TEMPUS FUGIT CONTEST RESULTS

So the letters are in, what there are of them... and here they are for those of you that might have missed them:

Dear doctor-


I have been unsuccessful in contacting the 18th centruy bible company listed in your journal. With the view to perhaps ordering a bible for myself, could you possibly provide an updated address?



kindest regards,


Margraviane Louisa vonBrowne


Gimli, Manitoba, Canada
My Dear Doctor,

It is with great trial that I post mine letter to you this day. It is with much troubled heart that I witness the departure of mine mother's family from their visit this instant.

Mine mother seemed to be quite unable to find ease of body or able to retire at any time, nite and day. She seems to have many various thoughts to keep her mind ill at ease and in a most unrestful state at all times .

I would be most beholden to you if you might provide some simple remedy I might have on hand that I may gain her ease of mind more often.

Your friend,
Bridgett McGee of Chillisquaque


My Dearest Doctor:

Having tarried in the far West until now, I have just receiv'd your post. Bearing in mind that I hold you, and your skills in physick as well as the art of barbering in the highest esteem, though you will no doubt forgive my somewhat less than presentable appearance when we encountered each other at Niagara, I trust, good sir, that this missive finds you well -



your most humble & obt. servant,



Greg Ketcham


Private soldier


N-Y Provincial Regt.
I enjoyed each of these notes, thanks to you all for participating! I stated that the more interesting and creative, the better... therefore I have selected Bridgett McGee of Chillisquaque as the winner of this first Tempus Fugit Contest! Her letter not only makes inquiries of me, but opens a little window into her persona's background, good stuff.

Bridgett McGee will need to contact me via e-mail and give me her address, as well as let me know which of the paper documents she'd like to have!

Special Guest Author: Lucy 2

Hi its Lucy again. We went to Niagra and saw Niagra Falls! Dad said it would be a shame to not see it sense we were so close, it was amazing! Also we were not hot for a change it was cold up there every day. Then we got to the main event!

On the first day no one was dressed up, but I wanted to be in my outfit. That night dad made a comfy straw bed and we slept in a tent. The next morning woke they us up with drums. I was cold so I wrapped up in a blanket and went to breakfast. Then we went to the doctors tent, and while dad and miss.Clift went to the battle field I gave the tours because I knew almost all the tools. Dad and Clift brought back a bunch of soldiers we saved most, and I made a friend named John he had hurt his eye one man died but the others were fine. Every day i would visit the fair and then I would go visit John. Sometimes Hamilton and I would watch the tent while dad and Clift went to battle because someone stole a gold piece!

But other then that I would play with Little Man, Hamilton, and Morgan. I never saw the friggits but apparently they were there because there is photos, and in the fair grounds there was yummy ice cream good root beer and a cute moose toy that is made from palm trees there was possums, birds, cats, and pigs and much much more! On Sunday we went to a church service and that was awesome. We had so much fun,and I hope we can do it sometime again soon

Lucy

TRAILERS FOR THE NIAGARA DVD

The Siege of Niagara - Promo from Full Circle Studios on Vimeo.



The Siege of Niagara - Beyond the Battle from Full Circle Studios on Vimeo.

The boys from Loudoun in the thick of battle.

Pvt. James Coppock

Eaglewoman

This from the production company:

We are putting the finishing touches on the souvenir DVD of the "Siege of Niagara" re-enactment that took place at Old Fort Niagara in early July. Over 400 people have ordered the DVD so far and now the online shopping site is active. 

Simply visit: http://www.fullcirclestudios2.com/store.html and PayPal will take your credit card order. The DVDs will be shipped before Labor Day. If you pre-ordered your video at the event, you don't need to do anything further. Your order will be shipped as soon as it's ready. Please feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested in ordering their own copy of this spectacular event.

Full Circle Studios, LLC

741 Main St.

Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 875-7740

www.fullcirclestudios.com

The Battle of Blue Licks pt 2

FTER noticing the large group that had gather'd round, I demonstrated the removal of a musket ball to the shoulder, and even the Trephine on the young lad who had come from the crowd to act as 'Patient'. They seemed genuinely interested and stood in the hot sun to watch as I finished up with the boy. I took questions at the end and sent the boy on his way with his family, none the worse for wear.

I had scarecly finished and was walking down the hill when miss Reasoner found me. Her manner of dress was different from the night before when I had met her, and I did not recognize her. She inform'd me that she was still willing to style my poor wig, but that she would not be at her leisure to do so until later that afternoon, that I should find her again then.

Reports went up that Indians had been spotted on the other side of the Licking River. Colonel Todd called a council and asked mr. Boone for his opinion. Boone advised his fellow officers that the Indians were trying to draw them into an ambush.

Major McGary, apparently eager to prove that he was not a coward urged an immediate attack. He mounted his horse and rode across the ford in the river, shouting, "Them that ain't cowards, follow me." Men began to follow, as did the officers, who hoped to at least make an orderly attack. "We are all slaughtered men," said Boone as they crossed the river.

Once across, they advanced up the hill, Todd and McGary in the center, Trigg on the right, Boone on the left. As Boone had suspected, Capt. Caldwell's force (leading the Butler's Rangers, an English force) was waiting on the other side of the hill, concealed in ravines. Although the British army under Lord Cornwallis had surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781, the war on the western frontier raged on.

As the militia reached the summit, the Indians opened fire with devastating effect. After only five minutes, the center and right of the Kentuckee line gave way; only Boone's men on the left managed to push forward. Todd and Trigg, easy targets on horseback, were quickly shot down.

The Militia began to flee wildly back down the hill, fighting hand-to-hand with the Indians who had flanked them. McGary rode up to Boone's company and told him that everyone was retreating and that Boone was now surrounded. Boone gathered his men for a withdrawal. He grabbed a riderless horse and ordered his son, Israel Boone, to mount and make an escape. Israel refused to leave his father, however, and was shot through the neck as Daniel searched for another horse. Boone saw that his son's wound was mortal, mounted the horse, and fled.

The Doctor appears as though he doesn't trust the look of this lot.

images by Jim & Kathy Cummings

Upon word of the retreat, I broke camp, putting my instruments away into the blue box as quickly as I could. Once stow'd, I paid my respects to the Scot and Mr. D, left the Parson's table where I knew they would be able to find it again, jotted a quick note for mr. Moore and made haste for the Tennasee region.

Miss Reasoner offered me a bit of sanctuary and styled and cut my wig for me before I mounted up again and returned to the Cumberland Settlements and my home.

The land I travelled to and from the Licking River area was spectacularly beautiful. Green hills that roll'd along the landscape, swift moving rivers that cut deep valleys betwixt those hills, and game in great numbers. Why, I could hardly cast my eye to the left or right without gazing upon some manner of beast.

Upon my return home I came to discover that the black sealing wax I ordered from the sutler in Naples had finally arrived, allowing me to conclude a small bit of business with Capt. Johnson at Shoenbrunn Village.

Next, I shall travel North again to attend the Fair at New Boston. I look especially forward to the event this year, as I understand that in addition to the music and dancing, I will also be able to purchase copies of the New Boston Gazette, and attend a new play entitled "She Stoops to Conquer". It sounds to be a good bit of diversion after a fairly hard fought and bloody few months.

A full listing of their merchants, artisans and entertainers, as well as the Bill of Fare can be found in their rather detail'd advertisement.

The Battle of Blue Licks

TRAVELLED up into Kentuckee, along the Licking River and set up shop for a time among the pioneers at Tanner's Station, in the Year of our Lord seventeen hundred and eighty two.

That evening, upon my arrival Parson John introduced me to miss Reasoner, who very kindly offered to fix and style my poor wig. It has been a dog's age without the proper care, and has begun to look like a dead animal upon my head. I gladly accepted her offer, and she told me to call upon her the next day to have it done.

I stayed the night with mr. Jas. Moore and we talked for a long time on a multitude of subjects. He informed me that his physician has him on some new physick, and that it seems to be agreeing with him. I did notice that his health seemed much improved from our past few conversations, he seemed quite his jovial old self, shewing me his latest batch of freshly bound Bibles. He regail'd me with tales of the materials used in each copy, the papers and the leathers, stitching and the like. His skill has improved greatly, and it shews in these, his latest editions.

I slept well, and we awoke early to share a breakfast of eggs and bacon. We talked of forted stations and our plans for travel for the coming months.

Fair at New Boston
September 5-6

Trade Faire at Fort Loudoun
Sept. 12-13

Koh-Koh-Mah
September 19 & 20

Ft. Boonesborough, KY
September 25-27

Historic Rock Castle
October 3 & 4

Fort Loudoun
Garrison Weekend
October 10-11

Traveller's Rest
October 15-16

Schoenbrunn Village Trade Fair
October 17 & 18

History Festival
October 23-24

Market Fair at Locust Grove

October 24th & 25th

After breakfast, I found a shady spot and set up the table loan'd to me by Parson John and was later loan'd a small stool by another fellow. I laid out all my tools and instruments and sat, reading my 1734 edition of the Poor Planter's Physician. It is vanity I suppose, that keeps me from wearing my spectacles, so I held up my magnifying glass so as to be able to better read the print. I was just beginning the section on Consumptive Coughs, when I looked up and noticed how out of the way I was. I would never get any business so far away from the main flow of ye publick.

I walked up the hill and introduced myself to the people in the tent right by the main entry, a Scot whose name I cannot at the moment recall, and a free man with a great beard, (I only assume he was a free man, as he did not seem to answer to any present.) whose name began with a D. I really am rubbish with names, please gentle reader, always assume that I have forgotten your name and reintroduce yourself to me from time to time... there really is SO much to think about, I just haven't the time to devote to remembering the multitude of names put to me!

The Scot and mr. D. very graciously allowed me to set up in front of their tent in a shady spot, as the day had begun to grow wretched hot. I made inquiries for miss Reasoner with several people, but none knew her whereabouts. My poor wig would have to go unfix'd a while longer.

I encountered mr. Daniel Boone and his older brother Squire, and listened as the younger gave a talk that detailed some of his adventures in Kentuckee. I stayed for near on an hour, longer than I had intended, but his tales were of such interest, I could not help but neglect my business.

mr. Boone talks to the crowd.

Shortly after noon, I was offered a great slice of watermelon by mr. J. Blackerby, who held it in his hand and cut it with his sword. My piece was so large that I offered half of it to the Scot. I used my caitlin knife to slice off small pieces that I could fit in my mouth, and the Scot and I took turns spitting the seeds as far as we could like when I was a boy.

I demonstrated to good crowds of publick, once, as I demonstrated the finer points of amputation of the humerus on one of the young lads in attendance, I looked up and was surprised by how many people were standing and watching. There were very nearly fifty of them! 

"Ye gods," I declared as I paused with the capital saw, the boy's arm cinched up in the tourniquet, "Where did YOU all come from?"

...to be continued...

TEMPUS FUGIT CONTEST! UPDATED

Open to Followers of the Doctor's Journal:

Write the Doctor an 18th century 'period appropriate' letter and post it on your own blog. Be sure to include a link back to the contest post here on Tempus Fugit so others can get in on the fun!

Your letter can be about anything that you might write your physician/friend about in the 1700's, be creative.

For those of you with more modern journals, perhaps a 'letter through time"? What would a person from your century say to someone in the 18th?

Please be sure to leave a comment in my contest post with a link to your letter so I can find it!

UPDATED RULES IN RED:

FOLLOWERS who do NOT have blogs of their own to post their 'Letter to the Doctor' in may now take part in the contest by posting their letters in the COMMENT area of this contest post! I do this in an effort to have more of you able to participate.

Remember, this is open to my journal followers only, so if you're not a follower and would like to get in on the contest, become a Follower today!


Winners of the 1st ever TEMPUS FUGIT CONTEST will receive their choice of ONE of the documents on the FORGERIES page as well as one of the maps of the "Tennassee region" and a packet of colonial era paper money reproductions that includes the following bills:

$10. New York 1776
$8. Maryland 1774
15s. Penn 1773
5. Delaware 1776
$4 Georgia 1777
5s. South Carolina 1778
18d. New Jersey 1776

Period paperwork is a great way to 'flesh out' your 18th century persona, and just fun to have in general!


The contest will begin August 11th of this present year and will run until August 24th. I will select and announce the winner in my journal here by August 26th. The winner will be selected based on the content and creativity of the 'letter' that you write. The more interesting and creative, the better!

Selected winner will have one week from August 26th to select the paperwork they want and to email me the address to send it to. Otherwise they forfeit their prize and another winner will be selected.

I will gladly send your prize anywhere the post rider may travel. I will even consent to have it placed on a ship, at my own expense, for those that may be abroad.

Good luck gentle readers!

NEW!

Map of the 'Tennassee Government' $10

This map of the Tennassee Government (formerly part of North Carolina) is a hand drawn recreation of a map that was originally made by Tennassee native Gen. Daniel Smith. I am currently in possession of a goodly number of these prints, so there will be no waiting. Maps are printed on cream coloured paper stock and are approx. 8.5 x 17 inches! This is a great haversack item for long hunters and military men, you'll never find your way on the frontier without a proper map. 

Contact the Doctor for one today!

The latest batch of letters

A letter from the Regimental Surgeon to the wife of Capt. Jack Johnson.

Black India Ink on white linen paper, sealed with the letter 'R' in red wax.

Click on image to enlarge, I believe it might be clear enough to read.

I took great pains to make these letters look as different as possible, different inks, different paper types, colors and sizes, different handwriting sizes and styles, I even folded them differently. The doctor's letter is a very quick easy fold, Mary's is a little more intricate and fancy.

A letter back to Capt. Johnson from his wife.

Brown walnut ink on cream coloured paper, sealed with a small flower in red wax. 

I am particularly pleased with some of the little details on Mary's letter to Jack. If you click and enlarge the image, you'll be able to better see the stains of 'Mary's teardrops' as she wrote this letter. I would pause as I wrote and splash the page with water from a brush that rested in a nearby cup.

Recent Events

AM PLEASED TO REPORT that my leg has healed from my last adventure and I am able to stand and walk with no discomfort to the muscle or bone. A true testament to the skill of Dr. Clift.

Therefore, I turn my sites Northward once more to travel to the Licking River in Kentuckee. I feel certain that my instruments and knowledge might be well used, should there be conflict between the settlers and the British and natives in that region.

I have, for several days now, been preoccupied with thoughts of my friend mr. Jas. Moore. You, gentle reader, may recall mr. Moore as the book binder who bound my Bible, and leather clad journal. His skills are known far and wide. I saw several of his Bibles during the Sunday service at Niagara in the hands of total strangers.


James and his wife Polly are not well and are plagued with ailments that are beyond my capacity to treat. Many of James' ailments are even beyond the capacity of specialist physicians to treat. I grew concerned when we did not see him at Locust Grove July last. Recently, in our correspondence, James conveyed to me that there are a goodly number of events that he may be unable to attend due to his condition, and even more distressing, I have learn'd that he has sold many of his personal belongings.

But that I had the skill to serve my friend in some manner.

DANIEL BOONE

Daniel Boone as portrayed by Scott New

Another excellent talk given by mr. Boone may be viewed here thanks to Graphic Enterprises.