About

A former management consultant with one of the largest global consulting firms, Gene established a second career as a writer and historian of Early America . He is the author of over 30 articles and book reviews for the influential Journal of the American Revolution. For six consecutive years running, at least one of Gene’s essays has been selected for the print edition of the Annual Volume of the Journal of the American Revolution. In addition, he has interviewed for podcasts and newspaper articles. A frequent speaker, he has addressed commemorative Revolutionary War events in Vermont, Brooklyn, New York and Washington, DC. Lastly, Gene hosts and curates a web site providing an historiographic view of Revolutionary war primary and secondary sources at www.researchingtheamericanrevolution.com

Gene Procknow authors a multidisciplinary writers blog on Early America including the American Revolution, the Early Republic and the formation of Vermont. When inspired, he writes poetry and offers thoughts on the human spirit. Gene’s passion for researching and interpreting the American War of Independence emanated from living among Revolutionary War sites in Boston, New Jersey and Vermont. His research concentrations include interpreting the Revolution from a non-American point of view, better understanding the Revolution’s global aspects and in Ethan Allen and the creation of Vermont. He is the author of the Mad River Gazetteer, which traces the naming of prominent Vermont place names to Revolutionary War patriots.

He is a member of the Organization of American Historians, the Museum of the American Revolution and the Society of the History of the Early American Republic. Procknow is married with two sons and lives in Washington, DC.

7 responses to “About”

Gene, What a fabulous site you have created! Keep us the good work! It is wonderful to see someone put his/her intellect and energy into developing and sharing such rich and thoughtful information. Let’s stay in touch.

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Gene Procknow March 12, 2016 at 9:59 pm · · Reply →

Thank you! I hope to get to NYC soon and will reach out!

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George Scott Elder July 3, 2021 at 9:56 am · · Reply →

My ancestor fought in all of the battles in NY and NJ
google Private Joseph Elder

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I enjoyed your article on foreign continental officers in the Journal of The American Revolution. One of my ancestors was French and among those who offered his sword to the Continentals: Jean Chambaron, Chevalier D’Antignac, who was given a Captain’s rank.. I would like to share the information I have on him with you. Of course, it is possible you have come across him in your research, and if so, I would love to know your conclusions. brendamason@mindspring.com

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Gene Procknow August 14, 2016 at 8:20 pm · · Reply →

Brenda

I looked up Baron Louis Jean Baptist d’Antignac in Francis Heitman’s Historical register of the Officers of the Continental Army and confirmed with citations in the Journals of the Continental Congress. General Horatio Gates gave your relative a warrant as a captain in the Continental Army. The Continental Congress accepted the warrant and gave d’Antignac a commission as a captain in the artillery. Heitman indicates that he left the army in September 1777.

However, I ran across this pension application by d’Antignac’s wife which provides more and sometimes conflicting details.

Click to access w4116.pdf

I hope this is helpful. It is great that you are researching your relative. I would be glad to have your write a guest post. Gene

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Thank you for your response. The basis for my grandmother’s statements in her pension application arise not just from family lore, but from a letter received from the Treasury Department in 1835. For some reason, I cannot attach a copy of the image to this, but the letter states:
Treasury Department, 3d Auditors Office, 21st December 1835
Sir, I herewith return the Hon. J.P. King’s letter of 19th instant, together with the letter of Messrs. W.H. Turpin and Wm. M. D’Antignac [son-in-law and son of Jean D’Antignac] which accompanied Mr. King’s–and in relation thereto, I have the honor to state that the account books of the Revolutionary Army, on file in this office, show that a Capt. D’Antignac, was settled with and allowed his pay from the 1st of May 1777 to the 31st of December 1781, and that a “funded debt” certificate was issued therefore on interest from the 3d of June 1782.–Whether this be the officer referred to in the letter of Messrs. Turpin and D’Antignac, I am unable to state.– Nor can I ascertain from the records the circumstances under which Capt. D’Antignac left the service. — He does not appear to have been returned as entitled to Bounty land from the United States, which would have been the case, had his services entitled him to Half-pay, or commutation.
With great Respect,
Peter Hagmin? Aud
Copy noted to Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War

What does “funded debt” certificate mean? Why would he not have received bounty land? What does “commutation” mean in this context?

Thank you for your time.

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