As you know, it is very difficult to find specific information on 18th century lifestyles and the tools and equipment used. So most of our research has to be done through simply finding out what people did, and what tools and equipment were available to them. Then we must gather the clothing and a selection of tools and equipment and see if we can accomplish certain tasks. This is called "experimental archaeology", or by some, "experiential archaeology". So below I have set out a scenario, and please feel free to participate.
Woodsman By John Buxton.
The Scenario.
It is sometime in the early to mid 18th century. You have been a few years in the New World doing various jobs to earn money. Recently you have been hired to range the area around a small community in New England looking for any sign of Indians. If you do find any sign of them being in the area, you are supposed to get back to the community as fast as you can and report your findings to the local militia. You could be gone for any length of time from a few days to a month, depending on if you find anything, and it is now Indian summer, a time just before the leaves fall from the trees and bushes. There is a possibility that you could be discovered by an enemy, in which case you must just do the best you can to get back to the community. You could of course get injured in some way and once again you will have to deal with it the best way you can. Now the question is, what equipment do you decide to carry with you when ranging the wilderness? You need to travel as light as you can, but at the same time you must be as self-reliant as possible. So some compromise must be made between these two principles, minimum weight, and maximum self-reliance. Here below is a list of items you can take with you, you may add to this list if you think it necessary, or you can take away from this list if you don’t think an item is necessary. I will welcome any feedback on this that you are prepared to offer.
• .60 cal/20 gauge fusil. 42 inch barrel. • .60 calibre smoothbore pistol. • Shot pouch and contents. • Powder horn. • Butcher/Hunting knife. • Legging knife. • Clasp knife. • Tomahawk. • Tinderbox. • Belt pouch. • Fishing lines in brass container. • Two snares. • Gunpowder wallet (contains spare fungus tinder at present). • Knapsack. • Ball mould and swan shot mould. • Lead ladle. • Cup. • Trade kettle. • Medical pouch. • Housewife. • Piece of soap and a broken ivory comb. • Dried foods in bags. • Wooden spoon. • Gun tools and spare springs. • Compass. • Whet stone. • Oilcloth. • One blanket (Monmouth cap, spare wool weskit and wool shirt rolled inside blanket). • Leather costrel.
This is the story, or at least part of the story, of the capture of James Smith, his becoming an Indian; not because he wanted to, but because he had no choice and the Indians considered him to be one of them. And how he got his Indian name.
This Blog contains information about 17th & 18th century Living History and 18th century Historical Trekking. Living History and Historical Trekking in themselves contain a large variety of skills, crafts, clothing styles, personas, equipment and tools and activities.
I try to stay up to date with present research findings but I am only human and have to rely on what I can find on the net and in books and documents, and of course via my own experimental archaeology. So if you find something that is missing, or want some specific information not posted, please contact me and let me know.
My group, the New England Colonial Living History Group is actively recruiting for new members, so if you live in the New England Area of New South Wales Australia, and in particular in Armidale, and think you might be interested in joining our group, please contact me for further information.
I hope you enjoy the posts on this Blog.
Regards, Le Loup.
Woodsrunner
Woodsrunner is a term I use for someone who spends time in the woods and knows woodslore. This includes woodsmen and woodswomen. The French term Coureur De Bois means "Runner Of The Woods"
I am a writer,book author,18th century living historian, historical trekker, woodsman, primitive skills instructor. I am the founder member of The New England Colonial Living History Group. I have been living in the woods for about 30 years.
What is Living History? Living history makes history come to life. To do this members emulate different sorts of people from history. These can include blacksmiths, seamstresses, housewives, farmers, woodsmen and woodswomen. We wear the clothes of the time and learn and use the life and trade skills of the period. What period of history does the NECLHG re-enact ? Approximately 1680-1760 on the New World Frontier. Why this period of history and why a New World lifestyle and not Australian? The New World was settled much earlier than Australia and enables us to choose from a larger variety of nationalities, occupations and skills. All of these options make the activities more fun. Australian settlement was in a later period and founded on a penal colony. There are other re-enactment groups for people interested in the Australian colonial period. Is joining NECLHG expensive? No. There are no membership fees for the group. The activity is only as expensive as you want it to be! Many members make all their own period style clothing and equipment. This is an ideal activity for people who like to make things and be creative. What if there are some items I can not make myself or I am too busy to make? You always have the option of buying or trading for items. People who want to purchase their clothing and equipment can do so; there are many specialist suppliers. Also you can trade for items you can not make . Can my family join this group? Yes we are very family oriented. What is experimental archaeology? This is the term used when someone makes and uses a period tool or item. This can be anything from lighting a fire with a flint and steel to building and sailing a ship on an original route! It is the only way to really discover how things were done “back then”. What is historical trekking? This activity is trekking and camping in an historically accurate manner. People on a historical trek wear the clothing of the period and carry and use only the equipment used in that period. These treks are a great way to learn woods lore and survival skills. What sort of “period skills” can we learn and practice? You can learn and use any skill that was used in the period you reenact. For the mid-18th century these include spinning and weaving on a loom, finger weaving, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, blade sharpening, leather making and leather working and much, much more. Is the NECLHG a gun club? No. Some on our members may carry a period gun on treks and camps as part of their persona. These guns are flintlock muzzle-loading antique guns or copies. The highest level of safely is maintained at all times. Guns are not carried loaded and all gun carrying members are licensed. What about women members? In the 18th century women performed many traditional and non traditional roles. There were women blacksmiths, naturalists, artists, and woods-women. Some accompanied militia on scouts . In the NECLHG a women can be what ever she wants to be! What about children.? Children are always welcome. Naturally children are the responsibility of their parents. Children really enjoy the living history activities and skills. It is a wonderful way to learn history and it makes their school based history a lot more meaningful. Also children can learn bush craft, survival skills and camping skills.