Kathy Miller, Vice-President introduced guest speaker, Chris Grimes, President of the Sons of the American Revolution, Albemarle Chapter in Roper, NC.

The number one killer during the War of 1812 was infections. There were many infections such as, typhoid, dysentery, pneumonia, measles and smallpox, as well as malaria. It was difficult to keep food fresh and often the men would “flux” a term used in reference to diarrhea. This would make the soldier’s life miserable.  If you amputate below the elbow you have an 85% chance of living. Otherwise, infection would set in and death would occur. The amputations were without anesthesia. The surgeon had to act quickly.  The typical soldier in the War of 1812 didn’t die from cannonballs or bullets, but from germs. Chris Grimes, our guest speaker brought a variety of tools and medicinals to treat a variety of health issues that needed treatment. The most common procedure is lancing boils and abscesses to amputation of limbs.  Chris explained how Leeches have been used in medicine for over 2,500 years. They were more popular in earlier times because it was widely thought that most diseases were caused by an excess of blood. As recently as the 19th century, leeches were used to treat everything from tonsillitis to hemorrhoids. Chris also used a wonderful PowerPoint presentation to better I illustrate the types of problems that the soldiers were presented with during this time period and how they dealt with it.

  Chris Grimes chatting with Linda Rivenbark, President of our 1812 chapter.

If anyone would like to contact Chris Grimes to be a guest speaker at their 1812 group meeting can reach him at cw.grimes@yahoo.com

 or call him at 252-799-1512.

252nd Anniversary of the Stamp Act Resistance February 17th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

THINGS TO DO- Local History: Brunswick Town

252nd Anniversary of the Stamp Act Resistance - What began on the banks of the Cape Fear River helped paved the Road Revolution. Travel back to the winter of 1766 at Brunswick Town and Fort Anderson. Learn how the events that occurred in the Colonial Cape Fear helped sow the seeds of discontent and pave the way for the American Revolution as living history interpreters demonstrate trades and how the dreaded Stamp Act affected their livelihood. Talk with sailors, learn the blacksmith's trade, and listen to lectures on how the events of the 1760s paved the way to revolution. Hands on activities for kids and interactives for the entire family. This special event is free, and open to the public. Visit the website for more details. Feb 17, 2018 - Feb 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Brunswick Town Fort Anderson Historic Site, Winnabow  ADDRESS: 8884St. Philip's Road, SE , Winnabow, NC 28479 PHONE: (910) 371-6613