Revolutionary War Rarities

Do you remember the line from “National Treasure”, “The legend writ, the stain affected, the key in silence undetected, fifty-five in iron pen, Mr. Matlack can’t offend”? “National Treasure” was a wonderful historical fiction movie, but Mr. Matlack was not fiction. He actually existed and played a major role in the American Revolution. Mr. Matlack was Timothy Matlack. He often went by the pen name...

This episode was accidentally deleted.  This is a repost of episode 4.  I apologize.   The American Revolution is an incredibly interesting period in our history. There are so many people, so many places, and so much knowledge available for us to all learn about our founding. This weeks episode is a test. We ask questions and provide answers to some well-known people and events and some not so wel...

Would you believe that George William Frederick, the future King George III, was an actor in a play that focused on independent liberty -vs- tyranny?  Joseph Addison wrote a play in 1712 about the mortal enemy of Julius Caesar entitled “Cato, A Tragedy”.  Cato was a Roman Senator and was considered the last man standing when Rome’s Republic fell.  The play focused on independent liberty -vs- gover...

Our nations history has not always been something that we can look back on with great pride. But, it is critical to understand all of our history so that we can learn from our past. The Rhode Island 1st was an officially integrated regiment that fought valiantly in the American Revolution. The world would not witness another officially integrated regiment until well into the 20th century. And the...

Duels, also known as “Affairs of Honor”, were commonplace around the time of the American Revolution.  These duels were ruled by the Code Duello, a series of 25 rules defining the process required to conduct these affairs of honor.  The most famous duel in American History was between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton.  This episode dives into the Code Duello as well as the Burr - Hamilton duel. ...

Today we kick off Season 2 with a focus on family relationships between some of our Founding Fathers. These relationships are ones that are almost never discussed or taught. Some of them are quite surprising. So, make sure and watch our inaugural episode of Season 2 entitled "All In The Family".   Make sure and subscribe to the Revolutionary War Rarities YouTube Channel as well as the Revolutionar...

Today’s episode of Revolutionary War Rarities is the finale for Season 1 and has a very special guest star;  Medal of Honor Recipient Captain Gary Mike Rose.  Today we discuss the first military medal created by General George Washington and what turns out to be the Grandfather of all other military and Government service medals in the United States.  So enjoy this latest episode of Revolutionary...

Everyone has heard of the Declaration of Independence, but there are many aspects of the document that people are not aware of.  So, enjoy this episode and hopefully you will learn some facts about the Declaration that you were never taught in school. As always, please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, join our Facebook Group, and listen on your favorite podcast application.  And…, thank you for b...

The knowledge we have of our forefathers is significantly impacted by the artwork created during that period.  Many of our Founding Father’s sat for portraits and thankfully their look, their countenance, and their height were all captured.  This episode focuses on what many people would consider the “First Family” of American artists who captured important details of our founding history.  So, pl...

Our language today is deeply impacted by our forefather’s.  Many common sayings of today have their origins in the American Revolution period.  Everyday idioms, which have a very specific meaning in our language, were formulated from very real problems or challenges.  And that is the subject of today’s episode of Revolutionary War Rarities.  You will be surprised how these sayings came into existe...

Well, today’s episode of Revolutionary War Rarities is a bit different.  This episode is titled “$8.1 Million Dollars”, but is constructed significantly through artificial intelligence.  The subject of this episode is John Dunlap, the Dunlap Broadsides, and the impact that it had on the country.  But today’s episode merges 250-year-old history with cutting edge technology just to see what happens!...

If you have ever been in the Rotunda of the United States Capitol, then you have seen four famous paintings by John Trumbull. But, very few people are aware of the impact that John Trumbull's family had on the American Revolution. In fact, John Trumbull's Father played a major role in the revolution as well as in the Colony and State of Connecticut. Other family members did the same. I hope you en...

Were you aware that the title "Baker General" existed and was bestowed upon a Gingerbread Baker from Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War? Were you aware that the "Baker General" baked up to 6,000 pounds of bread in a single day? The "Baker General" became a trusted friend of George Washington and ended up donating a significant sum of money which started "The Christopher Ludwick Foundation"...

Names of our Founding Fathers are generally known and important to our history. However, this particular Doctor who played a large role in the Revolutionary War changed his name later in life. He was a well known local Doctor who was withdrawn and very private, but very much loved. His history and his contribution to American independence was not known by his patients or the local Citizens who kne...

Season 1 Episode 19 is ready for viewing. Documentation and artifacts from the Revolutionary War are more abundant than you may realize. There are numerous very rare artifacts that are on display at various museums around the country and some are in private collections. These artifacts are priceless, but help us to learn about the real challenges that were faced during the Revolution. It is throug...

One of the most famous moments of the Revolution was Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River. But, what happened in the months that followed? Are you familiar with the Winter of 1777 in New Jersey? On this episode of Revolutionary War Rarities we welcome Author Jim Stempel to the show and discuss that fateful Winter! He has just released a brand new book entitled “The Enemy Harassed, Washingto...

The American Revolution would not have been possible without the participation of so many different people. And, there are so many of those individuals whose names we rarely or maybe never hear. Although we have all heard "taxation without representation", very few people know exactly where that thought process originated. Well, his name was James Otis. According to John Adams, James Otis was the...

There were many influential women during the American Revolution. Some fought, some gave advice, and many would be considered "Mothers" of this great nation. And, Revolutionary War Rarities has numerous episodes which will focus on these Founding Mothers. Today's episode, however, focuses on two strong women who represent the founding principles of this nation. One of them will be familiar to you....

There were many "little known" heroes in the American Revolution. Silas Deane was one of those. Silas Deane worked with France to secure money and weapons and other resources for the Revolution. Silas Deane recruited the Marquis De Lafayette and Baron Von Stueben, who without either of them victory would have been even more questionable. After being accused of financial improprieties while in Fran...

The American Revolution was accomplished through the actions of countless heroes.  The Jay Brother’s had a lasting impact on the American Revolution and the United States.  The American Revolution had a lasting impact on the Jay Brother’s too.  Doctor’s, lawyer’s, spying, family fights, and even back channel attempts to reconcile with the British!  This episode has it all.  So, watch, listen, and...

Christmas was very different during the American Revolution. However, some of the traditions that we still have today were started during that timeframe. Just prior to the Revolution, the celebration of Christmas was illegal in some parts of the Colonies. So, make sure and watch this episode to learn more! Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for being a part of Revolutionary War Rarities - The...

Did you know that Pine Trees played a significant role in the American Revolution? And, so did some misfits from Weare, New Hampshire. Watch and enjoy Episode 13 and learn about how the Eastern White Pine Tree and the "regulation" of that natural resource led to rebellion. Many people believe this particular situation ultimately led to the Boston Tea Party. Don't forget to subscribe to the Revolut...

Season 1 Episode 12, "The Law of Averages" is now available for your viewing and listening pleasure. Have you ever wondered about average income levels, tax rates, living conditions, travel and other aspects of life during the American Revolution? What were homes like? What were the common jobs of the day? Since taxes played a major role in our revolution, how much in taxes were we paying? How far...

Medical treatments during the American Revolution were, in a word, "historic". This episode looks into some of the medical treatments during the American Revolution, the issues they were supposed to address, the medical theory of "humorism", the evolution of medical treatment as a result of the Revolution, and ultimately the impact that these treatments had on many soldiers. Thank you for listenin...

It's time for the next episode of "Revolutionary War Rarities." There are many names in American History that stand out. But, Richard and Bridget Saunders are probably not names that you have ever heard. However, the American Revolution would likely not have turned out like it did without "their" participation. Join us as we learn more about "them". And, thank you for being a part of "Revolutionar...