While there are revisionist historians who awkwardly perform intellectual somersaults and contortions to construct fictional narratives about our nation's history, insisting that its foundations are wholly secular, the plain fact is that the United States of America was—without question, debate, or doubt—established as a "nation under God." A clear sense of Biblical ethics infused every aspect … [Read more...] about George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
Colonial History
The Spanish Invasion of Beaufort: How slaves turned settlers became pawns in Spain’s hand
On Adam Fletcher's first day as an apprentice (in The Smuggler's Gambit), he is placed under the instruction of Boaz Brooks, senior cooper and second-in-charge at the shipping company. Adam learns that Boaz was also forced into an apprenticeship when he was younger. As they share their personal histories, one of the topics that arises is the 1747 Spanish invasion of Beaufort. In book 2, Captured … [Read more...] about The Spanish Invasion of Beaufort: How slaves turned settlers became pawns in Spain’s hand
From “The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure” (1759): How to keep your ship and crew healthy
While doing book research, I came upon an interesting article that was reprinted in several different publications in the 18th century. It was only credited as being written by M. Duhamel from the Memoires de Trevoux. I had no idea who M. Duhamel was, but after searching on Google, I learned his full name was Henri-Louise Duhamel du Monceaux (or Duhamel de Monceau), and he was a French … [Read more...] about From “The Universal Magazine of Knowledge and Pleasure” (1759): How to keep your ship and crew healthy
Let Freedom Ring! Historical FAQ about Independence Day, the National Anthem, and July 4th celebrations
On today, July 4th, let's examine a few bits and pieces of history related to America's Independence and the patriotic displays that are still celebrated, nearly two and a half centuries after the birth of the United States. Why do we celebrate July 4th, and what are we celebrating? The Declaration of Independence, which stated the unanimous intent of the 13 American colonies to separate and … [Read more...] about Let Freedom Ring! Historical FAQ about Independence Day, the National Anthem, and July 4th celebrations
Place names in the Adam Fletcher Adventures
With three books out in the Adam Fletcher Adventure Series, I thought it would be a good idea to write a post about the place names used in the novels — especially since I don't always stick with the exact historical place names that were in use in the timeframe the books take place. While this might seem heretical for historical fiction, I thought long and hard about this before deciding to … [Read more...] about Place names in the Adam Fletcher Adventures
The Real Blackbeard: Get ready to have everything you thought you knew turned on its head
In The Smuggler's Gambit, one of the characters turns out to have a history with the pirate Blackbeard. As he recounts the experiences of his youth, he tells a different story than what legends and myths have had many of us believe over the years. I credit my good friend, Kevin Duffus, author of The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate and North Carolina Historian of the Year (2015), with his … [Read more...] about The Real Blackbeard: Get ready to have everything you thought you knew turned on its head
Massachusetts Circular Letter (Originally written by Samuel Adams and James Otis, Jr. and passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives)
Circular letter from the Massachusetts House of Representatives to the provincial legislatures in America Massachusetts. General Court February 11, 1768 From The Colonial Records of North Carolina, Volume 07, Pages 686-689 [From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.] Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, Feby 11th 1768. Sir [to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.] The … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Circular Letter (Originally written by Samuel Adams and James Otis, Jr. and passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives)
What is the truth about the Lost Colony? – New insight into America’s oldest “mystery”
This isn't an article about Adam Fletcher. And it isn't even an article about Colonial Beaufort, or even Colonial America. This is about something that goes back even earlier... Recently, more than one television documentary has offered viewing audiences one spin after another about one of America’s favorite historical mysteries–the Lost Colony. Through my work with Coastal Carolina Indian … [Read more...] about What is the truth about the Lost Colony? – New insight into America’s oldest “mystery”
Smuggling in Colonial America: What drove good men to do it?
Before I ever started working on The Smuggler's Gambit, I had done a lot of studying about not only smuggling in the colonial era, but what prompted otherwise law-abiding men to do it. It happened in all sorts of ways and by men you might otherwise not expect. In May 1764, the month following the passage of the Sugar Act, Samuel Adams said this: “For if our Trade may be taxed why not our … [Read more...] about Smuggling in Colonial America: What drove good men to do it?