Reviews for Colonial Days in Old New York

The average rating for Colonial Days in Old New York based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-11-15 00:00:00 Joachim Schmitt It is always interesting to look at history through a different lens and perspective, especially from the historians and biographers that lived closer in date to the period or subject being discussed. To that point, it’s fantastic to see publishers such as HVA Press revitalizing these often overlooked works that were masterpieces in their own time—in which they dust off these shelved books, and prove that these authors had quite a familiarity and passion for the Colonial and Revolutionary era as do modern audiences and historians. Hailing from Massachusetts, Alice Morse Earle began her writing career in 1890, focusing on the social and cultural history of the American Colonies—a task quite monumental for both the late nineteenth century, and for a society that did not feature or take too kindly to the idea of a female historian. Earle begins her study by focusing solely on the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam—modern Manhattan—which is an unusual yet welcomed approach, as most histories of seventeenth and eighteenth century North America focus on the populace of New France and the British Colonies. She even acknowledges this discrepancy when describing the education and child life of the times, reminding the reader that the colonists of the Netherlands did not leave letters like that of the Winthrop Papers, nor produce a diarist of the scale of Samuel Sewall—let alone the preachings of Cotton Mather. She explains that schoolmasters were brought from across the Atlantic, and Earle traces each part of their contract—from their salary, school expenses, ministering, and other religious duties including the tolling of church bells at specific hours—as well as bringing up the fact that many were drunkards and rather subpar in their ethical standards. While she may not be as adept in engaging her audience with clear social summaries as compared to the likes of modern historians such as Liza Picard, or Roy and Lesley Adkins, Earle shows a driven intuition and depth to each new topic discussed and researched. Whether upon discussing the day-to-day activities in town centers, or the architecture of colonial Dutch housing and farmyards, Earle spreads the pages with interesting facts as well as the little known customs of New Amsterdam—from the type of folding-beds that were in high demand at the time, down to the very lard that was recommended and added graciously in many household dishes. After delving into the drinking habits of the Dutch colonials, Earle discusses such topics as the water quality in old Manhattan, the wardrobes and clothing attire designed for each family member, as well as the unconventional roles and duties that both genders took part in when compared to the more traditional French and British: This “Margaret Filipse” was the daughter of Adolph Hardenbrook who settled in Bergen, opposite New Amsterdam. She was the widow of the merchant trader Peter Rudolphus De Vries when she married Frederick Philipse. Her second husband was a carpenter by trade, who worked for Governor Stuyvesant; but on his marriage with the wealthy Widow De Vries, he became her capable business partner, and finally was counted the richest man in the colony. She owned ships running to many ports, and went repeatedly to Holland in her own ships as supercargo. She was visited by Dankers in Amsterdam in June, 1679. According to the custom of his religious sect, he always called her by her Christian name, and wrote of her as Margaret. What may come off as rather dull and dry facts surrounding the history of New Amsterdam can actually be viewed as a striking social history of the Dutch colonists—if the reader can also appreciate and entertain much of the late-nineteenth century dialect, culture, and style that is found in Earle’s work and writing. Occasionally though, her prose can indeed take the form of a rant or musing when comparing Dutch society to that of her own present world and tastes, becoming almost too comfortable with both the subject at hand and her audience. This is evident in her personal fascination and envy of their holidays, as well as when she cannot hold back her hunger for their culinary delights. Nonetheless, she uniquely connects a few of the statesmen and soldiers of the American Revolution to these early colonists and their way of life, casually mentioning the ancestry of Lord Stirling and Philip Schuyler, and adding that the punishment of riding the “wooden horse” in the Continental army had its roots in early Dutch colonial law and justice. As with a majority of nineteenth century works of history and biography, the historical accuracy and facts presented should be further reviewed and scrutinized with a mindful eye, due to the then-familiar yet rather dodgy practice of not citing the sources of the material used when researching. That’s not to say Earle’s work should be disregarded and tossed aside, as she has quite effectively covered each topic with the passion typical of a historian who has a clear determination and understanding of their subject, as well as the responsibility involved. While Earle’s work could have benefited from an index and illustrations which became standard in the following century, she has nonetheless written a remarkable social history of New Amsterdam, leaving the reader highly educated on the culture of the Dutch colonials. Read the Full Review and More

Review # 2 was written on 2020-07-22 00:00:00 Mark Stool I love early American history and this book (itself originally published in 1896) highlighted more information I did not know; like untying a knot signified consent to marriage; city lights were required in 1697; the animals, birds, and fish were giant and plentiful, some ancient lobsters being six feet long; the Dutch drank excessively and at every occasion including barn raising, the signing of contracts and funerals; they literally sanded floors, putting sand on them, to keep them clean; and fine secretary grass which grew on Long Island became the landscape for much horse racing.