Named Entity Results, 1783 AD

hich included the compromise resolution that provided for the continuation of the slave-trade, by permission, until 1808, caused very little change in the sentiment of the people, and all hoped that in some way, not yet imagined, the gradual and peaceful abolition of slavery would be accomplished. In 1777, Vermont, not yet admitted to the Union, formed a State constitution abolishing slavery. Like constitutions were adopted by Massachusetts, including Maine, in 1780, and by New Hampshire in 1783. Gradual abolition was secured by statute in Pennsylvania in 1780, in Rhode Island and Connecticut in 1784, in New York in 1799, and in New Jersey in 1804. Abolition of slavery in the Northwest Territory, north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi, including the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota, was secured by the Ordinance of 1787. In 1807, Congress passed an act for the abolition of the slave-trade on Jan. 1, 1808. Slavery in part

Acquisition of Territory. The original territory of the United States as acknowledged by the treaty with Great Britain, in 1783, consisted of the following thirteen States: New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The boundaries of many of these States, as constituted by their charters, extended to the Pacific Ocean; but in practice they ceased at the Mississippi. Beyond that river the territory belonged, by discovery and settlement, to the-King of Spain. All the territory west of the present boundaries of the States was ceded by them to the United States in the order named: Virginia, 1784: Massachusetts, 1785; Connecticut, 1786 and 1800; South Carolina, 1787; North Carolina, 1790: Georgia, 1802. This ceded territory comprised part of Minnesota, all of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio (see Northwest Territory)

Alexander, William, 1726-1783 Called Lord Stirling, military officer: born in New York City in 1726; was a son of Secretary Alexander of New Jersey. His mother was the widow of David Provoost, a wealthy merchant of the city of New York. Attached to the commissariat of the army, he attracted the notice of General Lord Stirling. Shirley. and was for three years his aide-de-camp and private secretary. He went to England and Scotland in 1755, and before his return he prosecuted his claim ther, surveyor-general. He was also an excellent mathematician and astronomer. He was one of the founders of the New York Society Library, and also of King's College (now Columbia University). Alexander Humphreys, born in Birmingham, England, in 1783, claimed the earldom of Stirling. In 1824 he obtained the royal license to assume the name of Alexander, because he had a maternal grandfather of that name, and his deceased mother was a great-great-granddaughter of John Alexander, fourth son of

Barber, Francis, 1751- Military officer; born in Princeton, N. J., in 1751; was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1767, and became rector of an academy at Elizabeth, N. J., and pastor of the Presbyterian Church there in 1769. Leaving these posts, he joined the New Jersey line in the Continental army as major, in February, 1776. In November he was made a lieutenant-colonel, and was afterwards assistant inspector-general under Baron Steuben. He was active in several battles until 1779, when he was adjutant-general in Sullivan's campaign, and was wounded in the battle of Newtown. In 1781 he was successful in quelling the mutiny of Pennsylvania and New Jersey troops. He was with the army at Newburg in 1783, and was killed by the falling of a tree while he was riding in the edge of a wood, Feb. 11 the same year.

Barlow, Joel, 1754- Poet; born in Reading, Conn., March 24, 1754; was graduated at Yale College in 1778; studied theology and was licensed a Congregational minister; and from 1778 to 1783 was a chaplain in the army, writing patriotic songs and addresses to keep up the spirits of the soldiers. When the army was disbanded (1783) he settled at Hartford, where he began to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1785. He had tried book-selling; Joel Barlow. and, in 1792, he established a w1783) he settled at Hartford, where he began to study law, and was admitted to the bar in 1785. He had tried book-selling; Joel Barlow. and, in 1792, he established a weekly newspaper, entitled the American mercury, published at Westford. His poetic talents becoming widely known, he was requested by several Congregational ministers to revise the phraseology of Watts's hymns. He also attempted to revise the Bible in the same way. A cousin of Benedict Arnold, who would talk in doggerel rhyme, was asked by Barlow to give him a specimen of his poetic talent. Arnold looked the poet sharply in the face, and said, instantly: You've proved yourself a sinful cr

Beatty, John, 1749-1826 Physician; born in Bucks county. Pa., Dec. 19, 1749 was graduated at Princeton in 1769; studied medicine with Dr. Rush; took up arms, and became a colonel in the Pennsylvania line. He was made prisoner at Fort Washington, and suffered much. In 1778 he succeeded Elias Boudinot as commissary-general of prisoners. but resigned in 1780. He was a delegate in the Congress of the Confederation, 1783-85, and of the national Congress. 1793-95. He was secretary of state for New Jersey for ten years--1795--1805. He died at Trenton, N. J., April 30, 1826.

Biddle, James, 1783-1848 Naval officer; born in Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 29, 1783; was edueated at the University of Pennsylvania, and entered the navy, as midshipman, Feb. 12, 1800. He was wrecked in the frigate Philadelphia, off Tripoli, in October, 1803, and was a prisoner nineteen months. As first lieutenant of the Wasp, he led the boarders in the action with the Frolic, Oct. 18, 1812. Captured by the Poitiers. he was exchanged in March, 1813; and was made master commander in charge of a flotilla of gunboats in the Delaware River soon afterwards. In command of the Hornet he captured the Penguin. March 23, 1813. For this victory Congress voted him a gold medal. Made captain in February, 1815, he held important commands in different parts of the world. While in command of a squadron in the Mediterranean (1830-32), he was given a commission to negotiate a commercial treaty with the Turkish government. In 1845 he performed diplomatic service in China, and visited Japan. H

andolph was his nephew. He received the degree of M. D. at Edinburgh, returned home in 1764, and practised medicine. Bland led volunteers in opposing Governor Dunmore, and published some bitter letters against that officer over the signature of Cassius. He became captain of the 1st Troop of Virginia cavalry, and joined the main Continental army as lieutenant-colonel in 1777. Brave, vigilant, and judicious, he was intrusted with the command of Burgoyne's captive troops at Albemarle Barracks in Virginia; and was member of the Continental Congress in 1780-83. In the legislature and in the convention of his State he opposed the adoption of the national Constitution; but represented Virginia in the first Congress held under it, dying while it was in session. Colonel Bland was a poet as well as a soldier and patriot. The Bland papers, containing many valuable memorials of the Revolution, were edited and published by Charles Campbell in 1840-43. He died in New York City. June 1, 1790.

Blount, William, 1744-1800 Statesman; born in North Carolina, in 1744; was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782-83, 1786, and 1787; and was a member of the convention that framed the national Constitution. In 1790 he was appointed governor of the territory south of the Ohio. (See Northwestern Territory.) He was president of the convention that formed the State of Tennessee in 1796, and was chosen the first United States Senator from the new State. Blount was impeached in 1797 by the House of Representatives, charged with having intrigued, while territorial governor, to transfer New Orleans and neighboring districts (then belonging to Spain) to Great Britain by means of a joint expedition of Englishmen and Creek and Cherokee Indians. He was expelled from the Senate, and the process was discontinued in the House. His popularity in Tennessee was increased by these proceedings, and he became, by the voice of the people, a State Senator and president of that body. He di

Brevard, Ephraim, 1750- Physician; born in Charlotte, N. C., about 1750; was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1768; was educated for a physician, and practised the profession in Charlotte. He was secretary of the famous Mecklenburg Convention. When the British invaded the Carolinas, he entered the Continental army as a surgeon, and was made a prisoner at Charleston in 1780, Broken with disease, he returned to Charlotte after his release, and died about 1783.