by

David A Schmid

Imagine, some magnificent genius invents a time machine. You now have the opportunity to travel back in time. To see, smell, and hear a time in history that you have been reenacting for so long {or not so long}. Here is your chance to see if you are as correct as you should be. So you get dressed in your outfit, and strap on all of the stuff. You walk to the Machine and give the operator your dollar and step aboard. You set the dial to 1750 or 1808 or even 1820...or perhaps 1640? A whirrrrr, the machine stops and you step out and look around. You sniff the air, fresher, cleaner, WOW!!! Clean air finally!!! You have selected, let’s say 1777, the Saratoga Campaign and you have dressed as one of Daniel Morgan’s Riflemen from Pennsylvania or Virginia. You now walk up to a group of surly Riflemen and they notice you. Do you fit in and are you dressed exactly as they do, or do you look different? Does one ask you where you got that new fangled knife, or what kind of shirt do you have on? Have you done your research? Do you feel that your knife isn’t right or those leggings or hat is OK but not exactly...Why have it? Have you ever used the term "what can I get away with?" or "will this pass?" If so then you will need to do some more digging. You need to research more to become ever more knowledgeable about the time period you portray. If you, deep inside feel that you would not fit in or blend into the crowd, or have any self doubts, then you need to get back to work.

Don’t worry as I think the everyone has self doubts. I certainly do. I freely admit that I have a few "fuzzy" items. Let’s go down the list. Presently, I am a common employee of a trader up at Fort Michilimacinac. Northern Great Fur Trade of 1761 - 1775. I have based my kit on several journals that I have found. Alexander Henry, J. Dufaut, and the papers of Sir Frederick Haldimand. Very complete data, great observations and of course all primary documentation! Most of my basic overall questions have been answered, but there is always more to ask. Based upon what I found I feel that I have found what I need to put together for my impression. My inventory:

Whiten hand stitched linen shirt - Henry

Red wool leggings - Henry

Blue linen breech cloth - Haldimand

Black silk head scarf - Henry

beaded necklace - Archeological report

Red wool sash - Trade lists

Linen Haversack - Original painting of a fur trader

Leather shot pouch - Mason Grant’s work

Powder horn - Similar to a display artifact

Clasp knife - Reproduced from original artifact

Belt knife - Same as above

Wool stockings - Trader’s Lists

Belt Axe - Found at Archeological site

Gourd Canteen - Similar to original

Wilson Trade Gun - Found at Archeological site

White wool blanket - Henry, trade lists, Haldiman

Oil cloth - Trade Lists, Haldiman papers

Match coat - Trade lists, Henry

All of my miscellaneous stuff is copied from Museum Artifacts. Things like combs, awls, fish hooks, beads, trade silver, turn keys, flints, worms and food like wild rice, maple sugar, dried corn, jerk, dried blueberries, etc. are all documented form primary sources.

OK, now what about the stuff that I am a bit fuzzy about? My straight razor is definitely 19th C., my glasses are of the same era, my shoepacks are very correct for western Pennsylvania, but were shoe packs worn this far North? My tin cup is correct but my patches for my gun is of cotton instead of linen. So we have some things to work on. I need to research proper foot wear for the area. the style and construction method needs to be researched. Need to save my pennies for some brain tan. Glasses, again save those pennies. Where am I going to find a good razor and not get raped with the price? I need to look into that. So you can see I have some problems to work on. I ask you the reader, do you have anything that is fuzzy or not correct?

I have seen these funky woolen hats being worn down in Kentucky Middle Grounds of late. A sort of cap with an ear flap with a little "V" opening in the front. I saw those in a painting once. But the painting was from the Leather Stocking Tales, published in the 19th Century by Cooper. Is that where the reenactor got his documentation? Or how about the writer who published a long dissertation about the lack of oil cloth, did he read the massive trade lists, documenting oil cloths being given to the Indians in the Great Lakes region? So basically what I am saying is everyone has fuzzy items in their kit. And if any of you don’t, I want to meet and congratulate you. Well done! But for most of us either financial or knowledge limitations have stopped us, one way or another.

So how can one fine tune his kit so we will fit into the crowd of our chosen time period? Research, research, and more research is a step in the right direction. Oh, and please stop using the terms "what can I get away with?" or "is this good enough?". Wipe it from your vocabulary! Don’t try to do it, just do it. Be positive and get aggressive to be able to step into the Time Machine and step back and feel at home in your time period. Be the best that you can be!!

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For those whom are interested the National Geographic in it’s latest issue has published a brief article with outstanding photographs of the wreck, artifacts taken from it and the skeleton of found on board. It is a fascinating look at a lost time and one of the principle reasons why La Salle’s attempt to establish a colony in that region failed.

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The newsdesk is still looking for any and all sites that would be great for trekking. Tim Shaw & Steve Blakeslee recently participated in an enjoyable day trek at the Phillip’s Creek Conservation Area located between Belmont and Alfred, New York.

Please let us know when and where you are planning a trek or attending an event! As most of you know this newsletter does not go out to just anyone who wants to receive it. It goes out to only trekkers, researchers and dedicated historical reenactors. Personally I am always looking to find other trekkers so again please send your info to the Newsdesk as soon as possible or E-Mail me at Ymkt98a@Prodigy.Com Include location, what time era and planned duration. I thank you kindly in advance!

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Here is a question received from one of our members in Pennsylvania: ‘Can you help me? Does anyone know a good source or book on finger weaving? I have attempted the procedure found in the Buckskinner series but all I have to show for it is a tangled wad of jute twine.....HELP!!!!!!!!!"

Anyone with a source should send it in care of the Newsdesk and we will publish it for all of our members to enjoy.

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