Kirk Davis Bibliography

Bibliography
of Clothing and Accouterments
For
Kirk Davis
To
Fulfill Membership Requirements
For
Entrance
Into the
American Long Rifle Association
PRIMARY SOURCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
“The Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of James Buchanon Sr. who died November 8, 1783 in the
County of Franklin, North Carolina.” From the archives of the Sumner County Historical Society in
Gallatin, Tennessee.
Doddridge, Joseph. (1996). Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western Parts of Virginia
and Pennsylvania from 1763 to 1783, Inclusive, Together with a Review of the State of Society and Manners
of the First Settlers of the Western Country. Parsons, WV: McClain Printing Co.
Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, II, folio 105.
Adventure in the Wilderness, The American Journals of Louis Antoine de Bougainville 1756-1760 by
Hamilton.
The Pennsylvania Gazette – Electronic archives for various dates.
Denis Deiderot’s Encyclopedia, Volume I. Published 1751.
Arts Du Coutelier Et Du Chirurgien (The Art of Making Knives and Surgical Implements) by Perret,
Fougeroux, and Debondaroy. Published 1771.
Collection of the Valley Forge Historical Society.
Exploring Rogers Island Rogers Island Historical Association, 1969, pg
32 lower left photograph, pg 27 1st paragraph.
The Virginia Gazette – Electronic Archives for Runaway Servants and Captured Slaves.
SECONDARY SOURCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Neumann, George C. and Kravic, Frank J., (1997). Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American
Revolution. Texarkana, TX: Scurlock Publishing.
Gehret, Ellen J. (1976). Rural Pennsylvania Clothing. York, PA: George Shumway Publisher.
Grant, Madison (1984). The Knife in Homespun America. York, PA: Maple Press Co.
Howard, Bryan Paul (1996). Had On and Took with Him: Runaway Indentured Servant Clothing in
Virginia, 1774-1778 (Doctoral dissertation , Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 1996). UMI,
Microform Number 9634763.
Neumann, George (1984). Early American Antique Country Furnishings. New York: American Legacy
Press.
Du Mont, John S. (1978). American Engraved Powder Horns. The Golden Age 1755/1783. Canaan, New
Hampshire: Phoenix Publishing.
Neumann, George C. (1973). Swords and Blades of the American Revolution. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole
Books.
Arnow, Harriette Simpson (1995). Seedtime on the Cumberland. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska
Press.
Arnow, Harriette Simpson (1996). Flowering of the Cumberland. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska
Press.
Moss, Kay and Hoffmann, Kathryn 1985 & 1994. The Back Country House Wife, Volume I Improved, A
Study of Eighteenth-Century Foods. Gastonia, North Carolina: Schiele Museum.
LaCrosse, Richard B., (1989). The Frontier Rifleman. Union City, Tennessee: Pioneer Press.
Putnam, Albigence. The History of Middle Tennessee or the Life and Times of General James Robertson.
University of Tennessee press.
Klein, Milton. The Twighlight of British Rule in Revolutionary America, The New York Letter Book of
General James Robertson.
Hanson, James (1997). The Longhunters Sketch Book. Crawford, NE. The Fur Press.
Persona
Occupation: Farmer/Frontiersman
Time Period: 1772-1777
Location: The borders of Virginia and Carolina colonies.
My Story: I am a settler, farmer, and a frontiersman. I supplement my farming with hunting and trapping. I am
the son of Scottish emigrant parents.
Secondary - Seedtime on the Cumberland (#8). Page 196-200
Secondary - Flowering of the Cumberland (#9).
Secondary - The History of Middle Tennessee or the Life and Times of General James Robertson (#12).
Secondary - The Twighlight of British Rule in Revolutionary America, The New York Letter Book of General
James Robertson (#13).
Clothing
My clothing consists of a blue Scots bonnet, blue linen shirt, plaid waistcoat, brown breeches, leather leggings, center
seam moccasins, and a brown leather belt with a double d buckle.
BonnetPrimary – The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5). December 1, 1768 The Pennsylvania Gazette. RUN away from the
subscribers, the 22d of November last, from the Horse and Groom, at Marcus Hook, as they were taking them down
the road from Philadelphia, two indented servants, viz. JOHN WILLIAMS, an Englishman, about 5 feet 4 inches
high, 40 years of age, was bred to the sea, writes a good hand; had on, when he went away, an old blue jacket, check
shirt, old sailors trowsers, a chip hat, and a wig. JOHN CAMPBELL, born in Scotland, brought up to the sea, about
5 feet 7 inches high, 21 years of age, talks broad Scotch, and speaks a little thick; had on, when he went away, a blue
bonnet and jacket, black breeches, and stockings, new shoes and check shirt. Whoever secures said servants, in any of
his Majesty's goals, so that their masters may have them again, shall receive a reward of Four Pounds, and all
reasonable charges (or Forty Shillings for either of them) paid by us, in Fourth street, between Spruce and Walnut
streets, Philadelphia,
Primary – The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5). June 20, 1771 The Pennsylvania Gazette. RUN away from the
subscriber, living at Christiana Ferry, in New Castle county, on the 8th of this instant June, a servant lad, named
WILLIAM PHILLIPS, about 5 feet high, 19 years of age, pockmarked, a flat nose, of a brown complexion, has the
mark of a cut of an axe on his right foot, and walks a little lame; had on, when he went away, a striped linen jacket,
without sleeves, and a striped linsey ditto, with sleeves, a coarse homespun shirt, woollen trowsers, with a patch on
each knee, and a blue Scotch bonnet; he says he has been to sea with Captain Macpherson; it is likely he will endeavour
to go to sea again, to make his escape, therefore all masters of vessels are forbid to carry him off. Whoever takes up
said servant, and secures him, so that his master may have him again, shall have Two Dollars reward, and reasonable
charges, paid by
Secondary – The Long Hunters Sketch Book (#14). Page 4.
ShirtPrimary - From the Estate Record of James Buchanon (#1). “4 Shirt 8S.”
Primary - The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 20, 1766
RUN away, the 15th of February, from the Subscriber, living in Whiteland Township, Chester County, an Irish
Servant Man, named Richard McDonnald, aged about 20 Years; had on, when he went away, a new Felt Hat, snuff
coloured Thickset Coat, half worn, a thin flannel stripped red and white Waistcoat, a good Linen Shirt, half worn
Buckskin Breeches, brown and black coloured Stockings, good Shoes and Buckles, he has straight black Hair, a smooth
Face, fresh coloured, grey Eyes, speaks tolerable good English, but thick spoken and about 5 Feet 7 Inches high.
Whoever takes up and secures said Servant, so that his Master may have him again, shall have Five Pounds Reward,
and reasonable Charges, paid by ANDREW TODD.
N.B. All Masters of Vessels, and others are forbid to carry him off, at their Peril.
Secondary - From Rural Pennsylvania Clothing (#2). Page 99, “Pennsylvania shirts were made of tow, oznaburg,
check, and bleached linen.
WaistcoatPrimary – The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 22, 1753
RUN away four weeks ago, from John Cameron, a redemptioner, called Robert Muir, a Taylor by trade, aged about
18 or 20 years, speaks broad Scotch: Had on when he went away, A bearskin coat, plad waistcoat, and wears his own
light colour'd hair. Whoever takes him up, and brings him to Mr. James Blair, in Philadelphia, or Mr. David Finney,
at New Castle, shall have Forty Shillings reward, paid by JOHN CAMERON.
Primary - The Pennsylvania Gazette,June 6, 1765
RUN away from the Subscriber, living in Queen Ann's County, Maryland, a Convict servant Man, named Evan
Roberts, an Englishman, about 5 Feet high, a well set Fellow, with a down Look, and yellow Complexion; had on,
when he went away, an old
Felt Hat, whitish coloured Cloth Coat, full trimmed, with a small Cape, Plad Waistcoat, Country Linen Shirt and
Trowsers, blue and white mixt Yarn Hose, new Shoes, and what is most remarkable, he has lost the Use of Part of his
Left hand, having the Use of his Thumb and Forefinger only. Whoever takes up and secures said Servant, so that the
Owner may have him again, shall have Thirty Shillings Reward, and reasonable
Charges, paid by JOSEPH CHAVIES.
N.B. It is supposed he has a Companion with him, but I cannot give any Description, more than he is an Englishman
born.
Secondary – The Frontier Rifleman (#11). Page 113.
Secondary – Rural Pennsylvania Clothing (#2). Pages 157 – 165.
BreechesPrimary - From the Estate Record of James Buchanon (#1). “Breeches 10 S.”
Secondary - From Had On and Took with Him (#4). Page 317, a runaway servant ad for Joseph Smith, August 25,
1775, “Two pairs of brown linen breeches, one pair black silk stocking breeches.”
Belt or SashPrimary - From Notes on Settlement and Indian Wars (#2). Page 91, “The belt, which was always tied behind,
answered several purposes, besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens, and sometimes the
bullet-bag , occupied the front part of it. To the right side was suspended the tomahawk and to the left the scalping
knife in it’s leathern sheath.”
Secondary - The Frontier Rifleman (#11). Page 97.
Secondary - Collectors Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 53 #4.
Leggings
Primary - From Notes on Settlement and Indian Wars (#2). Pg 91-93. A pair of drawers or breeches and leggins
were the dress of the thigh and legs;
Secondary – The Frontier Rifleman (#11). Page 93-94.
Secondary – The Long Hunters Sketch Book (#14). Page 8.
Moccasins –
Eastern style center seam moccasins from Elk leather and stitched by me with linen thread.
Primary - From Notes on Settlement and Indian Wars (#2). Pg 91-93. A pair of moccasins answered for the feet
much better than shoes. These were made of dressed deerskin. They were mostly made of a single piece with a
gathering seam along the top of the foot, and another from the bottom of the heel, without gathers as high as the ankle
joint or a little higher. Flaps were left on each side to reach some distance up the legs. These were nicely adapted to the
ankles and lower part of the leg by thongs of deerskin, so that no dust, gravel or snow could get within the moccasin.
Secondary – The Frontier Rifleman (#11). Page 90.
Haversack
Hemp canvas and leather haversack treated with beeswax, made by myself
Primary - This report, in the writing of Timothy Pickering, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147,
II, folio 105. (#3)
Whereas, Congress, on the 2d day of May last, resolved that two regiments be raised in Virginia and
Pensylvania, to serve for one year, and it is expedient that as many as possible of the non-commissioned officers and
soldiers should provide themselves with arms and other necessaries: Resolved, That each non-commissioned officer
and soldier of the said regiment, who shall so provide himself with arms and other necessaries, shall receive the
following compensations, to be paid as soon as he has passed muster, upon his producing the said articles, viz. For a
good serviceable rifle, with a powder horn, bullet pouch, and mould, eight dollars; for a good serviceable musket, with
a bayonet and a powder horn, and bullet pouch, or a good cartouch box, six dollars; for a like musket and
accoutrements, without a bayonet, five dollars; for a knapsack, two dollars; for a haversack, one dollar; for a blanket,
eight dollars.
Secondary - Collectors Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 170, number 3.
Tomahawk
Forged Iron tomahawk head with a hickory handle.
Primary - From Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars page 91 (#2), "The belt, which was always tied behind,
answered several purposes, besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens and sometimes the
bullet bag, occupied the front part of it. To the right side was suspended the tomahawk and to the left the scalping
knife in its leathern sheath.
Secondary - From Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution page 25, axes row 5. (#1)
Secondary - From Swords and Blades of the American Revolution, tomahawk number 5.A. (#7)
Knife
Antique carbon steel blade hand shaped, hafted with a deer leg bone and finished with a poured pewter bolster all done
by me.
Primary - From Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars page 91 (#2), "The belt, which was always tied behind,
answered several purposes, besides that of holding the dress together. In cold weather the mittens and sometimes the
bullet bag, occupied the front part of it. To the right side was suspended the tomahawk and to the left the scalping
knife in its leathern sheath.
Secondary - From The Knife in Homespun America (#3) Page 35, plate BK-35
Secondary - From Swords and Blades of the American Revolution (#7) plate 1323
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Page 300 #1323 third up from bottom.
Whetstone
Small natural whetstone
Primary – Volume I Dennis Deiderot’s Encyclopedia (#6). Plate 179.
Primary – Arts Du Coutelier Et Du Chirurgien (#7).
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Page 320 #1416.
Flint and Steel
Forged iron striker, natural flint and brass hinged lid tinder box.
Primary – Adventure in the Wilderness, The American Journals of Louis Antoine de Bougainville 1756-1760 by
Hamilton (#4), pg 87 list of equipment issued, one tinderbox, February 17-28, 1757
Primary - The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5), May 2, 1751. “To be sold by THOMAS MAULE, At the sign of the
Cross cut Saw, in Second street… tinder boxes, steels, flints, fire shovels and tongs, bellows…”
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 262 #2 and #5.
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Page 168.
Candles
Hand dipped candle made of bees wax.
Primary – The Pennsylvania Gazette. June 22, 1758. “By Capt. Walden from St. Kitts, who arrived here on
Saturday last, we are assured, That Telamon Phoenix, Commander of the Privateer Schooner SAmpson, belonging
to New-York, in Company with the Brigantine King Hendrick, Frederick Hamilton, Commander, of Rhode
Island, has lately taken and carried into Montserrat, a large Dutch Ship, bound directly from Old France to the West
Indies, deep loaded with the following Commodities, viz. Irish Beef, Butter, Westphalia Hams, best French Flour,
common Ditto, Tallow, Wax and Tallow Candles…”
Primary - The Pennsylvania Gazette. July 13, 1758. “For EXPORTATION, At the SOAP and CANDLE
MANUFACTORY, On Captain Goodman's Wharff, above Race Street, is made best hard white SOAP, Rozin
SOAP, Mould and Dipt TALLOW CANDLES, of all Sizes, and MYRTLE WAX CANDLES.
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Page 79 #319.
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 177 #15.
Eating Utensils
Antique three tined fork and knife along with a wooden bowl.
Primary - The Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of James Buchanon Sr. (#1). Knife 6 S 4 d., Fork 4 S. 1,
Fork 10 d., To wood bowle 1 S. 6 d.
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 108, 109, and 110.
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Pages 227, 298 and 299.
Water Vessel
Tin canteen covered in blue wool blanket material.
Primary – The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5) April 27, 1758. Trenton, in New Jersey, April 18, 1758. WHEREAS
there is a Proclamation issued out by the Honourable John Reading, Esq; President of His Majesty's Council, and
Commander in Chief of New Jersey, for the Raising a Regiment of One Thousand Men, paying them a Bounty of
TWELVE POUNDS, to have one Coat, a Pair of Cloth Breeches, a white Shirt, a check Ditto, two Pair of
Shoes, two Pair of Stockings, one pair of Ticken Breeches, a hat, Blanket, Canteen and Hatchet, and to serve till the
15th Day of November, and receive One Pound Thirteen Shillings and Sixpence.
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 59 #3.
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Pages 283 # 1243.
Seasoning
Primary – Doddridge, Notes on Settlement and Indian Wars (#2). Page 96-97. “The acquisition of the
indispensable articles of salt, iron, steel, and castings, presented great difficulties to the first settlers of the western
country.”
Secondary – The Back Country Housewife (#10). Page 91.
Gun Cleaning Equipment
Forged iron gun worm and natural tow.
Primary – The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5) May 13, 1756 “And be it further enacted, That every such Male Person,
except such as in the Judgment of the Captain, or other commanding Officer of the Hundred or District in which he
resides, be adjudged incapable by Reason of his Poverty, shall, on or before the Fifteenth Day of May next, provide
himself with one well fixed Muscat, or Fuses, with a Worm and Priming Wire, one Cartouch Box, with nine
Charges of Gun Powder, and ball suitable therein, and three good Flints, to be approved of by the commanding
Officer of the respective Company to which he belongs, and shall keep such Arms and Ammunition by him in good
Order, and fit for service, at all Times during the Continuance of this Act, under the Penalty of Twenty Shillings for
Want of a well fixed Musket or Fuses, with a Worm and Priming Wire, and Two Shillings and Sixpence for the
Want of every Cartouch Box, and Two Shillings for the Want of nine Charges of Gun Powder and Ball, and three
Flints, or any of them.”
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 264 #11.
Sewing Equipment
Scissors, hand forged awl, needles, linen thread, and bees wax.
Primary – The Pennsylvania Gazette (#5) October 29, 1761 Imported in the last ships from Europe, and to be sold
by DAVIES and FLANAGAN, at their store on Carpenter's wharff, opposite to William Coleman's, Esq; in
Water street, DOUBLE and single channel'd boots and pumps, plain pumps and shoes, spatterdashes, womens
calimancoes and everlasting shoes, womens boxes, chat and shoe tape, long reel thread,green, black and yellow,
housewife ditto, stag and sack needles…”
Primary - From Notes on Settlement and Indian Wars (#2). Page 92. “This was done by an instrument
denominated a moccasin awl, which was made from the backspring of an old claspknife. This awl with its buckhorn
handle was an appendage of every shot pouch strap, together with a roll of buckskin for mending the moccasins.”
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 239 #3 & 5.
Compass
Brass compass with sun dial patterned after the compass found on Rogers Island.
Primary - Exploring Rogers Island Rogers Island Historical Association (#9), 1969, pg
32 lower left photograph, pg 27 1st paragraph.
Primary - Collection of the Valley Forge Historical Society (#8).
Secondary – Collectors Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution (#1). Page 89 #5.
Secondary – Early American Antique Country Furnishings (#5). Page 152 # 661.
Flintlock
10 bore, Left-handed, Virginia Smooth Rifle custom made by ALRA member Tom Frazier
Primary - The Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of James Buchanon Sr. (#1). 1 Rifle $2 15 S Horn & Bag 1 S.
Mould & Lead 8 S.
Secondary - vol. II of Rifles of Colonial America (#11). page 518-521. Shumway says the following about this rifle:
“Here is a splendid example of English gun styling applied to the building of an American longrifle. This piece is
stocked in black walnut and mounted in brass. Its overall appearance is that of an English smoothbore gun of the third
quarter of the 18th century (1750 - 1775), but it is a rifle complete with almost all the features that a rifle usually
contains. The slender stock is shaped very much like the stock of an English smoothbore, the only modification being
the inclusion of a small cheek-piece and a patch box with sliding wood cover. In front of and behind the cheek-piece
there is a small amount of relief-carved decoration, which in a visual sense helps to make the cheek-piece seem like an
important feature of the butt. The patch box lid is decorated with a touch of design in relief. On top of the wrist is a
silver thumb-piece of rococo style with designs in low relief. The brass furniture is fashioned in the English style.
The side-plate, the extension of the butt-plate along the comb, and the trigger-guard bow are all neatly engraved,
each displaying a trophy of arrows together with a boar's head. The trigger-guard is not the usual rifle-type guard but
rather is the kind typically found on smoothbore guns of the period. The rear sight with its decorative front finial
made of silver, a mo¥ unusual feature to find on an American rifle.
The flintlock is a particularly fine example of a lock style that was in fashion in England during the 1740's, the
1750's, and the 1760's, with its floral decoration and its slightly curved face. This pattern of lock was out of style in
England by 1775, and when American importation of English locks resumed in the 1780's it probably was no longer
being made, though this is not an established fact. Although this rifle might have been made in any of the American
colonies, it seems mo¥ likely to have been made in the South, where English influence was strong. The third quarter
of the 18th century (1750 1775) seems the most likely period for its manufacture.”
Powder Horn
Simple antiqued powder horn , with minimal decoration, hand made by fellow ALRA member James Chnadler.
Primary - The Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of James Buchanon Sr. (#1). 1 Rifle $2 15 S Horn & Bag 1 S.
Mould & Lead 8 S.
Secondary - American Engraved Powder Horns (#6). 1978. Pg 78 & 85.
Hunting Pouch
Square shaped single cavity shooting pouch made of cowhide. Strap is adjustable by forged iron buckle. This pouch
was hand made by my brother
Primary - The Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of James Buchanon Sr. (#1). 1 Rifle $2 15 S Horn & Bag 1 S.
Mould & Lead 8 S.
Secondary – The Frontier Rifleman (#11). Page 158. Hershey Museum of American Life, Hershey, PA.