The Mischianza (;
Italian
Italian(s) may refer to:
* Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries
** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom
** Italian language, a Romance language
*** Regional Ita ...
for "medley" or "mixture"), or Meschianza, was an elaborate
fête
In Britain and some of its former colonies, fêtes are traditional public festivals, held outdoors and organised to raise funds for a charity. They typically include entertainment and the sale of goods and refreshments.
Village fêtes
Village fà ...
given in honor of British General
Sir William Howe
William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe, KB PC (10 August 172912 July 1814) was a British Army officer who rose to become Commander-in-Chief of British land forces in the Colonies during the American War of Independence. Howe was one of three bro ...
in
Philadelphia
Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...
on May 18, 1778.
Howe, the commander-in-chief of the British forces in America during the early years of the
Revolution
In political science, a revolution (Latin: ''revolutio'', "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due ...
, had resigned his post and was about to return to England. The ball was thrown by his corps of officers, who put up a sum of 3,312 guineas to pay for it (approximately US$682,929 in 2017 prices). The events, which were planned by Captain
John André
John André (2 May 1750/1751[''Gravesite–Memorial''](_blank)
Westmi ...
and
John Montresor
Captain John Montresor (22 April 1736 – June 1799) was a British military engineer and cartographer in North America.
Early life
Born in Gibraltar 22 April 1736 to British military engineer James Gabriel Montresor and his first wife, Mary ...
, included a regatta along the
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. From the meeting of its branches in Hancock (village), New York, Hancock, New York, the river flows for along the borders of N ...
, accompanied by three musical bands and a 17-gun salute by British warships, a procession, a tournament of jousting knights, and a ball and banquet with fireworks display. The site was Walnut Grove, the rural seat of
Joseph Wharton
Joseph Wharton (March 3, 1826 – January 11, 1909) was an American industrialist. He was involved in mining, manufacturing and education. He founded the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, co-founded the Bethlehem Steel comp ...
of the well-known Philadelphia Whartons.
The crowd of over 400 guests included Admiral of the Fleet
Richard Lord Howe, the general's brother; General
Henry Clinton, commandant at
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
and Howe's replacement;
Peggy Shippen
Margaret "Peggy" Shippen (July 11, 1760 – August 24, 1804) was the highest-paid spy in the American Revolution, and was the second wife of General Benedict Arnold.
Shippen was born into a prominent Philadelphia family with Loyalist tendencies. ...
, future wife of
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold ( Brandt (1994), p. 4June 14, 1801) was an American military officer who served during the Revolutionary War. He fought with distinction for the American Continental Army and rose to the rank of major general before defect ...
;
Peggy Chew, daughter of
Benjamin Chew
Benjamin Chew (November 19, 1722 – January 20, 1810) was a fifth-generation American, a Quaker-born legal scholar, a prominent and successful Philadelphia lawyer, slaveowner, head of the Pennsylvania Judiciary System under both Colony and Com ...
;
Rebecca Franks, daughter of loyalist
David Franks;
Lord Cathcart
Earl Cathcart is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
History
The title was created in 1814 for the soldier and diplomat William Cathcart, 1st Viscount Cathcart. The Cathcart family descends from Sir Alan Cathcart, who sometime be ...
;
Banastre Tarleton
Sir Banastre Tarleton, 1st Baronet, GCB (21 August 175415 January 1833) was a British general and politician. He is best known as the lieutenant colonel leading the British Legion at the end of the American Revolution. He later served in Portug ...
; and
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr von Innhausen und Knyphausen Some documents produced after 1806 referred to him as Reichsfreiherr Wilhelm zu Innhausen und Knyphausen while some documents after 1919 use Wilhelm Reichsfreiherr zu Innhausen und Knyphausen. ...
, a General of the Hessians, a mercenary unit of the German Military.
André, who was "social director" to the army in winter, was known as a poet, actor, etc. He was also well known as a competent violinist. As stage director, he painted background scenes for plays produced by acting members of the English Army.
Sources
Elizabeth F. Ellet, ''The Women of the American Revolution'', Third Edition. New York: Baker and Scribner, 1849
External links
Article in ''American Heritage'' magazineby
Morris Bishop
Morris Gilbert Bishop (15 April 1893 – 20 November 1973) was an American scholar, historian, biographer, essayist, translator, anthologist, and poet.
Early life and career
Bishop was born while his father, Edwin Rubergall Bishop, a Canadian p ...
''Mischianza'', 1881 painting of the eventby
Frederick JamesEngraved Mischianza ticket
Music festivals in Philadelphia
Philadelphia in the American Revolution
History of Philadelphia
Italian words and phrases
1778 in Pennsylvania
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