RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 3, 2022 7:06:25 GMT -7
Have any of you ever thought “how did I and all this stuff get here?” Maybe I should get a mule instead of a Fowler? I like mules. And dunkeys.  Mules do not begin to become prevalent in North America until the 1830s. One of the first documented was a gift from King Charles IV of Spain to George Washington in 1785, who then started breeding them. Better go with the fowler...😁 The building of a flintlock in my shop is probably easier to explain to the ever fetching Mrs. RyanAK than oxen wandering around the homestead. |
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Post by paranger on May 3, 2022 9:38:48 GMT -7
Mules do not begin to become prevalent in North America until the 1830s. One of the first documented was a gift from King Charles IV of Spain to George Washington in 1785, who then started breeding them. Better go with the fowler...😁 The building of a flintlock in my shop is probably easier to explain to the ever fetching Mrs. RyanAK than oxen wandering around the homestead. I think you are probably right about that!😁 |
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Post by Black Hand on May 3, 2022 11:15:58 GMT -7
Mules do not begin to become prevalent in North America until the 1830s. One of the first documented was a gift from King Charles IV of Spain to George Washington in 1785, who then started breeding them. Better go with the fowler...😁 The building of a flintlock in my shop is probably easier to explain to the ever fetching Mrs. RyanAK than oxen wandering around the homestead. Considerably less clean-up required though the initial $ outlay may be comparable... |
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Post by brokennock on May 3, 2022 14:23:49 GMT -7
Have any of you ever thought “how did I and all this stuff get here?” Maybe I should get a mule instead of a Fowler? I like mules. And dunkeys. Mules do not begin to become prevalent in North America until the 1830s. One of the first documented was a gift from King Charles IV of Spain to George Washington in 1785, who then started breeding them. Better go with the fowler...😁 Interesting. I never knew, or even suspected that. Thank you. I like oxen better anyway.... |
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Post by artificer on May 15, 2022 1:24:52 GMT -7
Best experience hands down is getting in the forest and utilizing that gear down and dirty, savor the highs and lows. Record those experiences down to the cold and wet toes with mocs or woolen stockings and straight laced shoes with our without hob nails to the broken stitches in your breeches or leggings. To me, reliving those trials and tribulations is what this endeavor is all about. Getting a taste of what those before us may have endured while finding what worked and what went south in a hurry! I hate cold wet feet in modern boots, in period footwear it is a badge of honor and somehow isn't as uncomfortable. It is also just part of the deal. I think when we try to get period clothing and gear to perform like modern clothing, we miss out on a great part of this whole thing. Maybe, maybe not. My first event as a Private Soldier in the Major's Coy, 42nd RHR was about 30 years since I began re-enacting, but was my FIRST time to wear a Philabeag (Short Kilt). The event was the "Under the Red Coat" weekend in June at Colonial Williamsburg. It was over 90 degrees and humidity so high one almost had to cut a chunk out of the atmosphere, then squeeze the water out to breathe. Oh, I also decided to go "authentic" or "regimental" under the Philabeag. It actually was quite comfortable UNTIL the skeeters found the bare skin under the Philabeag. Not sure what they did in the period for "bug juice" or bug repellent, but I quickly succumbed to having my girlfriend pick up some modern stuff shortly after she made it to camp. Gus |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 15, 2022 5:30:06 GMT -7
Yup, sometimes "embrace the suck," is the best part of what we do. I hate cold wet feet in modern boots, in period footwear it is a badge of honor and somehow isn't as uncomfortable. It is also just part of the deal. I think when we try to get period clothing and gear to perform like modern clothing, we miss out on a great part of this whole thing. Maybe, maybe not. My first event as a Private Soldier in the Major's Coy, 42nd RHR was about 30 years since I began re-enacting, but was my FIRST time to wear a Philabeag (Short Kilt). The event was the "Under the Red Coat" weekend in June at Colonial Williamsburg. It was over 90 degrees and humidity so high one almost had to cut a chunk out of the atmosphere, then squeeze the water out to breathe. Oh, I also decided to go "authentic" or "regimental" under the Philabeag. It actually was quite comfortable UNTIL the skeeters found the bare skin under the Philabeag. Not sure what they did in the period for "bug juice" or bug repellent, but I quickly succumbed to having my girlfriend pick up some modern stuff shortly after she made it to camp. Gus Good grief! There’s a visual story to wake up to on a lazy Sunday! Ha! |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 15, 2022 6:00:22 GMT -7
I found some interesting missives regarding conveyance on the frontier in the times. It seems Conrad Weiser and his party was on foot while on a mission to the Wyoming Valley, camping along the way. The river was swollen and they were delayed until Indians in a canoe could be signaled to ferry them across. (I need to find more details about this trip!) Weiser and a contingent of Moravians were mounted while traveling from Shamokin up the West Branch. The going was difficult, with one of the party often traveling ahead on foot to scout a path for the horses. John Harris’s party of about 40 men seem to have been mostly on foot when they travelled to Shamokin in response to the Penns Creek Massacre. It seems that mounted travel or conveyance with a wagon depended greatly on the existence of a road. The Indians, not then or there being a horse culture, had established a network of foot paths that seem to not be conducive to travel by horse. So… if I’m on foot once I arrive at Harris’s Ferry, how do I carry my stuff?  |
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Post by brokennock on May 15, 2022 7:17:48 GMT -7
.... So… if I’m on foot once I arrive at Harris’s Ferry, how do I carry my stuff? Given the economic class you seek to portray, you possibly have a "servant," carrying much of it. Less "stuff"? Large market wallets and a blanket roll? Snapsack and blanket roll? Period rucksacks don't appear to have much volume to me, too narrow front to back. I could be wrong, I am only basing this on images. |
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Post by artificer on May 15, 2022 9:01:34 GMT -7
Scenario 3 - Staking a ClaimHomesteading on the frontier is grueling work. I’ve found a place in the wild valley to tie my fortunes to and I’ll begin to clear land as soon as I get this tiny cabin under roof. R Tools you will need, though I'm probably forgetting something Axe Drawknife Froe Blade Crosscut Saw w/sharpening file Framing Chisel (Not absolutely necessary, but WOW is this handy, if you can afford it.) Sharpening Stone Scythe Shovel (If you can afford a metal one, or at least an Iron Beak for a wood shovel) Rope Twine How do you plan to roof your tiny cabin? Thatch? Bark? Sod? Wood shingles? Are you well enough off to bring pre-made nails or can you make them on site with your skills and tools? If so, then a good sized claw hammer and best to have a nail gimlet. If no nails and with most roofs, then a gimlet of suitable size to make peg holes is required. Tools you will make on site: Shaving Horse Froe Handle and Mallet/Club Large and Small Mallets and Clubs Bark Spuds, if you can't afford a metal one Wedges Gus |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 15, 2022 9:37:43 GMT -7
Scenario 3 - Staking a ClaimHomesteading on the frontier is grueling work. I’ve found a place in the wild valley to tie my fortunes to and I’ll begin to clear land as soon as I get this tiny cabin under roof. R Tools you will need, though I'm probably forgetting something Axe Drawknife Froe Blade Crosscut Saw w/sharpening file Framing Chisel (Not absolutely necessary, but WOW is this handy, if you can afford it.) Sharpening Stone Scythe Shovel (If you can afford a metal one, or at least an Iron Beak for a wood shovel) Rope Twine How do you plan to roof your tiny cabin? Thatch? Bark? Sod? Wood shingles? Are you well enough off to bring pre-made nails or can you make them on site with your skills and tools? If so, then a good sized claw hammer. If no nails and with most roofs, then a gimlet of suitable size to make peg holes is required. Tools you will make on site: Shaving Horse Froe Handle and Mallet/Club Large and Small Mallets and Clubs Bark Spuds, if you can't afford a metal one Wedges Gus That’s great, Gus! So… Axe - I’m an Ax guy. I buy old heads and re-haft them and put them to use. I’m unclear about the pattern of larger felling axes in the 1750s. I have a book that deals with North American ax development in my wish list, but haven’t pulled the trigger on it yet. If I can find a 1750s head pattern, it’s within my skill set to recreate it. Most living history sources seem to center on belt axes and tomahawks in a military or trekking scenario. Drawknife - got it covered, but I’m uncomfortable in its use. Froe Blade - have one that needs hafted. Crosscut Saw w/sharpening file - I’m in the middle of a restoration on a 6’ two-man, so this is covered. However, it’s unclear to me in my research just when saws for timbering became available. This would have been the panicle of technology in the 1750s, and saws weren’t common in the Pennsylvania woods until late in the 1800s. Like, 1890. The ‘Pennsylvania Desert’ was largely created by the ax. Framing Chisel (Not absolutely necessary, but WOW is this handy, if you can afford it.) - I can’t justify purchasing a new slick or framing chisel, but I have a wonderful book on creating woodwork tools. The slick plans use a truck leaf spring. This I will try! (I’m slowly putting together a late 19th century boatbuilder kit in anticipation of building a traditional small American craft…) Sharpening Stone - You betcha! Scythe - now there’s something I hadn’t considered! Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna was mostly unbroken forest in the 1750s, but eventually a scythe will be useful. Shovel (If you can afford a metal one, or at least an Iron Beak for a wood shovel) - wood shovel with iron strap edge. Rope/Twine - I’m well stocked with traditional hemp cordage from marline to 3/8”, both tarred and plain. I do need to add a gimlet and auger bit to my kit, but I have a pretty good start. Now… if I could just manage to purchase the 50 acres adjoining our property in Northcentral PA, there are foundation ruins from the late 18th century just waiting for a primitive structure to take shape. Maybe someday…  |
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Post by artificer on May 15, 2022 10:21:49 GMT -7
Crosscut Saw w/sharpening file - I’m in the middle of a restoration on a 6’ two-man, so this is covered. However, it’s unclear to me in my research just when saws for timbering became available. This would have been the panicle of technology in the 1750s, and saws weren’t common in the Pennsylvania woods until late in the 1800s. Like, 1890. The ‘Pennsylvania Desert’ was largely created by the ax.
Sorry, I probably should have written a wood frame crosscut saw. Folks know them better in recent years as a "Buck Saw."
Gus
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 15, 2022 10:39:05 GMT -7
Crosscut Saw w/sharpening file - I’m in the middle of a restoration on a 6’ two-man, so this is covered. However, it’s unclear to me in my research just when saws for timbering became available. This would have been the panicle of technology in the 1750s, and saws weren’t common in the Pennsylvania woods until late in the 1800s. Like, 1890. The ‘Pennsylvania Desert’ was largely created by the ax.
Sorry, I probably should have written a wood frame crosscut saw. Folks know them better in recent years as a "Buck Saw." Gus Ah! Now that I can get behind! I go back and forth between making a frame or buying an antique. This area of PA is filthy with ‘em! |
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Post by artificer on May 15, 2022 11:37:36 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on May 15, 2022 12:29:14 GMT -7
Great information. I wasn’t sure when the American poll axes were starting to become prevalent, but I would have guessed later than 1750. I’d guess straight hafts were most common in the period. If the axes in the link are dated to 1750s, the heads generally conform to Jersey, Kentucky, Rockaway, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia patterns, the distinguishing characteristics being the ‘ears’ or lugs. There’s even a scale provided! With the right head, I could easily reproduce one of those early axes.   The British felling axes have a head the generally resembles a shingle hatchet, just larger.  |
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Post by artificer on May 15, 2022 15:49:44 GMT -7
I have to say out of all the axe heads I showed/linked, the one piece of info I'm not so sure about is the American Axe going into wide spread or even common use in the 1750's. It MAY have begun to come out in that period, but I don't think it would have been seen as a typical axe and not one as a man in his 40's would have grown up with and gotten used to using.
Gus
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