No...this is not my new grandson. This portrait showing
an infant is a rare style of an 18th century painting –
most paintings of babies included their siblings
or other family members.
|
Well, for my first time, I got to reenact at a different Fort Wayne...in Fort Wayne, Indiana!
But it almost didn't happen. You see, it's a little over three hours to get there from where I live just north of Detroit, and we - my son Rob and good friend Mike and myself - were about halfway there when I received a call from my wife letting me know that my daughter-in-law had our third grandchild----that fast!
My little grandson was born while we were on the road - - - - hmmm...well, as the old song goes, "Indiana wants me, but I can't go back now..."
Needless to say we turned around. I mean, family always comes first! Besides...I couldn't wait to hold the little guy!
So, jump ahead a day: Sunday morning found Mike and I back out on the road once again, for Indiana was still calling (Robbie had already made other plans so he didn't come this time).
The outer walls of Old Fort Wayne, located in Indiana~ This is a reproduction of the fort originally built in 1816. They did an excellent job in their replication. |
In another building, one that was once used as a hospital, we see chocolate being made in the same way it was in the 18th century. I have seen this done at the 1750s Giddings House but never at a reenactment, so this was a very pleasant surprise.
Chocolate
was initially a treat for the wealthy, but soon was available to the every man.
Benjamin Franklin sold locally produced chocolate in his Philadelphia print
shop. In 1739, he was selling bibles and other books, pencils, ink, writing
paper, and "very good
chocolate."
Abigail Adams, writing to John
Quincy Adams in 1785, described drinking chocolate for breakfast while in
London:
“London Sepbr 6. 1785 Grosvenor Square
This Morning went below to
Breakfast, the Urn was brought up Boiling, the Chocolate ready upon the table…”“London Sepbr 6. 1785 Grosvenor Square
The gentleman here was preparing to make another chocolate recipe...but I am sorry to say I have forgotten what it was. |
The Queen's Rangers were known as Roger's Rangers during the French & Indian War and in the early part of the Revolutionary War, then John Graves Simcoe took over until the surrender at Yorktown. |
The way the fort is set up, it really does give the impression of the way the frontier looked - the frontier being what is now Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and western Pennsylvania. |
There were a few tradesmen there at the fort, working their craft for the public, including...
...a blacksmith. This picture is a very quick rendering of two photos put together...rather sloppy but it does give one an idea of what the blacksmith shop looked like. |
Next I have a few pictures of the gunsmith - - -
The man you see here has been involved in the reenacting hobby for literally decades, and the guns he makes by hand in the old way are pieces of working art. |
I watched him for a bit as he skillfully used his period tools to make a musket... |
It was very interesting to watch as he used the tools of the day to make the historic replica muskets. It adds such a high note of authenticity. |
Here are a few of his finished pieces on display - all made authentically as if it were the 18th century |
There was a fashion show, though since there were many non-reenactors a-watching, it was much harder to take photographs, though I did sneak this one:
Miss Jenni spoke about the details of women's clothing. This young lady really knew her 18th century clothing and it was a pleasure to hear her share her knowledge. |
Yes, there were also men in the fashion show, including yours truly, but, alas, there were no pictures taken during this portion.
It is always a pleasure to meet folks with the same passion and authenticity as I try to have, and Jenni and Maria are two such people. |
One anecdotal fact I enjoy
speaking of, and included in my portion of the fashion show, is how Paul Revere
continued to wear the 1770s fashion up until his death in 1818. A Mr. Ellis,
who personally knew Revere in those later days and whose church pew was
directly behind him, recalled seeing him regularly on the Sabbath "always
(wearing) small clothes."
Small boys would sit and grin at
the old patriot because Revere still wore "the old three-cornered hat and the breeches and
all that are so queer..."Another description from one who knew Paul Revere, Johnny Tileston, gives this account on the silversmith's late-life fashion: "(Paul Revere was) embellished with a great powdered wig and a cocked hat. His coat was broad-skirted, his (vest) very long and cut away at the bottom. He clung to knee-breeches and large shoe buckles to the very end."
There were also traders/sutlers (photo taken by B & K Photography) |
The various groups making up a portion of the King's Army, including the Royal Marines, the 49th Regiment of Foot, and the Queen's Rangers. |
And judging from the comments I heard as I stood amongst the modern visitors, it was very well received.
The replicated old fort certainly provided a spectacular backdrop. |
The 13th Pennsylvania held off the King's Army valiantly. |
Pastor Gillett, known in the Queen's Rangers as Chaplain Agnew, gives comfort, or possibly last rites, to a downed Ranger. |
One of the King's artillery men. In all honesty, he would make a great George Washington, don't you think? |
A currier brought in an interesting notice from Philadelphia...one that could possibly change the course of the War and history - - |
Four of us took turns to read this Declaration of Independence. It was a very stirring moment for me. |
...and each of us had a different section of this sacred document to read to the visitors and reenactors present. (Yes, you see a Queen's Ranger helping out - - we're all Americans now, aren't we?) |
A couple weeks before this event, Abbie from Samson's Historical ran a contest where contestants had to guess how many bone dice were in a Ball jar. The person with the first or closest answer would win a handmade leather cup with six bone dice.
So...guess who won?
Me! I won! Woo hoo! I won my first on line contest!!
Initially my answer was going to be 1776 (yeah, I'm a nerd!), but I figured that was too high so I cut off the thousandth and answered with 776---and I came the closest (784 was the actual amount)!
Abbie doesn't live too far from Old Fort Wayne and she and her family (husband and child) showed up to give me my prize in person
Here is Abbie Samson giving me my winnings. Thank you Samson Historical!! |
Yeah...go on and click the link - - - I think you'll like what you see.
~ ~ ~
And that, my friends, was how I spent the last weekend of July: a new grandbaby and a new time-travel experience.
I have to thank Scott Mann for his persistence in getting me to come to this event, and Bob Jones for the wonderful treatment we received as out-of-town guests. Colonial America on the Frontier was all Scott said it would be, and more. And I was only there for one day! I believe we can work out some very cool scenarios for next year, like maybe include some Sons of Liberty shenanigans - they do have a pole that can work as a "liberty pole," so I am sure we can get something a-goin'.
The closing of the event...until next year - - |
I am truly bless'd.
But, the adventures did not stop there.
The following is a true
story - - -
So...shortly after leaving the Rev War/Colonial reenactment in Fort Wayne, Indiana today, I stopped to get gas for the long ride home.
I walked into the gas station while still dressed in my full 1770s clothing and told the guy behind the counter that I needed feed for my horse. He looked at me and asked, "Pea for your horse?"
I said, "No, FEED for my horse. We have a long way to travel and he needs to fill up."
The attendant said (without missing a beat), "I have beef jerky. Will that work?"
I replied, "No, he needs more than that - here, let me see how much feed this will buy," as I handed him some cash.
And I went out to fill up the car - -
Next stop, the Arby's near the Indiana-Michigan border on I-69.
Still in our period clothing, the young girl behind the counter would glance up at us, then lower her eyes, only to glance up again. A guy behind the counter asked me why I was "dressed like that?"
I returned the question, asking him why he was dressed the way he was. He said it was his Arby's work uniform. I told him I was a silversmith.
A few minutes later our order was up. I asked the two workers if they knew what decade I represented, and if they couldn't guess then I get my food for free. The girl responded with, "you're the the guy with the kite!" At that point, a customer in the dining area spoke up, "You mean Ben Franklin! ---'The guy with the kite'---sheesh!"
You can't make this stuff up!
~~~Until next time, see you in time.
To learn more about Old Fort Wayne, please click HERE
My Paul Revere information came from THIS bookSo...shortly after leaving the Rev War/Colonial reenactment in Fort Wayne, Indiana today, I stopped to get gas for the long ride home.
I walked into the gas station while still dressed in my full 1770s clothing and told the guy behind the counter that I needed feed for my horse. He looked at me and asked, "Pea for your horse?"
I said, "No, FEED for my horse. We have a long way to travel and he needs to fill up."
The attendant said (without missing a beat), "I have beef jerky. Will that work?"
I replied, "No, he needs more than that - here, let me see how much feed this will buy," as I handed him some cash.
And I went out to fill up the car - -
Next stop, the Arby's near the Indiana-Michigan border on I-69.
Still in our period clothing, the young girl behind the counter would glance up at us, then lower her eyes, only to glance up again. A guy behind the counter asked me why I was "dressed like that?"
I returned the question, asking him why he was dressed the way he was. He said it was his Arby's work uniform. I told him I was a silversmith.
A few minutes later our order was up. I asked the two workers if they knew what decade I represented, and if they couldn't guess then I get my food for free. The girl responded with, "you're the the guy with the kite!" At that point, a customer in the dining area spoke up, "You mean Ben Franklin! ---'The guy with the kite'---sheesh!"
You can't make this stuff up!
~~~Until next time, see you in time.
To learn more about Old Fort Wayne, please click HERE
Oh, by the way, here is a picture of me holding my brand new little grandson, just hours old, on his actual birthday of Saturday July 29, 2017:
Definitely worth turning around for, wouldn't you say? Dang! I shoulda stayed in my period clothing for the picture! Oh well, next time! |
~ ~ ~
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