History Extra Podcast: "Sexuality on Trial in Colonial America"
Release Date: February 24, 2025
Host: Eleanor Evans
Guest: John Gilbert McCurdy, Historian and Author of Vicious and Immoral Homosexuality, the American Revolution and the Trials of Robert Newberg
Produced by: Immediate Media
Introduction
In the February 24, 2025 episode of the History Extra Podcast, host Eleanor Evans delves into the gripping and often overlooked historical narrative of Robert Newberg, an 18th-century chaplain in the British Army who stood trial for alleged homosexual activities in colonial America. Scholar and author John Gilbert McCurdy joins Evans to unpack the complexities of Newberg's trial and its broader implications on perceptions of sexuality and societal norms during a tumultuous pre-revolutionary period.
Who Was Robert Newberg?
[01:40]
John Gilbert McCurdy provides a comprehensive background on Robert Newberg, highlighting his Irish origins, elite upbringing, education at Trinity College, and subsequent journey into the priesthood. Born in 1742, Newberg transitions from serving as a clergyman in Ireland to becoming a chaplain in the 18th Regiment of Foot, also known as the Royal Irish Regiment, stationed in North America by 1772.
Key Points:
- Education and Early Life: Elite family in Ireland, Trinity College alumnus.
- Military Role: Transition to chaplaincy in the British Army, arriving in Philadelphia in 1773 to minister to soldiers.
- Living Conditions: Stationed in massive barracks capable of housing 1,700 to 1,800 men, reflecting the military's strategic positioning amidst fears of future invasions.
Life in the Regiment and Rising Suspicion
[02:27]
McCurdy paints a vivid picture of the regiment's living conditions, emphasizing the close quarters and hierarchical structures. Newberg's role as a chaplain is scrutinized, particularly his accommodation arrangements, which raise suspicions among his superiors.
Key Points:
- Accommodation Controversy: Newberg requests additional rooms for personal effects, which contrasts with other lieutenants who receive multiple rooms.
- Suspicion Arises: Proximity to the privy (outhouse) and his elaborate attire—described as "macaroni"—fuel rumors about his sexual orientation.
- Impact of Close Quarters: Shared living spaces and the strategic placement of rooms contribute to the spread of rumors and suspicions.
Notable Quote:
"There is a suspicion there. Why do you want to be so close to the enlisted men? And why do you want to have a view of the outhouse?" — John Gilbert McCurdy [02:27]
The Trials of Robert Newberg
[04:56]
McCurdy details how his research led to uncovering court martial transcripts that accused Newberg of "buggery"—a legal term encompassing male homosexual acts and bestiality, predating the modern term "homosexuality."
Key Points:
- Court Martial Evidence: Explicit language used in transcripts, capturing detailed accusations and testimonies.
- Nature of Accusation: Alleged sexual activities with a servant prior to joining the army, tarnishing his reputation.
- Army's Dilemma: Torn between military hierarchy concerns and the lack of concrete evidence to prosecute effectively.
Notable Quote:
"As the colonists are talking back to the king and Newberg, and the privates are beginning to talk back to the officers. And that's going to lead to chaos." — John Gilbert McCurdy [17:43]
Attitudes Toward Homosexuality in the 18th Century
[06:43]
McCurdy elucidates the terminology and societal attitudes of the time, explaining that terms like "homosexual" were nonexistent, with "buggery" being the prevalent term.
Key Points:
- Terminology: "Buggerer" referred to individuals accused of homosexual acts or bestiality.
- Legal Implications: Buggery was a capital offense but rarely prosecuted, especially in the American colonies.
- Social Perception: Flamboyant dress and behavior, such as that exhibited by Newberg, were often conflated with moral deficiencies and suspicions of improper conduct.
Notable Quote:
"The idea that there are men who exist who prefer to have sex with men, that didn't seem to really surprise anybody in the 18th century. I mean, they didn't like it, but it didn't surprise them." — John Gilbert McCurdy [22:31]
Subversion of Hierarchy and Military Stability
[09:48]
The discussion shifts to how Newberg's actions, particularly his support for a private challenging a captain's corruption, were perceived as subversive, exacerbating existing tensions within the regiment.
Key Points:
- Support for the Private: Newberg's advocacy for the private's defense against corruption accusations portrays him as a potential threat to military order.
- Military Response: Superiors viewed Newberg's actions as undermining the army's hierarchy and, by extension, the stability of the British Empire amidst rising colonial unrest.
- Character Assassination: Efforts to discredit Newberg extended beyond his alleged sexual conduct to his purported influence on military discipline and loyalty.
Notable Quote:
"We don't have good proof. It's just gonna make everybody unhappy and not solve the problem." — Thomas Gage, Commander in Chief [09:48]
Connection to Pre-Revolutionary America
[13:58]
McCurdy explores the parallel between Newberg's trial and the broader socio-political upheaval leading up to the American Revolution, suggesting that the regiment's internal conflicts mirrored the colonies' push for independence.
Key Points:
- Timing of the Trial: Occurred during a pivotal moment as the American colonies edged toward revolution.
- Rhetoric of Rights: Newberg's defense hinted at emerging Enlightenment ideals, challenging traditional authority and advocating for individual liberties.
- Military Instability: Officers' fears of disorder within the regiment reflected anxieties about the impending colonial rebellion.
Notable Quote:
"As this buggery trial is happening, at the same time the colonists are moving toward revolution. Do these two things intersect? And I think they do." — John Gilbert McCurdy [17:43]
Outcome and Legacy of the Trial
[21:43]
Despite the rampant suspicions and accusations, Newberg avoids severe punishment. He remains loyal to the British Crown, transfers to another regiment, and eventually retires to Ireland, living until 1825.
Key Points:
- Military Career Post-Trial: Transferred to the 15th Regiment of Foot, continues his role as chaplain.
- Retirement: Leaves the military on half-pay, a common practice for retired officers, and returns to Ireland.
- Long-Term Impact: The trial's divisions within the regiment foreshadow the larger conflict of the American Revolution, with loyalties split between remaining with the British Empire or aligning with the emerging American identity.
Relevance to Contemporary Audiences
[22:31]
McCurdy draws parallels between 18th-century attitudes toward homosexuality and modern discussions on sexual minorities and individual rights, highlighting the enduring nature of these societal debates.
Key Points:
- Historical Continuity: Concepts of sexual identity and rights have deep historical roots, challenging the notion that such struggles are solely modern phenomena.
- Enlightenment Influence: Early discussions on sexual liberalism and individual freedoms set the stage for ongoing debates about personal liberties.
- Societal Judgment: Similar to today, appearance and behavior were used to judge individuals' moral and sexual character, reflecting persistent societal tendencies to equate personal presentation with inner desires.
Notable Quote:
"This has had to be a horrible time to be a homosexual. This would be a miserable time. Sodomy was against the law." — John Gilbert McCurdy [22:31]
Conclusion
The episode "Sexuality on Trial in Colonial America" offers a nuanced exploration of Robert Newberg's trial, intertwining issues of sexuality, military hierarchy, and the broader socio-political climate of pre-revolutionary America. Through John Gilbert McCurdy's meticulous research, listeners gain insight into how personal scandals can reflect and influence larger societal transformations. The trial of Robert Newberg not only sheds light on historical attitudes towards homosexuality but also underscores the complex interplay between individual actions and institutional responses during a period of significant upheaval.
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This podcast episode was produced by Jack Bateman.