Despite her conviction, Susannah Lalliment was lucky. The far off colonies of the Empire had too few loyal subjects, and the parliament had an idea of how to get more people there. Susannah’s death sentence was commuted to banishment, life on the other side of the world. Continue reading “Susannah Lalliment meets the American pirates”
Tag: 1812
bookmark_borderSentenced to death over a ten pound bank note
Susanna Lalliment didn’t know how to spell her own name. She was said to be descended from French Huguenot refugees, but she seemed to speak English well enough.
The Lalliments were skilled lace makers in Nottingham. The lace business in Nottingham, however, was changing. New technology put many traditional craftsmen out of work.
Perhaps being descended from immigrants contributed to workforce mobility. Susannah and her father moved to London; and that’s where all the trouble started. Continue reading “Sentenced to death over a ten pound bank note”
bookmark_borderWhen Tecumseh made the Mississippi flow backwards
Here the Earth, river, &c torn with furious convulsions, opens in huge trenches, whose deep jaws are instantaneously closed; there throws a thousand vents sulfurous streams gushed from its very bowels, leaving a vast and almost unfathomable caverns. – William Leigh Pierce, eyewitness
1812 was a year of science. The discovery of dinosaurs, the electric battery, iodine and many other marvels firmly placed the year within the “Age of Reason.”
At the same time, new “superstitions” were developing. One of these was helped by three of the most powerful earthquakes America had ever known. Some scientists fear such earthquakes could come again, and this time, the devastation could be much greater. Continue reading “When Tecumseh made the Mississippi flow backwards”
bookmark_borderThe Empire’s New Talent
From Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branaugh, to a portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret “Maggie” Thatcher, you’ll see the British flag waving down the aisle at this year’s academy Awards. Again. Yet again.
One starts to wonder if the Americans have a “sense of inferiority” when it comes to the dramatic arts. If so, from whence does this pathetic inferiority complex come? Let’s start in the month of April, 1812. Continue reading “The Empire’s New Talent”
bookmark_borderA Man of Science
a tale by Candy Korman
The men were celebrating. Pushing the Americans back at Queenston Heights on the Niagara front was, no doubt, a decisive moment in the combat, but there was no telling what turns the war would take. Continue reading “A Man of Science”
bookmark_borderGreat Snakes! Australia in January 1812.
“A snake of the diamond kind has been lately killed at Blackwattle swamp, the length of which was 10 feet 4 inches, and its largest circumference five inches.” the Sydney Gazette reported on January 4th, 1812.
A woodcutter was going about his business, when he turned around and saw the “monstrous” creature. Naturally the woodcutter was afraid of snakes, so he whacked the animal on the head.
That didn’t stop the snake much, so the woodcutter ran for his life. Continue reading “Great Snakes! Australia in January 1812.”
bookmark_borderThe Parliament that Shook the World
7 January 1812 opened the sixth session of the fourth parliament of the United Kingdom.
Significant debates were held concerning constitutional change, including Catholic Emancipation, and changes to Parliament itself. Continue reading “The Parliament that Shook the World”
bookmark_border1812, When Big Banks Could Go Bankrupt
2nd of January, 1812. London was the world’s financial capital, and “Boldero and Lushington” were one of the biggest and best known financial firms in 19th century London.
The firm started in 1738, under the name of “Thomas Miners.” In 1742, when Charles Boldero joined the firm, it became “Miners and Boldero.” As the Boldero family’s influence in the firm increased, so did both their fortunes.
So it was a huge surprise when, on January 2nd 1812, Boldero, Lusington, Boldero and co. stopped making payments. Continue reading “1812, When Big Banks Could Go Bankrupt”
bookmark_borderEdinburgh’s New Year Rioting and Robbery
Edinburg, Scotland; John Skelton was apprenticed to a gunsmith. He had a big future ahead of him. And he enjoyed the night’s New year’s Eve celebrations.
But Mr. Skelton soon found he was a wanted man. John Skelton was implicated in robbery and the murder of a policeman, with a reward on his head.
The motive? Booty. A black-watch ribbon, a watch-key of gold. With a cornelian stone set in. A silk purse. And a hatred of the police. Continue reading “Edinburgh’s New Year Rioting and Robbery”
bookmark_borderEstonian Lutherans oppose Mormon access to genealogy records.
Pernau – November 22nd 1905, a group of socialists threw an Estonian preacher from the pulpit, causing the congregation to flee in panic.{1} Back then, Estonia was just as religious as anywhere else.
After just a few decades of Soviet rule, Estonia is now one of the least religious countries in Europe.
The largest surviving religion, the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, claim just 15 percent of the Estonian population.
During the Soviet era, when Estonia was part of the USSR, the Lutheran church and other churches had their records archived by the state.
Since the fall of communism, the Estonian government has been sharing these records with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (also known as the LDS church, or the Mormons), who are digitizing and storing them.
Continue reading “Estonian Lutherans oppose Mormon access to genealogy records.”