​​​​​​​​​​

People and Events

This is a chronological list of the people and events listed in the Riot Acts database. To download the full data table used to create this project, please visit the About page.



Year State Location Description Source Persons Named as Rioters Persons Named as Targets Note
1783 Massachusetts Middlesex October: Job Shattuck led a mob whom fell on hapless tax collectors. Hall. Politics without Parties, p.187 Taylor. Western Mass., p.121 Job Shattuck
1783 New York NYC October: Loyalist irritated by the increasing presence of the stars and stripes on ships coming in the NY harbor boarded an American vessel, tore down the flag and carried it in triumph through the streets "attended by a chosen bowditti (??) of Negroes, sailors, and loyal leather aproned statesmen." Wertenbaker.Father Knickbocker Rebels, p.266
1783 New York NYC November: Four days before the British evacuated Ephraim Smith, Inspector of Markets assisted by a party of soldiers cut down the Flymont Bell (??) to prevent the "Rebels" from using it when they took over. However, the commandant was informed of this and ordered Smith to return the bell. Devoe.Market Book, p.178-179 Ephraim Smith
1783 New York NYC November: A mob of women "mostly of the wives of those who had returned from exile" threatened the British Provost, or keeper of prisons, with hanging. His name was Cunningham and he had been very cruel to American prisoners and was believed to have hung some in the dead of night. Cunningham had remained on duty until the American troops arrived and was intercepted by this mob on his way to the river and an awaiting boat. The mob threatened to hang him on the same gallows he had hung Americans on. But "some of the more considerate citizens" and finally George Washington interceded to liberate the man. "Memoirs of Stephen Allen," p. 36-37 Cunningham
1783 New York NYC November: On evacuation day "A few of the old Whigs" amused themselves by going through town pulling down the signs of the Tories, especially the taverns who had the English ensign on their signs. One clever tavern keeper had wisely painted a British flag with the American colors on a ship on his sign. The sailors appreciated this foresight and did not harm that sign. "Memoirs of Stephen Allen," p.35
1783 New York NYC December: A mob led by Sears, Lamb, Willet assaulted Tory printer James Rivington. This was forty-eight hours after the American army had withdrawn to West Point for discharge. Lynd. "The Revolution and the Common Man," p.176 James Rivington
1784 Pennsylvania Washington, Penn January: Jail rescue of Abraham Donne (??) and two women who had opposed state excise tax. Fennell, p.17-18 Abraham Donne
1784 Vermont Vermont Jan and Feb: Serious commotions in Ut. N.Y. JournalF.19, 1784
1784 Vermont Vermont March: Vermonters driving Yorkers from their farms. GazatteerMarch 31, 1784 (??)
1784 New York Montgomery, Ulster Co. NYC March: A Tory was shot when he attempted to settle in Whig territory. A Whig mob came to him. He ran and was shot. NY Gazatteer March 24, 1784
1784 New York NYC March: Some sort of disturbance, probably the harassment of English officers, occurred between 1 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Statements of disapprobation appeared by the Which mechanics, the Governor, and the Order of Cincinatti. NY Independent Journal March 31, April 3, 1784
1784 South Carolina Charleston, SC June: Mob gathered at Gaddens' (??) Wharf and Long accused Tory James Cook in effigy. Klein. Unification, p.125 James Cook
1784 New York NYC June: Clinton intervened in person to save two British officers from tarring and feathering by a mob. Spaulding....George Clintonp.111
1784 South Carolina Charleston June: When Tory carpenter Gilbert Chambers returned to town he was threatened and his house attacked by a mob of disguised men. His family was terrified and he announced that he intended to leave the state. Walsh. Charleston's Sons of Liberty, p.118 Gilbert Chambers
1784 New Jersey Woodbridge NJ June: Two Tories tarred and feathered. This occurred on Muster day and was done by the community to drive the Tories out of town. It was a highly organized affair. N.Y. Gazetteer July 14, 1784
1784 South Carolina Charleston July: After the 4th, "a band of innocent, frolicking apprentices were attacked, St. Michael's bells pealed, and street battles ensued between the magistrates with their supporters, the aristocrats, against the Marine Anti-Britanics and mechanics, the Democrats. Horsemen rode recklessly through the streets. Henry Perronean (??), an anti or townie alleged that Colonel Hory (??) leading a mounted band picked on the Whigs. Heated accusations filled the gazettes." Duel challenges followed and for one month there was hot-headed confession. Walsh. Charleston's Sons of Liberty, p.120-121 Hory Henry Perronean
1784 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn July: After eviction of Yankees by Pennsylvania forces in May, Yankees retaliate. John Franklin leads Yankees in evicting at least 17 people who settled region under Pennsylvania title. Bradley."Wyoming," p.190 John Franklin
1784 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn July: Yankees and Pennamites skirmish. Two Yankees killed ("lost") in the ambush by William Patterson's men (Pennamite with a quasi-legal commission) Bradley."Wyoming," p.190 William Patterson
1784 Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre, Penn. (Ft. Dickinson/Wyoming Valley) July: John Franklin and Yankees besiege Pennamites under Alexander Patterson. In various battles, two Yankees killed and Franklin wounded. Cease fire arranged on 31st. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.190-193 John Franklin Alexander Patterson
1784 New York NYC August: The mayor, in a charge to the grand jury, cited "the riot and disorder which prevailed in the Sonty Ward (??) of the city." The jury then went to each house in investigation, enquiry the number of inhabitants, the manner in which they got their livelihood, and other circumstances. They recommended "proper steps" should be taken to eradicate vice in the area. With an indictment preferred against a number of dwelling of (??) town the sheriff demolished several houses on September 30. Stokes. Iconography IV, p.1194
1784 New York NYC September: Three persons indicted in O+T court for riot and assault and battery. "Gen List NYC," p. 19
1784 Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre, Penn. (Ft. Dickinson/Wyoming Valley) September: In August a supposedly neutral militia force convinced both Pennamites and Yankees to lay down arms, but then arrested the Yankees. By September, most of the Yankees were free and determined to use violence. Yankees again attack Ft. Dickinson. After two hour battle, two Yankees wounded, two Pennamites killed, two Pennamites wounded. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.199
1784 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn October: John Armstrong led a partisan militia force in an attack on the Connecticut men who defended themselves in a cluster of log houses. Two attackers slightly wounded; one defender mortally wounded. Attackers had to retreat. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.201-203 John Armstrong
1784 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn October: Several skirmishes between Yankees and Pennamites, with the latter holding the fort (Fort Dickinson) and the former maintaining possession of their property. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.203
1784 New York NYC November: "Several riots having happened at the door of the Methodist meeting, to the great annoyance, and vexation of the pious and well-inclined, Mr. Aldermon (??) Lott attended on Sunday evening, for the (??) purpose of enforcing a proper discourse, when several bucks beginning to beat up a dust, the ring leaders were taken into custody, and confined for the night in the Provost." N.Y. Gazetteer, November 30, 1784 Aldermon Lott
1784 Pennsylvania Wilkes-Barre, Penn. (Ft. Dickinson/Wyoming Valley) November: After the Pennamites evacuated the fort on November 27, the Yankees destroyed it on the 30th. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.204-205
1784 New York NYC December: Three persons charged with riot and false imprisonment in O+T court. "Gen List…" p.19
1784 South Carolina 96 District, SC December: A returning Tory was arrested and tried before a judge. Acquitted, the ex-Tory was lynched, with all due respect to the laws, after the judge moved on in his circuit. The judge himself was not particularly disturbed by the affair. N.Y. Journal, July 21, 1785
1785 New York NYC February: Two persons convicted and one person charged with riot in Sessions Court. "Gen List NYC…" p.19
1785 Virginia Virginia April: Thomas Coke, a Methodist preacher, was threatened with mob violence and had two bills of indictment present against him for speaking out against slavery in the spring of 1785. Geasche(??). The Great Awakening in Virginia,p.247 Thomas Coke
1785 New York Albany Co., NY April: In easternmost part of the county there was a sharp dispute between the Livingston's and alleged squatters who claimed that the land they settled on belonged to Mass, not NY. After hearing threats to murder one of the "manor lords," Gov. Clinton commanded the sheriffs of Albany and Dutchess county to assist the proprieters in apprehending the "rioters." Young. Dem Rep in N.Y, p.61
1785 New York NYC April: British sailors and Tory sympathizer attacked members of a French packet. This aroused the populace and brought forth legislative action. Rioters include (convicted and sentenced) Jeremiah Watson, Joseph Biggs, and James Watson. Pomerantz. p.298
1785 South Carolina SC April: Crowd forced Justice John F. Grimke to close court. Also produced petition against (??) Holton. "Federalist Earliest Adventures,"JER, p.25, 385 John F. Grimke
1785 South Carolina SC May: Protests against debt collection. In one incident Colonel Hezekinch (??) Mayhem madethe sheriff eat the writ he was attempting to serve. Szatmary. P.124-125 Hezekinch Mayhem
1785 New York NYC May: Six persons charged with riot and assault in May Sessions; 11 persons charged in May O+T, three of these were convicted. "Gen List NYC…" p.20
1785 New York NYC May: Five persons convicted of riot and assault in May sessions court. Could be April 17 riot. "Gen List NYC…" p.19
1785 South Carolina SC June: Farmers assaulted the courthouse, blocked consideration of debt cases and drove the judges out. Szatmary, p.125
1785 New York NYC August: Three different groups charged with riot in August sessions: 1st group, six persons, 2nd group, seven persons, 3rd group, four persons. Three in the last are convicted. "Gen List NYC…" p.21
1785 Massachusetts Boston August: A "fracas" occurred between some British officers and some American citizens. A sailor, who held a grudge against the officer for his service aboard a British ship during the war, bumped into one of the officers. Words ensued and a crowd collected. "Some boys etc." followed the officers in their prudent retreat into State st. There the officers asked for and received protection. But not before they had "gellantly" (??) drew their swords and "bid the crowd keep off." The crowd was, reportedly, unarmed. N.Y Journal, August 11, 1785
1785 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn August: Yankees drive off last vestige of Pennsylvania authority when they expelled Justice David Mead from his house and property. Mead had one time held a Conn. Title, but had switched sides after the Treston decision. Bradley. "Wyoming," p.213-215 David Mead
1785 Pennsylvania Philadelphia August: A "fracas" occurred between the N.E. ship Friendshipand the Marie Victorie, a French vessel, at the old Ferry Wharf. It occurred at 2:00pm and was triggered over and argument concerning an open slot at the wharf. The French ship had arrived first and N.E. crew, sans the captain, attacked the French twice. The N.E. crew numbered 12 or 14 men. Four of them were afterwards arrested but only three were arraigned to be tried at the September session of the court of O+T. N.Y. Journal, August 18, 1785.N.Y. Packet, August 18, 1785.
1785 New York NYC September: Twelve persons charged with riot et.c in September O+T; two are convicted. Higden and La Fon were convicted of the riot, for abusing, ill-treating Richard Jarrick, the mayor in his duty. "Gen List NYC…" p.22 La Fon; Higden Richard Jarrick
1785 New Jersey Somerset Co., N.J. October: Returning Tory from Nova Scotia was mistreated and has his ear cut off. N.Y. PacketOctober 20, 1785
1786 New York NYC February: Three groups charged with riot. The first group has six persons, four are convicted; the second group has twelve, process quashed; the third group has but four, no result. "Gen List NYC…" p.22
1786 South Carolina Charleston March: When two "moorish" men appeared mysteriously in town and cold answer questions put to them by a young lawyer (in the street) a mob immediately assembled and the men were taken up. But when carried to a woman who could speak their language it turned out that they were two Jewish men from Algiers who had traveled from Virginia overland. N.Y. Journal, April 6, 1786
1786 New York NYC April: Joseph Forbes convicted of riot at April Term (O+T) "Gen List NYC…" p.23 Joseph Forbes
1786 Pennsylvania Cross Creek Village, Washington Co., Penn April: William Graham, state excise Commissioner seized by about 12 "bowdittie" of blackened men disarmed him and forced him to ritually deface his papers. They also cut off half his hair and the cook of his hat and otherwise insulted. He was then marched to the border with Westmoreland Co. amidst a crowd. Fennell, p.21-22 William Graham
1786 New Jersey New Jersey May: Effigies of the governor, of Colonel Nathaniel Ogden, a council member, and of Livingston burnt because of their opposition to the emission of paper money. Daily Advertiser, May 22, 1786 Nathaniel Ogden; Livingston
1786 Maryland Charles Country Court June: Riot, and Federalist reaction (fear of anarchy - Frederick Country recruit troop of horse to defend Annapolis) Renzalli, p.35, 37-38, 39, 48
1786 Rhode Island Newport June: Food riot. Merchants had closed stores because of paper money. This enraged "the lower class of people" that they distributed "all the corn and flour they could violently lay their hands on." The crowd used clubs and fists for 15 minutes before the merchants fled. Szatmary, p.57-59
1786 New Jersey Elizabethtown, NJ July: Farmers assaulted the debtor court, "planted a stake in the ground and impaled an effigy of Governor William Livingston on the pole." Szatmary, p.125 William Livingston
1786 Massachusetts Northampton, Mass August: Almost 1500 farmers closed the Court of Common Pleas Szatmary, p.58
1786 Massachusetts Worcester, Ma September: Over 300 close debtors court. Szatmary, p.58
1786 Massachusetts Great Barrington September: 88 Berkshire Regulators close court. Szatmary, p.59
1786 Massachusetts Concord, Ma September: 300 stop debtors prison. Szatmary, p.59
1786 New Hampshire New Hampshire September: "Two years after the adoption of the constitution, the scarcity of money and clamour for paper currency, united with other minor complaints, led to open insurrection; and the rioters, finding their petition rejected by the assembly, placed sentinels at the doors, and held the members prisoner till the evening, when they were dispersed by the militia of Exeter. The leaders received pardon from the court, on giving security for their future allegiance." D.B. Warden.Account of the U.S. of North America(1819), p.387
1786 Massachusetts Concord, Ma September: Mob in Concord - of about 200 took possession of courthouse in Concord. New Haven Gazette and Connecticut Magazine, September 21, 1786, p.250
1786 Massachusetts Springfield, Ma September: 1,500 Shaysites occupied court house. Szatmary, p.59
1786 Massachusetts Tanston, Ma October: 150 Regulators close court. Szatmary, p.59
1786 Massachusetts Berkshire Co., Ma October: 200 Regulators close court Szatmary, p.59
1786 New York NYC October: The marshal of the admiralty attempted to seize a vessel for failure to pay wages. The crew resisted and paraded on the deck, armed. They set sail, but were pursued and overtaken by the British packet acting for the Marshal. N.Y. JournalOctober 26, 1786;N.Y. Daily AdOctober 20, 1786
1786 Massachusetts Boston (??) October: Mr. Ennis, a glazier, suffered having his new frame house destroyed by "the lawless sons of riot" a few nights before the 25th. N.Y. Journal, November 2, 1786. Ennis
1786 Vermont Windsor Co., Vermont October: 35 farmers close court on the 31st and continue to harass judges thereafter. Szatmary, p.59
1786 New York NYC November: David Marsh and John Boston charged with riot in November sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.23 David Marsh; John Boston
1786 Massachusetts Worcester, Ma November: 150 Shaysites close down Court of Common Pleas No source provided
1786 Vermont Rutland Co., Vermont November: 150 disrupt court proceedings. Szatmary, p.59
1786 Pennsylvania York, Penn November: About 200 farmers, some 20 armed with guns and the rest with clubs, marched into town and attempted to rescue property and (??) seized for taxes. Szatmary, p.126
1786 New Hampshire Grafton Co, N.H. December: Farmers burned court house to the ground. No source provided
1786 Massachusetts Worcester, Ma December: Shaysites close court. Szatmary, 95
1786 Massachusetts Springfield December: Shaysites close Hampshire County Court. Szatmary, 95
1787 New York NYC January: Joseph Forbes convicted of riot in January term. "Gen List NYC…" p.23 Joseph Forbes
1787 Massachusetts Springfield and Northampton January: Large Shaysite force harass shopkeepers, capturing several. They also commandeered about 4,000 bushels of grain, etc. from a West Springfield merchant. Szatmary, p.101
1787 Massachusetts Springfield January: About 1500 Shaysites approach arsenal and battle begins. Artillery made the difference; Shaysites lost four dead and 20 wounded. No source provided
1787 Pennsylvania York, Penn January: Farmers attacked the house of Justice Sherman, where a sale of cattle taken for taxes was due. They succeeded. Szatmary, p.126 Sherman
1787 Massachusetts South Hadley, Ma January: Shaysites captured four retailers. Two Shaysites lost their lives in the process. Szatmary, p.103
1787 Massachusetts Berkshire Co., Ma January: Theodore Sedgewick confronted about 100 local Shaysites on their way to Springfield, fought with them. The result was two Shaysites killed. Szatmary, p.103 Theodore Sedgewick
1787 Massachusetts Westerfield January: Shaysites captured another storekeeper and held him for 12 days. Szatmary, p.103
1787 Massachusetts Springfield, Ma January: Shaysites set out to capture Jonathon Dwight, but carried off a young man Dwight left to protect his family instead. They also attacked some stores and confiscated property in Springfield. Szatmary, p.103-104 Jonathon Dwight
1787 Massachusetts Leicester/New Braintree, Ma February: Shaysites capture two Worcester store owners in Leicester and take them to New Braintree. There, they confront 120 government troops. Shots exchanged, two government men wounded. Szatmary, p.104
1787 Massachusetts Petersham, Ma February: General Lincoln surprise march in snow from Pelham compelled Shaysites to disperse into countryside. Lincoln had 3,000 men plus artillery; Shaysites had only 2,000 men. Szatmary, p.104-106 Lincoln
1787 Massachusetts Stockbridge etc. February: About 120 farmers from Mass left New Lebanon, NY on the 20th for Western Mass. On the 27th they reached Stockbridge, and harassed local storekeepers. They ransacked 17 houses and took 20 prisoners. They then went to Barrington and captured 19 men there. Outside of Sheffield, however, a party of government troops caught up with them. In the ensuing battle the Shaysites lost 30 men killed or wounded, government three dead, 12 wounded. Szatmary, p.109-111
1787 Massachusetts South Hadley, Ma March: Shaysites barred Josiah Woodbridge's glassmaking factory down. Szatmary, p.112 Josiah Woodbridge
1787 New York Nobletown, NY March: Shaysites burn down a store owned by two Mass. Merchants in Sheffield. Szatmary, p.112
1787 Massachusetts Westfield, Ma April: Shaysites try to burn down store of Enoch Loomis. Szatmary, p.112 Enoch Loomis
1787 Massachusetts Greenfield, Ma April: Shaysites burned store of William Moore. Szatmary, p.112 William Moore
1787 Massachusetts Westfield, Ma April: Shaysites attack property of Major General William Shepard. They burned his fences and woodlands, mutilated and killed two horses. Szatmary, p.113 William Shepard
1787 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn April: Public meeting among Yankees to discuss Pennsylvania' efforts to settle dispute with the Confirming Law (which only confirmed earliest titles). Timothy Pickering spoke in support of the law; John Franklin against it. Towards the end of the meeting a brawl broke out between the two sides with sticks, etc. Brady. "Wyoming," p.249-250
1787 Massachusetts Becket, Ma May: 20 Shaysites cross over from NY, raid representative Nathaniel Kingsley's home. Szatmary, p.113-114 Nathaniel Kingsley
1787 Massachusetts Lowesboro, Ma June: Party of farmers from NY - Shaysites - raid Rep. John Starkweather's home, manhandling him. Szatmary, p.114 John Starkweather
1787 Pennsylvania Philadelphia July: A woman accused of bring a witch was carried through the streets and hooted and pelted with stones as she passed. Apparently she died a few days later. Cited by Herrill (??) Jonson "The Sovereign States"
1787 Virginia Greenbrier Co., Virginia August: 300 farmers stormed the court and stopped its proceedings. Szatmary, p.120
1787 Virginia Amelia Co., Virginia August: "Disorderly people" obstructed the debtor's court. Szatmary, p.126
1787 New York NYC October: Dr. Carrol, American Catholic religious leader came to NYC and founed Andrew Nugent, pastor of the Catholic congregation there. He decided that Nugent was misguided and annulled his faculties. Nugent opposed this and refused to yield possession of St. Peters. The matter was placed before the Grand Jury who found Nugent guilty of riot. A new pastor was appointed by Carrol. Shea, ed.Catholic Churches of NYC, p.591; Bennett. Catholic Footsteps…, p.381-383;N.Y. Journal, N.19, 1787 - oblique reference Andrew Nugent Carrol
1787 Delaware Lewes, Delaware October: A group that called themselves whigs drove off their opponents - called the New Party, but containing many ex-tories from the polls. Some blows exchanged. Kern. "Election Riots"
1787 Delaware Vaughan's Furnace, Del November: New Party supporters arm themselves, camp near the poll and intimidate would-be whig voters. Kern. "Election Riots"
1787 Pennsylvania Carlisle December: Federalist procession meets anti-Federalist. Threats lead to blows. Anti-Feds threw pieces of wood at Feds and then drove them from street with staves and bludgeons. Cornell. "Atristocracy Assailed," JAH (1990) p.1152
1787 Pennsylvania Carlisle December: Anti-Fed procession with effigies of James Wilson and Thomas McKeon. Effigies whipped, hanged and burnt. Cornell. "Atristocracy Assailed," JAH (1990) p.1152-1153 James Wilson; Thomas McKeon
1788 Pennsylvania Huntington Co., Penn January: Anti-Fed effigy parade (used in my book) Cornell. "Aristocracy Assailed," JAH (1990) p.1169-1170
1788 New Jersey Huntingden Co., NJ March: A number of people of the town of "Standing Stone," disappointed in the Federalist faction ignoring their petitions (tearing them up), paraded through town with the effigies of the Federalist leaders upon the backs of scabby old ponies. One of the Federalist so ridiculed was John Cannon, a judge who was then holding court. Believing that the dignity of the bench was blemished when this procession passed outside the courthouse, Cannon ordered his partisans to arrest and jail the effigymen. Those persons, though in jail, did not have long to wait before "the county took alarm, assembled, and liberated the sons of liberty." N.Y. Journal, March 21, 1788 John Cannon
1788 New York NYC April: Three persons charged with riot in April term (O+T) (Doctor's riot?) "Gen List NYC…" p.23
1788 North Carolina Western NC April: Disturbances over state of Franklin. "N.Y. Independent Journal," April 23, 1788
1788 New York NYC April: Doctor's Riot objecting to dissection of bodies. Militia used, killing three people. Ponerantz, p.401-402
1788 South Carolina SC June: Anti-Federalist riot. Cornell. "Aristocracy Assailed," n. Aedowus Burke to John Lamb, June 23, 1788, John Lamb Paper
1788 Pennsylvania Wyoming Valley, Penn June/July: In retaliation for the arrest of John Franklin, his supporters seized Timothy Pickering and briefly held him captive. The kidnappers had blackened faces. They held him captive for 15 days and chained him to a tree for some of that time. Brady. "Wyoming," p.258-264; Taylor. "Agrian Indepedence," p.222-266 John Franklin Timothy Pickering
1788 New York Hudson July: Violence against anti-Feds. Young.Dem-Rep. of N.Y., p.120 fn.34
1788 Rhode Island RI July: Anti-Fed riot. Cornell. "Aristocracy Assailed," JAH (1990) p.1149
1788 New York Albany Co., NY July: A clash between Federalist and anti-Federalist paraders led to a "general battle - with swords, bayonets, clubs, stones, etc., which lasted for some time, both parties fighting with the greatest rage and determined obstinacy." Young.Dem-Rep. of N.Y., p.119
1788 New York Albany Co., NY July: In a ceremony at the Battery an Anti-Fed crowd gave vent to "its feeling by burning the Constitution, which resulted in several altercations with defenders of that document." Pomerantz, p.102 [is wrong]; fn. Isaac Q Leake.Memoir of the Life and Times of Governor John Lamb, p.331-332
1788 New York NYC July: Mob destroys Greenleaf's press. Led by William S. Livingston. Gilje.Road to Mobocracy Greenleaf
1788 New York NYC July: Mob attacked Greenleaf; printing office led by Colonel William S. Livingston, a deputy Good (??) Marshal of the parade William had an ax in his hands. After gutting the place the mob marched to the home of Governor Clinton, who was not there. They then went to General Lamb's house - Young Sam Lamb was fully prepared and the apparent readiness for defense dissuaded the mob from further action. Young.Dem-Rep. of N.Y., p.120-121 Sam Lamb; Governor Clinton; Greenleaf
1788 New York NYC July: When, in the evening of the 26th, it was learned that NY had joined the Union, a Federalist mob, intoxicated with joy, stormed the office of Greenleaf'sN.Y. Journaland wrecked the press that had dared to question the wisdom of ratification. The mob went on to wreck vengeance on that old Son of Liberty, General John Lamb, collector of the port; but before any damage was done to the patriot's home, cooler heads dissuaded the crowd. Pomerantz, p.102-103 John Lamb; Greenleaf
1788 New York NYC August: Two groups of three men each charged with riot in August sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.23
1788 New York Albany Co., NY August: Federalist celebration of passage of Constitution was opposed by a small group of Anti-Feds. Federalist horsemen charged the anti-Feds who met the onslaught of swinging cutlasses and bayonets with a round of paving stones and bricks. Before the day was over, a Federalist mob attacked Peter Yates, who was lucky to escape alive, and Abraham Lowsing, even though he had counciled his supporters to moderation. Young.Dem-Rep. in N.Y., p.119-120 Peter Yates; Abraham Lowsing
1788 Maryland Maryland Fall: Maryland election campaign 1788 marked by some riot and violence. Gay St. riot, Sept. 5 and later at courthouse. Renzulli.Maryland: The Federalist Years, p.107-111
1788 Maryland Balto September: Fight broke out when Fed supporters descended on an Anti-Fed meeting in Gay St. Several weeks later the Fed toughs broke up a Chase-McMahon rally at the court house, beat up a number of the antis, and attempted to storm Chase's house. Charles G. Steffon, "Between Revolutions…," p.162 Chase
1789 Maine Waldeborough, Me January: Crowd led by John Fitzgerald drives George Ulmer from town. Ulmer supports Henry Tanoz' (??) claims. Taylor, p.265 George Ulmer
1789 Massachusetts Boston February: Bluet. Evangelist John Marrant describes how he was harassed by a mob of about 40 who interrupted his preaching in the West end of Boston. Marrant escaped immediate harm, returned to his home, followed by the crowd who then pelted rocks on his house. Brooks. "Emergence of a Black Print Counterpublic,"WMQ, 3rd ser., 62 (2005), 76 John Marrant
1789 Maine Washington Plantation/Mount Vernon, Me June: Armed settlers drive out Mr. Sawyer, a surveyor for Kennebeck Proprieters. Taylor, 264.
1789 Massachusetts Boston December: Dispute over who was the priest in the one Catholic congregation led one group of malcontents to disrupt services, overturn pews and generally misbehave. Coghimo.No King, No Pope, (??) p.135-136
1790 New York Grewville, Washington Co., NY March: Some sort of riot for which William Town was arrested. The Papers of Aaron Burr, Series III, Legal Papers on Microfilm; Reel 15, M231 recognizance, People v Wm Town Mr. 8, 1790 William Town
1790 New York North Bedford, NY April: James Golden, William Pellham, and Simeon Piper rioted, breaking into the house of Gilbert Palmer, assaulting him and Martha McKeow who was there. The Papers of Aaron Burr, Series III, Legal Papers on Microfilm; Reel 16, M230 Gilbert Palmer; Martha McKeow
1790 New York North Castle, Westchester Co., NY May: Riot at Mount Pleasant in which Smith Pine and Benjamin Smith and others broke into the house of Isaac Read. They beat his wife Mary, dragged her by her hair, and pulled her out of the house. The Papers of Aaron Burr, Series III, Legal Papers on Microfilm; Reel 16, M293 Mary Read; Isaac Read
1790 Conneticut Litchfield, Ct August: Nathaniel Walker, Thomas Johnson, and Eliphalet Worthington sentenced for burglary. The men, with blacked faces, had attacked Obadiah Wheeler with large clubs, but stole no property. Sentenced to life with hard labor. Gazette of the United-States. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]), 22 Sept. 1790. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Obadiah Wheeler PTH
1790 Massachusetts Boston November: "On Friday a fellow attempted to raise a balloon of thirty feet diameter from the Common. After several trial [he] could not effect it, which excited the mobility to such a degree that they entirely destroyed it, and the fellow to get of[f] with a skin. You will observe it was on the 5th of November." H. Jackson to H. Knox, Nov. 7, 1790, Boston, H. Knox Ms (MHS) from Alan S. Taylor
1791 New York N.Y. October: Sheriff Cornelius Hogenboon killed by Mr. Arnold at Nobletown. Other mob actions at the time as well. 12 men were tried afterward and acquitted. Feb 1792: Claverack: armed mob throughout decade prevented auctioning of goods of evicted tennants. Gov. Jay remonstrated about such actions to the state legislature and received their authorization to enforcement. Ellis.Landlords and Farmers, p.32-36 Arnold Cornelius Hogenboon
1791 Pennsylvania Pigeon Creek, Washington Co., Penn September: Gang of 16 men dressed in women's clothing capture Robert Johnson, collector of excise for Washington and Allegheny counties, cut off his hair, tarred and feathered him, took his horse, and let him go. Baldwin, p.82; Fennell, p.5 Robert Johnson
1791 New York NYC January: Two men and then six men tried in January Term for riot, assault and battery. Three in the latter group were convicted. "Gen List NYC…" p.23
1791 New York NYC January: "Upwards of thirty foreign sailors, armd with Bludgeons" unsuccessfully attacked the city watch. It was Irish and English sailors. Pomerantz, p.300
1791 Maine Passomaquoddy Bay, Me March: Disturbance over the collection of taxes; residents claim they are in Canada but the sheriff broke it up. N.Y.Daily Ado., March 30, 1791
1791 New York Cambridge and Easton NY March: Distrubed by the dismemberment of their towns, residents here burnt an effigy of John Williams, the senator from the Eastern district, and sent a remonstrance to the legislature. N.Y.Daily Ado., March 4, 1791 John Williams
1791 New York NYC April: Samuel Clark and Effy Clarck charged with riot in April Term (O+T). "General List NYC…" p.24 Samuel Clark; Effy Clarck
1791 New York NYC April: Possible rioting around Easter. It might be connected to the holiday or it might be related to the election. The source is very unclear. N.Y. Journal, January 2, 1791
1791 New Jersey Baskingridge, Somerset Co., NJ Jan: Vigilante association formed to act against horse thieves and others active in area. N.Y. Journal, January 2, 1791
1791 Pennsylvania Mifflin Co., Penn September: Riot prevents Judge Bryson from setting at country court. Well organized and led by big shots armed and in militia uniform. Good example of Revolutionary tradition in action. No real harm done but a lot of threats. Relatives, etc. seem to have been involved and had to do with a dispute between counties. N.Y. Journal, September 28, 1791 Bryson
1791 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn October: Deranged man pretended to be an excise officer. One night a disguised mob took him from his bed, carried him five miles to a blacksmith shop. They stripped him, burned his clothes, seared him with hot iron and tarred and feathered him. Baldwin, p.83
1791 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn October: Deputy Marshall Joseph Fox used a messenger to serve warrants in September 1791 riot case. A crowd whipped the messenger, tarred and feathered him, robbed him of his horse and money and left him tied in the woods for five hours. Baldwin, p.82-83 Joseph Fox
1791 New York Hillsdale and Noblestown Col. Co., NY October: Young says a jacquire (??) occurred. Philip Schuyler attempted to have evicted some yankee squatters. Jonathon Arnold was threatened with an execution by the county sheriff. On the day of the sale "the Noblestown people assembled and with threats detered the deputy from proceeding with the vendue (??)." A few days later the county sheriff, Cornelius Hogeboom, and the county judge, Stephen Hogeboom, appeared with a deputy. After waiting all afternoon for another deputy to arrive with the necessary papers and after "a number of people assembled in a riotous manner" they began to leave. At that point Arnold fired a pistol; 17 men in Indian dress appeared firing and marching after them. Sheriff Hogeboom thought it was only meant to frighten them. One of the Indians, along with Arnold, rode up to him and shot him dead. The Indians fled and the deputies retreated to Federalist Hudson and organized a posse. Thirteen men including Arnold were eventually arrested and placed in a heavily guarded jail. But with anti-Fed judges no one was convicted. Young says the conflict was Fed vs Anti-Fed. fn.Albany Gazette, October 31, 1791; Franklin Ellis.The History of Columbia Co., NY, (1878) p.62,236;Albany Register, October 24, 1791 Jonathon Arnold Philip Schuyler; Cornelius Hogeboom; Stephen Hogeboom
1791 Pennsylvania Western Penn December: When a man named Roseberry said that if cresteiners (??) did not obey the law they could hardly expect protection from the government; he was tarred and feathered. Baldwin, p.82 Roseberry
1792 Conneticut Goshen, CT March: Two men - Hurd and Stanly - along with others rioted at the home of Brewin Baldwin in Goshen, Connecticut. The crowd, armed with stones and clubs, broke into Baldwin's house, destroyed his furniture and garden fence, and prevented people from passing by, attacking those who attempted. The violence was accompanied by singing, bell-ringing, and horn-blowing. Root Jesse. Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Superior Court and Supreme Court of Errors. Hartford, Printed by Hudson and Goodwin. PTH
1792 New York NYC April: Four persons charged with riot and assault and battery in April Term (O+T). Three of those were acquitted. A fifth, Tom, a negro slave of Job Travels was tried and convicted. "Gen List NYC…" p.24
1792 New York NYC April: William Duer threatened by mob in 1792 after his financial collapse. Miller.Federalist Era, p.67-68 William Duer
1792 Pennsylvania Germantown, PA May: An excise officer put a sign over his door announcing that this was a place of inspection. The next day some citizen pulled it down. Three or four days later the four quarters of a carrion were hung up in the place of the board that contained the notification. N.Y. Journal, 1792
1792 Pennsylvania Philadelphia - Delaware River May: During the Philadelphia Pilot's Strike some violence was threatened. Ships were boarded by pilots both 1st rate and less experienced. One sloops was boarded, its captain was seized, and he was forced to accompany the pilots to their shallop (??). A red faced man presented the captain with a Bible and insisted that he swear upon it that he would not bring ships up and down the river. When the Captain refused he was told that he would be tried and kept with several other prisoners he had onboard. Another pilot swore that he had a cutlass and "would cut the damned rascal's shoulder off." K. Keller. "Philadelphia Pilot's Strike"
1792 Kentucky Lexington, Ky July: An effigy of John Jay was guillotined and summarily exploded Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 01 Dec. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. John Jay PTH
1792 Maine Mount Vernon, Me August: Settlers destroy marks made my surveyors for Kennebeck Proprietors. Taylor, p.265
1792 Pennsylvania Washington, Penn August: A band of about 30 men with blackened faces, probably from Mingo Creek, rode into town and surrounded William Faulkner's house, which Faulkner had allowed to be used as an excise office. They threatened him, tore down the excise notice, and riddled the sign (of a tavern) with bullets - it was a picture of J.W. They wanted Faulkner to resign. Baldwin, p.85 William Faulkner
1792 Pennsylvania Philadelphia September: About 9 o'clock in the evening about 20 black people assembled "in a riotous manner" in Catherine St. They threw some fire into a stable but two or three citizens interceded and chased the black people away - all escaped and not much damage was done. The fire was taken from a bonfire some children had set at the corner of Almond St. N.Y. Diary, October 3, 1792
1792 Maine Bristol, Me October: Armed settlers (with muskets) interrupt Elijah Crocker, a surveyor for an Indian Deed Proprietor. Taylor, p.265 Elijah Crocker
1792 New York NYC November: John B. Hicks and Hicks Sr. and others charged with riot and assault and battery. Hicks acquitted. Hicks Sr. not prosecuted in November Sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.24 John B. Hicks; Hicks Sr.
1793 New York NYC October: In the evening "boys, negroes, apprentices and sailors" completely demolished two houses of ill fame. Three persons were injured by defenders using small arms and mayor injured in trying to disperse the people. They damaged several other houses. Extra watchmen were used to quell the riot. Stokes.Iconography V, p.1301;Daily Advertiser, October 16 and 17
1793 Virginia Montogmery Co. Courthouse, VA March: Soldiers under the command of Captain William Preston interfere in an election for the benefit of Francis Preston, brother to the captain. This was a congressional election, and Preston was facing Abraham Trigg. The soldiers prevented people from voting, and knocked down a Justice of the Peace. Gazette of the United States & Evening Advertiser, 05/03/1794 and “To George Washington from the Magistrates of Montgomery County, Virginia, 29 April 1794,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-15-02-0537. Abraham Trigg PTH
1793 Pennsylvania Fayette Co., Penn April: Attack on the home of Benjamin Wells, excise officer for Fayette and Westmoreland counties. Baldwin, p.90; Fennell, p.64 Benjamin Wells
1793 Maine Waldo Tract, Maine April: Some riotous activity by squatters including the Ulmer's Mill dam on the Ducktrap River. Taylor. "Disciples of Samuel Ely,"Maine Historical Society Quarterly, Faill 1986, p.78-79
1793 Maine Ducktrap Plantation/Lincolnville, Me April: Samuel Ely leads a crowd that destroys the mill dam belonging to George and Philip Ulmer, supporters of Knox's crowd claim. Taylor. "Disciples of Samuel Ely,"Maine Historical Society Quarterly, Faill 1986, p.78-79, 265 George Ulmer; Philip Ulmer
1793 Pennsylvania Philadelphia May: Apparently there were a number of riotous scuffles between English and French sailors in this port. It even drew a comment from the British consul there requesting English sailors to keep the peace and a special charge to the Philadelphia Grand Jury. N.Y. Daily Advertiser, June 13, 1793
1793 New York NYC June: The Towtine Coffee House was the scene of several frays between whigs and tories. Alex Anderson.Diarium...(??) June 11,12,13,14 1793
1793 Georgia Savannah July: After the French schooner Antigone ran aground, the crew made it to safety to Savannah. However they were arrested and brought before a Justice. He released them but in the meantime a mob had formed to inflict its own sentence. The body of the French crew were protected by the civil authority but one American, a deputy collector of the customs who was apparently involved in the Antigone venture, was turned over to the mob, taken to a wharf and duly tarred and feathered. N.Y. Daily Advertiser, August 19, 1793
1793 New York NYC August: A fight occurred between French and English sailors near Dover St.; also at the lower end of King St. Some bloodwas spilled as the combatants were armed with clubs. The watch took off several of them from the house in which the quarrel arose. Alexander Anderson.Diarium…, August 18, 1793;N.Y. Journal, August 21, 1793
1793 New York NYC September: Pierre Savarain charged with riot and acquited in September O+T. "Gen List NYC…" p.24 Pierre Savarain
1793 New York September: Pierre Lousen charged with riot in September O+T. "Gen List NYC…" p.24 Pierre Lousen
1793 North Carolina Petersburg, Beaufort Co., NC September: Rioters, unhappy with the outcome of an election, sieze an destory the ballot box Gazette of the United-States. [volume], September 14, 1793, Page 538 PTH
1793 New York NYC October: A mob destroyed two houses of ill fame. Pomerantz, p.300
1793 Delaware Milford, DE September: A crowd, terrfied of Yellow Fever, seized dry goods coming from Philadelphia, and, afraid of the possibility of contagion, burned the load. A woman in the wagon was stripped and tarred and feathered. A black man, who drove the wagon, escaped "with the utmost difficulty." National gazette. [volume], October 02, 1793, Page 387, Image 3 PTH
1793 New York NYC November: Anthony Clawson charged separately for riot and assault and battery. Convicted for both in November Sessions. "General List NYC…" p.24 Anthony Clawson
1793 Pennsylvania Philadelphia November: Mayor Matthew Clarkson was indignant over the riotous attack of a number of French refugees from St. Domingo against a fellow refugee for alleged crimes while on St. Domingo. This occurred on a docked boat. N.Y. Daily Advertiser, November 13, 1793
1793 Pennsylvania Fayette Co., Penn November: At least six men with blackened faces attack collector Wells house. They forced him to resign and insisted that he publish that resignation. Baldwin, p.91; Fennell, p.64,82-83; Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 27 Feb. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Benjamin Wells PTH Edits
1794 Massachusetts Newburyport April: A peaceful show of strength in which "A large number of jovial tars with outcum cockades in their caps and the American standard displayed attended by military music paraded the streets in a peaceable and orderly manner." Evoking the spirit of '76 it was said that here was a militant group ready when called upon "those lawless depredations which our insidious enemies - the British - have been wontonly committing upon our trade and commerce." Labaree.Patriots and Partisans, p.108; fn.Morning Star, 8 15 April 1794
1794 Maryland Baltimore March: Riot in which two British sailors were attacked. After na investigation Judge Samuel Chase ordered the arrest as "ring leaders" two men of prominent standing in the community - David Stodder, shipbuilder and captain in militia, and William Reeves, both popular with a powerful political faction. Their refusal at first to pay a bond and the threat of more mob violence caused a precarious situation. Ultimately they offered the surcity, but were never arraigned by the Grand Jury, instead that body offered a presentment against Judge Chase for censuring sheriff and jury. M.P. Andrews.History of Maryland, p.412-419
1794 South Carolina Charleston, SC January: Two white men, Thackman and Mayson, broke into the plantation of a Colonel Gervais sometime around midnight, in the January of 1794. Thackman was a deputy sheriff, and had orders to recover the human “property” of one Purvis from Gervais. Accompanying Thackman and Mayson was an enslaved African American man, who was armed. The three were charged with riot. The defense argued that the African American, being a slave, did not qualify under the law as a person capable of committing riot, and therefore the charge could be, at worst, trespass. The court disagreed, and held that a black person "was, in contemplation of law, such a person as was capable of committing a riot, in conjunction with white men.” The defendants were found guilty, but, as they were there for a lawful purpose, only fined five shillings each. Reports of the Cases Argued and Determined in the Supreme Court of South Carolina (St. Paul: West Publishing Co., 1922), 144 Thackman; Mayson Colonel Gervais PTH
1794 New Jersey Burlington, NJ January: A riot took place in opposition to the law imposing fines for non-performance of military duties. It was quelled without much difficulty. N.Y. Journal, January 29, 1794
1794 Maine Islesborough, Me January: A crowd armed with clubs and loyal to Samuel Ely assaults Prince Holbrook, a General Knox supporter. Taylor, p.265 Prince Holbrook
1794 Virginia Norfolk February: The British ship Dedalus detained two men from a N.E. captain. The captain, joined by a number of inhabitants, attempted to burn the frigate in retaliation for their refusal to release. The men were later released. The British captain, out of revenge, fired (??) at the N.E. vessel, killing a horse and doing other damage. The citizens met and resolved not to allow the Dedalus to sail before she unloaded her cargo of provisions for the British fleet and that the French had taken possession of her as the British had taken possession of a ship in neutral Genoa. The whole affair, it is said, was amicably settled. N.Y. Journal, March 1, 1794
1794 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn March: Party of 60 pursue Neville and Robert Johnson. Don't get them, but attack a distiller, James Kiddloe, who complied with the excise law. They riddled his still with bullets and tried to set fire to his still house. Baldwin, p.102 Neville Johnson; Robert Johnson; James Kiddloe
1794 Maryland Baltimore March: Tar and feathering of Captain Ramsdell and a young man named Sentonn by a mob at Fell's Point for flying his ship's flag at half mast at the expiration of the 30 day embargo. Several leading men arrested David Stodder, captain of the artillery company and popular with Fell Pointers, William Reeves, Robert Towsend (captain of the Night watch at Fell's Point), Thomas Trimble, Morris Job, John Weaver, and a Mr. Raburg. The big hassle with Justice Samuel Chase ensued. Scharf.History of Baltimore, p.780-78(??) William Reeves; Robert Towsend; Thomas Trimble; Morris Job; John Weaver; Raburg; Sentonn Ramsdell
1794 South Carolina Charleston, SC March: Effigies of W.S.F.A.B. Arnold and the Devil holding United States stock, bank checks, etc., were burnt in consequences of the debates in Congress over Madison's propositions. N.Y. Journal, April 16, 1794 Benedict Arnold
1794 South Carolina Charleston, SC March: Some French sailors treated women poorly at the theater, which led to their explusion. Angry, they returned to the harbor and reported that one of their own had been murdered. A contingent of sailors and officers and one citizen return and attack the patrons and horses. Military and armed citizens called out, who put the riot down. Several injured, including a rioting lieutinant. Gazette of the United States & Evening Advertiser, 04/02/1794 PTH
1794 Virginia Norfolk April: Disorders in which the English and destitute Santo Domingans were bothered by "the menacing gestures of Frenchmen in red caps" and by "nocturnal parades of armed Frenchmen" annoyed both state and local authorities although there may have been no real violence committed. Childs.French Refugee Life in the U.S., p.82
1794 Maryland Baltimore and elsewhere April: Threats of violence in Baltimore to British vice-consul Thornton persuaded Consul Phineas Bond to order him out of the city. Baltimore citizens were incensed over the trial of Captain Barney in Jamaica over customs violations. Bond in Philadelphia and the vice-consul in Norfolk were also threatened. Phineas Bond to Lord Grenville, April 17, 1794; "Letters of P. Bond,"AHA Report, 1897 p.546 Thornton
1794 New York Ulster Co., NY April: Republicans burned on effigy of their congressman (Federalist), Peter Van Gaasbeck, alongside of the French traitor General Dumourier and another of Benedict Arnold. Young.Dem-Rep in N.Y. Peter Van Gaasbeck; Dumourier; Benedict Arnold
1794 New York NYC April: Sailors on a Portuguese Brig, in honor of Good Friday, hanged Judas in effigy from the ship. The effigy was dunked in the water, before being dragged through the streets while beaten with clubs. Provided amusement to boys and spectators. Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 22 April 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Judas PTH
1794 Virginia Norfolk April: An American was tarred and feathered in punishment for causing the death of M. Gauspin killed by the discharge of a gunman that was saluting the frigate commerce. Moreau St. May's Journal, (1793-1798) p.44
1794 Virginia Norfolk April: An American who had spoken disrespectfully of the French was tarred and feathered and rode around in a cart through the streets all that day. This despite the mayor's publically requesting the mob to desist. Moreau St. May's Journal, (1793-1798} p.59
1794 Maryland Baltimore May: Crowd tarred and feathered a man for disrespecting the American flag by reversing it. Hanged British flag above Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume], August 23, 1794, and PTH
1794 Maryland Baltimore May: Crowd tarred and feathered an American sailor who had served on a British privateer. He was paraded through the streets with a large sign that read "American Pirate" Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume], August 23, 1794 and Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. [volume], May 06, 1794, Image 3 and https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov PTH
1794 Virginia Norfolk May: Crowd siezed vessels belonging to two British privateers, who were tarred and feathered and paraded through the streets Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. [volume], May 06, 1794, Image 3 PTH
1794 Virginia Dumfries May: After a "swinish multitude" threated to tar and feather a man, a judge refuses to bring down the hand of the law, because the threatened party had never actually been wrapped in the "American coat of mail" and only threatened. Gazette of the United States & evening advertiser. [volume], May 30, 1794, Image 1 PTH
1794 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn June: Whiskey Boys take coupling distiller James Kiddoe's (??) parts. Baldwin, p.102 James Kiddloe
1794 Pennsylvania Washington Co., Penn June: Party of men break into Deputy Collector John Lynn's house, seized him, took him into the woods, cut off his hair, and gave him a coat of tar and feathers. They made him swear never to reveal the names of his assailants, nor serve as an excise officer. Lyon treated like a joke. Baldwin, p.103-104; Fennell, p.64-65,83 John Lyon
1794 Pennsylvania Washington Co., Penn June: A few days after he had been tarred and feathered a mob attacked John Lyon's house again and partly pulled it down. Baldwin, p.104; Fennell, p.64-65 John Lyon
1794 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn June: Whiskey Boys riddle William Cochran's still full of bullets. Baldwin, p.102; Fennell, p.109 William Cochran
1794 Massachusetts Boston June: Mobs were active for several nights and destroyed several buildings. Several hundreds were involved. (reason obscure) N.Y. Journal, July 5, 1794
1794 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn June: Whiskey Boys pay second visit to Cochran's house and tore his bolting cloth, took away his sawmill and loose iron and left him a threatening note. Fennell, p.109-110 William Cochran
1794 Pennsylvania Bower Hill, Penn July: Whiskey Boys militia surround home of John Neville. Neville shot one man who later died, and a 25 minute battle ensued. Supposedly Neville's slaves joined the battle and drove the attackers off. Baldwin, p.115-117; Fennell, p.66-68 John Neville
1794 Pennsylvania Bower Hill, Penn July: About 500 men came to Neville's house. Some soldiers there. Another gun battle ensued. One Whiskey Rebel leader killed. Defenders burn some outbuildings. Fear of fire forces them to surrender. The Whiskey rebels gut house, steal possessions, shoot horses, drink liquor, and burn house. Grain and fences destroyed, all told 3,000 hours of work lost. Baldwin, p.117-121; Fennell, p.66-68,104-105 John Neville
1794 Virginia Morgantown, Virginia August: Anonymous note on door warned collector to resign or his property would be destroyed. The collector nailed his resignation on the door and left. When 30 rioters appeared, with blackened faces, they left peacably. Baldwin, p.206-207; Fennell, p.112-113
1794 Pennsylvania Bedford Co., Penn August: Whiskey Boys capture collector John Webster. He submissively tore up his own papers. They burnt his haystacks and stables, but then put the fire out. He was made to stand on a stamp, shout hurrah for Tom the Tinker, and let go. Baldwin, p.165-166; Fennell, p.112-113 John Webster
1794 Pennsylvania Westmoreland Co., Penn August: 300 Whiskey Boys attack Philip Reagan's house - deputy collector Reagan agreed to surrender his commission if no more property were destroyed. His hand had been burned a few days earlier. He treated them to whiskey. They held him captive, went to collector John Wells' house, which they burnt to the ground. Reagan escaped. Wells, captured the next day, agreed to all the rioters demands and was let go. Baldwin, p.165; Fennell, p.83,105,172
1794 Pennsylvania Redstone Meeting, Penn August: About 20 men from Cumberland township marched to the Redstone meeting and tried Samuel Jackson, a prominent miller and merchant from their area. Fennell, p.161 Samuel Jackson
1794 Pennsylvania Pittsburg, Penn August: After Braddock's field meeting some 5,000 Whiskey Boys march through town as militia. Some rowdyness and intimidation of locals accompanied this action, but most were restrained. Whole affair very organized. Whiskey Boys burn barn belonging to Alexander Kirkpatrick and grain stack. Baldwin, p.140-164 Alexander Kirkpatrick
1794 Pennsylvania Greensburg, Penn August: Crowd attacks two storekeepers and raise liberty pole. Fennell, p.120
1794 Pennsylvania Western Penn August: James Brison was driven into exile by Whiskey Boys (others had, too). Two days after he left, a mob search the house of a state deputy attorney that Brison had stayed in the first night out. They also chased a "Mulatto" woman they believed was Brison in disguise. Baldwin, p.168 James Brison
1794 Pennsylvania Carlisle, Penn August: A party of men with blackened faces visited the collector of Cumberland County and forced him to resign. Baldwin, p.209
1794 Pennsylvania Brownsville, Penn August: 70 armed men from Washington Co. arrive to burn house and farm building of Quaker who called Parkinson's Ferry meeting a scrub congress. Local committee struggled to avoid violence, had the Quaker taken into custody. Baldwin, p.193-194
1794 Pennsylvania Northumberland, Penn September: Opponents of both the draft and the excise erected a liberty pole. They also broke into the arsenal and seized weapons. They controlled the town for a couple of days until a company of militia from Lancaster arrived and dispersed them with a bayonet charge. Baldwin, p.208
1794 Virginia Winchester, Virginia September: One man "damned the Congress and cried 'God save King George'" was tarred and feathered. Baldwin, p.224 and Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume], September 13, 1794, Image 3 PTH Edits
1794 Maryland Hagenstown, Maryland September: When militamen called into service, they beat off their officers and put up a liberty pole in celebration; the next day magistrates cut down the pole, whereupon the militia put it up aain, swearing to kill anyone who disturbed it. Militia marched on Frederick to seize arms there, but were turned back by locals. Baldwin, p.207-208; Fennell, p.262-264
1794 Pennsylvania Cumberland Co., Pa September: In the evening a number of men with their faces blackened entered the house of Mr. Hewlings, collector of the revenue and forced him to give up all the papers relative to his office. This occurred 10 miles outside Carlisle. N.Y. Herald, September 4, 1794 and Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 02 Sept. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Hewlings PTH Edits
1794 Virginia Morgantown, Virginia September: Residents band together to oppose encroachment by Whiskey Boys. Reported to have engaged with the Whiskey Boys several times, and to have driven them back. Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 02 Sept. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1794 Pennsylvania Greensburg, Penn September: Commissioners from government on return cast harassed by crowd who shouted insults and threw stones, breaking one window. General Irvine threatened to shoot them and they dispersed. Baldwin, p.200; Fennell, p.119
1794 Virginia Martinsburg, Virginia September: Crowd erected a liberty pole, attacked and scattered by the militia. Baldwin, p.207
1794 Pennsylvania Carlisle September: Whiskey Boys erect liberty pole. After it was cut down the next morning they reassembled and erected another pole. For several nights they celebrated their triumph with noise and shooting. They collected money from passersby for whiskey. Also burned Chief Justice in effigy. Baldwin, p.208 and Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 16 Sept. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH Edits
1794 Pennsylvania Washington Co. September: Armed men threaten to kill or tar and feather their officers. They insulted civil authority and cursed the country's government. Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 15 Sept. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1794 Pennsylvania Western Penn September: Popular vote to be held on submission. Rebel militia disrupted several polling places and demanded ballots at others. Fennell, p.72
1794 Pennsylvania Unity Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn September: Meeting to sign submission at William Findley's house terrorized by Whiskey Boys and the paper with signatures of those submitting snatched from presiding officials hand. Baldwin, p.210
1794 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co., Penn September: An armed party took the submission forms from an official who had agreed to distribute them. Baldwin, p.210
1794 Pennsylvania Nottingham, Washington Co., Penn September: When Judge Edgar attempted to speak on submission, the crowd hissed, pelted mud and stones, took away the table provided for official use during meeting. Baldwin, p.210 Edgar
1794 New York NYC November: Seven persons charged with riot and assault and battery in November Sessions. All convicted. "Gen List NYC…" p.24
1794 New York Whitestown, NY November: British agents William Johnson and a Mr. Street were allegedly persuading Native Americans to take up arms against the United States. Americans told Col. Pickering if he did not arrest the agents, they would tar and feather the British agents themselves. Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 18 Nov. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1794 Vermont Vermont November: The legislature passes a motion attacking the Federal government for its action against the Whiskey Boys. The next day, the body passed another motion erasing the vote of the previous day from their records. An angry crowd retaliated by burning in effigy Mr. Samuel Paine, who had been chosen as a federal senator a few days prior. Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 24 Nov. 1794. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Samuel Paine PTH
1794 Pennsylvania Pittsburgh December: Officer abuse a man, probably Stephen Bayard, demanding food and drink, refusing to pay for it, and then disrupting his house. Baldwin (no page given) Stephen Bayard
1795 Massachusetts Boston September: Anti-Jay treaty mobs, peaked Sept. 14 when Jay burned in effigy, an attempt to put down riot failed and six nights of mob rule followed. Gov. S. Adams refused to call out militia. Wheeler.Urban Politics, p.372 John Jay
1795 New York NYC January: Six men charged and convicted of riot and assault and battery in January term (O+T). "Gen List NYC…" p.25
1795 New York NYC May: A drunken Englishman stole a French flag and liberty cap. A mob formed to find and punish the man, but he escaped. Gazette of the United States and daily evening advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 22 May 1795. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1795 Massachusetts Boston June: Belief that Nova Scotian ship was a Bermudan privateer led to the distribution of handbills calling on the citizens to gather at the Long Wharf and dismantle the ship. About 9 o'clock Saturday night a considerable number appeared and attacked the sloop Speedwell of Halifax. She was dismantled and the crowd angered because of the weapons found in the hold twoed her off into the stream about midnight and set fire to her. The blaze threatened other shipping at anchor, as well as Charlestown but some citizens found edge. Governor Samual Adams issued a proclamation against the riot the next day and the legislature soon followed suit offering a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of any of the rioters or encouragers of the riot. N.Y. Argus, June 29, 1795
1795 South Carolina Charleston, SC July: Anti-Jay Treaty protest. A mob marched on Senator Drayton's house, burned a copy of the treaty and knocked at the door with sticks, threatening to burn the house. Klein.Unification, p.219 John Drayton
1795 South Carolina Edgefield, SC July: Anti-Jay treaty mob burned Jay and Senator Jacob Reed in effigy. Klein.Unification, p.220 John Jay; Jacob Reed
1795 New York NY July: Mass meetings opposing treaty saw Hamilton attempt to address and then be harassed by the mob. Wheeler.Urban Politics, p.269-272; Bayard.Travels of a Frenchman, p.134 Alexander Hamilton
1795 Pennsylvania Philadelphia July: Philadelphia reaction to Jay treaty also riotous. Jay was burned in effigy; mass meetings were unruly, and British ministers, his charge and senator William Bingham had the windows of their homes broken and copies of the treaty were publicly burned. Wheeler,Urban Politics. P.97-99 John Jay; William Bingham
1795 South Carolina Charleston, SC July: Anti-Jay treaty mob beat pro-Jay treaty person and chased several others. Klein.Unification, p.219-220
1795 New York NYC July: Anti-Jay treaty riots - on the 18th a mass meeting abused Mayor Larick and stoned Hamilton as they attempted to defend the treaty. While the Chamber of Commerce endorsed the treaty at "the most respectable" meeting "ever held" on July 21, irate demonstrators burnt it at the Battery and hung Jay in effigy. Pomerantz, p.119 Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; Larick
1795 New Hampshire Portsmouth, NH September: Anti-Jay treaty riots - Ringleaders were arrested and Governor Gilmon threatened to use the militia if need be. S. Higginson to T. Pickering (??) in Letters to Stephen HigginsonReport of the AHA for 1876, p.795
1795 North Carolina North Carolina September: The Jay treaty elicited several protest meetings throughout the state. A few meetings were held in favor of the treaty - one such meeting was held at Newbern. Sometime after it, however, Republicans held "a certain riotous and tumultary meeting" denouncing the treaty which was deplored by the Grand Jury of the Newburn district as not "countenanced by any person of reflection or respectability." Gilpatrick.Jeffersonian Democracy in N.C., p.67-68
1795 South Carolina Edgefield, SC September: Effigies of John Jay and Jacob Reed (S.C. senator who voted for the Jay treaty) were hung and the Jay treaty publically burnt. Many other communities held meetings to express their opposition to the treaties. Wolfe.Jeffersonian Democracy in S.C., p.80-85 John Jay; Jacob Reed
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me October: Settlers armed with muskets interrupt Ephraim Ballard's attempt to survey the Plymouth Patent SE corner for Kennebeck Proprietors. Taylor, p.265 Ephraim Ballard
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me October: Armed settlers again interrupt Ephraim Ballard's renewed attempt at a survey. Taylor, p.265 Ephraim Ballard
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me November: Armed settlers obstruct B. Poor's third attempt to run survey lines. Taylor, p.266 Benjamin Poor
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me November: Armed settlers obstructed Benjamin Poor's renewed survey attempt. Taylor, p.266 Benjamin Poor
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me November: A dozen armed and blackened settlers surprise Ephraim Ballard's camp, and destroy his survey plans and papers. Taylor, p.265-266 Ephraim Ballard
1795 Maine Balltown/Jefferson, Me November: Armed settlers obstruct and chase away Benjamin Poor suspected of being a surveyor for Kennebeck Proprietors. Taylor, p.266 Benjamin Poor
1795 Maine Clentoume (??) December: Settlers destroy survey marks made on behalf of Kennebeck Proprietors. Taylor, p.266
1796 Maine Minot, Me January: Settlers harass and plunder loggers working for Pejepscot Proprietors. Taylor, p.266
1796 New York NYC February: Three men charged with riot and assault and battery; one, Gilbert Kersher, was convicted in February Sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.25 Gilbert Kersher
1796 New York NYC March: When William Ketelas was called before the Assembly to answer for his attacks on Federalists, triggered by the Ferrymen incident, he was accompanied by a great crowd (2,000). They made a great clamour at the Assembly house and escorted Ketelas to jail in good Wilkite style, when the Assembly ordered him there. They dispersed more or less peacefully. N.Y. Journal, March 8, 11, 1796 William Ketelas
1796 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co. March: Christian Bugher, David Gilliland, Barnabas Gilliland, and William Ryan attacked John Watt in a land claim dispute. Bugher had settled and built a cabin on land previously claimed by Watt. Bugher and his companions threatened to shoot Watt, or tie him to a log-chain and drag him out with a horse unless he abandoned the land. Then, with Watt still in his cabin, they lit the building ablaze. The court found Bugher, David Gilliland, and Ryan guilty, as “To burn a house, the habitation of a man, and with a man in it, is an outrage not to be justified.” Addison Alexander, Reports of Cases in the County Courts of the Fifth Circuit, and in the High Court of Errors and Appeals of the State of Pennsylvania, and Charges to Grand Juries of Those County Courts (Philadelphia: Kay & Bro. 1883), 295-296. John Watt PTH
1796 New York NYC April: When Ketelas was released from prison a crowd escorted him home and again it was very Wilkite in behavior and attitude. Ketelas complimented the crowd on its dedication to law, the Constitution, and liberty. Symbols were used. Young.Dem-Reps in N.Y., p.489-490 William Ketelas
1796 Maine Pittson, Me July: Settlers attack deputy sheriff bearing writs for the Kennebeck Proprietors. Taylor, p.266
1796 Maine New Milford/Alna, Me July: Isacee Prince led settlers mobbing John Trueman, agent (??) for the Draper heirs and destroy his papers. July: Mr. Trueman, going from Mr. Stacy's to Mr. Clark's, was attacked by five men with blacked faces. A gun was pointed at Trueman, who was led into the bushes, where he was robbed, stripped naked, and tortured, with his ears being cut. They then discusses murdering Truemen, but decided against it. Truemen allegedly knew three of the attackers. Taylor, p.266-267 and Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 27 July 1796. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. John Trueman PTH Edits
1796 North Carolina Wilmington, NC July: French privateer La Bellona came into port. The captain and crew had several run-ins with the citizens and American seamen of the town. These culminated in a "sailor's brawl" (Gilpatrick's phrase) in which an American seaman was killed, the privateer guns thrown overboard, and the French tricolor trampled undefoot. The Americans believed that the privateer was enlisting American seamen and planning to molest American shipping leaving Wilmington. There was a trial of the French privateer afterward. Gilpatrick.Jeffersonian Democracy in N.C., p.83
1796 New York NYC October: Prison riot in which 30 criminals rose in an attempt to escape. Armed with a broad axe they cut their way through the windows. The alarm was sounded and most of them were quickly recaptured. [Greenloaf's]N.Y. Journal, November 1, 1796
1796 New York NYC November: Five men charged with riot at the theatre, four of them convicted in November Sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.25
1796 Pennsylvania Allegheny Co. Winter: John Huston possessed a 1794 improvement on some land, but had no survey or warrant. The next winter, Felix Welsh settled on the claim and built a house under a survey. Huston warned Welsh not to settle past a certain boundary. Welsh built a new home past this boundary. While Welsh and his wife were absent, Huston threw out belongings, including beds still containing Welsh’s children, and “threw down the house.” While the court held that Huston should not have used force, and should have gone through legal channels, a verdict of not guilty was handed down. Daniel Carter and William Wilson are listed as co-defendants. Addison Alexander, Reports of Cases in the County Courts of the Fifth Circuit, and in the High Court of Errors and Appeals of the State of Pennsylvania, and Charges to Grand Juries of Those County Courts (Philadelphia: Kay & Bro. 1883), 297-299 John Huston PTH
1797 Maine New Milford/Alna, Me March: A crowd of armed settlers extorts provisions from Thomas Fairservice, a proprietary supporter in their community. Taylor, p.267 Thomas Fairservice
1797 New York NYC March: The proprietors of the Tontine Coffee House removed the tri-colored emblem of French from the Assembly room, claiming it had created disturbances when some persons attempted to rip it down. News of this brought an unruly mob to the doors of the Tontine intending toresotre it. Anticipating this the proprietors had called the watch which dispersed the mob and hustled several persons off to jail. Bernstein. "Rise of Dem. Rep…," p.205-206
1797 New York NYC March: A Francophile patron entered into the Tuntine Tavern and tore down a card with the British and American flags on it. A disturbance resulted. Deconde. (??), p.20
1797 Maine Wiscasset, Me March: Over 200 settlers from New Milford and Balltown march into Wiscasset, surround the jail and rescue prisoners held for mobbing John Trueman in July 1796. Taylor, p.267 John Trueman
1797 Maine New Milford/Alna, Me May: At night six to eight men break windows in the house belonging to Stuart Hunt, a leading man who supported claims of Draper heirs. Taylor, p.267
1797 New York NYC July: "A considerable riot…at Topsail Tavern" in the evening. 20 persons arrested and taken to Bridewell. Local residents probably aided the police. N.Y. Gazette, July 3, 1797; N.Y.Minerva, July 3, 1797
1797 New York NYC August: As the war scare subsided the Army became a liability and brawls and disturbances became frequent. Even the officers former "clubs" one called "Knights of the Dagger" was particularly infamous. Bernstein. "Rise of the Dem. Rep. Parliament," p.380
1797 New York NYC October: Five men charged and convicted of riot and assault and battery in October sessions. Sentenced January session, 1798 "Gen List NYC…" p.26
1797 Maryland Upper Marlborough October: Election riot with brick bats and stones. One man was killed. Over sheriff election. N.Y. Journal, October 21, 1797
1797 Maine Pittson, Me November, Settlers from Balltown harass house of Ebenezer Pratt, a proprietary supporter. Taylor, p.267 Ebenezer Pratt
1797 New York NYC December: Dr. Nicholas Romaine became immersed in a political controversy when some of his thoughts were quoted in a letter printed in the papers. This led to a scuffle between him and Benjamin Winshop and later to a mob attack on Romaine. A few days later Romaine was attacked by Capt. Armstrong, retired from British service. N.Y. Journal, D. 27, 30, 1797 Nicholas Romaine
1797 Virginia Pittsylvania Co. Va December: William Munford reports that an election, at which he was a clerk, became rowdy and violent. The crowd pushed the sheriff and clerks around. The court house was cleared and occupied once or twice before the clerks and sheriff were forced to retreat. The candidates seemed to encourage the crowd, or at least did not do enough to suppress it. Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 01 Jan. 1798. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1798 Massachusetts Dedham December: "The liberty pole in this town (Dedham) was cut down by some Federal young men of Dedham, who were attacked by the seditious, and one of their number seized. To get his liberty, he very indiscreetly paid the mob guard, of five, twenty dollars. One of the persons concerned in raising the pole, an opulent farmer, has been arrested and bound over. The defended are awed by this measure, but the effect is not as great as their intemperance and folly merit. The powers of the law must be used moderately, but with spirit and decision, otherwise great risk of disorders will be incurred. Fisher Ames to Timothy Pickering - November 22, 1798; Ames ed.,Works of Fisher Ames, 1854 ed., Vol 1; p.242
1798 Virginia Williamsburgh July: William and Mary - a commencement day young enthusiasts marched through town exhibiting a representative of John Adams as though receiving an address from congress. John Marshall on a visit to Fredericksburg was insulted in the theatre and all but pat (??) out to the tune of the rouges march. Anderson.William Branch Giles John Adams
1798 Vermont Walingford, Vt January: A liberty pole was erected by Republicans who used abusive language against Congress, the president. Soon after some Federalists collected, cut down the polt, burnt it and scattered the ashed in the wind. N.Y. Spectator, Januray 31, 1798
1798 New York NYC January: Four men charged and convicted of riot and assault and battery in January Sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.26
1798 New York NYC January: Ten men with blacked faces, black wigs, and waggoner's frocks robbed Mrs. Temple's home on Greenwhich road, while her husband was absent in Europe. The leader of the gang claimed to have known Mrs. Temple in Boston, and treated her in a genteel manner, going so far as to prepare for her a cordial. Some 2000 dollars were stolen. Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 02 Feb. 1798. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. Mrs. Temple PTH
1798 New York Livingston, NY February: Land riots - rioters excluded proprietors from land. Legal processes resisted. Jay against it. Lincoln, ed.Messages of The Govs I, p.411
1798 Pennsylvania Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pa Feb: Supporters of Israel Israel violently interput and occupy a rival political meeting Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 20 Feb. 1798. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1798 Pennsylvania Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pa Feb: Supporters of Israel Israel again violently interput and occupy a rival political meeting Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 20 Feb. 1798. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1798 Massachusetts Mass April: Federalists publically burned Republican paper in Mass; same controversy, threat of tar and feathers (p.252, Smith) Ind. Chronicle, April 1798; Smith.Freedom's Fetters, p.249,252
1798 New York NYC April: An attempt was made to tear down the Cap of Liberty from the Toumary Meeting Hall. One Republican wrote: "Such a thing as a cap of liverty must truly be disgusting to such gentlemen, their order requires no symbol of liberty but a sceptre and a crown." Paulson, "Tommy Society,"NYH(1953) p.75-76
1798 New York NYC May: Threat of mob action at Debating Society. N.Y. Gazette, May 2, 1798
1798 New Jersey Newark, NJ May: A liberty cup which had recently been "despoiled" by "the aristocrats" was recaptured by a party of the militia assembled, under the discharge of three rounds. N.Y. Journal, May 5, 1798
1798 Pennsylvania Philadelphia May: On May 7 1200 young men, in the midst of the XYZ affair, marched through Philadelphia to the president's house to offer their lives for the country. That night they mobbed the residence of Benjamin Franklin Bache, Rep New York - editor. On May 9, which Adams had set as a day for national fast, Federalist youths wearing the Black Cockade fought in the streets with Republicnas wearing the red. The light (??) were called out, a guard was posted at the Resident's House and the streets were patrolled at night. Novak.Rights of Youth, p.39-40 Benjamin Franklin Bache
1798 Pennsylvania Philadelphia May: Street fights broke out between Republicans and Federalists on John Adams day of fast. The trouble began with a scuffle in the state house yard. Deconde. (??), p.20
1798 Pennsylvania Philadelphia May: French cockade mobs roam the streets at night. The mayor, Secretary of State, Atty-Gen, and an alderman intercepted one such mob, dispersed it, and arrested one man. Cavalry patrolled the streets at night, "young men" volunteers guarded the military stores and the mint. NY.Daily Advertiser, May 12, 1798; N.Y.Gazette, May 12, 1798
1798 New York NYC June: Thirteen men charged with assault and bettery with intent to murder and with Breaking Prison Convicted on both accounts, June Sessions. "Gen List NYC…" p.27
1798 New York NYC July: Several incidents of Federalists and Republicans brawling and rioting in the streets. A particularly large such disturbance ocurred at the Battery on July 27. N.Y.Spectator, July 4, 1798; N.Y.Time Piece, July 27, 30, 1798
1798 Virginia Williamsburgh July: William and Mary student paraded the streets and burned an effigy of the President in which he was shown receiving a "Royal Address" and searching frantically through a batch of ready made responses for an appropriate reply. Novak.Rights of Youth, p.44
1798 New Jersey Hackensack, NJ July: Federalist celebration of the 4th included stripping the Liberty Pole of its cap and placing the American Eagle in its stead. They interred the cap. Some Republicans attempted to prevent this but were beaten back by the militia. N.Y.Gazette, July 11, 1798
1798 Virginia Williamsburgh July: "Our noble president was burnt in effigy in Williamsburgh on the fourth of July by the student of William and Mary College and a troop of cavalry. He was exhibited in threat of receiving a loyal address, and looking among a budget of ready made answers for one in return." Argus(Putny, Vermont), August 9, 1798
1798 Georgia Savannah August: The crew of a Spanish privateer was harassed and the vessel taken up river and burnt by a number of men about midnight. The Spanish vessel had taken two American ships which the Spanish government had later released. NY.Time Piece, August 30, 1798
1798 New Jersey Mendham, NJ August: About 11 o'clock in the morning, when most of the men were working in the fields, 23 Federalists, wearing black cockades, armed with swords, clubs, and pistols, came riding into town from New Brunswick. They attacked the liberty pole in front of Dr. Lipton's house, erected on July 4th and ornamented with a liberty cap and American flag. They harassed several citizens, mostly women, had a quick drink at the Black Horse tavern (which they amply paid for), fired several pistols, and after threatening some more people they rode off with the liberty cap. N.Y.Argus, August 24, 27, 1798
1798 New York NYC August: A fracas between Mr. Burke's foreman and Mayor MacDougal occurred on August 21. Two different accounts appeared in other papers, but theArgus, which did not have the facts refuses to say anything about it. N.Y.Argus, August 27, 1798 Burke; MacDougal Burke; MacDougal
1798 Maryland Baltimore September: Baltimore Congressional election of 1798 represented a real challenge for Samuel Smith. Smith relied heavily on the support of his militia. On August 3rd, several militia companies ostentatiously marched through the streets of Baltimore to Smith's home, where they were provided with ample quantities of alcoholic beverages. September 27 saw Smith personally lead a mob attack on a pro-Winchester rally. Although unsuccessful in dispersing that rally, the threat of mob action became so serious that the election judges ordered all weapons confiscated from persons in the vicinity of the polls. smith won the election and the Federalists blamed Republican mob violence. Cassell.Merchant Congressmen…, p.87-89 Winchester
1798 Maryland Baltimore September: Smith led a crowd to a Winchester rally and attempted to expell the Federalists. Steffen. "Between Revolutions…," p.169;190
1799 Pennsylvania Merion, PA January: A group of men, including a servant of Nathan Suplee, go to Merion to destroy a "sedition pole." Chief Justice mistakenly attempts to prosecute Suplee in the aftermath. Gazette of the United States & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser 10/05/1799. PTH
1799 Pennsylvania Philadelphia February: United Irish riot - minor confrontation - long court case involving William Duane. Smith.Freedom's Fetters, p. 279-282 William Duane
1799 Pennsylvania Philadelphia February: Riot when Irish oppose proposed Alien Act. Shear, July '95
1799 Pennsylvania Philadelphia February: Intruders William Duane, Samuel Cummings, Dr. James Reynolds and Robert Moore arrested for inciting riot. May be the same riot as above. Wheeler. Urban Politics, p.121 and William Cobbett. Porcupine's Works; Containing Various Writings and Selections, Exhibiting a Faithful Picture of the United States of America; of Their Governments, Laws, Politics, and Resources; of the Characters of Their Presidents, Governors, Legislators, Magistrates, and Military Men; and of the Customs, Manners, Morals, Religion, Virtues and Vices of the People: Comprising Also a Complete Series of Historical Documents and Remarks, from the End of the War, in 1783, to the Election of the President, in March, 1801 (1801). William Duane; Samuel Cummings; James Reynolds; Robert Moore PTH Edits
1799 Vermont Vergennes, Vermont February: A group of Federalists celebrate Washington's birthday, with toasts to tar and feathing French tories. Other toasts against slavery and Republicans. Gazette of the United States, & Philadelphia daily advertiser. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]), 20 March 1799. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. PTH
1799 New York NYC March: Effigy paddies cause disturbance on day of celebration for St. Patrick in Harmon Street. One man was killed. N.Y. Argus, March 20, 1799
1799 New York Huntington, LI March: The "Jacobins" had raised a "sedition pole" on the 26th. "The friends of government" led by some local big shots "prostrated the idol of sedition to the ground." The liberty pole had been adorned with a tri-colored flag. N.Y. Spectator, April 3, 1799
1799 New York NYC April: Seven men charged and convicted of riot in April sessions. Probably St. Patrick's day riot. "Gen List NYC…" p.28
1799 Pennsylvania Reading, Penn May: Several men with German names complain about deprecations from 15 members of the Lancaster Horse who terrorized locals and cut down liberty poles. N.Y. Journal, May 29, 1799
1799 New York NYC June: There was some sort of riot at the new prison involving about 100 "mechanics," 300 troops were called out to meet the emergency. The attampted break-out was unsuccessful. A less riotous and more successful break occurred a few days later. N.Y.Spectator, June 15, 1799; N.Y.Daily Advertisor, June 14, 1799
1799 Pennsylvania Philadelphia June: About 11:00, a number of officers from the US frigate, with others in and out of uniform, including an officer of the US District Court for Penn, went down South street upsetting a cart, a chair before James Carr's door, atatcking first three women sitting before their doors, pulling up their clothes and laying hold of them, then another woman across the street was like abused. They tried to force Mr. Cornelius into the street - when he refused, one man drew a dagger and lurched at him. Luke Cossin was also obliged to try. When Mr. Darnell, a constable living nearby, came out to order them to keep the peace, he was attacked and stabbed with a dirk. By this time a number of citizens had gathered and carried the nine rioters before Alderman Jennings. One man offered bail for the whole group, at $500 a head. N.Y.Argus, June 28, 1799 James Carr; Luke Cossin; Darnell; Cornelius
1799 New York NYC July: Ten men variously charged with riot and inciting a riot. Five of these are in a group. One, Isaac Carpenter, charged with Riot and assault and battery, was acquitted. The rest were convicted (except one recog ) in July O+T "Gen List NYC…" p.28 Isaac Carpenter