Naming Culture in the Book of Negroes

On 21 Feb, 2018 2 Comments

The naming of an individual can offer insight into the worldview of the name giver, including perspective on their religious, national, ethnic, and gender identities. The culture of people of African descent in North America during the eighteenth century is particularly difficult to research using the standard historical record because of their lack of representation among written documents.

Smallpox and Fear of Inoculation

On 31 Jan, 2018 0 Comments

Children suffering in any form will always cause a reaction from parents and making the right choice isn’t always easy.  It was no different when Dr. John Jeffries inoculated children at the hospital on Georges Island near Halifax, Nova Scotia in the eighteenth century.

The Legends and Reality of Sleepy Hollow, Part 1: Headless Hessians

On 18 Oct, 2017 0 Comments

“What fearful shapes and shadows beset his path amidst the dim and ghastly glare of a snowy light! –With what wistful look did he eye every trembling ray of light streaming across the vast fields from some distent window!”  Ichabod Crane was often “thrown into complete dismay by some rushing blast, howling among the trees, in the idea that it was the Galloping Hessian on one of his nightly scourings!”

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