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We know this 4th of July you are with your friends and family either at the beach or lake swimming, getting on rides at a local amusement park, watching a parade, watching fireworks during the night, or eating at a picnic with relatives. Most likely you are not be giving a second thought of how the colonists celebrated the day of Independence. We all realize it is the birth of our freedom as a nation. We want to share with you a portion of writings on how the 4th of July shaped our American character and heritage.

Two new sections added to the Jacquard Loom article: Coverlet Titles and a list of Professional Weavers...

The first design for a humanoid robot is probably the Robot Knight, an automaton designed by Leonardo da Vinci -- if built, it was most certainly the first ever manufactured.

The "gift" of Whipping was practised in the Church, and as an instance of it, I will give an account of an affair, that happened about this time. Noah Wheaton, a man of eminence in the Society, whipped a girl, by the name of Elizabeth Cook, in a very inhuman manner. What augments the turpitude of this affair, is, his stripping her naked, and then whipping her in a manner, that would be too unpleasant to relate: suffice it to say, the effect of his treatment was such, that she was unable to make up her bed for more than a year. A. Cook, the girls father, on hearing of this conduct, demanded satisfaction of Wheaton, by a process of law. He, accordingly, prosecuted Wheaton, for his treatment of the girl; and her sister, who was present during the affair, was summoned to appear, as an evidence. Prior to her Appearance at court, she went to Whittaker to receive advice, relative to the business. Whittaker answered her; "I cannot tell you what to say, because I do not know, what questions will be asked you, but speak the truth, and spare the truth, and take care not to bring the gospel into disrepute." She, accordingly, testified that her sister was not naked. Circumstantial evidence for the affirmative clearly proved that the girl was naked, during the infliction of the punishment; and her sister was again questioned, upon which, she still declared that she was not naked: because she had fillet (a ribbon with which the hair is tied) on her head.

The journal of Jasper Danckaerts may have gone undiscovered if not for the discovery by Henry C. Murphy, founder of the Long Island Historical Society, in 1864. Murphy was an excellent Dutch scholar who translated and published the original manuscript and presented his edition in 1867. Murphy found the original manuscript in an old book store in Amsterdam.

New article on Colonial Sense on the Conestoga Wagon...

New article on Colonial Sense on how to make Shaker sconces

New article on Colonial Sense on Mochaware...

THE summer of 1740 was cool and wet. An early frost injured much of the corn crop, and the long season of rain which followed hindered its ripening. One-third of it was cut when green, and the rest was so wet that it very soon molded. There was, therefore, very little seed cor in New England for the next spring's planting, and the amount of dry corn for the winter's consumption was also small. The rain of the summer and fall flooded the lowlands of the country everywhere.

On the eighth of June, 1679, we left home2 at four o'clock in the morning, taking leave of those with whom God had joined us fast in spirit, they committing us, and we them, with tenderness of heart, unto the gracious protection of the Highest. Although for a time separated in body, we remained most closely united in soul, which is, always and everywhere, but one and the same. We went on foot to Oost[erend], expecting there to take the canal boat, which we did, at six or half past six o'clock, after waiting an hour. We took leave finally of those of our beloved and very worthy friends who had accompanied us, and thus far made it a pleasant journey for us. Our hearts had been strengthened in discoursing, on the road, of God and his will concerning us, and of the disposition and readiness of our hearts, as we then felt, to bear it whatever it might be, although we foresaw that it would be mortifying enough for us…

Update to 1600s travel journal

lesson plan for a debate or trial of the Boston Massacre

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