#culper family

[hamilpop]

Happy 4th of July! 🇺🇸 From HamilPOP and the Culper Spy Ring. 🔎📜✍️🥚🥬

Select custom Funko POP Vinyl Figurines inspired by "TUЯN: Washington's Spies" are available now at my Etsy.

[onlybeeewrites]

The Violinist

Pairing: x reader

Requested: no

Warnings: none, maybe light sexism

Part 2

———————————————————-

You had not come from a very prominent family. Not near as well known as any of the families of the Ton. Neither were you on the lesser side of money. Your family had more than enough to be comfortable, yet nowhere near the money that was flaunted by the upper class.

No. Instead you reside in a family of musicians. You, surrounded by your three brothers and your father, all enjoy the thrill of performing. They were hesitant to allow you to join them in their endeavors, but with much reassurance they allowed you to join them. The promise was kept as long as you remained in the back, hidden from others while your music echoed through the rooms. They didn’t entirely agree with you playing. A young woman of twenty and three focusing on music instead of finding a husband. But you loved what you did and that’s all that you cared about.

Your well-known family was one of the bands that would preform at the balls through the ton. Set up to one side of the room long before guests we’re ever to arrive, giving yourselves plenty of time to set up and prepare your instruments. You had played the violin. Rather beautifully in fact. Your brothers and Father played the rest of the instruments, some other violins, a cello, and the viola. Together, you all make the most beautiful music.

You had been almost blessed with such a talent from a young age, taking on the violin at about eight and catching on quickly. you were able to hear music and replicate it almost instantly and it was incredible. You absolutely loved it. Your parents had called you a prodigy of the instrument, your elder brothers amazed at how quickly you were able to pick such things up.

This ball was no different. It was about mid season, and the young ladies and gentlemen of the ton were in full sing of the social season of finding the right partner to court. This evening your family had the pleasure of preforming in Aubrey Hall, home to the Bridgerton family themselves. You had heard all sorts of stories about the family both from the whispers of the ball rooms to the scandalous readings of Lady Whistledown. From the rakes that were the eldest boys, to the Diamond that was Daphne, or the bookworm that was Elouise who had seemed to despise these lavish parties more and more with each year.

These people had intrigued you. You have seen people of all sorts within these parties, but those Bridgertons were the most interesting to you. For a family so wealthy, so well-known, they were so kind. It was not like the Culpers where they would stick up their nose at the nearest person who was beneath them. No, they were strangely kind. Though it all made your job much easier.

It never took too long for you and your family to set up and tune your instruments. The servants and such were all rushing around, getting some final arrangements done before all the guests were to arrive.

You, yourself we’re just finishing up your tubing when a younger female voice spoke up behind you, pulling you from your concentration.

“I remember you playing from a few other balls. Are you usually tucked in the back playing?” The voice spoke, causing you to turn to face one of the middle children of the Bridgerton family. Elouise Bridgerton.

You raised an eyebrow before you lowered your head in a greeting. “Miss Bridgerton,” you started before nodding at her words. “I do. I am Y/N Lyndon. I play often at these balls through the social season with my brothers and my father. Though my only place is in the back but I do not mind,” you say, and this leads even more curiosity from the Bridgerton girl.

“Hm. So you’re hidden in the back just playing. Listening to the room. Perfect for….gossip. Is it not?” Elouise then asked, which caused a confused look to come across your face before you had realized what she was insinuating. This laugh caused Elouise to narrow her eyes, “why are you laughing?” She questioned, “it’s because it is true. Isn’t it?”

You shake your head, recollecting yourself before speaking. “Forgive me, miss. Uh no, it is not true. I do not have the luxury of having so much time to write such gossip in the papers as Lady Whistldown does. I spend my time preforming and practicing and I do not have much time to write such things. Though it was a rather clear idea. A preformed hidden in the back? A rather good suspect,” you say before continuing, “though if I do hear anything of Whsitledown I’ll ensure that you are first to know,” you then reassure the young girl.

Eloise huffed softly as she could have sworn that she was close. But she was relieved that you would be able to help though.

Before she could speak, the eldest of the Bridgertons came up and placed his hands on Elouise’s shoulders, “excuse my sister, miss. She often speaks out of turn. Excuse us,” he said and before Elouise could utter another word he pulled his sister away.

You looked to them a bit in confusion, but assumed he either didn’t want Elouise to distract her before her performances, or maybe the Viscount didn’t want his sister interacting with a worker. Either way she didn’t mind. She lowered her head as Anthony came and went, turning and getting settled in her spot just beside her brother.

“You need to stop bothering people with that Lady Whistledown nonsense,” Anthony said as they approached Benedict and Colin as well. The two were already a few glasses of champagne down.

The two shared a look with each other before glancing to the other two siblings, “who are you bothering now with your hunt for Lady Whistledown?” Colin asked in an exaggerated sigh.

Elouise rolled her eyes, “I am not bothering. Just inquiring. And it was Miss Lyndon. The violinist,” she said, subtly gesturing to you who had just started to warm up amongst your brothers.

This seemed to catch the attention of the brothers as they took in your form. Hair done up simply but elegantly and a dress proper enough for a ball. Though it wasn’t anything extremely elegant or very outlandish. It was simple, but it was intriguing. A rather beautiful young lady playing an instrument instead of dancing.

“Intriguing…” Benedict hummed, obviously intrigued by a fellow artist. He was always drawn to such people with such creativeness. Then again, Colin was as well.

The brothers made a note to keep an eye on this certain violinist, hopefully they would see her preforming once more.

[icarusbetide]

connection between wartime administration & federalist-lean?

There's an argument that wartime service and experiencing Congress' failures firsthand as Washington's aide de camp pushed Hamilton further into the ideals that would later be seen as Federalist: a national instead of state outlook, a permanent military power, and a strong, efficient government.

I was wondering if that argument can be applied on a broader scale: is there an overall connection between revolutionary wartime administration and federalist-leaning political beliefs?

I'm by no means qualified but for my own curiosity's sake, I tried to find the political inclinations of former leaders in the war as well as members of Washington's family, who arguably should have seen the same inefficiencies as Hamilton.

Major Generals:

Washington: Tried very hard to be nonpartisan, but pretty federalist when all's said and done. Especially in 2nd term as president and in last years of life Horatio Gates: Supported Jefferson's presidency, so assuming he was leaning Democratic-Republican? Henry Knox: Federalist Philip Schuyler: Federalist William Alexander, Lord Stirling: Not sure John Sullivan: Federalist, led drive in New Hampshire for Constitution's ratification Thomas Mifflin: Federalist according to Wikipedia (was also aide to GW from June to August 1775) Arthur St. Clair: Federalist. Governor of Northwest Territory, removed by Jefferson in 1802 due to political party differences. Benjamin Lincoln: Federalist, strong policies and presence in Massachusetts Thomas Conway: Unreliable source says Federalist William Moultrie: Some sites say Federalist but he had falling out with Washington because of his pro-French actions towards Genet. Possibly nonpartisan.

Washington's family (Aides, Culper, Life Guard. If they died before we can quantify as "Federalist", then not included):

Note: I tried to include length of service and timeline, arguably important (there during Valley Forge or good period?), but it's difficult in consideration of leave and such. Used Wikipedia's dates.

Edmund Randolph (August - November 75): Wiki says Federalist but I know enough about him that he was often the swinging vote in Washington's cabinet, and that he didn't sign the Constitution because he thought it too strong. Tench Tilghman (August 76 - June 80 | June 80 - Nov 83): Died in 1786. I shouldn't include him but raise a glass for our hardworking Tilghman. Robert Harrison (Nov 75 - May 76 | Military Sec May 76 - 81): Died in 1790. Wikipedia says Federalist. John Fitzgerald (Nov 76 - July 78): Couldn't find John Walker (Feb - March 77): Unreliable source says Federalist Samuel Blachley Webb (June 76 - Jan 77): Couldn't find William Grayson (Assistant Sec. July - August 76 | Aide August 76 - Jan 77): Leader of Anti-Federalist faction with Mason, Monroe, etc. died in 1790 Alexander Contee Hanson Sr. (Assistant Sec. June - Sep 76): Federalist according to Wiki Alexander Hamilton (March 77 - April 81): Is this even a question? Stephen Moylan (March 76 - June 76 | Sept. 76 - Jan 77): "Firm Federalist" according to Founders Online James McHenry (May 78 - August 80): Federalist, GW's Secretary of War in 2nd term when cabinet members were much more partisan. Richard Kidder Meade (March 77 - November 80): Couldn't find. I know that he was very close with Hamilton, which makes me think it possible that their politics had some similarities? But entirely speculation. Hodijah Baylies (May 82 - Dec 83): Federalist. According to Founders Online, Gallatin was advised against Baylies because he was a "decided and we believe a sentimental federalist”. David Cobb (June 81 - Jan 83 | June 83 - Dec 83): Wiki says Federalist Peregrine Fitzhugh (July 81 - Oct 81): Not sure if same Peregrine Fitzhugh, but in a letter to Jefferson in 1807, said: "It is true I have been called a Federalist, and feel a pride in being so: but my Federalism is firmed in those principles which dictated the correct and memorable declaration that we were all Federalists all republicans" William Stephens Smith (July 81 - June 82): Federalist (member of Congress as Federalist in 1812) David Humphreys (June 80 - Dec 83): Federalist. He was part of the Hartford Wits and wrote the poem The Anarchiad. "In 1802, Thomas Jefferson...decided to replace Humphreys...Historians speculate that Humphreys's closeness to the Federalist Party motivated Jefferson’s decisions." from Mt. Vernon Richard Varick (Aide & Priv Sec May 81 - Dec 83): Apparently Federalist and later mayor of New York Benjamin Walker (Jan 82 - Dec 83): Federalist, elected to Congress as Federalist

Caleb Gibbs (May 76 - Dec 80): Couldn't find Nathaniel Sackett: Couldn't find Benjamin Tallmadge (1778 - 1783): Federalist, part of minority in Congress during Jefferson & Madison administrations

Other aides who might've had administrative work, although I'm not sure:

Aaron Burr: Very short run with Washington, and Israel Putnam's aide. Technically Democratic-Republican, but some historians have noted his politics did not always align with a party.

James Monroe: Aide to Stirling, Republican-Democratic

Concerns:

First concern: I'm not sure if the other major generals' aides would see as much administrative work directly with Congress as Washington's aides. I'm under the impression that other generals would report to Washington, than Congress, but I'm not sure.

Second concern: I also want to add that other factors would have most definitely played a role, such as familial and economic interests, which may or may not have been influenced by the war. Still, I thought it would be an interesting exercise.

Third concern: A lot of this is very shallow research as I did not have the time or energy to really dig into all of them. Please let me know if there is any inaccurate information (even Federalist or Democratic Republican is a very broad term and I'm sure their beliefs varied).

Please let me know if you see any inaccurate information, or anyone/some branch I did not consider!

[meduseld]

What the- I was poking around Wikipedia and turns out:

Through his mother, Lucinda Williams, Jordan Peele is descended from the colonial Woodhull family, whose members include Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull and Culper Ring Spy Abraham Woodhull (the latter of whom is his first cousin, eight times removed). [Source]

Well I wasn't expecting THAT

[lyledebeast]

Abigale vs Abigail

Since the theme of this semester's end's procrastimeta is finishing old Turn/The Patriot metas, here's another!

The enslaved woman in the Culper ring known as 355 is given the name Abigail in Turn. History has not recorded her actual name, and "Abigail" was clearly a popular name in the 18th C. Still, I can't help wondering if her sharing the same name as Benjamin Martin's housekeeper, with one letter's difference in the spelling, is entirely a coincidence. What the two women have in common is being very emotionally connected to the families they serve. Abigail is genuinely fond of Anna, Andre, and Peggy, and devastated when she realizes that her information played a role in Andre's execution. Abigale uses her body as a human shield for the Martin children when Tavington draws his pistol on them, which is as much as their own father does. The difference is that Abigail feels like a fleshed out person with her own desires and motivations and Abigale, like everyone else in the movie who isn't a White adult man, feels like a prop. However, if we look beyond the surface, maybe these two women have more in common than initially appears.

Turn is much more deliberate than The Patriot about demonstrating the power differentials between Black and White women. While Abigail is best besties with Anna and Peggy most of the time, the White women each remind Abigale that they can do anything they want to her with impunity: Anna when she wants to manipulate Abigail into letting her into John Andre's house and Peggy when she wants in on the plot to kidnap her husband. Of course, they go right back to being friends later, which is both likely and not at all suspect . . . hmmm. And in spite of only agreeing to help Anna spy to assure that she will care for Cicero in Long Island after Abigail goes to Philadelphia, Abigail and Cicero continue to risk their lives sending information to the ring after they are reunited. Akinbode, having failed to convince her to bring Cicero and come with him to Canada, asks why she is staying to help people who care nothing for her. An excellent question, and one the show unfortunately never answers.

While Abigail is more loyal to the Patriot cause than she has any reason to be, Abigale's loyalty to the Martin family undergoes a little . . . blip. After Tavington's crime spree at the Martin farm, she is apparently taken into British custody with the other Not Slaves. But then she appears later in the sea islands with the Maroons. She has either escaped her British captors, or been set free, but she does not go to the plantation where everyone in South Carolina knows Benjamin Martin has stashed his children. Why?

First, being the only free Black person is a household full of slaves would be far too delicate a situation for this movie to handle with any care at all. In that same vein, having Abigale in the sea islands saves the writers the trouble of creating a new Black character in a speaking role. Two of those is surely plenty for a movie set in a colony where the overwhelming majority of the population was Black in the 1780s, right? While acknowledging these limitations, I'd like to offer a much more fun, unhinged possibility.

Abigale . . . is a spy for the British!

They set her free on the condition that she provide them with information about the militia's activities. Obviously, she didn't agree to that right away. She said, no thank you, I'm done with Whites of every nationality after all these shenanigans. But then those children turn up in her safe haven with their enslaver aunt and . . . well, damn. And then they have a big Maroon-themed wedding and, a few days later, a goodly number of the White guests at that wedding are burned up in their church. How does Tavington know this community has given aid to Benjamin Martin and his rebels? It's because Abigale was sitting in a dragoon tent the night before telling him and Captain Bordon all about those treacherous Howards. I hope he paid her well. She deserves it for all she's been through.

[queerquaintrelle]

TURNsgiving2023, day 1: traditions

“They is my family, they is my family. They might be crazy, but they is my family. You can't get to them unless you get through me, you fuck with them you fuck with me.” — Family, Mother Mother

Since my traditions are pretty standard, regarding American Thanksgiving, and I am a writer who likes themes and motifs. Let’s focus on the Culper ring and found family and its significance to (TURN) Benjamin Tallmadge’s character. Imagine the Culper ring ceases their bickering for a day and celebrates a thanksgiving together. I put Benjamin Tallmadge through an awful lot. I think I can permit him this.

Reading on what constitutes a American revolution thanksgiving brought to you by, @honorhearted. <3

[meerawrites]

🖊🖊

Been thinking a lot about TURN: Washington’s Spies and the American Revolution lately. So here’s every original character I can theoretically stick into that universe… @eurydicefades 🫡

American Revolution podcast.

American Revolution: playlist.

TURN: playlist.

Benjamin Tallmadge: playlist.

Rococo playlist.

French History podcast.

In no particular order…

Audrey: based on Kitty Fisher and Charlotte Hayes, born 1750, turned 1780 at the age of 30. Well-to-do sex worker, coquette, disowned daughter of a Viscount. Abolitionist. She/they, bisexual-polyam. Vampire.

Camille: based on Mary Wollstonecraft and various French Revolution ladies. Audrey’s half sister, unlike her, never disowned, still hates her Viscount father. Abolitionist, anti-monarchist, pamphlet writer, and social climber. Turned into a vampire in 1790. She/her, bi. Vampire.

Artémise: Dutch and Black-Creole New York socialite, spy for the culper ring, and violinist. An informant, a fashionista, bit of diva, excellent listener. Will sell you out to Benjamin Tallmadge. She/her, bi.

Benjamin Fisher: Benjamin Tallmadge, vampire/anti-hero arc. He/him, bi (closeted). Staff to Washington, from New York, trying really hard to be good, but vampirism won’t let him. Turned by Audrey in 1781. Vampire.

Charles: Colonel in the British army. Good at following orders, only doesn’t like his job. It’s a constant existential crisis, he knows neither side is right, he’s sworn to the British by duty not by choice. Scottish and French, English born. Based vaguely on Ross Poldark. He/him, bi. Has a deceased wife and daughter he’s still mourning.

Eliott: Spy for the British army. Follows orders for social gain and security, not cause he wants to. Poet turned spy, he/him, bi. Much like Tallmadge, he is a young man, having control taken from him far too often. Really just doesn’t want to be hung as a traitor to the crown. Irish and Catholic. Hates all of the army, expect Major André and Simcoe.

Carlotta aka Charlotte: French socialite, unknowing informant to the Patriots. She/her, bi. Somewhere between culper ring spy and French nobility looking to escape France due to pending revolution back home. 1/2 characters here who are not made for battle situations.

Edith: Maryland based loyalist, loyalist out of love for her family. She/her, bi (closeted). Catholic but very English. A civilian caught in a bad situation, didn’t do anything wrong, unless love for one’s family is a sin. Honestly reminds me of a Liberty’s Kids character and Sarah Livingston (Turn) but younger. Of marriageable age (24), good natured, well meaning, loyalty to what she deems moral just has her in a bad situation.

Harriet: Boston based dress maker and painter, sometimes pamphlet writer. Free woman of global majority (colour), Black and Welsh. She/her, bi. Yet another civilian caught in a war they didn’t ask for. Declares neutrality to survive, probably more on the side of the continental army, but she’d rather not the gallows.

Verity, Nancy & Sally/the tombeor polycule: their last name isn’t actually their last name, it’s a French title meaning “performer.” Like a code name. A polycule of three black/Irish sex worker women who are all dating each other and their clients, at the same time, she/her(s) all bi-poly-sapphic. Sex workers and spies for the culper ring, but their loyalty isn’t a cheap. Technically they declare themselves neutral in the war, it’s all lies.

[enchi-elm]

Turn Week 2023 Day 7: If I could change one thing...

For starters, I agree with what @honorhearted said about wishing the show was more character-driven than plot-driven. And the fact that it’s an ensemble cast is no excuse. If I could have this show with Downton Abbey-style narrative flair and pacing, I’d be thrilled.

I’m currently working with a friend on a secret hush! project that is basically a supernatural being AU, so I can’t pick that one as I’m already taking the reins myself.

I’m going to be a broken record and say I would have loved to have seen more Indigenous elements involved. Granted, yes, the show is about spies and the Culper Spy ring in general. But there are also story lines about Rogers and Akinbode, family relationships explored in Judge Woodhull and Samuel Townsend, and those enrich the main themes, they don’t take away from them. Even Rivington gives us a little speech.

Why couldn’t there have been more focus on the lives of Han Yerry and Awasos and their stories? It’s just such a big part of the historical context to wipe from the record. Indigenous populations, warriors, sachems, politicians and thinkers were involved in this conflict at every level, even as fighters in the Continental Army itself (Stockbridge militia, whoop whoop!). Not to mention the British and their extremely loyal and powerful ally in Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) of the Mohawk. The presence of Indigenous warriors was used as a psychological tactic on both sides, and when they weren’t used in more formal military offences, they were used in sneakier missions, like scouting, raiding parties, and the like. How easy it would have been to include more Indigenous characters!

The interactions of Caleb, Ben, Rogers, the British generals and the Continental generals with their Indigenous allies would have told us a LOT, creating a richer portrayal, more intricate political tapestries, and frankly, should have been the baseline for inclusion.

*clears throat* *drinks water*

Also.

I would change the last line of the show. To literally anything else.

[musingsofahistorymajor]

YO YOU GOT ANY COOL WOMAN'S HISTORY FACTS ALSO HISTORY IS POG LIKE I GOT A LECTURE WORTH OF STUFF ABOUT JAMES CAGNEY

Oh my god SO MANY! Where do I even start!! Here is a quick and short rundown of some of my favorite womens history facts:

Women in the military during ww1 and ww2 is one of my favorite subjects. Let's talk about that for a second:

Women served in every branch of the U.S. military throughout both world war 1 and world war 2

Did you know women served in the US Army and as such were stationed in every front of the war during WWII?

Female switchboard operators served in the trenches of France during ww1.

The most feared bombers in ww2 were Russian women flying wooden planes and physically throwing the bombs out

Women were the ones to help break enemy codes

Women helped planned D-Day

Russian snipers were fierce badasses.

We have computers thanks to women. Ada Lovelace, Grace Hopper, Hedy Lamar, etc.

DNA's double helix form was discovered by a woman. Rosalind Franklin.

Women got us to space by performing complex mathematical calculations by hand during launches.

Science Fiction was started by a woman. Mary Shelley.

One of the most fearsome pirates ever was a woman. Ching Shih. She was undefeated and was one of the few pirates who retired.

Hypatia was the last last librarian of the Library of Alexandria and is said to be the first female mathematician

The first female historian was Anna Comnena of the Byzantine empire

Sybil Ludington was a 16 year old girl who joined the famous "Midnight Riders" and rode from Putnam County, New York to Danbury, Connecticut to warn of advancing British troops.

Hatshepsut is the the fifth pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, after Sobekneferu

Deborah Sampson was a woman who served in the army during the American Revolution. She disguised herself as a man and served admirably

We wouldn't have airplanes without Katherine Wright who made sure her brothers had everything they needed. She ran their family shop, booked speaking engagements for them, was basically their marketing director and made sure these two idiots didn't die from starvation.

Agent 355 was a female spy in the Culper Ring during the American Revolution.

Virne “Jackie” Mitchell, a pitcher, was the first woman in professional baseball. During an exhibition game, she struck out both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

The first novel. As in the very first novel. Written by a woman. Murasaki Shikibu who wrote the Tale of Genji in 1000 AD

The earliest recorded female physician was Merit Ptah, a doctor in ancient Egypt who lived around 2700 B.C. Many historians believe she may be the first woman recorded by name in the history of all of the sciences, making her achievement all the more impressive

Victoria Woodhull ran for president in 1872.

Julie d’Aubigny was a French bisexual opera-singing sword fighter from 17th-century France. A total badass.

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to go in space.

Stephanie Kwolek was an American chemist who invented Kevlar

Lyudmila Pavlichenko is the most successful female sniper in human history. Initially barred entry into the Red Army to due to her sex, Lyudmila would go on to rack up 309 confirmed kills in WWII. Her terrifying skills as a sniper and impressive kill count earned her the nickname “Lady Death” from her German enemies.

Nancy Wake who killed an SS Officer with her bare hands

Khutulun was the great-great-granddaughter of legendary conqueror Genghis Khan. Taught the inner workings of military life by her father, Khutulun became a skilled and powerful warrior. For her marriage, she proposed a challenge: any man that could best her in a wrestling match would have the honor of taking her hand in marriage. If they lost, they would have to give her a horse.

Boudicca was a queen of the Iceni tribe of Celtic Britons, who led an uprising against the conquering forces of the Roman Empire in AD 60 or 61.

Honestly I can go on forever. There are so many amazing and interesting women in history and I can't learn enough about them. This is only a very small list and a condensed version of their stories. I highly recommend looking into each of them more.

[cabbxges-and-kings]

Why the Thanksgiving episode is superior: episode highlights

I think almost every main character is shown in this episode

Caleb?? Anna? Townsend? The Culper family reunion (except Ben)??? What more could you ask for?

Samuel Townsend. That's it.

Anna and Caleb just show up.

"Ooooo the Rangers are coming." "Anna, you don't know what you're talking about." Literally acting like children.

The weird "EH" sound Rogers makes when he enters the home.

The way Caleb just blows the powder out of the pan of his flintlock right next to an open flame.

The way Townsend just shows up to this chaotic scene at his house.

"It's you." *Everyone angrily looks at Samuel Townsend*

"Here we gooooo."

The way Townsend just points a gun at Rogers' head.

Everyone's having a no-good-no-fun time at this Thanksgiving.

"BOLLOCKS!"

Most iconic episode ever

[bradshawsbaby]

(I left this as a comment on the Revolutionary War AU post, but I figured I'd send it as an ask as well. 😆) Okay, but also imagine Bradley being a part of the Culper Ring, Washington's spy network. He's pretending to be a loyalist, infiltrating his way into important loyalist social circles to gather information to send back to Washington. He meets the admiral's daughter at a ball some well-known loyalist is hosting so she thinks Bradley is also a loyalist like her & her family. THINK OF THE ANGST AND DRAMA. Especially when it was not uncommon for caught spies to be immediately hung. Or maybe he's an officer in the Continental Navy under John Paul Jones? THIS AU HAS SO MANY POSSIBILITIES! 😊

Revolutionary War AU w/ Bradley

My students absolutely love learning about the Culper Spy Ring! There’s definitely a lot of intrigue and drama when you take it from an angle like that!

But I never said that she was a Loyalist—only that she was the daughter of one 😉

[tallmadgeandtea]

Turnsgiving 2022: Day 2

Favorites: Mary Woodhull

“I know how to clean up a mess.”

As a woman in history, I feel a soft spot for every female main character in Turn, but during my recent Turn and Teas, I’ve had a special appreciation for Mary Woodhull. She is fierce in her love, her loyalty, and her beliefs in putting family first. She’s also vastly underestimated by almost every male character in the show. All of them see Mary as the soft, obedient wife when in reality she is intelligent and a better problem solver than her husband and all of the men in Setauket, I’d wager. Even in 2.01 when Abe confessed he does not love Mary as much as she loves him, she’ll still do anything for him. Go watch that scene again if you can, because Meegan Warner is a fantastic actress and played every facet of Mary with ease and grace. Without Mary Woodhull, Abe couldn’t have been Culper, and what would have happened then?

[melpomeneprose]

CHARACTER QUESTIONNAIRE !!

Tagged by: myself.

Tagging: @withinycu, @adrienne-lafayette-official, @johngravessimcoe, @cavalrylad, @musenssang, @philip-hamilton-official, @sharp-teeth-and-wide-grins, @virgosjukebox. 💙

✧･ﾟ   𝐃𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄.

► BENJAMIN TALLMADGE.

Name: Benjamin Tallmadge.

Alias(es): Ben, Major Tallmadge, 2nd Continental Light Dragoon, Tall-boy, & Captain Tallmadge. “Beagle tilting his head.” (Creator of Washington’s spies tv).

“Beagle” “Washington’s hunting dog” (affectionate & derogatory, from both sides)

Gender: male (he/him).

Orientation: not your business.

(Bi, repressed and ashamed about it, but bi, in my personal portrayal and reading/headcanons, having read his memoirs & letters, but the truth is… as with Alexander Hamilton, we’ll never know). Age: 22-24.

Date of birth: February 25, 1754

Place of birth: Setauket or Brookhaven, Long Island, NYC.

For simplicity he’ll say, New York, sometimes.

Spoken language(s): English, Latin, trying really hard for French thus far not succeeding. Do code books count?

Occupation(s): soldier, spymaster, congressman, statesman. (au: lawyer) (modern verse: law student).

★  ⸻   APPEARANCE

Eye colour: blue, the kind you can drown in, it’s his most attractive feature, according to popular opinion.

Hair colour: dirty blonde.

Height: 6’0” (tall by 18th century standards).

Other: rarely ever seen out of uniform.

Has anxiety & PTSD, should probably touch grass. Deserves a hug and deserves better.

★  ⸻   FAVORITE

Colour: red, white, gold and blue, neutral black that suits everything or gray works to.

Song: Benjamin’s playlist.

Food: bread, salt, cheese, or fish.

Drink: brandy or wine.

★  ⸻   HAVE THEY...

Passed university: Yale college, top of his class!

Had sex: not your business.

Had sex in public: no.

Gotten pregnant/someone else pregnant: wants kids, but not that way, and not at this exact moment. Given the war.

Kissed a boy: no. (Yes) Nathan Hale.

Kissed a girl: yes.

Gotten tattoos: no.

Gotten piercings: no.

Been in love: he’s not sure if it counts, to be blunt, but for reason of answering, yes.

Stayed up 24+ hours: for the cause, yes.

★  ⸻   ARE THEY...

A virgin: not your business, also a construct society cruelly and hypocritically only applies to the fairer sex. (No).

A cuddler: yes.

A kisser: circumstantially.

Scared easily: most certainly not!

Jealous easily: yes!

Submissive: switch.

Dominant: none of your business.

In love: verse/thread dependant.

Relationship status: I am married to honour and the revolution until this is over. (Single).

★  ⸻   RANDOM QUESTIONS

TW for self-harm/suicide mention.

Have they harmed themselves: not unless you count accidentally falling in the Delaware river.

Thought of suicide/ideated: under the pressure of war, atrocities, violence and bloodshed. Yes. But rarely.

Attempted suicide: only if you count a Protestant martyr complex, as the son of a preacher it runs in the family.

Wanted to kill someone: side eyes Simcoe.

But he didn’t enjoy the killing in question.

Have/had a job: Washington’s staff.

Fears: death, abandonment, losing control, not being enough, losing the war, tyranny, his own capacity to help vs harm and the moral dilemma of mundane human existence and soldiering.

Sibling(s):

Samuel Tallmadge.

William Tallmadge.

John Tallmadge.

Isaac Tallmadge.

Parent(s): Susannah Tallmadge (née Smith)(deceased)/Rev. Samuel Tallmadge sr.

Children: verse/thread dependant.

Children In history:

Frederick A. Tallmadge

Maria Jones Tallmadge

William Smith Tallmadge

Harriet Tallmadge Delafield

Benjamin Tallmadge Jr.

Henry Tallmadge.

Significant other(s): Nathan Hale (deceased), Sarah Livingston (ex lover, kinda, sorta, it’s complicated & traumatizing).

Significant other(s) in history:

Mary Floyd (1784 to 1805).

Maria Hallet (1808 til death in 1835).

Pet(s): he should like to have a beagle, or grey hound, but, none presently.

Benjamin’s Wikipedia.

Benjamin’s memoir.

In canon: TURN.

Culper ring.

[deadgirlwalkinginadream]

I never ever post on here but the TURN fandom is still alive and thriving so I MUST participate. I believe @cabbxges-and-kings started this?

How has it almost been ten years since season 1 aired? God I’m old.

Favorite Season: Season 3 for sure. Everything was heightened constantly. The character development. It’s the full cast in full gear. So many iconic moments.

Least Favorite Season: Season 4. It’s the only season I’ve only rewatched once. (I am constantly rewatching s1-s3). It’s a great season compared to other shows, but there is just something missing to me. However, Abe SHINES this season and I feel like that is super overlooked. Also Caleb’s torture scene is borderline too much for him and entirely taints the season (which is totally the point so well done writers).

Favorite Character(s): So I have five. I have a top five. We’re just gonna deal with it. I want to give an honorable mention to Abigail because she could have totally been 5. I was constantly flip flopping those two. I just want everyone to know I love Abigail to the ends of the world as well.

5. Robert Rogers - Okay so I feel like I might loose some people here. The latest rewatch I did completely solidified this for me. One of my favorite things about TURN is that every time I do a full rewatch I see something different in all the characters. Rogers completely changes a scene just by being mentioned. His presence is so strong, and he’s SO influential to the entire plot of the show without meaning to. His interactions with Abe are AMAZING!! He’s the only character that makes Simcoe fully crack (I see the argument for Hewlett and even Abe but Rogers just did it like no one else). Rogers’ power is not talked about enough in the fandom, and his character stands true as one of the first “bads” of the show, when all he really wanted was to live his life the way he wanted, no strings attached.

4. Robert Townsend - My Quaker. What an intriguing character. He could have completely fell to the sidelines with such a multiple character focused show. His silent nature could have made him overlooked, but he constantly steals every scene. Robert’s morality and loyalty driven ambition are a perfect balance to Abe’s own ambition. Townsend’s interactions with Caleb and Rivington are priceless. He completly surprises every time he’s on screen. The ace among the Culper Spy Ring. The man managed to stay hidden until the 1930s. The perfect definition of a quiet storm. What a badass.

3. Mary Woodhull - What. A. Mother. Fucking. Badass. Dear god. Mary Woodhull is SUCH a well written and well acted character. The minute we meet her, we’re supposed to dislike her. She’s the barrier between Abe and his true love (Shoutout to Anna too I fucking adore her). She is a loyalist who puts her fate in her god. She wants the comfy, big house living. One of my favorite choices in TURN is that Mary never changes. We just get to peel off the exterior layers and see into her own motives. Her heart is dedicated to her family and her family only. She doesn’t care what side that is, and that’s such an interesting character to highlight in a show about the Revolutionary War. Every little thing Mary does is for others. Her willingness to stay as the prop for Hewlett Vs Abe, burning the code book and making the ENTIRE coverup story, aiding Caleb with the burning of the supplies, SHOOTING SIMCOE!!!! She is a firecracker in the thunderstorm. Mary did everything we wanted every character to do. She is the true epitome of quiet strength, and I absolutely loved that about her. She is also SLIGHTLY unhinged, and who doesn’t love an unhinged soft gal?

2. Edmund Hewlett - I could go into a multi page essay about Edmund Hewlett. Every time I rewatch in its’ entirety I love him even more. He was truly a man out of his element, that rose to EVERY occasion played in front of him. He never lost his moral compass, no matter the cards he was played. He was too kind for war, and he paid for it severely. I feel perhaps the most jaded about his story. Hewlett was a stick in a riptide. That being said, what a fucking badass!! He went toe to toe with Simcoe over and over again. What I admire about Hewlett is that he never lost his sense of self. He stayed true to who he was. He was a strategist and he used that to his advantage. He did what had to be done in a way that hurt the least amount of people. He is one of the most honorable characters, and he has some of the best lines.

1. Caleb Brewster - Literally anyone who knows me knows this. Caleb Brewster is an enigma of a character. He’s constantly laughing to hide his trauma. He’s a raging Patriot but only in the war for his friends. He’s technically a solider but he uses a hand axe. He’s part of a spy ring but uses his real name. Caleb Brewster is the sunshine of the Culper Spy Ring. He’s spitfire attitude balances the rest of the cast perfectly, no matter who he’s paired with. You can’t help but smile or smirk whenever Caleb’s on screen. For a show that steers pretty serious, that’s a rare gem of a character to have. Even rarer when that character still has depth. I believe that’s partly due to Henshall’s incredible acting. Brewster never feels too exaggerated. He makes so many (and I mean SO MANY) dumb decisions. He’s down to earth in a time where being serious was more normal. He is perfectly and purposely the odd man in order to create the flow of the ring. Caleb Brewster’s development is a beautiful and heartwretching process. If Caleb didn’t work, the show wouldn’t have worked.

Least Favorite Character: Benedict Arnold :( I can go on a whole evaluation about his character another time, but yes. Him.

Favorite Romantic Couple: John André and Peggy Shippen is an absolute given. God I LOVE them together. I’m also SUCHHHH a sucker for Anna/Hewlett. Both of these couples are so well written and don’t overpower the plot. I want to give a shout-out to Anna/Selah though. I honestly really like them together. I like that they had to grow into being good together. I wish we saw more of them, before the war and after.

Favorite Friendship: It’s Ben and Caleb hands down, but I always love the few Abe and Samuel Townsend interactions we get to see. What a fun dynamic. I also LOVE Anna and Caleb’s relationship. Underrated and so sweet on both ends.

Favorite Episode: I have a couple but my all time favorite is S3E6: Many Mickles Make A Muckle - This is such a catalyst episode. It’s the turning (ha get it) point of the show for me. We have so many character plot points happening BECAUSE of other characters, especially some characters that have been previously separate. Robert Rogers and Robert Townsend, Anna Strong and Samuel Townsend; and then of course so many character interaction payoffs; Abe and Anna being Abe and Anna, Caleb Vs Rogers coming to a head, Simcoe on Abe’s tail constantly. SUCH an amazing episode.

Honorable Mentions: S2E8: Providence, S3E3: Benediction, S2E4: Men of Blood, and S1E10: The Battle of Setauket

Least Favorite Episode: S2E7: Valley Forge

I feel as if this is a typical answer. Listen, I like Georgey Wash as much as the next person…but dear god is still the only slow episode in the whole show. I think it’s because the pacing is so weird? The show has been go go go until this and now it’s Washington lore drop central. Weird choice in progression. I would’ve done this as a twenty five minute add on to E6.

Favorite Quote: “Dear lord…I know we haven’t spoken in a while….thanks.” - Caleb

Also… (I’m paraphrasing her) “Did you hear about Arnold? What a piece of shit he is!!” - Abe

[alexander-the-ham-man]

Soo Je Suis back!

This time I would like to talk about Robert Townsend's cousin...James

It was the Spring of 1780, Abraham Woodhull was once again a cry baby and was like "Oh my God G.Wash I am not vibing right now. I am out bye". Obviously he left for a bit before coming back, because he was as I said a cry baby.

Now back to the eventful Spring of 1780, Robert Townsend our dear old Bob had to "explore" and understand how to use a passage through New Jersey. As we all know, Robby dearest was very cautious and decided that "why should I use Washington's contacts when I have my own amazing, very intelligent, teenage cousin James?".

James decided to take the task as courier through the Hudson, which was mostly a Loyalist area. In order not to rise questions he was given a secret identity. James' story was that he was a Tory who had to recruit British soldiers and that was going to meet his family (Tory family obvi), in a mostly Patriot side.

During this mission he went into the house of a nice family, the Dausenberry family, that were BELIEVED to be loyalists.

Being a teenager, James became extremely immersed in his little play and free booze and began to talk trash about the Americans. "O M G damn Rebels. We should really cancel them. They are like ew. And yes I do want a ninth glass of Madeira. For king and country!"

What James didn't know, was that the Dausenberries were secret Patriots and while James was carrying on with his little scene, not only they wished to punch him, but they took him as a prisoner.

The extremely drunk and boastful boi, was promptly taken to the local Patriots headquarters, where he must have been so confused. In his pocket they found a poem written by Culper Jr who wrote with the invisible ink between lines.

Obviously word reached Washington that a British spy called Townsend had been captured. And honestly I imagine Washington just face palming and cursing because who wouldn't?

At the end James was carried back home where he was probably scolded by Robert who was at the same time scolded by Washington.

One might imagine that Robert felt sorry but HAHAH No. Robert, after sending his teenaged and booze starved cousin on a random mission, was offended.

This is the entry that John Dausenberry wrote on his diary on the 23rd of March 1780

[James Townsend came to his house … last evening and appeared to be something in

liquor. The arrival, and appearance of said Townsend gave the family suspicion that he

was an unusual person, and to know the truth the family retired, leaving only the two

young women (daughters of the deponent’s uncle) who undertook to [illegible]

Townsend, pretending they were Friends to Britain &c.… [Deausenberry] heard the

young women examine Townsend, and heard Townsend tell them that he (Townsend)

was within two miles of New York City the day before yesterday, whither he went to

carry a quantity of stockings to his uncle, and brother, that he went down with an

intention to join the [British] army. But his uncle and brother advised him to return

immediately and collect as many others as possible, to go [to] the enemy, when they

came up the river, which they expected would be the latter part of the present week, or

the beginning of next.… That he (Townsend) has persuaded many a good fellow, and

sent them to join the enemy himself, and that he had very frequently in the course of

last summer been backwards and forwards to and from the enemy, had piloted several

companies to [British positions], and that he had carried in, and brought out, many

valuable articles, that he had been taken once by the Damn’d Rebels, and left him

confined and chained down flat upon his back, in the Provost three weeks … and finally

made his escape by breaking out—this and no more the Deponent heard, for his spirits

rose, he flew into the room upon Townsend, and took him prisoner.]

[lyledebeast]

A little vengeance, as a treat!

For all William Tavington in The Patriot and John Graves Simcoe in Turn: Washington’s Spies have in common, one of them ends his respective story dead and the other survives to lead a wildly different (and surprisingly historically accurate) life in Canada after the war. The reason for this lies not in these antagonists but rather the views of revenge held by the stories’ protagonists.  Benjamin Martin, Abraham Woodhull, and Edmund Hewlett all have the opportunity to kill their adversaries near the ends of their stories, but only Ben actually takes advantage of it.

Each of Turn’s four seasons contains at least one plot by members of the Culper ring to kill Simcoe.  First, Abe, Ben, and Caleb conspire to do so as a means of protecting Anna Strong from his advances.  Later, the focus shifts to protecting Abe when Simcoe suspects him of being Culper.  Similarly Hewlett’s reasons for wanting Simcoe dead have as much to do with stopping future violence as revenge for Simcoe’s past wrongs.  Self-preservation is included in this as Simcoe is every bit as enthusiastic about killing him! Their reasons for choosing to spare Simcoe, however, are both different and similar at once. 

By that point, Abe is no longer trying to protect anyone, even himself.  He draws his pistol on Simcoe while he is on the ground, gasping for breath after being shot through the side by Caleb, surrounded by Loyalist soldiers.  Killing Simcoe in that moment would likely result in his own death, but Abe’s strategy of joining a Loyalist regiment has been something of a suicide mission from the beginning.  However, he also has information that would prove instrumental to a Continental Army victory, information that would never get into Washington’s hands if he chose death in the service of revenge.  Like Gabriel and Benjamin Martin, he chooses the cause over vengeance, but unlike them, he never gets another chance with Simcoe. But when he reaches Simcoe’s story in the “Where Are They Now?” monologue he gives in the final episode, there is no bitterness.  If anything, elderly Abe is pleased by the good Simcoe was able to do in helping to make Canada a refuge for formerly enslaved people in spite of all his wrongs when they knew each other.

Unlike Abe, Hewlett could likely have gotten away with killing Simcoe on the boat. They are alone, and Simcoe is too severely injured to protect himself.  Had Hewlett actually poisoned the apple he forces into Simcoe’s mouth, he would likely have been able to get off the boat before the effects were discovered and traced back to him.  The reasons he gives for not doing that are more philosophical than Abe’s.  He explains to Simcoe that while he has long wanted to kill him, and still does to a degree, but he also wants to embrace the opportunity for change that the outcome of the war has afforded him, and part of that change is allowing Simcoe to do the same. What he does share in common with Abe is the conviction that revenge is not worth the cost of other principles.

As in Turn, revenge in The Patriot is balanced against “staying the course” with Gabriel urging his father to prioritize the war effort over avenging his brother. Also, the “soon” Ben promises Tavington when asked why he wants to wait to kill him only becomes “now” at the end of the movie, on the battlefield, after Tavington’s  regiment has been practically destroyed. The difference is that while Abe and Hewlett must balance protection--particularly of civilians, and more particularly, civilians they care about personally--against vengeance and the cause, Ben and the militia refuse to divert any attention away from the war effort to that end.  Rather than using the militia’s collective strength to stop the Green Dragoons when they begin terrorizing their families, uses the militia to lure them into the swamp. When the dragoons’ violence escalates, he sends his men to their individual homes for a week’s furlough, a bizarre decision that does nothing to either help the war effort or offer meaningful protection to civilians.  Following Ben’s lead, ironically, his men only take matters into their own hands after the dragoons burn their family members alive in their church: vengeance over protection once again.

Ben and Gabriel can agree with Abe that the cause is more important than revenge, but rather than an inferior justification for violence, they see it as a privilege.  “There will be time to avenge Thomas, but not at the expense of our cause,” Gabriel tells his father. In a reversal of their parent/child roles, he frames revenge as the dessert that can only be enjoyed once Ben has done justice to the main course.  Lesson learned, he only goes after Tavington once the tide of the battle has turned in the Continental Army’s favor.  

Interestingly, this idea of violence as a reward for doing well in the war game is mirrored in Tavington’s petulant “Is it not enough that I have never lost a battle?” when Cornwallis threatens to withhold land in the colonies if does not stop executing surrendering enemy soldiers and in Simcoe’s confusion over Hewlett’s refusal to kill him even though he has earned the right to do so. While Ben, Tavington, and Simcoe all have different motives for their violence, what they share in common is a comfort with it that is completely foreign to Abe and Hewlett.  If violence is on the table, it is the option all three are choosing; Tavington and Simcoe are just more honest about it.

Although Abe and Hewlett’s plotting does not turn out the way they planned, their attempts to stop Simcoe do save lives.  Indeed, they do far more to contain Simcoe’s violence than the militia attempt with regards to Tavington’s.  Ben’s choice to wait, to kill Tavington (just) before the war is over and call it vengeance rather than “soon”(er) and call it protection contributes to the movie’s very high civilian body count.  Turn uses the conclusion of these three characters’ relationship to disparage vengeance as violence for the sake of violence, something they must leave behind if they are going to grow. There are moments where The Patriot appears to do the same, but by the end, it does just the opposite.  There is a reason why the characters who are most opposed to vengeance, Gabriel and the priest, both die while seeking it themselves and those who are seeking it from the beginning, Ben and Major Villenueuve, survive and succeed.  By uncritically presenting it as a privilege that must be earned, The Patriot elevates revenge as wholly consistent with the principles of a good father, a good Christian, and, of course, a good American, no matter what it costs.