Colonial America Glossary

noun the act of impressing or taking people or property by force, especially for military service

• Impressment was a common practice used by the British navy during the 18th century to forcibly recruit sailors.
• Impressment was like getting drafted into the navy against your will back in the day.
• Man, impressment was just straight up kidnapping sailors for the navy.
• The company's policy of impressment of ideas from employees led to a lack of innovation and creativity.

noun A person who follows an army to sell provisions to the soldiers

• The sutler provided provisions to the soldiers during the war.
• The sutler set up a shop near the camp to sell goods to the soldiers.
• The sutler was known for hooking up the soldiers with extra rations.
• The sutler of gossip always had the juiciest rumors to share.