Download or read book October Nineteenth Seventeen Eighty One, Victory at Yorktown written by Joseph P. Cullen and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2017-10-21 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from October Nineteenth Seventeen Eighty One, Victory at Yorktown: The Story of the Last Campaign of the American Revolution Sprawled atop a high bluff along the banks of the York River overlook ing a splendid harbor, the Town of York in the years just prior to the Revolution had the appearance and rough vitality of a thriving seaport. On the eastern outskirts, along the quiet waters of Wormley Creek, the water wheel of the Moore Plantation gristmill turned slowly, grinding grain and corn into edible meal. From the western end of town, the ferry plied its way across the half-mile narrow neck of the river to the village of Gloucester. Main Street, running parallel to the river, was busy with constant traffic as the colonists came to the county courthouse, a large T-shaped brick build ing, to record wills and deeds, and to see about the management of York County affairs. Here also were the jail and other necessary instruments of justice, such as pillory and stocks, whipping post, and branding irons. The Taverns are many here, and much frequented, a visitor noted. Directly across the street from the courthouse stood the Swan Tavern, the best-known and most important in the town. In its pleasant rooms, mer chants, planters, sea captains, traders, lawyers, shopkeepers, and travellers met and talked, conducted business or just relaxed at the card, billiard, or backgammon tables. A favorite drink was the mint julep, made with bright green mint fresh from the garden. On humid summer days the fragrant mint, with its delicate flavor and cooling quality, mixed with liquor and ice, provided a soothing refreshment. In the kitchen, meat and fowl trussed on spits turned slowly over a friendly fire with drip-pans on the floor to catch the juices. Bakestones, griddles, and ovens decorated the hearth, and big pots for boiling hung from cranes, with bellows nearby to breathe life into dying embers. On a rough, hand-hewn table stood mortar and pestle for mixing, flesh-hook for lifting meats, rolling pin, brass skimmer, and other cooking utensils, and an assortment of pans, tubs, pots, and trays. Just off Main on Church Street stood Grace Church, another smaller T-shaped structure, built of marl. The bell in its steeple summoned worship pers and announced emergencies and celebrations. In addition to his ser mons, the minister read public notices, the governor's proclamations, and important new laws. Sunday was visiting day, as parishioners. Gathered in the church yard to discuss crops, the weather, prices, and politics. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.