The general election took place between May and June 1796. When Ross rides home, the constellation of Orion is clearly visible in the sky (to the left of his house). It is a winter constellation, only visible between November and February.
At the beginning of the episode, we see Ross swimming. He is using the front crawl or freestyle stroke. This stroke wasn't invented until 1906. A person swimming in the 18th century would use the breaststroke, which is considered the most natural stroke.