Don't forget Samuel Whitmore Jr. 1696-1793. Fought at Lexington and Concord at 79, killed two or three British grenadiers, was shot in the face and bayoneted, left for dead and subsequently recovered and lived another 18 years dying of natural causes.

Every time we twist a faucet and potable water comes out, we should be glad to live in the times we have. A History professor of mine described it as the single greatest advance in Public Health ever made.

In 1904, my great grandfather, a barber, slightly knicked his hand pulling a cork out of a hair tonic bottle. A few months later, he was dead of what was probably blood poisoning. We all take for granted: public sanitation, clean drinking water, the development of antibiotics, and "Modern Medicine" overall.

Could I survive the 18th century? I died 4 times just watching this. Excellent video, Townsends team!

I’m barely surviving now, I don’t think a lack of indoor plumbing is going to help.

I'd have died as an infant. Born clubfooted in both legs, very serious asthma, allergic to horses.

My Dad's family would have had no problem being transported back into colonial times. Grandpa was an Oklahoma sharecropper during the Great Depression, still farming with mules because he couldn't afford a tractor. Dad and his twin brother were born and raised in a log cabin, with an outside well for water, kerosene lamps for light, and a wood-burning stove and fireplace to cook on and for heat. They kept hogs, chickens and a couple of cows, and Grandma had a big garden. Dad and his twin brother would hunt squirrels, rabbits, and whatever else they could find for something other than hog meat. If the kids started looking "puny," Grandma would send them out to scour the ditches for greens so that they would get some vitamins. For something sweet, they grew sorghum. There was one guy in the county who had a mill and he charged a share of the syrup for using it, you had to bring your own mule to run it though. For money to buy necessities, Grandma and the older kids would second-pick harvested cotton fields for cotton to sell. They did the same for harvested corn fields to feed the hogs. The family didn't have electricity, indoor plumbing, or running water until they moved north after Grandma got a job building bombers during WWII. Grandpa still farmed though, but now with a tractor. Grandma worked as a riveter at Boeing for 30 years. There are B-52s still flying that she helped build.

The answer is no.

I've been building a time machine in my garage. I'll let you know.

I really appreciate the constant references to the diaries, journals and other writings of actual people from those times like William Byrd, Nicholas Cresswell, etc.

Superb video. Towards the end he says they probably thought they were living in the best of times. Makes you wonder if 200 years from now there’ll be a future Townsend video asking if future people could survive during our lifetime.

If anyone here has kids, a cartoon series called Liberty's Kids from 2002 actually follows the Revolution from the perspective of three kids. Joseph Plumb Martin is actually in it too!

I can cook from scratch with 18th century techniques thanks to Townsends. I spin, weave, knit all fibers. I grow flax for linen plus all that takes to process. We had a derecho which took out everything 21st century. Had my Townsend lanterns and could cook over a fire. Big favor we had running water! But I do keep big bottles of water in storage. Skills! Skills. Having basic survival skills and skills to swap.

My 5th great grandfather was a 9 year old drummer boy during the revolution. He served with his 11 and 16 year old brothers in a unit separate from their father. They were Loyalists so by 1783 they were refugees in Quebec, Canada. When he was older he served in the War of 1812. He died at age 86 in Belleville, Ontario, Canada!

My great grandparents immigrated from Europe to the US in 1867. They voyaged on one of the “coffin ships,” a freighter that had a deck added below after its original cargo was unloaded. These ships were so named because of the numbers lost at sea. Their party of ten included their aging parents, an uncle, and their children, including an infant. I’ve read that these temporary decks allowed six feet of headroom, just enough to stand. Families were allotted a 6-by-6 foot space on deck-people stacked like cordwood. My imagination can’t do justice to those conditions. I am forever astonished that they all survived. Alas, twelve years later, my great grandfather was shot dead while plowing.

The big difference between us is in the 18th century, children would just die of disease, while in modern times we vaccinate to provide the same resistance that they get by surviving an infection. Medical technology is the main area in which we really move beyond the 18th century. Everything else largely just serves to allow more work to be done with less labour, or for more humans to live in an urban area. The absence of this is overcome through learning - just like a colonist from England would also need to do. People don't survive hard times because of toughness, people get tough because of surviving hard times.

In my case I can say with near certainty that I wouldn’t have seen my 20th birthday. Some of my Swiss ancestors tried moving to a Swiss colony in North Africa (Algeria) in the 1850’s. After losing four of their eight children to cholera and typhoid in 1854 and 1855 they went back home. In the 1870’s they tried again and moved to Canada where one of them had 18 children and didn’t lose a single one. Luck played an important part.

Since you mentioned the Lewis & Clark expedition: one of my favorite bits of biomedical history is that the Corps of Discovery were supplied with powerful laxatives called “Rush’s Thunder-clappers” after their creator, Dr. Benjamin Rush (considered the founder of American psychiatry and an ancestor of the doomed Titanic sub guy Stockton Rush). These were used to help treat constipation due to the explorers’ unbalanced meat-heavy diet, and they contained so much mercury that even 200 years later, archaeologists were able to trace their route using chemical analysis of where they stopped to poop.

My husband's great grandfather left his home in New York state at 17, tagged along with a wagon train and walked to California, a year later decided to go home and so walked to Panama, crossed the isthmus, was captured by bandits, freed, and caught a ship back up the East Coast. Maybe when you see so many people die young you figure what have I got to lose? Amazing.

I think many people today couldn't survive pre-1990s America, let alone colonial times.

As a woman, I'd have to worry about working while pregnant and childbirth. Not only that my child might die but many women still die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth.

And THEN, have a dozen kids!! The Lewis and Clark expedition was amazing. I’m glad I read about it with my kids. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch was another good book to read with them.

Beautiful video! I am very proud to be the descendant of a Huguenot man who moved his family to the frontier of Tennessee. I don't know much about him except he loved good food and wine, but he gave it up for his faith.❤

I think the biggest problem would be the learning curve to survive.

I would die within a week (lol). I grew up on a farm, but the daily work and responsibilities of modern farming are nothing compared to that era.

My grandfather was born in 1892. When he got married they had a wagon pulled by horses. He and my grandmother had a farm all through the depression and didn’t really know what depression meant. It is each generation’s job to make life a little better for the next. Look at how much has changed just since 1900

The living history, reenacting community may be best suited for a permanent transition back in time. Having spent 25 years living, learning, teaching in the 18th century and early 19th and having the tools and skills I can say I can instantly live in the 18th century. For how long, who knows.

We wouldn’t survive 1950’s America..

I think the first question really is how well do you know yourself. Trying to live with out everything we take for granted would definately show the difference between what a person thinks they can do and what they actually will do. I think the most sensable approach would be to pick a challange, say see what can be foraged for food in the local area and try just living on that for a few weeks. There would be so much to learn.

My great-great-uncle went to the US from Sweden. He died of dysentery during his first year.

My ancestor, I believe he is my 7th great grandfather, came over to the Americas on the 3rd resupply of Jamestown. He was on the Sea Venture, which was hit by a hurricane and shipwrecked in Bermuda. Made it to jamestown. Eventually the family moved to North Carolina, and following the revolution, made a 3 month trek by ox pulled wagon and by river to be one of the first settlers in western Kentucky. It's crazy to think of how much my family endured. Im actually curious how much ADHD had to deal withy ancestors decisions. Adhd runs in my family's. And everytime ive read a passage about am ancestor, the description sounds like someone with adhd. And that goes hand in hand with risk taking behavior.

Townsends makes the best most inspiring content on KZfaq, I feel good after watching every time, Thank You.

Ironically, the commercial I skipped prior to the video was from Lululemon and featured a group of people that couldn't survive 1987 let alone 1787.

Phenomenal video, thank you all who made this possible.

This might be the best channel on all of youtube. Wholesome, educational, interesting, inspiring... Thank you Jon!

Thanks for sharing with us Jon. Enjoyed the looking back and reminiscing about reenacting the Rendezvous' and the fun and adventure they brought to us and knowing we could survive off the land . Stay safe , Fred.

Great video like always. As someone with medical problems who can't really take anything for pain (allergy to the most common) aside from Tylenol, it's difficult to be in varying levels of pain/nausea every day without pause. So I can understand having to endure a ton of discomfort and always looking for ways to get done what I need to get done. I always try to think about the things that I'm happy I don't have to deal with despite it all. Anyways, looking to the past helps to inspire because there is always a lot to learn and it's fun and cool to be able to implement things into your daily life (like, maybe you end up using an 18th century recipe as the base of a new dish you make at home, etc, etc). Thanks for all you do at Townsends!

I truly appreciate your message of positivity. Thank you.

Your videos are the best! My family and I love watching them together. Thank you!

You're giving us the content I remember on PBS decades ago. My kids and I love watching your content.

As is the case so often, your videos give us an opportunity to learn from the past to help us prepare for the future...... May we have eyes to see and ears to hear......

Thanks for the great history lesson and the perspective.

Can't help but think of that line in Dances with Wolves, "I bet someone out east is saying 'why dont he write?'" I couldn't imagine not hearing from someone for months, but then after several months, you have to assume they died. You stopped hearing from them, and there would be no reason except death, and you'd never know how. Couldn't deal with that. I text my adult sons EVERY DAY. I have to know theyre okay. In fact, i panic if they take too long to respond. Answers: no, i couldn't survive. I'd have a stress induced heart attack worrying about someone.

I absolutely love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve learned!

This man is valuable! So passionate and interesting to listen to!

I would accept the challenge! But I would need a time traveler clause that I would allow me to return to my timeline when I absolutely needed to (think Naked & Afraid)

Your videos are always so interesting. Thanks for the perennial reminder that everything happening now, is history. That context makes me feel more determined and grateful to be alive and more at peace with the fact that there are so many societal conditions that individuals can’t control.

Grew up near Colonial Williamsburg. It was our playground as a kid. Love your content, it always reminds me of the area.

"Pox Americana," by Elizabeth Fenn sheds light on the smallpox epidemic of 1774-8. In the process she uncovered native trade routes in the west that hadn't really been identified. Absolutly riveting read.

One of the things we often don't think about these days is the mortality rate from disease in children under the age of 5. In my area, if you go through the various cemeteries, you'll find any number of small gravestones of someone's child who died back in the early 1900's.

The content and production value of this channel is simply wonderful. Every video makes me feel like I travel back in time.

Excellent video and content, as always.

My great grandfather from Indiana died young of TB leaving my great grandmother a young widow with two small children. Back then they still believed that the night air caused many diseases which was why many used bed curtains. He spent many months away from home working on a farm with migrant workers no doubt he caught it while bunking together with his fellow workers.

We could, although the diseases would probably kill us. Smallpox hasnt been a standard vaccination for at least 45 years

Wow. Truly an inspiring video. All the comments too, with details about the immigrant/colonist experiences from the British Isles. Immigration and survival in the past really was a different game. They crossed that sea.

My ancestors came from modern Zacatecas, Mexico in 1598 and founded Santa Fé which is still in existence, so yes! We could survive. 🇪🇸🇲🇽

Thanks for such a meaningful vidéo. I have spent 1/2 my life trying to be ready for a civilization crash. And honestly, I don't think I'd last long if I were "dropped into it", but if if it were bit by bit, then after some time maybe could survive.

I love this channel.

Years ago, I used to have a book called "The Good Old Days... They Were Terrible." It really put into perspective the realities of times gone by that those of us who did not live through them tend to romanticize.

This was a truly excellent video. Thanks for sharing all of this---metaphorically and realistically

I worked ouside and did not have AC last summer in TN. Rain made me happy because it was a reprieve.

As I am now, no way. Diabetic, have worn glasses since I was seven, some serious allergies. I almost died giving birth to my youngest child, even with modern medicine and technology. Though I love studying history, I'd never be able to survive there.

I had honestly forgotten how excellent your videos were. This is such a great channel.

Food for thought is your forté. I love listing to your commentary on common things and am prompted to be thoughtful about the subject. Thanks for your enthusiastic observations

It's amazing anyone survived all the hardships.

We take a lot for granted these days. Even in the 1800s, and early 1900s, in North America, the main focus of people was survival. They didn't have the modern amenities that we have in this day and age. Cheers!

Loved the shots used in this one.

Great video. Perspective is everything.

I have over 28 years experience in emergency medical care and clinical medical care. I have a solid understanding of human anatomy. I have a firm understanding of germ theory. I understand haw to sterilise instruments. I would become a doctor in town. Even without modern antibiotics, I could do some good in that role.

> No one is concerned about airplane accidents. Boeing

I love these episodes especially. We can learn a lot from Mr. Townsend. I'd love to see a series of episodes going into the past and applying those lessons to today.

Your question is one of the reasons why I started watching your channel a couple years ago.

I was raised in a small rural area of Oklahoma in the 70's I'm 59 now and could survive back then I really don't think I could unless I lived in the city Thank You for another great video. 🇺🇲🤠👋🇺🇲

I bet you could!

I was sharing with my husband your very timely video on "Could we survive Colonial America" and I thought that if we were to be forced to go back to those times, that we would not make out very well, if at all. If we had been brought up in that environmendt, maybe but not from this day in age. Some people would be able to accept and adapt but not most of us. Thank you for the very thought provoking video. I will pay even closer attention to your videos and try to learn more of the "old timer" ways. Liz

My 5X great grandfather was George Graham 1756-1840 he was born in 1756 in New Jersey. At the age of 17 he went to fight in the Revolutionary war and In 1776 he was shot in the thigh during the battle of long island. Even after everything he went through he fought on with a limp and lived to be 84 years old. After the war he got married and moved to Southwestern Pennsylvania where his family still resides. Looking back on everything that could have gone wrong and didn't it really gives you perspective on how good you really have things today.

Some could but they'd have to defend themselves from almost everyone else , seeing a lot of that now as poverty breeds crime .

yes, exactly what I want to watch. How a modern human would survive 300 years ago. This is the only youtube I wanna watch.

I love the food videos, homestead videos, Ryan doing recipes, and this right here etc. I love watching how Townsends have gotten more expansive! Btw! I hope you will do another Morel Mushroom video as it is getting to that time of year I think! :)

Fantastic video and subject, makes one think. Thank you 🍻

Hey from Australia

No i wouldn't be able to make it

Just came back to your channel after having to ignore it for a long time (when things got political), was happy to see you were still at it and making even better content! Love the message at the end, we seem to live in a time where people are afraid to do the hard things, and they are OH so necessary ... perhaps now more than ever

Your channel is awsome very uplifting and educational keep up the great job guys love it

Yes 🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅🇺🇸🦅 Edit" *because we watched Townsends.

| believe that you could, Sir!

It's a pity isn't it? Nick Cresswell was like *the* original swashbuckling rogue adventurer. He survived more horror and extreme danger than many people do in their entire lives, yet even in his journal, on what he thought was his deathbed, he didn't lose heart. I would very much like to see a miniseries about him. In the same vein as the BBC/HBO John Adams series.

Great video! Well said....I believe we have many metaphorical rivers to cross....keep up the great work!

A great video. I am a Boer. I find it so fascinating how tough our forefathers lifestyles were. From arriving in the Cape, to the Great Trek and the Boer wars. So many parallels with the pioneers of northern America. I see the hardened faces in pictures of the men during the Boer wars and always wander the same question, could we do what our forefathers did. I think not. There is a book called the Boer war in colour by Tinus Le Roux. So many pictures, each one explaining the different mens lives their names etc. Alot of effort went into it. If you're a history fiend. Highly recommend it. Awesome video again.

If it was a town I feel like most folks here could manage in some way, frontier is a different story. As for the diseases oddly enough since most people viewing this has already been vaccined for the worst diseases and since your great great grandfathers and so on already lived through these diseases, your bodies natural anti-bodies will already know how to deal with them. It's kind of cool how your body's natural defense system gets better with time and by generation.

Thank You Jon! In those times people were dependent on each other for all their needs. Unlike today when we find everything under one roof made by huge industries and computers from all over the world. I believe there was a closer relationship with others to survive. Today people have grown apart in many cases. People were tougher then and far more able to have the skills to survive, being taught to do so because they had to. Today few people have the skills to provide the basics. The skills have become money. My GGGGrandparents came here from Ireland in 1815 into Philadelphia. He was born in 1772 and died in 1860. So he was in his 40s when arriving, which was pretty amazing in those days. Of course in 1815 the frontier was further west and Pennsylvania quite established. But to take that journey that late in life in those times was quite courageous. Thanks Again and Many Blessings! DaveyJO in Pennsylvania

Im a Mayflower baby.Thick log of documents listing many of my ancestors. They made it, and so did countless others. My genetics are good. My survival luck is good. Id like to think Id not just endure, but in some manner of comfort as well

Most of the subscribers to this channel should be just fine because we are educated in everything from making an apple pie in a dutch oven to start our own blacksmith business and everything in between.

It would be a gamble. Many of us experienced common illness that would have been lethal during the period.

One onf the very best videos ive seen on YT in a LONG time!

One of your best videos!!

Trying to rizz a colonial woman. Colonial woman: what?

The toileting situation alone would aggravate me.

John & the Townsends crew really give us a window to the past. My earliest ancestors in the US were indentured servants sent to the South and they somehow survived. Maybe I would have a shot too.

First time watching your channel Wowy, this is all so interesting! Great finding such fascinating historical content! 💜