A Woman's Wiles

An Afternoon with Madam CJ Walker

The latest History Twins podcast is about Madam CJ Walker, the first female self-made millionaire in America. Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for black women through the business she founded, Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company. Madam CJ Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 on a Louisiana cotton plantation, and the first of her family to be born free. While working as a washerwoman in St. Louis, MO, her hair fell out as a result of using lye soap, and she eventually created hair care products for black women. Carla and Keyes also discuss the research and creative process that went into creating their two-person play, An Afternoon with Madam CJ Walker, in which Italian opera star Enrico Caruso meets Madam CJ Walker at her Irvington, NY mansion. In their imagined story, Madam CJ Walker shares her life story with Enrico Caruso. In real life, Caruso was a friend of Madam CJ Walker’s daughter, and named Walker’s Irvington, NY mansion “Villa Lewaro” using the first two letters of each word in the name of Walker's daughter, Lelia Walker Robinson. The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers. Links: Madam CJ Walker -Official Website MadamCJWalker.com - Official Website of Madam CJ Walker [https://madamcjwalker.com/] Madam CJ Walker - Wikipedia Madam CJ Walker - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madam_C._J._Walker] Madam CJ Walker -History Madam CJ Walker - History.com [https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/madame-c-j-walker] Madam CJ Walker -Biography.com Madam CJ Walker: Products, Daughter, and Hair Care - Biography.com [https://www.biography.com/inventor/madam-cj-walker] “Self Made” on Madam CJ Walker Biography on Netflix Video Trailer for  “Self Made” - Madam CJ Walker Biography on Netflix [https://www.netflix.com/title/80202462] History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tNsL3A3VUGk [https://youtu.be/tNsL3A3VUGk] HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/1bHB0dzmGxb [https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/1bHB0dzmGxb] Carla and Keyes Blog: https://CarlaandKeyes.com [https://carlaandkeyes.com/] Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List: https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join [https://carlaandkeyes.com/join]

Colonial Christmas in New York

In the latest episode of The History Twins, Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes discuss Christmas traditions in Colonial New York.The ingredients of modern Christmas are believed to have started in New Amsterdam, the Dutch colony founded in 1625, which later became New York. While the Dutch observed the day of Christ’s birth, called Kerstydt, it was overshadowed by a more popular December holiday, Sinterklaas, a Dutch gift-giving tradition where children sat their shoes outside their home to be filled by a visiting St. Nicolas on December 6th. Winter weather led to the shoes being moved inside, which evolved to stockings being hung near the fireplace. Non-Dutch families in Manhattan felt the pressure from their children to adopt this tradition, which was pushed forward a couple of weeks to align with the more generally observed festival of Christmas. Over time Christmas and Sinterklaas merged into one holiday. Carla and Keyes also discuss the dark days of Christmas in the 1770’s. In Colonial New York, Christmas Eve was a time when servants and male children would knock on the doors of privileged classes and demand food and drink. If the revelers felt that they received less than the best quality, they might vandalize property. In the 1819 publication The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, New York author Washington Irving promoted St. Nicholas as a beloved figure. Irving’s writing also described “ancient customs” of family and social gatherings, which included dancing, singing, decorations, and overall good cheer. Christmas Wassailing as Social Protest https://b-womeninamericanhistory18.blogspot.com/2018/12/christmas-wassailing-as-social-protest.html [https://b-womeninamericanhistory18.blogspot.com/2018/12/christmas-wassailing-as-social-protest.html] New Amsterdam Christmas https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2021/11/very-special-new-amsterdam-christmas_17.html [https://www.boweryboyshistory.com/2021/11/very-special-new-amsterdam-christmas_17.html] The History of Christmas https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas [https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas] Christmas Music in Colonial Days https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Christmas04/music.cfm [https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Christmas04/music.cfm] History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/J2Yh-yMkHYE [https://youtu.be/J2Yh-yMkHYE] HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6VYSxyeuWvb [https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/6VYSxyeuWvb] Carla and Keyes Blog: https://CarlaandKeyes.com [https://CarlaandKeyes.com] Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List: https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join [https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join]

The Ballad of Rifle Jack

The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War. In today’s episode we discuss Rifle Jack Peterson, the Revolutionary war era patriot of African and Kitchewan descent whose quick thinking thwarted the secret meeting between Arnold and Andre. Pe­ter­son was en­gaged in mak­ing cider at Bar­ret­t’s farm on Teller’s Point (Cro­ton Point) along with nine­teen-year-old Moses Sher­wood when they spied the English vessel Vulture sending a rowboat of men towards land. A skilled marksman and seasoned member of the 3rd Westchester militia, Peterson fired on the rowboat, forcing its occupants to return to the ship. Unbeknownst to them, the rowboat of men had come to collect John Andre with the plans for West Point that had been given to him by Benedict Arnold. Peterson and Sherwood then sped to Fort Lafayette to alert their commander about the vessel. Acting upon this information, troops set up a cannon at Tellers Point to attack the sloop in a fiery battle that lasted two hours. These actions contributed to the later capture of Major Andre, who would have been rescued by the British but was instead stranded on shore. Carla and Keyes also discuss the research and creative process that went into the composition and arrangement of their song “The Ballad of Rifle Jack Peterson”. The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers. Links: Rifle Jack Biography - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Peterson_(American_Patriot) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Peterson_(American_Patriot)] African_American_Heritage_Trail_of_Westchester_County https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Heritage_Trail_of_Westchester_County [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Heritage_Trail_of_Westchester_County] Revolutionary Westchester: John Jack Peterson https://thehudsonindependent.com/revolutionary-westchester-john-jack-peterson/ [https://thehudsonindependent.com/revolutionary-westchester-john-jack-peterson/] Jack Peterson Memorial - Mobile Historic Tour on The Clio https://www.theclio.com/tour/1410/8 [https://www.theclio.com/tour/1410/8] Always Present, Never Seen https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/06/03/always-present-never-seen-part-2/ [https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/06/03/always-present-never-seen-part-2/] History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nnOraOasumc [https://youtu.be/NXOfblPhtQo] HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins/episodes/Arnolds-Lament-e1qo88n [https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins/episodes/Arnolds-Lament-e1qo88n] Carla and Keyes Blog: https://CarlaandKeyes.com [https://carlaandkeyes.com/] Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List: https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join [https://carlaandkeyes.com/join]

Arnold's Lament

The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War. In today’s episode we discuss General Benedict Arnold and possible insight on what led him to sell the plans for West Point to the British. General Benedict Arnold was once believed to be one of the best, if not the best battlefield commanders in the American Army during the early years of the Revolutionary War. He had been known for his heroism in the early days of the Revolution, and also paid his men out of his own pocket. He fought in the Battle of Saratoga, which was a turning point of the War. As a result of this battle, the French became allies to the Americans, and sent troops to fight the British. Another result of this Battle was that Arnold sustained several battle wounds, which led to one of his legs being shorter than the other, which required him to walk with a cane.  However, Arnold was given no credit for his involvement. As Arnold healed from his wounds, Washington appointed Arnold as Military Governor of Philadelphia after the British Army evacuated the city in June 1778. While there, he met loyalist Peggy Shippen who he courted and married. Arnold also lobbied George Washington to place him in charge of the Hudson Highlands’ fortifications and West Point. A month after his wedding, Arnold sent a letter to New York City for British General Henry Clinton, offering his potential services to the Crown. His wife Peggy Shippen passed encrypted notes from Arnold to British Head of Intelligence John Andre, to set up a meeting to hand over the plans for America’s West Point. After being branded a traitor, Benedict Arnold’s name was removed from American memorials. He never gained the trust of the British, and died heavily in debt. Carla and Keyes also discuss the research and creative process that went into the composition and arrangement of their song “Arnold’s Lament”. The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers. Links: Benedict Arnold bio on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold] Battle of Saratoga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battles_of_Saratoga] Beloved Hero and Despised Traitor https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/21/nyregion/beloved-hero-and-despised-traitor.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/21/nyregion/beloved-hero-and-despised-traitor.html] Why Benedict Arnold Did It https://www.americanheritage.com/why-benedict-arnold-did-it [https://www.americanheritage.com/why-benedict-arnold-did-it] History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NXOfblPhtQo [https://youtu.be/NXOfblPhtQo] HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins/episodes/Arnolds-Lament-e1qo88n [https://anchor.fm/the-history-twins/episodes/Arnolds-Lament-e1qo88n] Carla and Keyes Blog: https://CarlaandKeyes.com [https://carlaandkeyes.com/] Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List: https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join [https://carlaandkeyes.com/join]

A Woman's Wiles

The History Twins podcast is currently covering “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War. In today’s episode we focus on our song ``A Woman’s Wiles”, which introduces Arnold’s wife Peggy Shippen as the femme fatale of the story. Margaret “Peggy” Shippen was the socialite daughter of a Loyalist family in Philadelphia. When the British occupied Philadelphia early in the Revolution, she attended many parties, and was a close friend of British Major John Andre. There was also rumors of their courtship. After the British left Philadelphia, General Benedict Arnold was named Military Governor there, while he healed from wounds from the Battle of Saratoga. He courted the young Peggy Shippen, whose father Edward Shippen originally rejected the match. Her father later changed his mind, and Peggy married General Benedict Arnold. After their marriage, Arnold reached out to the British, in order to change sides. He could not  deliver his messages to the British himself, so he utilized Peggy’s inner-circle of friends. The letters would be passed from person to person and then given to someone who was capable of getting into New York City. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that historians discovered that letters from Peggy Shippen contained secret messages written with invisible ink. Carla and Keyes also discuss the research and creative process that went into the composition and arrangement of their song “A Woman’s Wiles”. The History Twins podcast teaches that history is more than just dates and dead people. It’s for people interested in history, and the creative process involved in bringing history to life through performance. You can find The History Twins podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Amazon podcasts, as well as your favorite podcast catchers. Links: 10 Facts About Benedict Arnold and Peggy Shippen https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-benedict-arnold-and-peggy-shippen [https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/10-facts-benedict-arnold-and-peggy-shippen] Major John Andre designing a costume for Peggy Shippen: https://silkandsass1776.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/operation-meschianza-pt-2-the-dress-deets/ [https://silkandsass1776.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/operation-meschianza-pt-2-the-dress-deets/] Peggy Shippen on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Shippen Historically Speaking: History shows Arnold's wife had role in treason https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/opinion/columns/2013/09/28/historically-speaking-history-shows-arnold/42789003007/ Peggy Shippen Biography https://www.thoughtco.com/peggy-shippen-biography-4176715 Peggy Shippen sharing with Theodosia & Letter from Alexander Hamilton, demonstrating his weakness for “damsel’s in distress” https://www.lmelliott.com/lauras-blog/other-peggy-one-who-fooled-alexander-hamilton Turncoat https://www.amrevmuseum.org/read-the-revolution/turncoat Books: Treacherous Beauty by Mark Jacob and Stephen H. Case. Turncoat: Benedict Arnold and the Crisis of American Liberty by Stephen Brumwell The Exquisite Siren: The Romance of Peggy Shippen and Major John Andre by E. Irvine Haines History Twins Video Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-icfph5qvaY HistoryTwins Audio Podcast on Anchor.fm Carla and Keyes Blog: https://CarlaandKeyes.com Join the Carla and Keyes Mailing List: https://CarlaandKeyes.com/join