The Long Hunter's Journal
The newsletter of the Utah ALRA
February 2006
LIEUTENANT'S MESSAGE
We have a lot going on this year and I want to make sure that you know that I value your feedback. Please call me at (801)718-9982 or e-mail if you have comments, concerns, or suggestions.
MARCH MEETING
The March meeting will be held at Fort Buenaventura on March 3-4. The Lieutenant will arrange for us to spend the night. The meeting will start at 10a.m. Saturday morning. We will be discussing the Spring Rendezvous demonstrations, discussing other upcoming events, and practicing for the flag ceremony. The range will be available for those that would like to do a little shooting.
WESTERN GATHERING
The Fort denied our request for the first weekend in May due to another group having the Fort booked. We tried to negotiate with the group that has it scheduled, but they wanted the place to themselves. Mark Rutledge and the Lieutenant are exploring other possible dates.
FORT BUENAVENTURA SPRING RENDEZVOUS
The annual Fort Buenaventura Spring Rendezvous will be held Easter weekend April 14-16. We have been asked to do the Saturday morning flag ceremony as usual. Everyone should muster at the Camp Ground office at 7:30 a.m. Step off will be at 8a.m. Donuts and drinks will be provided. The Lieutenant will set up his Marquee that will be used for 18th Century period demonstrations throughout the weekend and can house any that don't want to bring their own camp. We are planning on doing historical demonstrations to help with our service hours to the Fort. The Lieutenant has been working with Weber County to make sure the demo's are a integral part of the Rendezvous. They are planning on a central camping/demo area for those members participating in the demo's. Weber County has not said yet whether camping will be free of charge however. We need the help of as many as you as possible so that we can get a lot of service hours to count towards our Fort usage. The Lieutenant will provide the ball casting demo supplies for those that don't have another demo planned. The Lieutenant needs to know what other demos are planned, so please e-mail him or call him at (801)718-9982 if you are planning a demo. Please be ready to discuss this event at the March Meeting.
MAY MEETING
With the Western Gathering not happening in May and the fact we can't use the Fort, we need to plan a camp away from the Fort. This might be a good time to do the trek we didn't do in February. We did a trek in May a few years ago in the Grantsville Hills that was enjoyable. Please send the Lieutenant your suggestions for a May meeting plan as soon as possible. Thank you.
FORT BRIDGER RENDEZVOUS REMINDER
Camper applications for the 2006 rendezvous have to be post marked prior to March 1, 2006 to reserve a spot. I think quiet camp #2 will be the gathering area again this year for the ALRA. The Lieutenant is also in preliminary discussions with the Rendezvous committee about doing demonstrations again.
WEST BOUNTIFUL ELEMENTARY COLONIAL FAIR
West Bountiful Elementary has contacted the Lieutenant again about doing the colonial fair. The date of the fair is May 17, 2006 and it runs all day. Gregg Hanse, Kirk Davis, and Grant & Kim Davis are planning on doing it and would appreciate in help others are willing to offer. The school has a great organization of parents and the kids had a fantastic time last year.
DUES PAYING MEMBERS TO DATE
Dave Morby (#?), Lyle Gingery(State only), Terry Pendley (12), Scott Rawley(#?), Jerry Bell (94), Gregg Hansen (100), Lynn Kalan(#?), John McCann (155), Grant Davis (217), James Chandler (225), Steve Gish (231), Kirk Davis (237), James Stone (241), Trent Isaacson (242), Pat Lakin (244), Duane Dyer (Prob), Ole Jenson (State only), Kevin McCarthy (State only), Tim Tanner (Patriot, ID)
If you paid you dues directly to ALRA National, let us know for our records. Also, if we missed your Patriot number, let us know.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 3-4th - Fort Buenaventura (Get ready for demonstrations at Easter Rendezvous)
April - No meeting
April 14-16th - Fort Buenaventura Spring Rendezvous (ALRA will do period demonstrations)
May 5-7th -
June 16th-17th - Uinta Camp
July - No meeting
August 4-5th - Fort Buenaventura (Skill weekend, workshop, etc.)
September 1-4th - Fort Bridger Rendezvous
September 15-16th - Moon Lake Canoe Trip
October 7 - Feast of the Harvest Moon
November 3-4th - Fort Buenaventura - Shoot
December - Christmas Party (date and place to be determined)
HISTORICAL NOTES from Rex Ward
Eighteenth-century Imodium AD: "Dysentery. The following prescription was regarded as an infallible cure for dysentery: Boil some cinnamon bark in water; take a quantity of this water and pour it with some brandy in a bowl; over it place a couple of splinter[s] (or pipe-stems) close beside each other, with a piece of sugar on top of them; set fire to the brandy and let it burn until the sugar is quite burnt. Let the patient then eat this sugar and drink some of the brandy and the cinnamon water. It is claimed that one dose was often enough for an immediate cure. Another excellent remedy was said to be fried red English cheese eaten on a sandwich." (Peter Kalm's Travels, p. 36)
"Muscovy glass [i.e. mica] is found in many places hereabouts [i.e. Philadelphia area] and some pieces of it are pretty large and as fine as those which are brought from Russia. I have seen some of them, which were a foot and more in length. I have several in my collection that are nearly nine inches square. The Swedes on their first arrival here made their windows of this native glass." (Peter Kalm's Travels, p. 46)
"Bears are very numerous higher up in the country and do much mischief. Mr. Bartram [a self-made naturalist near Philadelphia] told me that when a bear catches a cow he kills her in the following manner: he bites a hole into the hide and blows with all his power into it till the animal swells excessively and dies, for the air expands greatly between the flesh and the hide." (Peter Kalm's Travels, p. 62) [Note: The footnote from the editor wonders whether Mr. Bartram wasn't just seeing how gullible Mr. Kalm was.]
DEVELOPING A PERSONA
I thought I would research the topic of developing a persona and where else better to go than the web. So much to consider and yet it can be relatively simple if you follow a few suggestions. Of course, at this stage of membership in the ALRA, we may have already developed a persona, submitted a bibliography and become a member. Still, you may wish to further refine your persona or develop a new one. Remember, you don't have to submit a bibliography for a new persona; just do you research and make sure it's right.
The first I heard or even though of a persona was when I attended a School of the Mountain Man sponsored by the Hell's Hole Mountain Man group. They presented three "School of the Mountain Man" seminars and provided a helpful manuscript full of primary documentation.
Rick Williams wrote an article, "What's in it for me and why you need a persona," after all "I'm just doing it for fun." He suggests, first, select a time period and consider where you live. Choose to personify the common man and don't forget your ethnicity. Consider your own ancestors and keep in mind your family members' interests if they are to part of this pastime. This just opens the floodgates of interesting research, he says. What kind of arms, blankets, knives, packs, utensils, etc you'll need. Soon you'll be developing a bibliography of good sources.
From: http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/index.htm hosted by Rhondda McPonnon: "As you begin to develop a persona, you will need to make a few critical decisions about your wardrobe. Whether a farmer, laborer, craftsman, clergy, merchant, or a person of the upper class; clothing symbolizes your social position and financial status within your community. "Some communities were based on an agrarian economy while others were based on commerce and trade. Communities had Militia's and that may be the direction you are taking."
Men's Clothing of New England is a collection of information gathered from the Battle Road Clothing & Accouterment Seminars and Workshops with Henry Cooke (1999, 2000), as well as documented information gathered from various interested persons willing to contribute their research. It focuses on the community of Lexington, Massachusetts. Consider this, selecting a town in all probably will determine your persona's ethnicity.
Another source for deciding what to wear are inventories, probate records, diaries and letters found in some towns offering insight into what a person owned. These are a wealth of information when available.
This site contains a wealth of information. I suggest you check it out.
From http://www.18cnewenglandlife.org/18cnel/deva.htm come the next helpful tips on " CREATING AN IMAGE" by Barbara Delorey.
To understand and to portray the lives of people in another time, the re-enactor learns many skills and disciplines. But the first impression is achieved through costume. Placement of seaming, shaping of pattern pieces and sewing techniques are very important. You cannot improve on the original methods. Side seams are generally toward the back rather than under the arm; the shoulder seam is also toward the back instead of on top of the shoulder. Top stitched seams, whipstitch, narrow hems and narrow seams are correct and influence the look and wear-ability of the garment. There is sometimes a great difference in the appearance of hand and machine-sewn clothing.
It is necessary to adopt some guidelines when deciding on wardrobe components. The re-enactor must keep in mind role, class, occupation and location. What is extracted from diary sources, letters, newspapers, history, should be consistent for the lifestyle of the individual interpretation.
The goal of the re-enactor and historical interpreter is to convince others that they are talking to real, living men and women of the eighteenth century.
I'm sure you've noticed that so far little has been said about you choice of arms!
This from the following site: Russell County, Virginia: http://www.rootsweb.com/~varussel/index.html
THE FIRST MILITIA ROSTER OF THE CLINCH RIVER AREA OF RUSSELL COUNTY By Emory L. Hamilton - 1978
In the Archives of the Virginia State Library is found one of the most interesting documents pertaining to the earliest settlers of the Clinch River Valley in what is now Russell, Scoot and Lee Counties, but then a part of Washington County.
It is page 229 and 230 of the Dunmore's War Records, and is a roster of 72 names of Militia soldiers under Captain William Russell. The roster is for the first pay period just prior to the outbreak of Dunmore's War in the fall of 1774. While this document does not list everyone living in the area, it does give an insight into some of the very earliest settlers.
On the ensuing pages I have listed by number and name each of the Militiamen, with a brief biography of what I have been able to find pertaining to each man.
WILLIAM RUSSELL - He was Captain of Militia and lived near the present Castlewood High School. His first wife, Tabitha Adams Russell died there in 1776 and was buried there. Russell later married Elizabeth, the widow of General William Campbell and lived at Saltville. The second Mrs. Russell was a sister to Patrick Henry. At the outbreak of the Revolution, Russell became a general in the Continental Army. It was for him that Russell County was named.
DAVID GASS - Capt. David Gass was born in Pennsylvania in 1729. He settled early in Albemarle Co., Va., where he was serving in the militia in 1758. In 1769 he moved to Castlewood and prepared to go with Boone to Kentucky in 1773. After the Indians attacked Boone's party in Powell Valley, Boone came to Castlewood and lived in a cabin on Capt. Gass's land until he moved to Boonesboro in 1775. Capt. Gass made seven trips to Kentucky before finally moving his family there in 1777. Gass sold his home place on the Clinch to his brother-in-law, Capt. William Cowan, who in turn sold it to James Osborne, Gass died in Madison Co., Ky.
WILLIAM CARR - William Carr lived on Carr's Creek in Russell Co. where he died in 1782, and for whom the creek was named. His widow, Hannah Carr moved her family in 1784 to Sumner Co., Tennessee. This is the same Hannah Carr who refuged with Daniel Boone's family in Moore's Fort in 1774. Carr owned land at Guest Station (Coeburn) Washington Co. Land Entry Book 25 May 1783, 200 acres for John Donald on the lowest branch of Toms Creek, that emptied into Gist River beginning at the line of Widow Carr's corn right at Gist Station and running up the creek on both sides of the War Path everyway.
HENRY HAMLIN - Henry Hamlin came to Castlewood and settled in upper Castlewood, on the North side of Clinch River in 1769. He operated a mill there long before Bickley's Mill and the old foundation still stands on Mill Creek. His first wife, and some of his children were killed by Indians in 1783. Later he moved to Rye Cove and married his second wife Mary "Molly" Blackmore Adams who had her first husband Jesse Adams and ten children massacred by the Indians on Stock Creek in 1782. Molly was the daughter of Joseph Blackmore and is said to have been killed also by Indians near Fort Blackmore in 1790, but I can find no proof for this. Henry Hamlin was born in 1740 and died in 1818. During the Revolutionary War he is reported to have been a Tory.
JOHN SNODDY - This was Captain John Snoddy, born circa 1739 and who was a militia captain on the Clinch until his removal to Kentucky around 1780. He had married Margaret Walker, a daughter of John Walker who lived at the "sink" of Sinking Creek on a farm he called "Broad Meadows". Snoddy at one time owned Moore's Fort at Castlewood, which he sold prior to his removal to Kentucky to Frederick Fraley. He was a brother-in-law to Patrick Porter, and the Cowan brothers, David, William and Samuel, all having married Walker sisters. John Snoddy died in Madison Co., Ky. in 1814, and should not be confused with an older John Snoddy who served on the Washington Co. Court who lived at Abingdon. The older Snoddy married Agnes Glasgow in Philadelphia in 1741 and moved to Tennessee where he died in 1786.
This from GRANT DAVIS, newly appointed member to the AUTHENTICITY COMMITTEE. "I cannot emphasize enough the importance of choosing a persona and sticking with it. If we are to create a believable and historically correct character then the creation of a persona is paramount. I know choosing one persona is often difficult and tougher still is sticking to it as we select from the many tantalizing accoutrements and firearms available. However, in my short time with the Authenticity Committee I have seen a few too many wild stories created to link persona to accoutrements. Staying true to your persona means that you will create a believable and complete character. In addition to the sources mentioned above I would recommend "Who Was I" by noted author and my good friend Cathy Johnson. It is available through James Townsend among others and offers insight into choosing and developing a persona.
From what we've seen from above, we might determine the following pointers are a good way to develop your persona.
Pointer Number 1 - Select a town or narrow geographical location to develop a persona
Pointer Number 2 - Select a person or perceived character as your persona
Pointer Number 3 - Gather your Accouterments.
Pointer Number 4 - Select a flintlock
Pointer Number 5 - Create you Bibliography
AGING COSTUMES
I know we don't think of ourselves as wearing "costumes" but that's the "search" word I had to use to find information below.
After watching the recent PBS production of "The War that Made America," I became interested in "costume designers" listed in credits and what they do. The credits for the film said Virginia Johnson was the designer. With a little search on the web, I found that Ms. Johnson was a professor in the Drama and Dance Department at Tufts University, Medford, MA. She has a B.A from Drake and MFA Costume Design from West Virginia University.
WQED, Pittsburgh produced the four-part documentary about the French and Indian War. After consulting historical texts and meeting with experts and visiting museums, Ms. Johnson said she began re-creating the 250-year-old clothing worn during the French and Indian War.
Some costumes were rented (created for the 1992 film The Last of the Mohicans); virtually all had to be sewn from scratch. She selected natural wool and linen, real silk ribbon and natural dyes to create an element of realism.
When "Cold Mountain" aired on TV recently I paid close attention to the credits. Ann Roth was listed as Costume Designer. She has so many credits over her forty years in the business it's hard to name even a few.
Just outside Bucharest, where Cold Mountain was ultimately shot, a crew of nearly 600 re-created the battlefield at Petersburg, Va., complete with a replica of the original 170-foot crater seen in the early part of the film. Further north, in the forests of Transylvania, the entire Cold Mountain town was built from scratch, 36 buildings with real bricks and logs. The Black Cove Farm was also constructed from the ground up, landscaped with vegetable crops, cornfields and tobacco.
Original patterns and real garments from the period were obtained by Roth to create historically accurate uniforms worn by Union and Confederate soldiers. Noted for her meticulous use of fabrics and color dyes, Roth found people in the Amish country of Pennsylvania who wove fabric the "old-fashioned" way. She was also able to locate a few original fabrics that dated from the era.
These materials were then brought over to Romania, where the costumes were assembled. Local craftsmen made exact replicas of uniforms, shoes, buckles and belts. Everything was handmade. A labor-intensive process of dying all the fabrics to match original color dyes was then followed by elaborate aging techniques.
This phrase, "aging techniques" is what I was particularly interested in. So, it was back to the web. I found several sites that said much the same. The easiest way to make something look old is to wash it a few times. This was the first step in aging costumes. This will fade both the color and soften the fabric by removing the sizing. Do this before making your garment! When aging a garment, pay particular attention to where wear normally occurs. Edges fray first. Fading and wear also happens on knees, elbows, seat of pants, collars, cuffs, folds, pleats and gathers. Sand paper, cheese graters, forks, and wire brushed has all been suggested to age and snag the fabric. Throwing garments in the dryer with tennis shoes will breaks down and softens the fibers. This is useful if you didn't pre-wash you fabric before making the garment.
The only rule of using objects to distress costumes is that there are no rules. Dying, painting fabrics, the use of wax to create mud, fake blood, etc., were all discussed and I'm sure best left to the professionals.
Almost every reference I researched said they looked at historical documents and paintings. Just a word of caution about relying on paintings as an accurate depiction of clothing; it is well known that paintings of a certain era may have been painted later in the period. Clothing styles may have changed.
Dr. Tara Maginnis, now with The University of Alaska Fairbanks produced a workbook as part of her MA Project at California State University Fresno on making a shirt look old and worn. You can check out this web site at: http://www.costumes.org/advice/costcraftsmanual/tmpjk15.htm
The following is part of a larger site but this link will give you hints on dyeing. It doesn't speak to natural dyes however (see below). I chose not to delve into dyeing to any extent but found a few hints: Chamomile herbal tea will give the same golden-yellowy color you see in old lace and antique wedding dresses. Regular tea and coffee will give more of a brownish hue, like a garment that has not simply been stored a long time, but rather used and gotten dirty. http://www.alleycatscratch.com/lotr/Fabric/FabricDyeing.htm
The site below lists logwood and sassafras as used in the 18th Century and hickory bark, madder and dandelions dyes from the 17th Century. Walnut is found in the 19th Century categories of dyes used by the Mormon pioneers of 1857. This ought to stir some controversy for the Authenticity Committee! http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/pdfs/dye_plants.pdf