History

A Tale Of A Headless Rooster

December 2, 2021 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

Dr. John R. MacElroy was a country doctor who served the residents of the Jonesville area in Clifton Park, Saratoga County for over 60 years. He began his medical practice in Jonesville at age 22 in 1894, and continued to care for his patients until he died in 1954 at age 81. He was known to generations of Jonesville patients, hundreds of whom he brought into life.

Dr. MacElroy was also very interested in farm animals. He ran a large dairy farm of 140 acres on the road now named for him in Jonesville, and was also fond of animal breeding. [Read more…] about A Tale Of A Headless Rooster

Andalusian Allure: From Washington Irving to Thomas Alva Edison

December 2, 2021 by Jaap Harskamp Leave a Comment

Washington Irving was the son of immigrants. His father was a Presbyterian Scot, his mother Cornish. He was born on April 3rd, 1783, the same week that New Yorkers celebrated the ceasefire that ended the American Revolution. His parents named their son after George Washington. They had settled at 131 William Street, Manhattan, and were part of the city’s merchant class.

Washington began writing letters to the New York Morning Chronicle in 1802. He gained recognition as a satirical author in 1809 with A History of New York using the pseudonym Dietrich Knickerbocker. He riveted readers with his irreverent combination of fact and fancy. [Read more…] about Andalusian Allure: From Washington Irving to Thomas Alva Edison

1.76 Million New Jersey Birth Records Now Available

December 2, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Reclaim The Records has released the New Jersey Geographic Birth Index, 1901-1929.

It’s the first-ever online publication of a twentieth century birth index from the Garden State, with the exception of the 1901-1903 birth index which was released a few years ago. The geographic birth index is a list of births that have been separated by county of birth, and sometimes by a major city within the county, not just a purely alphabetical list. [Read more…] about 1.76 Million New Jersey Birth Records Now Available

On December 2, 1859 John Brown Was Hanged

December 2, 2021 by John Warren Leave a Comment

On this day in 1859 John Brown was executed for leading an anti-slavery raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, part of the radical movement of tens of thousands of Americans struggling to undermine the institution of slavery in America before the Civil War. [Read more…] about On December 2, 1859 John Brown Was Hanged

Political Anecdotes From Historical Newspapers

December 1, 2021 by Maury Thompson Leave a Comment

Trivia clue: She was arrested at the St. Louis fair grounds in 1887 for throwing a pancake at First Lady Frances Cleveland.

Correct response: Who is Annie Sax? – who seemingly had good aim, but made a poor choice of targets. [Read more…] about Political Anecdotes From Historical Newspapers

Bruce Dearstyne: Making Use of New York’s Usable Past

December 1, 2021 by Bruce Dearstyne Leave a Comment

New York, the nation’s historically most important state, has a lot of history worth exploring and sharing more extensively. That history is particularly useful for perspective on current critical public issues.

Many of these are discussed in a historical vacuum, as if they have never been considered before. In fact they have, and history is a good place to start the discussion because it provides parallels, precedents, and perspectives. [Read more…] about Bruce Dearstyne: Making Use of New York’s Usable Past

Hudson Area Library History Room Website & Online Shop Launched

December 1, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Responding to the ever increasing interest in the history of Hudson, NY, and the surrounding area, the popularity of its local history talks, and the increasing use of its archives, the History Room of the Hudson Area Library has launched its own website. [Read more…] about Hudson Area Library History Room Website & Online Shop Launched

Whitcomb’s Garage in the Adirondacks Wins Historic Preservation Award

December 1, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Whitcomb’s Garage in the Adirondacks has won a 2021 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS.

The renovation and repurposing of this disused service station and garage has created space for new businesses in an economically challenged rural region. [Read more…] about Whitcomb’s Garage in the Adirondacks Wins Historic Preservation Award

Fort Ti Reliving Henry Knox’s Epic ‘Noble Train’ Dec 4th

December 1, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Fort Ticonderoga will present a one-day living history event on Saturday, December 4th to highlight Henry Knox’s epic feat as he prepared to move massive cannon from Crown Point and Ticonderoga to Boston to force the British evacuation of 1776. [Read more…] about Fort Ti Reliving Henry Knox’s Epic ‘Noble Train’ Dec 4th

Yellow Fever, Immunity, and Early New Orleans

November 30, 2021 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. This purchase included the vital port city of New Orleans. But the United States did not just acquire the city’s land, peoples, and wealth – the American government also inherited the city’s Yellow Fever problem.

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Kathryn Olivarus, author of Necropolis: Disease, Power, and Capitalism in the Cotton Kingdom (Belknap Press, 2022), leads us on an exploration of yellow fever, immunity, and inequality in early New Orleans. [Read more…] about Yellow Fever, Immunity, and Early New Orleans