The Birth Place of our Nation

I think it is only fair that I begin where I left off, sharing about my upcoming trip to Boston, Massachusetts. At the end of June my mother and I got off the plane in Boston and were so happy to spend a fun/history-filled week with our friends traveling around. I thought it was time to share some of my favorite pictures from the trip.

My first day was Bunker Hill Day, where they celebrated the anniversary of the battle. I was able to take some good photographs and was anticipating a battle reenactment, until it started pouring down rain on everyone involved.

I was so thrilled to have a picture with these reenactors. When I approached them I said, "Can I have a picture with you gentlemen?" They all humphed and one said in his Bostonia accent, "I don't know that we're gentlemen." I quickly rephrased my question, "Can I have a picture with you scalawags?" They all laughed and said, "That we are!"

This may sound morbid, but I fell in love with the old cemeteries in Boston!
The Old North Church where Paul Revere and many others lit the lantern to warn the people of Boston the British were coming.Paul Revere's house where he also had his engraving business and underground espionage business, which involved several of his children (he had 10 plus children!).
We also made a trip to Lexington and Concord. Here is my best friend and I in front of the First Teachers School, which is now a Masonic Lodge. We both had to take a picture since we both are in education.
Here is a photo of the Battle Green where the first shot was fired and the Revolutionary War officially began.The oldest and best cemetery we came across was in Lexington. I was so intrigued at how this large tree grew around the tombstones, embedding them. The tree itself was large and old! It really put in perspective how old those stones were.One of the homes owned by the Alcott's in Concord. This particular house is said to be where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women.


The Bridge where the conclusion of the Battle of Lexington and Concord occurred. There is even a tomb near by that marks the resting place of fallen British soldiers.The beautiful river home owned by authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The home overlooks the bridge where the final conflict of the Battle of Lexington and Concord took place.
Emerson's authentic organic garden that is still maintained by the Emerson Society of Friends.
Back in the city limits of Boston, we went to one of the more famous cemeteries on the Freedom Trail, and found the tombstone which marked the grave of those killed in the Boston Massacre. However, in this particular cemetery, some reburying was being done, because the long cold winter had caused several of the bones to resurface and several spots were marked off with caution tape.The Old State House where citizens first heard the Declaration of Independence (from the balcony, located in the back), and where down the street the Boston Massacre took place.
And of course, who goes to Boston and doesn't take in a ball game?! (A Yankee, that's who! And I'm no Yankee!).

What's more American than drinking a Sam Adams, eating hot dogs, cracker jacks, and cotton candy, under the lights of Fenway!

My next trip to Boston will hopeful include more history, baseball, and wonderful friends!

America: Raw hide, gumption, courage, gristle, ambition, and whiskey

Despite popular belief that the Fourth of July is America's birthday, people continue to celebrate the birth of a nation on this date. However, America was "born" fifteen years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

During the French and Indian War, the British government allowed for writs of assistance (basically open-ended search warrants) by any person, whether an authority or neighbor. "Every men prompted by revenge, ill humor or wantonness to inspect the inside of his neighbour's house may get a writ of assistance" (Otis). By 1760, at the death of George II, all writs expired. However, the Boston governor continued to write out warrants to search the property of merchants for smuggled goods. James Otis, colonial lawyer and representative of the Massachusetts merchants, argued against the writs of assistance. He argued that laws, such as the writs, were against the fundamental principles of law:

A man's house is his castle; and while he is quiet, he is as well guarded as a prince in his castle. This writ, if it should be declared legal, would totally annihilate this privilege...this wanton exercise of this power is no chimerical suggestion of a Brain...

John Adams, at the time a young lawyer in Massachusetts, wrote in his notes of Otis' speech, "the first scene of the first act of opposition to the arbitrary claims of Great Britain. Then and there, the child Independence was born."

The escalating tension between colonists and British authorities continued to build until the first shots ten years later in 1770 on the streets of Boston. Four years later a war will officially begin with the creation of Provincial Congresses.
The war will not end for another ten years and it will only be then that the formation of the United States of America will be formed. Yet, it will continue to evolve as Americans evolve. These are the foundations of the American people. History repeats itself, yet Americans are uniquely different from any other people.
Americans are made of raw hide, gumption, courage, gristle, ambition, and whiskey.
Americans don't give up. They take pride in their trials and turmoil, turning their hardships into achievement and prosperity. They take the bull by the horns and conquer. Where there's a will there is always a way. American's don't know the word "can't," but understand the word "can;" after all it is an inherent part of US. We are immigrants, soldiers, farmers, laborers, newsies, slaves, bootleggers, factory workers, mothers, fathers, daughters and brothers. These are the people we come from and these are the people we will always be, for it runs in our veins.


Battle clip from The Patriot:

The Smallpox Inoculation and the American Revolution

Last Sunday, the History Channel premiered the documentary, "America: The Story of Us." I was pleasantly surprised on how they told the story of America through drama reenactments and narratives from historical quotes. Having the President introduce the series and embedded statements from politicians, actors, and noteworthy historians—such as Oprah's historian friend who got arrested last year for breaking into his own home—gave the documentary much needed weight (I'm a little sarcastic here). Despite the unnecessary interjections of the famous, the series shows accuracy and depicts a picture, although brief, of what occurred prior to American democracy. Needless to say, of course the brevity left out much needed facts, such as the many trials to establish American colonies and that Paul Revere wasn't the only rider to warn the Patriots that the British were coming prior to Lexington and Concord; but the documentary also brought to light many rare facts of the colonies and the American Revolution. I was surprised that they even noted the practice of smallpox inoculations during the Revolution.

I, myself a recent history graduate, did not learn of this practice until late last fall when I was reading letters between Abigail and John Adams.
Smallpox inoculation has been practiced in China since the 10th century A.D., but the practice did not come to West until the early 18th century by Lady Mary Wotley Montagu, whose husband served as the British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1716-17. She inoculated her children and had several people witness this new practice, including the King's physician. Soon the practice of smallpox inoculation became common amid European royalty, despite much opposition. The practice is documented in America as early as 1721, and by the time of the American Revolution smallpox inoculation had become a common practice.

In a letter from Abigail Adams to her husband, John Adams, she writes of the inoculation in Massachusetts in July of 1776.

I now date from Boston where I yesterday arrived and was with all 4 of our Little ones innoculated for the small pox...Our Little ones stood the opperation Manfully.Dr. Bulfinch is our Physician. Such a Spirit of innoculation never before took place; the Town and every House in it, are as full as they can hold...The Soldiers innoculated privately, so did many of the inhabitants.

The winter of 1777-1778 brought the soldiers to Valley Forge. Conditions were so horrendous that 2,000 soldiers died of starvation, typhoid, jaundice, dysentery, and pneumonia. Many others deserted to return home without pay or question. Witnessing the deplorable conditions, Washington knew something would have to change into improve the livelihoods and morale of his men. That spring he brought in Baron von Steuben to run the men though drills and military training, and Washington also had the men inoculated for smallpox. This act from Washington changed the tide of the war as they marched out of Valley Forge in June of 1778.

A well-done miniseries from HBO on John Adams chronicles the life of John and Abigail Adams, which includes the practice of inoculation on their children. This series changed my perspective of John Adams, played by Paul Giamatti, as well as depicted Abigail Adams as John's pillar of strength.
Currently I'm reading Diana Gabaldon's seventh book of the Outlander series, An Echo in the Bone. This book focuses on the American Revolution, particularly on the battles of Saratoga, and includes such historical figures as Benedict Arnold, General John Burgoyne, General Simon Fraser, General Horatio Gates, and Colonel Daniel Morgan (to name a few).