Creative History

On September 19, 1738 a four foot tall man strode into the Burlington, New Jersey Quaker meeting house with a purpose.  The Quaker meeting house in Burlington was the largest building between there and Philadelphia, and on this day when the little man with the big ambition walked in, the meeting house was packed with hundreds of the most influential men and women--a veritable who’s who of Quaker religious and secular leadership, in the colonies of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The diminutive man was a well known local eccentric named Benjamin Lay.  Some people, those of a more religious bent among the Quaker faithful, claimed that Benjamin Lay was a prophet like a modern day eighteenth century John the Baptist.  Others among the Quaker faithful, probably the majority, thought Benjamin Lay was nothing more than a local crackpot who was best to be avoided.  For his part, Benjamin Lay didn’t care what anyone thought--he was on a mission to abolish slavery on this Septe...

            The count begins one...two... But before the count of three is reached United States Senator from California David C. Broderick’s Belgian made .58 caliber pistol misfires harmlessly into the dirt at his feet. Standing ten paces away from Broderick is former California State Supreme Court Justice, and one time close personal friend of Broderick’s, David S. Terry. Despite the mishap Broderick continues to stand tall.  On the count of three Terry doesn’t flinch and instantly pulls the trigger. Terry has taken aim directly at Broderick’s chest and when he fires the bullet instantly enters the Senator’s lungs. Weeks later at his trial Terry will claim that he, “only intended to graze him with a flesh wound,” but most who witnessed the duel will claim under oath that Supreme Court Justice Terry shot with intent to kill. The mortally wounded David C. Broderick is rushed to a waterfront house on San Francisco’s Black Point Beach. ...

  On Thursday, May 22, 1856 thirty-seven year old Congressman and former United States Army Captain decorated veteran of the Mexican-American War from South Carolina, Preston Brooks walked into a nearly deserted Senate chamber. With Brooks, that day as he walked onto the Senate floor, was his fellow Congressman from South Carolina, attorney, Laurence M. Keitt.  Brooks and Keitt had waited up above, in the gallery, nearly the entire day for the Senate floor to empty.  It is their desire that no ladies be present to witness what they are about to do. The Congressmen from South Carolina are there to confront Senator Charles Sumner, Republican from Massachusetts, leader of the abolitionist faction in Congress and one of the most eloquent orators in the United States over remarks he made in a speech two days prior. Preston Brooks When Brooks and Keitt first entered the Senate chamber that day it was Brooks’ intention to challenge Sumner to a duel for having slandered his...