Reliving History

Georgia

• Button Gwinnett: A merchant and plantation owner.  Politically and militarily ambitious, he was passed over as commander of the militia in Georgia in favor of Lachlan McIntosh.  But was made president of the colony.  His vindictive attitude towards McIntosh led him to challenge him to a duel   in May of 1777.  He died from the wound he received. His property was destroyed during the war.
• Lyman Hall: Physician.  Property was burned by the British and he was charged with high treason.  Fled to Charlestown and then to Connecticut when Charlestown fell.  Later served a governor of Georgia.
• George Walton: Lawyer.  Was a colonel in the Georgia militia and was wounded and captured when the British took Savannah.  His property was looted and destroyed by the British.  Later was elected governor of Georgia.

North Carolina

• William Hooper: A renowned lawyer.  Son of a loyalist father.  His estate was torched and his property looted when the British invaded Wilmington but they were unsuccessful in capturing him.  Resigned from Congress in 1777 due to pressing concerns at home.
• Joseph Hewes: Merchant and ship owner.  Very wealthy and influential. He was a friend and benefactor of John Paul Jones.  With John Adams, laid the foundation for the American navy, placing his fleet of ships at the command of the American military.  Served in Congress until Oct 29, 1779, died on November 10, 1779.  He never married.
• John Penn: A successful lawyer and community leader.  After signing the Declaration he returned home.  He served on the Board of War in North Carolina from 1779 to 1780; tasked with keeping the militia supplied with necessities.  Returned to the life of a private citizen 1784 and died in 1788.

South Carolina

• Edward Rutledge a lawyer and one of the youngest signers at 27.  Served as a captain in the artillery and was captured at the fall of Charleston.  His property was destroyed by the British
• Thomas Heywood, Jr.: Lawyer and commander of South Carolina militia.  Was taken prisoner at the fall of Charleston.  Property was looted and destroyed.
• Thomas Lynch, Jr.: A lawyer, wealthy plantation owner and 4^th generation American. Served in Congress as a replacement for his father who was severely ill.  Thomas Jr. became ill shortly after signing the Declaration and returned home.  He and his wife were lost at sea on their way to France to recover his health..
• Arthur Middleton: A plantation owner and scholar.  His father served as president of the 1^st Continental Congress and it was his seat that Arthur took in 1776.  He was captured in the fall of Charleston and held prisoner in Florida for over a year.     His property was looted and burned during the war. 

Pennsylvania

• Robert Morris: wealthy merchant.  Almost single handedly financed the war effort and the creation of the Bank of the United States.  Died in poverty.
• Benjamin Rush a doctor and professor of chemistry. Served as surgeon general in the Continental army.  Was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and later served as Treasurer of the US mint.
• Benjamin Franklin: wealthy printer and inventor.  Maybe the most well known member world wide.  Served as postmaster general.  Helped draft the Declaration of Independence.
• John Morton: judge.  Served as chairman of the committee that drafted the Articles of Confederation.  Died shortly after they were presented to Congress.
• George Clymer: merchant; supporter and friend of George Washington. In December of 1776 he and George Walton and Robert Morris remained in Philadelphia to carry on Congressional business while the rest of congress evacuated in front of the invading British army. The army detoured to destroy Clymers house and property.
• James Smith A lawyer, surveyor and iron manufacturer.  Retired from the Congress in 1778
• George Taylor: ironmaster; was not present for the vote, but signed the document.
• James Wilson: wealthy lawyer. A bit of a scoundrel.  Died in poverty.
• George Ross a lawyer.  Served as a Colonel in the Continental army.  Suffered poor health and died in 1779
• NOTE: Thomas Dickinson refused to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence and refused to sign the document although he did support the new nation thru the struggles of the revolution serving as an officer in the army and as a representative to the Constitutional Convention.

Delaware

• Caesar Rodney a high sheriff and politician.   Served as president of Delaware and a Major General in the Delaware militia.
• George Read a lawyer and judge.  Replaced John McKinley as governor after McKinley was captured by the British.
• Thomas McKean: lawyer and public servant.  Served as president of congress in 1781.  Served as a colonel in the New Jersey militia, president of Delaware and chief justice of Pennsylvania; all while serving in Congress.

Massachusetts

• Samuel Adams: politician and brew master.  Cousin of John Adams
• John Adams: lawyer.  Served on committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence.  Later served as 2d US president.
• Robert Treat Paine a lawyer.  Served as assistant prosecutor during the trial of the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre.  Authored the Olive Branch Petition in 1775.
• Elbridge Gerry: merchant.  Opposed the federal constitution.
• John Hancock: merchant.  At the forefront of the movement for independence.  Abetted the Boston Tea Party, served as president of the Continental Congress when Declaration was signed and later as de facto president of the US during the period of the Articles of Confederation.

Rhode Island

• Stephen Hopkins: lawyer.  Outspoken opponent of British tyranny.  Left Congress in 1778.
• William Ellery: lawyer and merchant. An abolitionist.

Connecticut

• Roger Sherman a cobbler, surveyor and lawyer.  The only American to sign the Continental Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.  Helped write the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
• Samuel Huntington: lawyer and politician.  Served 2 terms as president of Congress during the formation of the Articles of Confederation.
• William Williams: merchant and French-Indian War veteran; was not present for the vote, but signed. Replaced Oliver Wolcott who had become ill.
• Oliver Wolcott: son of the Royal Governor; sheriff and soldier; another signer who was not present for the vote.  Served first as a captain and later brigadier general of Connecticut militia.

Maryland

• Samuel Chase: lawyer.  Served on the Supreme Court.
• William Paca a lawyer.  Served as chief justice in Maryland and later as a federal district judge.
• Thomas Stone: lawyer.  Helped draft the Articles of Confederation.
• Charles Carroll: lawyer, highly educated.  Signed but did not attend the vote for the Declaration.  Died in 1832 at age 95 as the last signer of the Declaration.

Virginia

• George Wythe: lawyer and educator.  Was 1^st American professor of law?  Taught Jefferson, Henry Clay, James Monroe and John Marshall among others.
• Richard Henry Lee: farmer.  Proposed the resolution of independence that led to the Declaration.  Served as President of Congress in 1783.
• Thomas Jefferson: lawyer, planter, inventor.  Drafted the Declaration of Independence.  Served as 3d president of the US.
• Benjamin Harrison: farmer and politician.  Helped plan the development of the continental army.  His son William Henry elected 9^th president.
• Thomas Nelson a planter.  Served as commander of the Virginia militia.  Lord Cornwallis used his house as a headquarters during the siege at Yorktown.  Nelson himself directed the artillery fire that destroyed the house.  Forfeited his property to pay for loans taken to support the war.  Died impoverished at the age of 50.
• Francis Lightfoot Lee: farmer.  Brother of Richard Henry Lee.  Served in Congress until 1779.
• Carter Braxton: planter. Loaned 10,000 pounds sterling to the American cause and financed shipping and private ring during the war.  Lost his property due to debt.  Died a pauper.

New York

• Phillip Livingston: A wealthy merchant.  His cousin Robert served on the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence but never signed the document. His younger brother William and another cousin, John Jay, also served in congress on the eve of revolution.
• Francis Lewis:  A wealthy merchant.  Born in Scotland, he moved to New York in 1737.  Was and agent for the British government during the period of the French-Indian War and was captured at Fort Oswego and sent to France as a prisoner.  In 1765 he retired from business “the most opulent man in New York”.  His property on Long Island was ransacked and his wife taken prisoner.  She was poorly treated as a captive and died a few years after her release.  Lewis lived in poverty for the rest of his life. 
• William Floyd: wealthy farmer and soldier.  Was major general in state militia.  His property was lost when the American Army evacuated Long Island.  His house was taken by the British cavalry and used as a meeting place for the rest of the war.  For nearly 7 years, his family of wife and 5 children were refugees in Connecticut.
• Lewis Morris:  Wealthy “country gentleman”.  Signed the Declaration of Independence as the British army; 30,000 strong was landing near his property.

He is said to have shouted, “Damn the consequences, give me the pen.”  Soon after, a thousand acres of woodland all on navigable water was burned, his house ransacked, his family driven away, his livestock captured, his domestics and tenants were dispersed and the entire property laid to waste.  He lived in privation with his 10 children until the end of the war.

New Jersey

• Richard Stockton: lawyer and farmer.  Was heir to 6400 acres which included present day Princeton.  Was instrumental along with Benjamin Rush in recruiting John Witherspoon as president of The College of New Jersey. He was captured by the British in November 1776, and was poorly treated until his release several years later.  Lost his library, writings and all of his property to the British.  Died a pauper.
• John Witherspoon: Born in Scotland, immigrated to New Jersey in 1768 to become president of The College of New Jersey (Princeton).  He donated over 300 of his own books to the library.  He was a highly educated clergy man who unified the Presbyterian Church in America.  British troops billeted at Princeton and destroyed the campus and burned the library. During the debates for liberty, in reply to another member who argued that the country was not yet ripe for such a declaration, Witherspoon stated that in his opinion it “was not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it.” 
• Francis Hopkinson: Lawyer, poet, composer, satirist and inventor.  Had curried Royal favor for appointments in the Colonies in the 1760’s.  Arrived in Congress just in time to vote for independence. His property in New Jersey was raided suddenly by Hessians and he and his family fled with just the clothing on their backs.  His extensive library and a collection of scientific instruments were destroyed, his property plundered.  Wrote “War of the Kegs” in 1777. Read it at:

       http://www.readbookonline.net/readOnLine/1248/  Was instrumental by his

      writings in swaying the general population to the cause of independence.   

• John Hart: Farmer and miller.  Property was looted and destroyed during the war.  He was pursued by Hessian soldiers as he tried to visit his ailing wife and was forced into hiding.  His wife died and his 13 children vanished.  He never saw them again.
• Abraham Clark: lawyer.  Had two sons who were officers in the American army.  Both were captured and imprisoned on the ship “Jersey”.  When offered their freedom late in the war in return for the renunciation of his signature, he refused.  .

New Hampshire

• Matthew Thornton, missed the debates and the vote, but signed as a delegate.
• Josiah Bartlett: Physician. Was the 1^st to sign after John Hancock?  Served as governor of New Hampshire.
• William Whipple: chips master, wealthy merchant, brigadier general in the main militia.  Led his troops in the battle with Burgoyne in Saratoga.

May 10, 1775

·       The Second Continental Congress is convened in Philadelphia. 

·       Selected Georgia delegates were Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, Lyman Hall, John Zubly and Noble Wimberly Jones.

·        Bulloch, Jones and Houstoun refuse to take their seats because the four parishes that selected them were not a majority of the counties.  John Zubly strangely enough never supported the idea of independence from the Crown and was replaced.

·       Of the initial appointees, only Lyman Hall, a physician and plantation owner from Sunbury voted on and signed the Declaration; joined by Button Gwinnett, a plantation owner from St Catherine’s who was appointed in January of 1776 and George Walton, the Secretary of the Georgia Provincial Congress and president of the Council of Safety who was also appointed in 1776

June 7, 1776

·       A resolution before the 2d Continental Congress in Philadelphia submitted by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia

“That these United Colonies are, and of a right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.”

June 11, 1776

·       Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia; John Adams, of Massachusetts; Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia; Roger Sherman, of Connecticut; and Robert R. Livingston, of New York were appointed by Congress to draft a document that embodied Lee’s resolution.  The Declaration of Independence is the product of their efforts.

July 2, 1776

·       Congress, while reviewing the document, passes Lee’s resolution declaring independence from Great Britain.

July 4, 1776

·       The Declaration of Independence is formally adopted by Congress by unanimous vote.  Unsigned copies were printed and sent to the several state legislatures.

July 6, 1776

·       The Declaration is printed by a Philadelphia newspaper and two days later is read to George Washington’s troops in New York.

July 19, 1776

·       Congress orders the Declaration signed by the members; and was signed by most by August 2.  Partly because of the lapse of time between is adoption and is official signing, several members who had voted on the Declaration did not sign such as Robert Livingston, and some signed who had not been present for the vote.

August 8, 1776

·       Copies of the Declaration reach Savannah on Thursday by special messenger from John Hancock and are reviewed by

    The Council of Safety.

·       On Saturday, August 10^th, the Declaration of Independence is read to the public in Savannah by John Bulloch, president of the colony; first at the Assembly House in Reynolds Square; then at the Liberty Pole in Johnson Square, and finally at the battery on the bluff at the Trustee’s Garden.

In the next few days, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments and render decisions that will have a profound effect on the rights of individuals to “keep and bear” arms.

From an historical perspective, colonists in America were more or less abandoned by the Crown to their own protection. They were armed as a matter of survival; organized into militia as a matter of law (all those between the ages of 16 to 60) and were responsible for the safety and security of their colony. No British troops ( or damnably few) were allocated to the colonies for protection until such time that the French influenced the native population to a degree that threatened England’s role as mother country.

In the next few days, the US Supreme Court will hear arguments and render decisions that will have a profound effect on the rights of individuals to “keep and bear” arms.
In much the same way, Americans today are to a large degree responsible for their own protection. The assembly of police, sheriffs and marshals cannot be everywhere at once and in fact in most cases enter the situation only AFTER and incident has occurred; much to the dismay of the victim.

Statistics will bear out that in those states with laws making it easy to “keep and BEAR arms” violent crime is lower than in those states with draconian gun laws. While I agree that the protection of it’s citizens is of utmost importance for the government, it seems the best way is to allow a well armed population to protect themselves.

January

12 Filming the new Wormsloe site film

February

1-3 Colonial Faire and Muster-Wormsloe
9-10 Kettle Creek Battle

March

1-2 Appleseed at Hinesville
5-8 Scottish Heritage Days-Fort King George
29-30 Toccoa Appleseed

The Militia in Colonial America

General Information

Formation

The militia in Colonial America was formed and under the authority of the several states. They were usually supremely commanded by the Governor of the state as is the National Guard today. They were the primary armed force of the colony in the absence of English army garrisons. They responded to threats from the native Indians, served as escort for visiting dignitaries, and provided ceremonial duties at celebrations and funerals. They had been also used to quell public uprisings. They could, but did not have to, provide assistance to other colonies; and at times refused this service.

Officers were usually elected by the members of the militia and were usually the local gentry. They we not necessarily trained in military matters, nor did many have military backgrounds. Some, but certainly not all would read books of military strategy but as a whole, were uneducated in military matters. While regulations of the militia varied from state to state, men between the ages of 16 and 60 were expected to serve in the militia. One could be excused from service in the militia if your position or job was considered essential to the colony. Sheriffs, members of the town or colony council, newspaper publishers, and tavern owners were among those excused from time to time. The wealthy could hire someone to take their place, or have a slave or indentured servant serve in their stead.

Until the formation of the Continental Army in 1775, the militia was the sole military arm in America. As such, they endeavored to be as well trained as possible. Using current English army regulations and tactics, they would parade at least once a month. Some of these meetings in the early days of the colony were used to seriously train both in maneuvers and tactics but as a colony grew older and more established and the threat of native incursions lessoned, the muster days degenerated into a time of drinking and revelry.
The militias, being formed and supplied by each individual colony, were as different as the colonies themselves. Older established colonies such as Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia and South Carolina might have more than one militia force. Smaller, newer colonies might have just one. They might outfit their militia in standardized uniforms or might not. They might insist on standardized equipment manifests or not.

My own area of familiarity is with the militia of Georgia.

In Georgia, the militia was actually formed on the boat bringing the first colonists. Gen. James Oglethorpe drilled and trained the transportee’s on the deck of the HMS Anne in the loading and use of the musket. This was in large part due to the fact that one of the primary reasons for establishing the Georgia colony was to serve as a military buffer between Spanish Florida and South Carolina, and the reasonable expectation that the Spanish would move to expel the colonists as soon as they arrived in the debatable land.

Once on land, he quickly established defenses around the new town and assigned guard duty from the muster of the militia.  During the early years of the colony, the militia was used largely for ceremonial purposes to impress the Indian’s with the strength and might of the colonies inhabitants. They fired more volleys in recognition and greeting than they ever did in actual combat. During the War of Austrian Succession or the War of Jenkins Ear as it was called by some, the militia journeyed to Florida to lay siege to St Augustine. Their service there was less than successful, but proved acceptable at the battle of Bloody Marsh later in the year.

By the time of the American Revolution, there were several detachments of militia up and down the coast but they offered little resistance to the invading British forces. At the siege of Savannah they were among the troops who suffered the most casualties in the failed attempt to recapture the city. Georgia militia served in the Southern campaign in North and South Carolina and at Yorktown. From the siege on, the military uniform of the Georgia militia seemed to be deerskin hunting frocks.

Clothing

Clothing styles of the 17th and 18th century were constantly changing. About every decade, the length of coats and weskits, the cut of sleeves and collars and the colors believed fashionable would change. While the well to do could afford to follow the current fashion, the common man would often have to make do with hand me down’s and used clothing that would leave him 10 or more years out of fashion. You could judge a mans status to some degree by the age of the fashion of his clothing. Basic clothing however remained the same and is discussed at some length below.

Head Covering

Several types of hats and head coverings seemed to predominate the militia. In the northern militia, where standardized uniforms were the vogue, the tri-corned hat or variations of a shako type hat were used. In the south, mostly Georgia, an uncocked hat or “flop hat” was used. They would be sometimes be cocked on the left side only. A head covering of silk or linen would sometimes be used. These were not so much used because of fashion or flair, but were used to help control lice. It was easier to wash the vermin from a piece of cloth than it was to purge them from hair. The cloth also acted as a barrier and a liner for the felt hats. Lining in a hat was expensive. It must be remembered that the population of our country in colonial time were largely farmers and though well fed by their food production had little available cash. The wearing of animal’s skins for hats did not gain popularity until late in the 18th century and early 19th century.

Shirt

The shirt was the basic piece of clothing for men. I would extend past the knees and would be worn both as day covering and as a nightshirt. There was a single button at the throat and buttons at the cuff. In Georgia, it was not unusual to see men working the fields in nothing but a shirt, breech clout and leggings. Temperature and humidity seemed to win out over conventional style. Shirts would be made of linen or cotton, occasionally out of fustian or hemp though these were heavier weaved cloth. Gentlemen of means would have ruffles at neck and cuffs.

Waistcoat

The waistcoat or weskit was considered essential for the properly dressed man. Without them, a man was considered “undressed”. In the 1740’s, the weskit extended to mid thigh in the front and slightly shorter in the back. By the 1770’s the weskit stopped at or just below the waist. They were made of various materials depending on your position from cotton or hemp, linsey-woolsey or fustian for the common man to fine linen or silk for the gentleman. The silk waistcoats of highly placed men were often elaborately embroidered with flowers and leaves. Some of the common mans waistcoats had ties in the back to allow for size adjustments.

Coat

The typical portrait we see of the militia is usually in some sort of standard uniform. Though that may have been generally true, the uniforms from state to state were vastly different. Uniforms cost money and ready cash was not at a premium in the days before the revolution. Many soldiers in the militia wore what they had, be it frock coat, sleeved waistcoat, or hunting frock. The hunting frock was favored more by the men coming from the frontier than by those in the cities and towns. It was a knee length wrap around style coat generally made of linen or sailcloth. It had one or two capes across the back that could be folded up to protect the wearer from rain and wind. Nearly every ending edge of the coat was fringed; not for style but to allow the coat to dry faster when wet. The fringe would wick the water out of the fabric and the surface area for evaporation was greatly increased. Militia from the back woods of Virginia (what is now Kentucky and Tennessee) wore the hunting frock almost universally. It was these troops who used the rifled barrel of the American long rifle to such deadly effect during the war for independence; so much so that the British army feared troops dressed in such a manner; owing to the accuracy of their fire. Gen Washington purposed to dress several regiments in such a way merely as an attempt in discouraging the British troops. The rifle saw limited action in the war for independence because the loading time was so much greater than that of a musket. They were a hunting rifle, no fit for military action in that time.

Pants

Pants or trousers again were in various styles from knee breeches made of wool or linen for the middle class, linsey-woolsey, hemp or fustian for the lower class to silk for the upper class. They fastened at the knee with buckles, buttons or ties. They came in two basic styles: fly front or drop front. Long trousers were also available but were considered only appropriate for the working man. The militia sometimes had issued long trousers belled at the bottom and buttoned at the bell that extended over the top of the shoe. This style was later adopted by the Continental Army in equipping the soldiers.

Stockings

Stockings were long; mid thigh in length and again made from a variety of fabrics depending upon one’s station. Wool predominated but linsey-woolsey (a linen warp and wool weft), cotton and silk were also used.

Gaiters

Gaiters or spatter dashers were simply used for protecting the lower leg. They could be made as easily as wrapping a piece of old woolen blanket around your leg and tying them at the knee and ankle with a piece of rope or woven belt to form fitting affairs made from deerskin, cow leather or sail cloth and fastened with 18 to 20 buttons up one side. They usually had a strap that went under the shoe at the instep to hold them down. While the military sometimes used half gaiters, coming up to mid calf; generally the militia used full gaiters that extended to mid thigh or higher.

Shoes

Shoes of the period were largely single lasted; that is manufactured on a single form that could be used for either left or right foot. Double lasted shoes came in later in the 18th century but were quite expensive. Upper classes and military used leather that had the smooth side out (easily polished) while the common mans shoes were made with the rough (suede) side out. They fastened with buckles or ties. Shoes were expensive so many men adopted the use of the center seamed Indian moccasin. They were easy to make from deerskin; they were easily patched if they developed a hole, and were comfortable.

Equipment

Long Arms

The long arms of the militia were generally of two types. Early in the 18th Century they were the English Long Land Pattern Flintlock Musket; the Brown Bess. These were .75 caliber smooth bore muskets. They were designed for quick loading. The English army used a pre-made cartridge loaded with a .68 caliber ball. The ball was smaller than the bore of the musket so that the piece could still be loaded quickly after the barrel had become fouled by un-burnt powder and the sludge from the burnt powder. Later in the century, France delivered the Charleville musket in great numbers to the continental army. These were .69 caliber smooth bore’s. The musket had no sights for aiming, but did have a bayonet lug at the tip of the barrel. This should not be confused with a sight. In the English army and thus most colonial militia drills, there was no command for “aim”; but rather a command to “present” at which time the piece was pointed in the general direction of the opposing force, the militiamen generally were provided with a musket if they had no firearm of their own; otherwise, they used their personal gun.

They carried a cartridge box that either attached to a belt at their waist or hung from their shoulder by a strap. The box contained their pre made cartridges, spare flints and a musket tool (a combination screwdriver/flinting hammer). They would carry anywhere from 18 to 60 pre-made cartridges.

Edged Weapons

By edged weapons, we are considering swords, knifes and bayonets and hatchets. The militia generally was outfitted with bayonets for either the Brown Bess or Charleville muskets. In the early part of the century, it was common for the private soldier to carry a short sword with a blade length of 24 inches or so. Later in the century this sword was replaced by a tomahawk or hatchet which was easier to carry in the backwoods and more useful in camp than a sword. They would also carry a belt knife of some sort and many would carry a knife in a sheath around their neck after the Indian fashion. The Indians used them for scalping victims; some in the militia may have used them for similar purposes. Officers still carried the sword and it became a signature of their position.

The bayonet was used not only for a weapon, but could also be used for a candle holder or a meat skewer.

Haversack

The haversack was the common vehicle for carrying whatever the militia man or common man needed on a daily basis. While intended in the army to carry the daily rations, contents might also include a fire starting kit (flint, steel and tow), a sewing kit for clothing repair and maintenance, a combination of tools and brick dust for cleaning his musket, tobacco and a pipe, his rum ration cup, a bowl for his food, and knife and spoon for eating and perhaps a fork. On short treks, he might carry extra socks but clothing articles were usually carried in packs or snap-sacks.

Pack

The pack of a militia man might be as elaborate a thing as those in the English army made of hair on goat skin with straps that hung it from both shoulders, to something as simple as a rolled up blanket strapped over on shoulder and worn either across the chest or across the back. A snap-sack was a fabric tube about 18 inches in diameter and 36 inches long which was closed at either end by means of a drawstring. It was carried over the shoulder and would generally contain extra clothing, blankets and a cooking pot. Personal items such as brushes, black for shoes, powder for hair or wig, cards or dice, and paper and quill and ink would be carried in the pack or snap-sack.

Attended an event with the Reveloutiony War Veterens this weekend for what is called the Appleseed Project (www.appleseedinfo.org). The purpose of this project is to re-aquaint America with their history as riflemen: men who knew how to handle a gun; who new how to shoot straight, who won the independance of our Country. Although it was a civilian event, Eli and I went dressed out as 18th century militia and demonstrated the musket and flintlock rifle. Dave Swinford of the 2d GA Artillery (http://2ndgeorgiaartillery.org/index.html) acted as host for the event and brought along a howitzer and a 3 pound cannon. We fired several live rounds from the cannon and from the muskets and rifle and invited the uninitiated to give it a try. Most would flinch after the pan ignighted and therefor shot wild. Several actually hit the target (life sized plywood cut outs of a British soldier) placed at 25 and 50 yards. One guy hit the target at 75 yards. I plugged a soldier at 150 yards with the 50 cal. rifle. A good time was had by all with 18th century jollification of “shrub”. (In a gallon jug, add 1 quart of dark rum, one cup of sugar, 2 cans of concentrated frozen limeade. Fill to top with water. No refrigeration needed.

2006 was a pretty good year as far as 1741 was concerned. No crop failure or famine; no outbreak of insidious disease (except for event weekends). No invasion from the south (sand gnats excluded) and friendly relations with the native population (them what dress “funny”). For a year that did not allow us many opportunities we had a good year. The Colonial Faire at Wormsloe in February was well attended and remains a top event for us. March, and the Scottish Heritage days at Fort King George in Darien. A mock battle of a Spanish invasion; cannons and muskets blazing. I fell on the field of battle that day but was miraculously given fresh life by the liberal application of medicinal liquids (that would be rum).

In May, we were back at Wormsloe for the War of Jenkins Ear weekend. In July we were filmed as part of a documentary about an Egnlish Colony in the 1760 in what is now New Smyrna Beach, FL. The film is to be used by the historical museum in New Smyrna Beach as an introduction to the site for the visitors. We also participated in the 4th of July celebration at Fort Morris. September saw us back home at Wormsloe for the Tools and Trades Weekend. In October, we were invited by the Coastal Heritage Society to participate in there memorial to the Seiege of Savannah during the Revoultionary War. Suze did “day in the life of” and I was a militia man on the front lines… the forlone hope. In November we Were back at Fort Morris for “Come and Take It”. A photography crew from the Georgia Department of Natural Recorses was taking pictures for the new pamplets to be issued in 2007. You never know……

December and another round of Christmas programs, wishing friends happy holidays and making plans for next year. Please look at the the photo album titled 2006 In Review. Some really good pictures.

Well, 2005 is almost over and what a year it has been. Work duties stole most weekends from me this year but we were still able to attend the major events:

The Colonial Faire at Wormsloe:

Suze and I demonstrated textiles and carpentry to about 400 elementry school children. I had broken 2 ribs in a fall at work a week earlier and had just been diagnosed with pneumonia as a result of the trauma. Not my best weekend.

The War of Jenkins Ear at Wormsloe:

A weekend filled with musket demonstrations

Colonial Faire at Fort Morris:

A July 4th celebration of colonial games for the children. Musket and cannon demonstrations for the adults. Discovered if you packed the cannon with Spanish moss it amplified the retort amazeingly.

Come and Take It at Fort Morris:

Another day of demonstrating carpentry and textiles for about 300 students. A battle reenactment, and good times.

Drums Along the Altahama at Fort King George

Hanging with the Rangers and fighting the Spanish

Christmas at Wormsloe and Fort Morris

Dance, food, libations and an end to another year.

We enter this new year with great expectations for a better year than the one just past and more opportunities to share our history with an amazed public.

Creating a personna is probably the most difficult thing to do for a new reenactor. It is one thing to dress up, dtand around and look Colonial at an event and answer a few questions; its a completly different experience to lock into a first person account of what you are doing. It took most of 2 years for us to develope our personna for Wormsloe: we are indentured servants. One of the more colorful characters in Savannah during the 1730’s was the Mouse family. Thomas and Lucy Mouse settled on Skidaway Island across for the Isle of Hope where Wormsloe was built. Thomas had died by 1742 so it wouldn’t be much fun playing him, but he had an indentured servant named John Smith. There is no real reckoning of what became of old John so it became easy to “become” him. Also, it allowed Suze to become his wife (though she is not mentioned in history) who would be aquainted with Lucy Mouse. Lucy was a very colorful character as evidenced by her dealings as a rum merchant to the Indians. She was warned by the courts not to be cought again selling rum to the Indians. She didn’t stop sell rum, she just didn’t get cought again.

So anyway, that’s who Suze and I are when we arn’t us.

Greetings and welcome to our web site. Suze and I have been participating in reenacting for a little over two years now. Living on the coast, we are afforded opportunities to explore our hobby at three state historic sites on the Georgia Colonial Coast: Wormsloe in Savannah, Fort Morris in Midway, and Fort King George in Darien. The time periods of these site range from 1732 to 1780 and the colonizing inhabitants ranged from English and German in Savannah, to Quaker in Midway to Scottish in Darien so our experiences are varied, as well as our representation. Our three children living with us; Eli, 15; Bethany, 13 and Hosanna 9 enjoy these activities also and are becoming quite adept at various skills.

Elijah has been an apprentice for a blacksmith, taken fencing lessons, makes all his own clothing and all his bags, shot pouches, belts, sheaths and other equiptment.

Bethany is our spinner. With both the drop spindal and the wheel, she is able to make a very usable yarn out of wool, linen or silk. Suze quite often uses this yarn in weaving her belts and sashes.

Hosanna is our expert on childrens games. All three children have given demonstrations to school groups at the sites and can quite literally talk to anyone.