Post by RyanAK on May 8, 2022 13:03:36 GMT -7
I feel like I’m far enough along in my research to put this out there. This board has been a tremendous resource and I thank everyone who’s contributed. I’m still reading, and will be fine tuning all this over time. But here’s my baseline. Please comment and suggest and correct. This stuff is fun, eh?
Complete Persona
Background
It’s 1755. I’m the son of German-Swiss immigrants, born in Pennsylvania in 1712. I inherited my father’s tavern upon his passing and operated it for a number of years. I sold the tavern to a young German couple and then found success as a surveyor. I married an Irish immigrant ten years ago and we have two children. We have decided to look for opportunities on the opening frontier along the Susquehanna River. I have experience with paramilitary and rangering from service during previous emergencies in the province. My wife and children will remain in our home in the settled eastern part of the province while I scout the territory. Samantha has proven to be excellent with our accounts and is collecting debts and preparing to sell our town home to raise capital for this next chapter.
I have arrived at Harris’s Ferry after traveling by horse along the wagon road via Lancaster. I’ve worn my ‘second-best’ and work clothing anticipating hard traveling and a vigorous adventure on the frontier. I have traded my horse at Harris’s for credit at his post for now-needed and future supplies and equipment as I gain a foothold on the wilderness. I will be on foot and travel to Shamokin via the Paxtang Path. At Shamokin, I will gather information and explore opportunities.
Clothing and Kit
Hat - Black or Brown wool felt; cocked or round
Cravat - black linen
Shirt - white or natural linen common shirt. A spare is in my kit
Waistcoat - 1750s long pattern. My research points to wool being most common but linen also appropriate. Color… ugh. I’m having a hard time with color.
Breeches - period accounts from Old Cumberland County point to leather and buckskin being more common than any other material by a LARGE margin, followed by velvet (??!!) and then wool and linen. I’m not sure what to do here. Most likely French fly if done in linen. Color… ditto above.
Belt - a belt. With a small belt pouch.
Coat - wool broadcloth was dominent. I’ve chosen to wear an old heavy linen frock from 10-15 years ago that I use for ‘rough’ wear. The large cuffs have long ago worn out and the sleeves altered to be cuff-less. Straight-cut and knee-length. Color… again. I’m having anxiety…
Overshirt/smock - heavy natural linen. Maybe walnut dyed. NOT a hunting frock or rifleman’s shirt. This is an over-garment to provide additional protection in the woods or when doing manual labor. An oversized, knee-length common shirt.
Stockings - wool in grey, blue, or off white. A spare pair in my kit. I also have a pair of old silk hose for under my wool when the temperature dips.
Leggings - wool broadcloth or blanket, above the knee, sewn. Color again! I’m not sure if heavy linen is appropriate. I haven’t given up on leather, either buckskin or commercial tanned cow, goat, etc.
Footwear - I’ve swapped my town shoes for moccasins. I have two spare pairs plus repair materials in my kit. When the weather gets cold, I’ll fashion shoepacks with wool or fleece linings.
Blanket - I have a red 4-point 100% wool. I’ll likely acquire a basic center-seam white wool blanket.
Oilskin - I own an 8’x8’ Tentsmiths tarp
Wallet - I’ll forgo a military haversack for a large market wallet for food and personal items. Plus, you know… all the pockets these garments have.
Pack - I’m still researching. Linen, leather or hair-on snapsack? Knapsack? Portmanteau? Most likely is probably everything rolled in my blankets with a tumpline.
Knives - trade knife of middle quality on my belt and a small folder in my waistcoat pocket.
Outdoor Living - still researching hc/pc options, but I do have lots of experience from traditional camping/bushcraft.
Belt Ax - tomahawk or other trade ax. To eventually be supplemented by a felling ax and other tools.
Pocketbook -
Tobacco - yup.
Water - leather costrel or leather-covered stonewear bottle. Trying to avoid military items.
Can you tell colors and materials are my challenge here? Ha.
Arms and associated accoutrements to follow after I finish organizing my notes.
Complete Persona
Background
It’s 1755. I’m the son of German-Swiss immigrants, born in Pennsylvania in 1712. I inherited my father’s tavern upon his passing and operated it for a number of years. I sold the tavern to a young German couple and then found success as a surveyor. I married an Irish immigrant ten years ago and we have two children. We have decided to look for opportunities on the opening frontier along the Susquehanna River. I have experience with paramilitary and rangering from service during previous emergencies in the province. My wife and children will remain in our home in the settled eastern part of the province while I scout the territory. Samantha has proven to be excellent with our accounts and is collecting debts and preparing to sell our town home to raise capital for this next chapter.
I have arrived at Harris’s Ferry after traveling by horse along the wagon road via Lancaster. I’ve worn my ‘second-best’ and work clothing anticipating hard traveling and a vigorous adventure on the frontier. I have traded my horse at Harris’s for credit at his post for now-needed and future supplies and equipment as I gain a foothold on the wilderness. I will be on foot and travel to Shamokin via the Paxtang Path. At Shamokin, I will gather information and explore opportunities.
Clothing and Kit
Hat - Black or Brown wool felt; cocked or round
Cravat - black linen
Shirt - white or natural linen common shirt. A spare is in my kit
Waistcoat - 1750s long pattern. My research points to wool being most common but linen also appropriate. Color… ugh. I’m having a hard time with color.
Breeches - period accounts from Old Cumberland County point to leather and buckskin being more common than any other material by a LARGE margin, followed by velvet (??!!) and then wool and linen. I’m not sure what to do here. Most likely French fly if done in linen. Color… ditto above.
Belt - a belt. With a small belt pouch.
Coat - wool broadcloth was dominent. I’ve chosen to wear an old heavy linen frock from 10-15 years ago that I use for ‘rough’ wear. The large cuffs have long ago worn out and the sleeves altered to be cuff-less. Straight-cut and knee-length. Color… again. I’m having anxiety…
Overshirt/smock - heavy natural linen. Maybe walnut dyed. NOT a hunting frock or rifleman’s shirt. This is an over-garment to provide additional protection in the woods or when doing manual labor. An oversized, knee-length common shirt.
Stockings - wool in grey, blue, or off white. A spare pair in my kit. I also have a pair of old silk hose for under my wool when the temperature dips.
Leggings - wool broadcloth or blanket, above the knee, sewn. Color again! I’m not sure if heavy linen is appropriate. I haven’t given up on leather, either buckskin or commercial tanned cow, goat, etc.
Footwear - I’ve swapped my town shoes for moccasins. I have two spare pairs plus repair materials in my kit. When the weather gets cold, I’ll fashion shoepacks with wool or fleece linings.
Blanket - I have a red 4-point 100% wool. I’ll likely acquire a basic center-seam white wool blanket.
Oilskin - I own an 8’x8’ Tentsmiths tarp
Wallet - I’ll forgo a military haversack for a large market wallet for food and personal items. Plus, you know… all the pockets these garments have.
Pack - I’m still researching. Linen, leather or hair-on snapsack? Knapsack? Portmanteau? Most likely is probably everything rolled in my blankets with a tumpline.
Knives - trade knife of middle quality on my belt and a small folder in my waistcoat pocket.
Outdoor Living - still researching hc/pc options, but I do have lots of experience from traditional camping/bushcraft.
Belt Ax - tomahawk or other trade ax. To eventually be supplemented by a felling ax and other tools.
Pocketbook -
Tobacco - yup.
Water - leather costrel or leather-covered stonewear bottle. Trying to avoid military items.
Can you tell colors and materials are my challenge here? Ha.
Arms and associated accoutrements to follow after I finish organizing my notes.
