We Be Black Jacks

Removing excess tar used to seal caulking.

sablesoldier — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 19:14:04 -0400

Removing excess tar used to seal caulking.

Reefing on the AJ Meerwald in preparation for the sailing...

sablesoldier — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 19:01:30 -0400

Reefing on the AJ Meerwald in preparation for the sailing season. This process removes old caulking between planks to prepare for new caulking.

Come get yer duds in order for the Marbleheaders are head'n...

sablesoldier — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 21:07:09 -0400

Come get yer duds in order for the Marbleheaders are head'n for an action packed encampment July 9th. So me jollies, haul yerself down to Fort Sewall in Marblehead.

1st Rhode Island Regiment reenators bring Revolutionary War...

sablesoldier — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 11:22:32 -0500

1st Rhode Island Regiment reenators bring Revolutionary War flava to the Front and Center Program in Charlottesville Virginia.

Ahoy, mates. It’s that time of year again. Get ready to...

sablesoldier — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 19:38:35 -0400

November 13, 2015 - Registration forms due for ALL participants
November 22, 2015, 11 am - Boat Drill for Boatmen only
December 13, 2015, 11 am - Dress Rehearsal
December 25, 2015, 11 am - Washington’s Crossing Reenactment

Tall Ships Festival

sablesoldier — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 09:18:53 -0400

Join us on the Gazela for a rare maritime adventure. Take a tour of the ship and learn about...

Washington’s Crossing is upon us. The water level of the...

sablesoldier — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 01:26:35 -0500

Washington’s Crossing is upon us. The water level of the Delaware river is at a nearly 100 year record low. Crew has been clearing stones from the landing to try to make a channel to higher water. This year the Glover’s boat drill will be at 8:30 AM on December 8th, the same day as Dress Rehearsal. Hopefully, the recent rains have replenished the river enough to launch. Muster for the Crossing will be at 12 noon at the Visitors Center for formation, inspection, reading of the “Battle Order”; followed by march to assigned positions for troops, artillery, and boat crew.

Seaman Leon Brooks with the contingent of Marbleheaders, 2nd...

sablesoldier — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 21:08:47 -0400

Seaman Leon Brooks with the contingent of Marbleheaders, 2nd Company, at Brooklyn. Historically, the Marbleheaders led the nation, as its’ ranks reflected the highly racially integrated makeup of the New England maritime industry.

Seaman Leon Brooks with Marbleheaders for the commemoration of...

sablesoldier — Sun, 01 Sep 2013 18:26:35 -0400

Seaman Leon Brooks with Marbleheaders for the commemoration of the Continental army’s loss at the Battle of Brookyln, and the evacuation of 9,000 surviving troops to Manhattan. Black seaman were among the New England soldier-mariners who ferried heavily loaded boats across the treacherous East River currents, in the fog and the dead of night.

Oarsman Leon Brooks, Glovers Marblehead Regiment , at the 236th...

sablesoldier — Sat, 25 May 2013 11:13:35 -0400

Oarsman Leon Brooks, Glovers Marblehead Regiment , at the 236th Anniversary Washington Crossing the Delaware, re-enactment.

Meet the Jacks

sablesoldier — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 12:59:42 -0500

We tell the story of the black Jacks through living history. As re-enactors we may play an historic...

Marbleheaders Algernon Ward, Luger Batan, and Leon Brooks, at...

sablesoldier — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 05:29:00 -0500

Marbleheaders Algernon Ward, Luger Batan, and Leon Brooks, at Washington Crossing reenactment.

Ahoy! We be black Jacks - sea dogs baring witness to the history and life of men of color serving as rivermen, mariner-soldiers, and seafarers during the age of sail.

The role of maritime exploration, trade, and warfare is central to understanding the history of our country, the people we will come to be, and maybe even our destiny .

In the global contest between European empires, Africans, Afro-Latino, and First Nation water-men made important contributions throughout.