Episode 1: A Snapshot of Life in Colonial Wilmington 

Click Here to Listen to Episode One

In the first episode of the WHS podcast series, Nathan Field interviews local historian Bill Knightly about Wilmington during the Colonial era to set the stage for a 2nd and 3rd podcast with Bill on Delaware during the Revolutionary war itself.

Some Topics Discussed:

10:00 – Walking up Market St in the year 1750…
15:00 – The violent rivalry between the 2nd St and 4th St Markets
22:30 – How did Wilmington get its name?
30:00 – The colonial “tavern scene”
36:45 – Why Napoleon’s rise to power changed the nature of our town
43:15 – Was there an “education system” as that term is understand today?
46:15 – Navigating the Kings Highway (Rt 13) in 18th Century Wilmington
55:00 – Who were the “big employers” of the day?
1:01 – An interesting method for getting rid of criminals
1:04 – What buildings still stand today from the Colonial Era?
1:08 – Where in Wilmington did George Washington definitely sleep?

 

 

 

Episode 2: George Washington and the War Comes to Wilmington

Click Here to Listen to Episode Two

In this podcast Nathan Field interviews local historian Bill Knightly about the momentous military events that took place in Northern Delaware in the summer and fall of 1777.

Some Topics Discussed:

2:00 – How Wilmingtonians react to new taxes imposed by Parliament
8:55 – When fighting breaks out, which side(s) are Delawareans supporting?
12:28 – The 30,000 foot military picture as of mid-1777
16:38 – The Continental Army sets up shop in Wilmington
21:00 – Mr. Broom of Broom St fame’s critical assistance to George Washington
23:34 – Legendary figures from American History that were here in Wilmington
26:48 – The 2-minute history of the Battle of Brandywine
31:20 – Analyzing Washington’s written orders and maps as a retired Army Infantry Colonel
36:10 – The Red Coats occupy Wilmington and kidnap Delaware’s governor
51:00 – Battlefield sites people can still see today