A Recap of My Research Summer
With the cool autumn breeze, and temperatures that start at freezing and climb to 70, my colonial research summer is over. My husband and I went to Franklin Square in the pouring rain and Williamsburg in dense humidity for information on the colonial printing press.
For those just joining in, I’ve been conducting research on Mary Katherine Goddard this summer because her name is on the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. She printed the second copy, the one with the names of the signers. Funny enough, she’s not discussed at Franklin Square or Colonial Williamsburg. What is discussed at length is Benjamin Franklin, the proud founder of the American Philosophical Society, among other things (printing press, post office, almanac, etc. etc.) Interesting enough, some of his accolades are tied to the Goddard family, which this untitled play will be about.
I was so fascinated with the research element of these trips that I forgot to take an abundance of pictures. To capture my summer adventure, I have chosen to return to one of my favorite past times, sketching. I’ve listed my favorite fun-facts below from this trip so it is easy to follow along.
Hot off the Press
Our language around letters comes from the printing press. Capital letters were stored in the upper case (ABC…). Lowercase letters were stored in the lower case. That’s how they developed their nomenclature.
The paper was made from the pulp of linen rags. You would be paid to give your dirty rags to the printers so they could make paper. Sounds like a good deal to me. It also had to be kept moist for printing.
Tiny letters had to be individually installed in the press. If that wasn’t hard enough, each one had to be upside down and backwards. Imagine acquiring this special reading skillset.
We imported most of our printing material. Paper? Barely made in the colonies. Ink? The Dutch made the best. The ink was sticky, black, messy, and applied to the letters through two leather covered, wood-handled, wool-stuffed ink balls (pictured below).
FUN FACT: In Poor Richard’s Almanac, Benjamin Franklin ruined the life of one of his rivals, Titan Leeds, by predicting his imminent death. Leeds fought back in anger when his “death date” passed and attempted to slander Franklin. Franklin in turn proclaimed that Leeds had to be dead, because his good friend Leeds would never say such negative words regarding his character. He continued to troll this man until he actually died, then Franklin congratulated the person who he speculated had usurped Leed’s name.
Ink Stamper: wood-handled, wool-stuffed. It was coated in ink, which was then pounded into the letters before the print was pressed.
Visiting the Post Office and Printing Office in Colonial Williamsburg.
Laughter and Cream of Tartar: the Best Medicine
At this point in history, there are four divisions of doctors: the apothecary, the surgeon, the physician, and one that I cannot remember…what is important is that you can be multiple things! Welcome to the medical world, apothecary-surgeons.
The apothecary had many different symbols: unicorn, rhinoceros, and the caduceus (the symbol of Hermes) My favorite, however, is a symbol of the god Apollo slaying a dragon, which is art on pottery in the Colonial Williamsburg apothecary shop. Why does this one exist? I have no idea, but it’s awesome! There are three apothecary shops in the restored Colonial Williamsburg area marked with the above symbols.
These physicians were intelligent, and they created medicine still used today. Our use of calcium carbonate, aka Tums, comes from colonial times. Cream of tartar was also used (and can still be used) as a laxative.
Who Doesn’t Like Chocolate?
Imagine a visit to the nearest coffeehouse for some drinking chocolate and socialization. That’s right. Drinking chocolate was one of the most popular drinks in Colonial America. Thick, rich, and creamy. We tried some in Colonial Williamsburg and we highly recommend it!
While traveling, we also visited Monticello, which is another story for another blog post, but a very good story at that. We learned about the history of slavery in Monticello and Mount Vernon, and how the lives of our venerated Founding Fathers should be further analyzed and explored so that we can better understand the foundation of our nation. But more on that later.
Lost in the rain in Philadelphia.
I leave this summer with many memories. In particular, I got lost at Independence Hall in the pouring rain. Thankfully, a confused redhead in a bright red raincoat and a black and white polkadot umbrella can fly under the radar (well, at least I tried). By the end of 2018, I hope to have a ten minute play incorporating the research I found. By the end of 2019, I strive for a full-length play.
If you have a curious mind, and you want to shed light on the shadows of history, do it. What’s stopping you? Get out there! Adventure. Let one piece of information lead you to the next until you have a story, a place, and people in vibrant color. Rediscover lost narratives and never stop learning. I wish you the tenacity to pursue the past so that it can open your mind to the future.