Winter Solstice Masquerade Party 2014.

Winter Solstice Masquerade Party.

TIME: Anytime from 5PM onward. But early is okay too.

DATE: 21st of June 2014

PLACE: Wychwood Forest. Linstock House gardens.

WHO: NECLHG Members & Friends Only.

COST: Free of charge.

ERA: 18th Century or Earlier.

RSVP: Keith at: historicaltrekker@gmail.com

Preserving Meat. Making Salt Pork.

Wilderness Living Part 6 Final.

18th century Winter Solstice Masquerade Party.

New England Colonial Living History Group 1680-1760.

Our 18th Century Winter Solstice Masquerade Party will now be held on the 6th of July.  This is an annual social & is traditionally held outside in the gardens of Linstock House in Wychwood Forest not far from Guyra & Armidale NSW.  Dress warm for outside, but if it gets too cold we will be moving inside.

This event is hosted by our family for club members & friends only. Membership is FREE. Food & drinks will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own if you wish. This event will start about 5 pm.

Dress to be 18th century or earlier, or the best you can manage. A blanket can hide modern clothing if you are really stuck. 

Brain Tanning Links.

http://www.braintan.com/articles/furs/miller1.html

http://www.wildernessskillsinstitute.com/brainTanning.htm

Equipment Requirements For Our Group's Trained Band.

NEW ENGLAND COLONIAL LIVING HISTORY GROUP TRAINED-BAND.

Victuals Well Dressed By Pamela Patrick White.

Rules, regulations, & clothing & equipment requirements. 19-6-08/update 7-5-09

Rules and regulations guide.

(1)   Each train to have at least 2 archers (each archer to carry at least 1lb of gunpowder, & 1lb of lead on extended ranging expeditions).

(2)   When ranging, each column to have one archer accompanying the lead scout.

(3)   Each column to use: lead scout with archer, a rear guard, & at least one scout on each flank.

(4)   Each member to maintain a space before of at least 3 paces.

(5)   Lead scout to lead by at least 60 paces (Dependant on environment).

(6)   Rear guard to trail at 20 paces.

(7)   Flank scouts to keep column in sight at all times if possible.

(8)   Guards to be posted at all stops.

(9)   Packs are not to be removed at stops except for toilet.

(10)                       No person shall leave the column alone and must always remain in sight of the column.

Equipment for extended ranger duties in wilderness areas.

(1)   Cartridge box containing a minimum of 8 cartridges. (Fusils & muskets only).

(2)   Shot pouch & required contents.

(3)   Powder horn.

(4)   Functional firelock with hammer stall & lock cover.

(5)   Gunpowder wallet.

(6)   At least 4 lbs of gunpowder.

(7)   At least 4 lbs of lead in ball, buckshot & birdshot.

(8)   At least 12 flints.

(9)   A tomahawk/axe.

(10)                       A good hunting/butcher knife.

(11)                       A clasp knife.

(12)                       A knapsack, snapsack or rucksack.

(13)                       A haversack or market wallet.

(14)                       A good wool blanket.

(15)                       An oilcloth of suitable size to shelter one person.

(16)                       A water bottle, canteen or costrel to hold at least 1 quart (You may need to carry more than one, depending on the area you are travelling in).

(17)                       Sufficient tow or wads.

(18)                       Patch material ditto.

(19)                       Fishing kit with at least 6 hooks & 2 lines.

(20)                       Tinderbox, flint, steel & prepared tinder.

(21)                       Trade kettle or other.

(22)                       Leather inner-soles & repair leather for moccasins.

(23)                       Leather thong or cordage ties.

(24)                       Food bags.

(25)                       Sewing kit.

(26)                       Awl

(27)                       Soap & hair comb.

(28)                       Medical supplies.

Optional Equipment.

(1)   Short hunting sword.

(2)   Half-axe or felling axe

(3)   Auger

Clothing Requirements.

(1)   Felt hat.

(2)   Shirt ( plus spare wool shirt in bedroll).

(3)   Weskit (plus wool weskit ditto)

(4)   Monmouth cap ditto.

(5)   Wool mittens.

(6)   Half-blanket or capote.

(7)   Breeches or breechclout.

(8)   Neckcloth.

(9)   Stockings or socks (wool recommended for winter).

(10)                       Leather leggings with garters.

(11)                       Moccasins with extra sewn on sole plus a spare pair.

(12)                       Frock or other.

Trail Foods.

Each person to carry as much dried foods as possible. Recommended foods are:

·         Oats

·         Beans

·         Pease

·         Corn

·         Rice

·         Cornmeal

·         Flour

·         Meat (dried)

·         Sausage

·         Fruit

·         Hardtack

·         Bread

·         Biscuit

·         Hard cheese

·         Boiled beef

Optional.

Teas

Coffee

Chocolate

Spirits

NOTE: Unless otherwise requested, we will carry 6 pounds of dried food, which should last approx 6 days (you may carry more if you wish, but remember; there must be some compromise between minimum weight & maximum self-reliance).

Working on a Wigwam for a Winter Shelter.

I thought it was about time I did some more experimenting with a different type of shelter, so I decided to make a Wigwam. These images show just the framework, later I will have to pull it apart & move it to a winter camp site in the forest. Then I will cover the framework and take more photos.

A Blog Award!!! And on my Birthday too :)

Sandra over at Possessions of a Lady has very kindly given my a blog award. Many thanks Sandra, this is sincerely very much appreciated.

To accept the award, one must:

1) Display the award and link back to the person who awarded you.
2) State 7 facts about yourself.
3) Nominate 15 bloggers for the award.
4) Notify the winners.

7 facts about myself:

1) I am an 18th century Living Historian.

2) I am a primitive skills instructor.

3) I am a writer and book author.

4) I produce primitive skills and Living History DVDs.

5) It is my Birthday today and I am 65 years of age.

6) I live in a forest in New England Australia.

7) I was born in West Sussex England.

Blogs I find inspiring in no particular order (not all are 18th century related, nor do I always agree with their content).

1) http://possessionsofalady.blogspot.com.au/

2) http://www.theoldfoodie.com/

3)http://gorges-smythe.blogspot.com.au/

4) http://treewright.blogspot.com.au/

5) http://ghostofthewoods.blogspot.com.au/

6) http://paulinespiratesandprivateers.blogspot.com.au/

7) http://buzzardbushcraft.blogspot.com.au/

8) http://peonyden.blogspot.com.au/

9) http://flintlockandtomahawk.blogspot.com.au/

10) http://twipa.blogspot.com.au/

11) http://traditionalcraftsblog.blogspot.com.au/

12) http://fimbulmyrk.blogspot.com.au/

13) http://belfastbushcraftblog.blogspot.com.au/

14) http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com.au/

15) http://newenglandaustralia.blogspot.com.au/

16) http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/

17) http://cradleofliberty.blogspot.com.au/

18) http://www.davesact.com/

19) http://pumpkinpatchgarden.blogspot.com.au/

20) http://www.ausbushcraft.com/

From a Happy Customer.

Keith Burgess is one of the clearest voices in bushcrafting today. In a scene filled with marketing, drama and mythology, Keith's no nonsense (and historically accurate) approach to primitive firelighting are both universal and extremely effective. After watching his dvd, I was immediately able to start a fire in minutes with a butcher knife, punkwood from my woodpile, and stones from my driveway.

As a Alaskan, over and over again, I see bushcrafting techniques that fall flat in my enviroment, and oftimes have to wade through unbelievable amounts of material to find a gem or two that are actually applicable.

Keiths methods are so adaptable that what he demonstrates in Australia is immediately effective at the other end of the planet. I have learned more from what he has produced than any other source I have encountered, and now posses skills and knowledge that I have wanted for years.

If he has a flaw, it is that he so de-mystifies these methods as to make it anti-climatic! If I had to walk across Alaska and Keith was my partner, flintlock and all, I wouldn't worry about anything but keeping up.

Thanks Keith, and I cant wait to check out some of your other dvd's.

Happy in the North,

--Shanon

Hope your well, Keith.

--Shanon

"Man is the animal that can get used to anything"

---Fyodor Dostoyevsky

My FIRE DVD Index.

'Stunning' Stockholm shipwrecks wow experts.

Two shipwrecks believed to be 17th-century Danish warships have emerged along the Stockholm waterfront due to unusually low water levels.

http://m.thelocal.se/47000/20130328/

NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTIVITY OF WILLIAM BIGGS. Part 6.

Mohawk prisoner halter. Found in 1746.

The tenth day we traveled five or six miles in the morning. We got within a quarter of a mile of a new town, on the west bank of the Wabash river, where those warriors resided, about nine o'clock, and made a halt at a running branch of water, where the timber was very thick, so that they could conceal themselves from the view of the town. Then they

washed themselves all over and dressed themselves with paint of different colors. They made me wash, then they painted me and said I was a Kickapoo. Then they cut a pole and pealed it, painted it different colors and stuck the big end in the ground, and cleared a ring around the pole for to dance in. 

The fifth night they cut a lock of hair out of the crown of my head about as thick as my finger, plaited it elegantly and put it in their conjuring bag, and hung that bag on the pole they contemplated dancing around, and said that was their prisoner, and I was a Kickapoo, and must dance with them. When they all got ready to dance, the captain gave three very loud halloes, then walked into the ring and the rest all followed him. They placed me the third next to the captain; they then began to sing and dance. When we had danced about half an hour, I saw several old men, boys and squaws come running to where we were dancing. When there were a considerable number of them collected, the captain stepped out of the ring and spoke to the squaws. He told them to carry his and the other warriors' budgets to the town; the captain then joined the other warriors and me in the dancing ring; he marched in the front and we danced and sung all the way from there into the town. Some of the old Indian warriors marched upon each side of us, and at times would sing and dance until we got into their town. We

continued dancing until we got through the town to the war-post, which stood on the west bank of the Wabash river; danced round that about twenty minutes; they then marched into the town, took all the cords off me, and showed me a cabin, told me to go in there, they were good Indians, they would give me something to eat; I need not fear, as they would not hurt me. I accordingly went in, where I received a plenty to eat and was treated very kindly. The warriors went into other cabins and feasted very greedily. We had not eat anything that morning nor the night before. 

About one hour and a half before the sun set the same evening, the warriors went out to the war-post again to dance. They took me with them; several other Indians were present. They had danced about half an hour when I saw two Indian men and a squaw riding a horseback across the Wabash river, from the east side; they came to where we were dancing. One of the Indians had a handkerchief tied around his head and was carrying a gun; the other had a cocked hat on his head, and had a large sword. The warriors never let on that they saw them, but continued dancing about fifteen minutes. After the two Indians and squaw came up the warriors quit dancing, and went to them and shook hands; they appeared very glad to see each other. The captain of the warriors then talked with them about half an hour, and appeared to be very serious in their conversation. The captain then told me I must go with them two Indians and squaw. The sun was just then setting; the two Indians looked very much pleased. I did not want to go with them, as I knew not where they were going, and would have rather remained with the warriors that took me, as I had got acquainted with them, but the captain told me I must go with the two Indians and squaw, and that they were very good Indians. The Indian that had the sword rode up to a stump and told me to get up behind him on his horse; I did so with great reluctance, as I knew not where they were going; they looked very much like warriors.

However, they started off very lively, and the Indian that I was riding behind began to plague and joke the squaw about me; she was his sister-in-law. He was an Indian that was full of life and very funny. When I got acquainted with him I was well pleased with him. 

NARRATIVE OF THE CAPTIVITY OF WILLIAM BIGGS. Part 5.

"Proofs of our Courage" By Andrew Knez Junior.

The sixth day we traveled about thirty miles, and had nothing to eat

that day.

The seventh day we traveled about twenty-five miles; they killed a doe that day. She had two fawns in her, not yet haired. They stopped about four o'clock in the evening, and cooked the doe and her two fawns, and eat the whole up that night. They gave me part of a fawn to eat, but I could not eat it, it looked too tender. I eat part of the doe.

The eighth day we traveled about twenty-five miles, and had nothing to

eat that day.

The ninth day we traveled about fifteen miles. We then arrived at an Indian hunting camp, where they made sugar that spring. About 11 o'clock in the forenoon, we had not yet anything to eat that day. The Indians that lived there had plenty of meat, hominy grease and sugar to eat. They gave us plenty of everything they had to eat. We were very hungry and ate like hungry dogs. When we were satisfied eating, the warriors went into a large cabin and I went with them, and immediately several of their friends came in to see them, both men and squaws, to hear the news. It is a custom with that nation for the squaws to demand presents of the warriors if they have been successful. After some little inquiry the squaws began to demand presents of the warriors; some would ask for

a blanket, some for a shirt, some for a tomahawk; one squaw asked for a gun. The warriors never refused anything that was demanded. The manner in which they made their demand was, they would go up to an Indian and take hold of what they wanted. When the squaws were done with the warriors, there came a squaw and took hold of my blanket; I saw how the game was played, I just threw it off and gave it to her; then there came up a young squaw about eleven or twelve years old and took hold of my shirt, I did not want to let that go, as it was very cold day, and I let on I did not understand what she wanted. She appeared to be very much ashamed and went away. The older squaws encouraged and persuaded her to try it again; she came up the second time and took hold of my shirt again, I still pretended to be ignorant, but she held fast. I knew it

would have to go. One of the warriors then stepped up and told me to let her have it. I then pulled it off and gave it to her. The old squaws laughed very much at the young squaw. I was then quite naked and it was a very cold day; I had nothing on me but moccasins, leggings and breachcloth. We remained there about 3 or 4 hours. The warriors then went out to the post to dance, they invited me to go with them to dance.

I did so, they sung and danced around the war-post for half an hour. The old Indians would sing and dance sometimes out of the ring and appeared very lively. The warriors then marched right off from their dance on their journey. We had not got more than about 50 or 60 yards when I looked back and saw a squaw running with a blanket; she threw it on my shoulders, it fell down. I turned round and picked it up, it was a very

old, dirty, lousy blanket, though it was better than nothing, as the day was very cold. We travelled about five or six miles that evening, then encamped in the woods. I suffered very much that night from the cold.

Dave's ACT: The Rummery's Hill Spotted Quoll

Dave's ACT: The Rummery's Hill Spotted Quoll: A mate of mine in Glen Innes lives on a 100 acre wildlife corridor he has set up as a sanctuary. We chit chat on different issues via YouT...

Longhunter's Blog.

I just visited Longhunter's blog and he has this great image posted there. He and his mate are right into 18th century living history, and I think it is great to see these young men getting out there and doing it. So I thought I would share Longhunter's image with you here.

Just look at their gear and dress, a first class effort. I wish they were living here so they could join our group, but at least now we have gone international, they may have an opportunity of joining one of our Chapters in America. Well done lads!

Here is the link to Longhunter's Blog: http://longhunterunited.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/trek.html?showComment=1362105618722#c5922504936356814109

More Clasp Knives.

Unfortunately there is no date on this one, but it appears to be a lock knife.

Blade markings: WHITBY  MADE IN ITALY.

http://www.blog.antiquesnavigator.com/price-guide/antique-knives_hq/54/1.html;

 Two seaman's clasp knives with integral suspension rings and marlin spike. Marked 18th century, but I would guess early to mid 18th century.  

Another suspension ring clasp knife marked 18th century. This one has a wood handle.

http://www.blog.antiquesnavigator.com/price-guide/antique-knives_hq/54/1.html;

This one is of unknown origin. All metal. My guess would be another seaman's knife looking at the fish tail. Also of course a suspension ring type.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15074;

Preparation of Gunpowder by Lodovico Buti ~16th century

http://siftingthepast.com

My Finished Plug Bayonet.

I decided to make a plug Bayonet for my 20 gauge fusil. This gauge is fairly small, so the bayonet needs a small handle. I started making a wooden handle, and then had an idea. Why not use a corn cob handle?
So I did.

My corn cob handled Hunting Plug Bayonet.

Videos on Identifying Punk Wood Tinder.

More on Punk Wood.

I am getting a lot of requests of late to explain in detail what punk wood is and what it looks like and feels like.
Punk Wood from all species of trees should work fine as a tinder once charred. Punk Wood is usually of a whitish colouring but it can also be other colours. Punk Wood in trees is Dry Rot and is caused by Serpula lacrymans, which is a wood-destroying fungus. Punk Wood that is completely formed, is light in weight, soft to the touch, and spongy. That is it can be squeezed a little between your fingers.

My wife found this large piece of Punk Wood in the base of a fallen willow tree.

You can spot the white Punk Wood from a distance, this Punk Wood is in the base of a Mountain Gum.

Here is a closer look at the Mountain Gum Punk Wood.

At the back of this tinderbox you can see charred Bracket Fungus. At the front is charred pieces of Punk Wood.

This shows the other side of some Punk Wood pieces that are not charred all over. You only need to char one side in the fire, then smother it in your tinderbox.

 

Another great find at the Second Hand Shop!

This is actually an early 19th century French blade, but the style is older.

The blade is obviously worn but I can reshape it to original without losing too much length. The bird head handle is original ebony.