All,

As usual, I am behind schedule on an article. This one is about the War of 1812 in the Northern Neck of Virginia for the year of 1813. In going through various newspapers articles, I encounter the papers citing "Coffee house books."  Usually, from Baltimore. I find in a google search that several cities there and in London had "Coffee house books." I suspect these mainly pertain to maritime reports, but I am really not clear on just what this really means. I'm hoping one you can help me on this.

Your Humble Servant,
Craig M. Kilby

P.S. If I am not TOO late, the article will be published in the next issue of the Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine. The two major topics being covered are the capture of the Dolphin in April 1813 in the Rappahannock, Lancaster County and the brutal incident and murder of Midshipman James B. Sigourney in July of that same year in Westmoreland County. (There are a lot of mysteries about Sigourney, that no one seems to be able to answer. Stay tuned for posts on that one.--the issue is not where he was from (Boston) or when or how he died--that is all very clear. The mystery is about the cannon guarding his grave, when it put there and by whom, and when, and whether or not was re-interred in Boston or not.)
______________________________________
To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at
http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html