redound more to their honor–afford them more solid amusement–or better answer the end of their appointment than to devote the vacant moments they may have to the study of Military authors.”2 Indeed, Washington’s own collection of military manuals attests to the value that he accorded those publications for essential instruction. A study of the manuals can provide today’s historians with insight into eighteenth-century military strategy, tactics, and ordnance. They can also provide a basis for comparing those with what the documentary evidence indicates took place in military actions during the revolution. Interest in identifying copies of Washington’s military manuals in the Library of Congress was sparked during several very informative discussions with Ellen M. Clark, Library Director, Society of the Cincinnati. At the time of Washington’s death, the inventory of his estate listed some nine hundred volumes.
    [Show full text]