Rahobeth Benson > Recent Status Updates

An outstanding overview of the events and decisions that took place in Boston in the time just before the American Revolution. This book follows Samuel Adams, his influence, his machinations, and his reasons all the way through the first Continental Congress.
Ms. Schiff does an outstanding job of making history "pop" with her writing style. It was difficult to put this book down at times. Highly recommend!

A quick broad overview of the events in the British American colonies of the 18th century that ultimately lead to the birth of the US Constitution and a new nation. Gordon Wood does an excellent job of hitting the important events that unfolded, beginning with the Crown's attempt to increase revenue to pay its debts from the 7 Years War and ending with the ratification of the US Constitution. A great read.

Alfred Young does an amazing job of researching his work. His writing is compiled with the data that he has made every attempt to verify and he pieces together gaps with a logical approach. The story of Deborah Sampson is compelling. A brave woman to buck the status quo, whether it was ultimately to gain equal treatment, for personal gain, or a strong sense of liberty and freedom. Would you have her conviction?

An outstanding book. The title doesn't guide the reader to the actual contents. This book explains the situation and actions prior to the actual Declaration of Independence. Some families were split with their loyalties. The American Revolution was truly a civil war in some parts of the colonies and tactics ranged from threatening your supposed enemies to mob violance. A keen focus is on NY.

25 - The Proposition Is Peace

Benjamin Franklin finally leaves London. Loyalists, fearing for their own safety, begin to depart on the first boats for Great Britain.

24 - You Must Now Declare

Regulars march on Lexington and Concord. Rebel leaders quickly dispatch their version of events to London. Gage's official report is sent aboard a slower transport.
Troops quartered in New York, while loading onto transports are stopped and tricked or forced to leave behind trunks of weapons. The soldiers are induced to desert and several do.

23 - The Sword Is Drawn

The New York Assembly (DeLancey party) votes against sending delegates to the Congress in May, to Colden's delight. Whigs convene a Provincial Congress and select the delegates instead. Merchants buying supplies thought to be for the Army in Boston are labeled as foes. These merchants fight back questioning the authority that Sears had. Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne sail for Boston.

22 - Affairs Grow Serious

New York merchants refuse to use their ships to transport troops or military supplies to Boston. Samuel Seabury fights against Livingston in articles. Seabury tries to convince farmers that Congress' export restrictions are more costly then paying the tea tax for an entire year. Colden has a plot to dissolve the Assembly before they can select delegates to the next Congress.

21 - Blows Must Decide

Gage fortifies Boston neck for defense. The Suffolk Count Convention passes its resolves. The first Continental Congress sits with 64 delegates from 12 colonies. A Continental Association is formed and agreements to end imports/exports to and from England.

20 - The Mob Begin to Think

The Committee of Fifty-one meets to approve delegates and approve agreed upon resolves. The meeting fails resulting in a new committee of 15.

The Boston Delegates arrive in New York and meet with the prominent New York parties, both republican and conservative. The more conservative parties fear a movement to Independence. Any non-importation agreement adopted must be universal.

19 - An Act of Tyranny

The Quebec Act is passed. Many Americans despise it because it undid many land claims of New Englanders and Virginians.

The Boston Port Bill is labeled an "Act of Tyranny" not only for Boston but all Americans. McDougall, Sears, merchants and the Liberty Boys propose a congress. For as a bundle of sticks is stronger then a single twig. The colonies must stand together or fall one by one.

18 - Coercive Measures

The East India Tea Company finds itself on the verge of economic collapse. Parliament allows the tea to be brought directly to the American colonies to be sold directly, only subject to the three pence a pound Tea Tax.

Boston hosts the brewing of tea in Boston harbor.

Benjamin Franklin leaks letters from Hutchinson and as a result is an outcast in London politics.

17 - Battle of Golden Hill

Tensions grow between soldiers and civilians. Soldiers post handbills attacking the attitudes of the civilians. In response, a fight breaks out among the streets on a rise known as Golden Hill.

A new reinforced Liberty Pole is erected under much parade and celebration.

The effects on British merchants by colonial non-importation results in the repeal of the Townshend Act, except tea.

16 - The Wilkes of America

Frederick North, Lord North, becomes the king's first minister.

Alexander McDougall prints a broadside, "To the Betrayed Inhabitants of the City and Colony of New York" which is condemned by the DeLanceys and lieutenant governor. McDougall is imprisoned for 80 days and refused to put up bail. He is seen as a hero and likened to John Wilkes.

15 - Incentive to Rebellion

The Townshend Act is challenged in the pamphlet "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies" by John Dickinson. New York merchants join Boston in boycotting British goods.
The DeLanceys side with Cadwallader Colden and "granted money to the troops without the consent of the people." This put the DeLanceys at odds with the Liberty Boys.

14 - A Tax on Tea

The DeLancey's and Livingstons fight politically via proxies, Isaac Sears, etc. The political scene is complicated by a supposed scheme to introduce an Episcopate in America. The Townshend taxes are eliminated except for the tax on Tea, which was reasoned that the other taxed goods were produced in England, but tea was from India.

13 - An Unsupportable Burden

The effects of the Quartering Act are felt in New York. The New York Assembly fails to comply with the crown's orders to pay for the bill quartering troops. New York merchants oppose the Revenue Act of 1766 and send a petition to Parliament protesting the new duties. The New York Assembly is suspended until money was paid for the Quartering Act.

12 - An Act to Repeal an Act

The Liberty Boys are roughly organized in New York and surrounding colonies, threatening violence should the Stamped papers be used.

In December of 1765, "a group of London merchants held two days of meetings." With the support of William Pitt, the Stamp Act was finally over turned. Parliament only agreed to the repeal if it included the language of the Declaratory Act.

11 - Madness and Folly

Sir Henry Moore arrives in NY as the new Royal Governor. He was more pragmatic then Colden, realizing he "lacked the force with which to support the law, he decided to placate New Yorkers and let them suffer the consequences of their actions." The boycott of stamped papers brought most commerce to an end, driving up unemployment.

10 - The City in Perfect Anarchy

Mob actions in New York result in the destruction of Major James house and belongings. Lt. Gov. Colden publicly states he would not distribute stamps and unsuccessfully attempts to have Captain Kennedy to take the papers aboard his ship. It is feared that the populace will attack Fort George. Both Gen. Gage and Judge Livingston warn of a Civil War over the Stamp Act.