Michael Aubrecht

We'd like everyone to meet Michael Aubrecht, an author and writer who has published multiple books on America’s Civil War, and hundreds of essays and articles for Baseball-Almanac, The Free Lance-Star, Mort Kunstler Enterprises, and Civil War Historian. 

You may wonder why I would post a blog about a Civil War author.

Well, Aubrecht is a co-founder of The Thomas Jefferson Project. Also, you can read an article he wrote entitled "Race & Remembrance at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello" in our upcoming January/February issue of Patriots of the American Revolution.

Aubrecht's work on this article has inspired him to shift from writing about the Civil War to concentrating on Colonial America and the American Revolution. This is a dramatic change for Aubrecht, and we are very excited for him and will support him in his future endeavors. We are also very pleased that Aubrecht plans to contribute to Patriots of the American Revolution on a regular basis.

Please visit Michael Aubrecht's website and blog at www.pinstripepress.net

Giving Thanks

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us already! 

Last night I thought about what my Patriot ancestor, Ezekiel Jacobs, would have been thankful for. I imagine he would have given thanks for his family, good neighbors, a profitable season of crops, and--in 1782--for the outcome of the American Revolution. 

 

And now I ask you this: what do you think your ancestors were thankful for? Just a little food for thought. 

Enjoy your holiday!

Honoring Ancestors

Over the past year, many people have asked me why I started Patriots of the American Revolution. It originally began out of wanting to honor my own Patriot ancestor, Ezekiel Jacobs.

Ezekiel was born in North Haven, Connecticut, in 1755. When the American Revolution broke out, he joined the cause and served from 1776 to 1779, mostly with the Connecticut Militia. He was present at the Burning of Danbury, Connecticut, and at the Retreat from Long Island; stationed at Fort Independence; and a participant in the Battle of New Haven. He even met General George Washington. Ezekiel eventually received a pension for his military service, and died in 1834. He is buried in the Montowese Cemetery in North Haven, and his stone is decorated with a flag and veteran's star.

After learning and researching much of Ezekiel’s life and time in the war, I wrote an article about him--but I couldn’t find a publication to submit the piece. And that was the genesis of the this magazine. Today, people can submit articles about their own Patriot ancestors--plus articles on leaders, battles, and events of the Revolution (and research on early American culture)--to us, and we will help honor their memory.

You can reach me with any questions about articles at editor@patriotsar.com.

Chris Matthews and the Declaration of Independence

Last week I had surgery on my lower back. Everything went fine; now I’m just recovering and resting, and able to do something that I rarely do—watch television.

When it comes to television I mainly watch the news, a football game, and perhaps an episode of Criminal Minds. Other than that, I prefer to spend my time reading and writing. The other night I caught The Jay Leno Show. There is a segment of the show during which Leno asks a celebrity ten questions. One evening Chris Matthews, the political pundit and host of MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, played the game. At one point Leno asked Matthews to recite the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence from memory, and within fifteen seconds. Matthews did so within ten seconds. The audience cheered and applauded him. I began to wonder—how many other people can recite the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence?

Try it right now. Don’t grab a reference book; don’t search the Internet. And if you can’t recite it, maybe it’s time to read the Declaration of Independence again.

Labor Day Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend! I spent the holiday working on our March/April issue: reading manuscript, writing the quiz, getting photos, and organizing everything else for our Associate Editor, Benjamin.

He and I talked last Friday about how we were both impressed by the countless "untold" stories of soldiers, spies, generals, and Patriots who served during the American Revolution. Just last week, Benjamin received a phone call from a woman named Chris Weatherhead who has directed an independent movie--All For Liberty--about Captain Henry Felder, a courageous Patriot from South Carolina. So be on the lookout for an article on this movie in an upcoming issue.

We also invite you to submit stories on your Patriot ancestors. Where did they serve? How did the conflict affect them? Did they have a pension, or leave behind a diary or letters that give personal insight on the war? If so, please consider sharing their stories with us. You can contact me at editor@patriotsar.com

Dynamic History

I’m still processing all the history I took in while visiting Boston a couple of weeks ago. It was one of those “if only I had more time” experiences. However, truth be told, there will never be enough time for me to learn all that I want about the American Revolution. History is not static—there are discoveries still being made about that era. In New York, an excavating company recently unearthed what is believed to be a burial ground for hundreds of soldiers from the war. It seems that every year new books surface with fresh information about the generals, battles, and events of the conflict. And just the other day I downloaded an application called “Revolutionary War” to my cell phone. I just have to touch a small icon, and instantly I have a wealth of history at my fingertips. It gives me “on this day” information, and when I do a simple word search (“Revere,” “Bunker Hill,” etc.) I am provided with reading material, facts, quotes, and trivia about this pivotal moment in our county’s history.

Boston!

Earlier this week I was in Boston and took the time to follow some of the Freedom Trail. Visiting such places as Paul Revere's house, Copp's Hill Burying Ground, the Old State House Museum, and the Old North Church can leave you speechless--especially when you realize you're standing where our Founding Fathers and many Patriots once stood. I was able to get a private tour of the Old North Church and climbed to the top of the steeple, where the two lanterns that signaled the start of the war once hung. Be on the lookout for a few articles in upcoming issues of Patriots of the American Revolution on the Old North Church and the new Boston Tea Party Museum, which is scheduled to open in late 2010.

 

Patriotically,

T. M. Jacobs

Update: Boston Bound!

There is a lot of excitement at Patriots of the American Revolution! First, be sure to visit our newly revamped website (www.patriotsar.com). Second, we now also have a Facebook page. Third, the September/October issue is in the final editing stage, and will be in the mail-stream towards the end of August. Last of all, I will be in Boston August 5-8, visiting various historic sites associated with the American Revolution--so be on the lookout for a series of postings as I step back in time.

New News!

I have to apologize for not blogging more and on a regular basis! I don't have any excuses--only reasons why this has been the case. Two If By Sea Publishing has transferred the publication of Patriots of the American Revolution over to Three Patriots, LLC. Therefore, we're happy to announce that our publication--starting with the upcoming September/October issue--will become a 60-page bi-monthly publication and will include new departments such as "Allies & Enemies” and “Culture, Art, & Conflict.” There will also be more biographies, and even a bit of fiction. Also, be sure to check out our new website: same address (www.patriotsar.com ), but with a new look and format. If you have anything you'd like to share about our publication, the American Revolution, or colonial history, this is the forum to do it in. We look forward to hearing from you!