The Revolution & Aftermath When the 1770s dawned, New London’s merchants, wharves, and warehouses were booming with the West Indies trade. The British were happy, too, thanks to the heavy import duties on imports of rum, sugar, tea and other goods. Those stiff taxes were an important source of revenue, helping finance Britain’s expensive wars […]
New London CT’s Loneliest Grave
It was over 50 years ago when I first spotted this ancient, lonely headstone beside the river in New London, Connecticut. The cemetery itself was knee-high in weeds. Modern steel train tracks ran right beside this ancient holy ground. Hoboes who’d hopped off their ride huddled by their warming fires nearby. But even as a […]
A Short History of New London (Part 2)
The West Indies Trade Years: In 1650, a mere four years after New London’s initial founding, a Welsh ship-builder known as “good Master [John] Coit” arrived at the fledgling town. (Missed Part 1 about New London’s founding? Find it here!) A master carpenter, Coit had left his native Wales […]
A Short History of New London (Part 1)
New London’s Beginnings When a pair of young journalists paid a flying visit to New London, Connecticut in 1881, relics from the town’s whaling past were still much in evidence. Abandoned shipping office buildings. Antiquated warehouses. Musty ships’ logs. Hulks of once-proud whaling ships still tied to their piers: spars broken, paint […]
There Really Was a “Claire” behind Clairitage
Claire Marie Christy Dale adored historic buildings. Well, one historic building in particular: the old brick railroad station in New London, Connecticut. Our growing-up memories include ever-changing stacks of reports, letters, and newspapers spread out on the dining room table — all of which had to be moved before any meal could hope to be eaten. The […]
Book Review: “The Work of Art”
I’ve got a new favorite historical romance author – Mimi Matthews! The stunning cover of “The Work of Art” first drew me in. Inside, the prose proved just as spectacular as the cover. It’s Spring, 1814, and orphaned Phyllida Satterthwaite’s uncle has kindly arranged to introduce her to London society. He’s also arranged for an […]
Pet Parrots on the Comstock
The Victorian Parrot Craze Victorians adored their feathered friends. Gold Hill in 1876 was said to boast “more parrots than any city or town on the Pacific Coast.” The Nevada State Journal quipped: “You may walk for miles and miles and never hear anything said but ‘Pretty Polly!’ and ‘Polly wants […]
The Legacy of Lewis Chalmers
Today, few people know his name. But back in the 1870-1880s, everyone in Alpine County and most of nearby Carson Valley knew mining promoter Lewis Chalmers. And whether they loved him or hated him, everyone had an opinion. Son of a wealthy Scottish family, Chalmers was raised among the movers and shakers of Fraserburgh. His father and grandfather had each […]