History records that Rachel Wall was the last woman to be hanged in Massachusetts, and legend remembers her as the only woman pirate from Boston. Her highly publicized trial took place as America implemented its new constitutional government. The state attorney general who prosecuted her had been a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A few weeks after the trial, the presiding judge became one of the first US Supreme Court justices, and her defense attorney, who had helped ratify the constitution, soon became the first US Attorney for Massachusetts under the constitution. Not only that, but her death warrant carried perhaps the most famous signature in US history, that of governor John Hancock. On this weekâs episode, we uncover the fascinating true story of Rachel Wallâs life, trial, and death thatâs hiding within the legend. Â
Tag: revwar
Love Behind Enemy Lines (episode 131)
Weâre trying something new this week by bringing in a guest for our upcoming historical event segment. Clara Silverstein from Historic Newton tells us about their âCrossing Bordersâ series. Sticking with the theme, our show this week recounts a romance between young lovers that crossed enemy lines and political allegiances, uniting patriot Billy Tudor and loyalist Delia Jarvis. Even as the Revolutionary War began and Boston was besieged, Billy risked everything and swam across the harbor to visit Delia. As the war continued and they were separated by many miles, Billy would address his letters to Delia to âmy fair loyalist,â and then sign them from âyour ever faithful rebel.â
Founding Martyr (episode 103)
In this weekâs show, we are talking about all things Joseph Warren. Author Christopher di Spigna joins us to discuss his book Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolutionâs Lost Hero, a new biography of our favorite patriot. Weâll start with his boyhood in a Roxbury filled with farms and apple orchards, then cover his education at Harvard, his rise in politics, his untimely death at the start of the revolution, and the recent discovery of living descendants.
The Occupation of Boston (episode 100)
250 years ago this week, British troops landed in Boston. Author J.L. Bell joins us to discuss the British governmentâs decision to send troops in an attempt to keep peace after Bostonâs years of upheaval. Instead of bringing peace, the tense occupation would culminate in the Boston Massacre less than two years later.
Listen to the end to find out how you can get some free HUB History swag in celebration of our 100th episode!
Paul Revere’s Not-So-Famous Rides (Ep76)
In honor of Patriots Day and the anniversary of Paul Revereâs famous ride, we are focusing on some of Paul Revereâs less famous rides this week. When Paul Revere set out to warn the Provincial Congress that the British Regulars were coming in April of 1775, it wasnât his first gig as an express rider for the patriots. For almost three years, he had been carrying messages from the Boston Committee of Correspondence on horseback to patriots in New York, Philadelphia, New Hampshire, and beyond. Itâs just that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow didnât write poems about the other rides.
Episode 54: The 1747 Impressment Riot
In 1747, a British Commodore began kidnapping sailors and working men in Boston, and the people of the city wouldnât stand for it. Â Three days of violence followed, in a draft riot that pitted the working class of Boston against the Colonial government and Royal Navy.
Episode 42: Total Eclipse of the Podcast
Your humble hosts are traveling this week, trying to see the first total eclipse of our lifetimes. Â While weâre gone, listen to the story of the 1806 eclipse, the first total eclipse seen in Boston after European colonization.
Episode 33: The Four Burials of Joseph Warren
Dr. Joseph Warren was the greatest Patriot leader youâve never heard of. Â His many accomplishments led the royal governor of Massachusetts, General Thomas Gage, to remark that âThe death of Joseph Warren is akin to the death of five hundred Patriots.â Â He was so in demand that his body was moved three times after his death at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Continue reading Episode 33: The Four Burials of Joseph Warren
Episode 26: Isaiah Thomas and the American Oracle of Liberty
This week, weâre going to talk about Isaiah Thomas.  Not the NBA star, but the colonial printer and founder of the Massachusetts Spy, whose office became known by the British as the Sedition Foundry.  He snuck his presses out of Boston on the eve of war, helped Paul Revere spread the news of the British march, and shared first-hand accounts of the battles at Concord and Lexington.  Later, he would spread his business empire across multiple states, and become a historian, founding the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts.  Listen to his story!
Continue reading Episode 26: Isaiah Thomas and the American Oracle of Liberty
Episode 25: The Court Martial of Paul Revere
This week we celebrate Patriotsâ Day, and the anniversary of Paul Revereâs famous ride.  Itâs easy to forget that Paul Revereâs story didnât end on April 18, 1775.  This week, we bring you a less glorious story about Paul Revere, one thatâs not shrouded in myth.  In 1779, Revere was among the leaders of a military expedition in Maine that ended with the greatest US Naval defeat prior to Pearl Harbor, and eventually led to his court martial on charges of cowardice and insubordination.
Well, listen children, and you shall hear,
A different story of Paul Revere.
In Maine, the troops fled before a British drive,
Until hardly a man was left alive.
They court martialed Paul in â82, I fear.
Continue reading Episode 25: The Court Martial of Paul Revere