Showing posts with label Locust Grove. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Locust Grove. Show all posts
From the talk on the 16th
This clip is taken from a talk given in Jan. 2011 to the JASNA Louisville chapter with over 50 in attendance.
Jane Austen Festival Wrapup
Sunday brought much of the same as Saturday. Fencing in the morning, style show at midday, medical demonstrations throughout... as well as the near intolerable heat.
I will include a series of inserts in my journal that will offer additional images and information from the weekend's activities.
The images of Jim & Kathy Cummings, which includes a very unusual image of myself in the Style show, as well as myself and Mr. Cushing taking our fencing exercise.
Images from the local Louisville Newspaper featuring several excellent portraits of people I know.
Jane Austen Festival Part 3
I cleaned up and got ready for the ball to be held that evening, and Miss Graham fixed Lucy's hair so as to make her more presentable.
A few hours before the ball, I was approached by Mrs. Wise and her daughter, Mrs. Wise held something in her gloved hand.
"Doctor? Doctor!" she called out to get my attention as she approached.
She handed me a small packet. It was two letters tied together in a little bundle, "These arrived for you on Monday."
I thanked her and she went on her way. I immediately recognized the handwriting... one letter was addressed to me, another to a young woman of my acquaintance employed by the estate of Mr. John Overton in Tennessee. I tucked her letter into my waistcoat pocket so as to deliver it to her at the Ball that night.
I believe that perhaps Mr. Merritt had caught wind of my duel with Mr. Hazuga at Corydon over a matter of money owed me for service rendered. This may have motivated him to write the letter for fear he might get the same treatment.
That night at the Ball, everyone was out in their finest. The music from the stage was excellent, and the refreshments were good and beautifully arranged. In my mourning state, it is hardly appropriate for me to attend dances or balls, but I was there in my capacity as Lucy's father, and only danced a few times, and ONLY with my Lucy (as she was in want of a partner on a few occasions).
I occupied myself in the drinking of punch and gossip with Mrs, Staggs and her two young charges, Miss Holmes and Shipsey, whom Lucy had befriended.
When the night was over, Lucy had an invitation to spend the night with Mrs. Staggs and her charges, leaving me to return alone to Locust Grove, where I found several of the gentlemen drinking in the kitchen, including Mr. Cushing.
We talked until well after midnight, then decided that, due to the heat, we would sleep on the back porch of the house.
I gathered my blankets and pillow and made a spot that would be comfortable. I slept well there in my little make shift bed, not rising until the sun had begun to do so the next morning.
A few hours before the ball, I was approached by Mrs. Wise and her daughter, Mrs. Wise held something in her gloved hand.
"Doctor? Doctor!" she called out to get my attention as she approached.
She handed me a small packet. It was two letters tied together in a little bundle, "These arrived for you on Monday."
I thanked her and she went on her way. I immediately recognized the handwriting... one letter was addressed to me, another to a young woman of my acquaintance employed by the estate of Mr. John Overton in Tennessee. I tucked her letter into my waistcoat pocket so as to deliver it to her at the Ball that night.
My letter from Mr. S. Merritt (click to enlarge)
I believe that perhaps Mr. Merritt had caught wind of my duel with Mr. Hazuga at Corydon over a matter of money owed me for service rendered. This may have motivated him to write the letter for fear he might get the same treatment.
Lucy listening from instructions from the dancemaster.
That night at the Ball, everyone was out in their finest. The music from the stage was excellent, and the refreshments were good and beautifully arranged. In my mourning state, it is hardly appropriate for me to attend dances or balls, but I was there in my capacity as Lucy's father, and only danced a few times, and ONLY with my Lucy (as she was in want of a partner on a few occasions).
Lucy in the line next to the rakish Mssr. LaFaux.
Misses Holmes and Shipsey attended by Mrs. Staggs.
You may spot Lucy and myself on the far right at about 2:30.
I occupied myself in the drinking of punch and gossip with Mrs, Staggs and her two young charges, Miss Holmes and Shipsey, whom Lucy had befriended.
When the night was over, Lucy had an invitation to spend the night with Mrs. Staggs and her charges, leaving me to return alone to Locust Grove, where I found several of the gentlemen drinking in the kitchen, including Mr. Cushing.
We talked until well after midnight, then decided that, due to the heat, we would sleep on the back porch of the house.
I gathered my blankets and pillow and made a spot that would be comfortable. I slept well there in my little make shift bed, not rising until the sun had begun to do so the next morning.
...to be continued.
Jane Austen Festival Part 2
The duel at half past two drew a great crowd of onlookers to the Village Green.
Several shots were exchanged, until finally, Mr. Minnis was struck and downed. I attended him, as was my duty. Mr. Minnis shortly thereafter, succumbed to the fatal wound.
By three o'clock I was back in the office to give more talks about the medical profession, but as the hour wore on, I could hear the gentlemen beginning to assemble next door in the Hellfire Club. As I was engaged until four that afternoon, I took several opportunities to poke my head in the window and remind the fellows not to drink up all the beer and rum before I could arrive to sample it.
When four o'clock finally arrived, I locked up the door to the office and went around to the entrance of the Hellfire Club to find it well underway. The gents were assembled around a large table, drinking, smoking and playing cards. There was a good deal of mirth and camaraderie to be had that afternoon.
I cleaned up and got ready for the ball to be held that evening, and Miss Graham fixed Lucy's hair so as to make her more presentable.
I bid the growing throng to not come too close for fear of being struck by a glancing shot.
Mr. Cushing, Mr. Minnis' second, loads the pistol.
Several shots were exchanged, until finally, Mr. Minnis was struck and downed. I attended him, as was my duty. Mr. Minnis shortly thereafter, succumbed to the fatal wound.
Mr. Minnis' final moments.
By three o'clock I was back in the office to give more talks about the medical profession, but as the hour wore on, I could hear the gentlemen beginning to assemble next door in the Hellfire Club. As I was engaged until four that afternoon, I took several opportunities to poke my head in the window and remind the fellows not to drink up all the beer and rum before I could arrive to sample it.
My view through the back window.
When four o'clock finally arrived, I locked up the door to the office and went around to the entrance of the Hellfire Club to find it well underway. The gents were assembled around a large table, drinking, smoking and playing cards. There was a good deal of mirth and camaraderie to be had that afternoon.
The view from inside the Hellfire Club, mine is the empty chair and the unattended hand.
I cleaned up and got ready for the ball to be held that evening, and Miss Graham fixed Lucy's hair so as to make her more presentable.
...to be continued.
Jane Austen Festival
Lucy and I were installed in the middle of the long stone out building, a large fine room that suited our purpose well. Mockingbirds had built a nest in the chimney of the office some time back and when we unlocked the door for the first time, two of the babies had jumped the nest and landed in the brick floor. They were quite upset about the whole thing.
They were covered in feathers and I think they were ready to leave the nest, which was how they came to find themselves on the brick floor. But they were all locked up in the room and couldn't get out. Lucy and I caught them and put them outside under an obliging tree.
I took my fencing practice in the morning at 10:30 with mr. Cushing. He is a younger fellow and quite vigourous. As I have not fenced since my days in the Royal Navy, I found it quite a task to fend off his attacks and advances. We stopped our exercise and took great cups of water several times due to the heat.
Afterward, I unlocked the office and gave several demonstrations to the assembled visitors to the Croghan estate.
At noon, Lucy and I took tea with a lovely pair of sisters, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Johnson.
At one of the clock in the afternoon I went to the garden and took my place in the queue for the style show for the benefit of the Croghan's guests.
Later, I was out with my cages and found a fantastic beetle on the back of a woman's dress, it was large and wounded. It was a winged thing, gold and green, but its wings browned and damaged.
It was a Phyllophaga, a genus of beetles in the subfamily Melolonthinae of the family Scarabaeidae... Cotinis nitida, locally known as a 'June Bug'. The front lawn was swarming with them. They circled low to the ground.
I took him in my hand and continued my walk.
As I stood showing him off in a group of ladies and gents, my hand extended, five more examples of the very same beetle flew right into my waiting hand as if to come and rescue their friend!
Lucy, at 2 in the afternoon on Saturday, went to her dance lesson with Captain and Mrs. May, which was just as well, as I had been asked to be the attending physician at a pistol duel on the Village Green at half past two the very same afternoon.
Two fellows had been gambling at Wist in the kitchen that morning, and there were words exchanged over a matter of cheating.
...to be continued
LOCUST GROVE
Got in at sunset on friday.
Visited with Sgt Cushing and his lady-friend. The Sergeant discussed with me the idea of my joining his newly forming military unit in which I would act as the surgeon. He informed me that it would involve a change of wardrobe and I would be an OFFICER! Can you imagine it fair reader? The Doctor as an officer? Fantastic! It would be a most interesting and welcome change for certain. I already have my stylish black suit of new clothes all picked out.
Stopped by the tavern called "His Lordship's Beef", where I had taken a majority of my meals at the trade fair past and encountered a large group gathered around the cook fire. Among them was the Widow C. Black of Black's Coffeehouse. I was pleased to finally be able to make a face-to-face meeting with her.
The Widow Black and the Doctor outside mr. Boone's tent.
Image by Kathy Cummings. See additional images from the fair at Graphic Enterprises.
Afterward, I went next door to the large tent of mr. D. Boone of Kentucky.
He invited me in for a drink and discussion. I took a chair as mr. Boone lit some candles, feeling quite merry, I inform'd him that if he were to light any more candles, I would feel obliged to hold his hand and give him a kiss. mr. Boone and I laughed about this and he repeated the jest to other visitors that came and went.
I spent a rather cool evening sleeping in the wagon, wool blankets wrapped around me in the manner of a caterpillar in his cocoon. My feet were cold, but my dreams were warm.
Visited with Sgt Cushing and his lady-friend. The Sergeant discussed with me the idea of my joining his newly forming military unit in which I would act as the surgeon. He informed me that it would involve a change of wardrobe and I would be an OFFICER! Can you imagine it fair reader? The Doctor as an officer? Fantastic! It would be a most interesting and welcome change for certain. I already have my stylish black suit of new clothes all picked out.
Stopped by the tavern called "His Lordship's Beef", where I had taken a majority of my meals at the trade fair past and encountered a large group gathered around the cook fire. Among them was the Widow C. Black of Black's Coffeehouse. I was pleased to finally be able to make a face-to-face meeting with her.
The Widow Black and the Doctor outside mr. Boone's tent.Image by Kathy Cummings. See additional images from the fair at Graphic Enterprises.
Afterward, I went next door to the large tent of mr. D. Boone of Kentucky.
He invited me in for a drink and discussion. I took a chair as mr. Boone lit some candles, feeling quite merry, I inform'd him that if he were to light any more candles, I would feel obliged to hold his hand and give him a kiss. mr. Boone and I laughed about this and he repeated the jest to other visitors that came and went.
I spent a rather cool evening sleeping in the wagon, wool blankets wrapped around me in the manner of a caterpillar in his cocoon. My feet were cold, but my dreams were warm.
LOCUST GROVE Jane Austen Festival
Photos courtesy of E.J. Llewellyn
Lizzie and I traveled Northward to Locust Grove (on the Ohio) for the occassion of the 2nd annual Jane Austen Festival held there this past weekend. There were talks given and things to see, it was alot of fun.I'm afraid that the Doctor was unable to attend, as I suppose he might have looked a bit like a relic from a bygone era in his colonial clothing and wig.
I can scarcely imagine the Doctor as being 'out of fashion', but compared to the stylish Mr. Cushing here, you can see quite the difference.
Some of the young ladies that took part in the afternoon Regency Style Show.
Please make note of the gaggle of young women just behind and to the right of this young lady as they examine the back of her dress.
THE DOCTOR IN DISGUISE
So Lucy and Molly and I went up to Locust Grove this last weekend and saw the event they called '18th Century THUNDER'. It basically amounted to a large encampment of troops... an event somewhat smaller than their Trade Fair in October.
It was quite an experience to goto an event like this as a tourist... I never just get to look and see what the public sees and do what the average person off the street does.
First of all, I finally got to take the tour of the house itself, which was great! It was MUCH larger on the inside than it looked from the outside... three floors. My girls were very interested too, I like to think that the knowledge and interest they showed stems from their participation in reenacting with me. They asked smart questions and made some great observations for two little girls aged 11 & 8.
Of course, I couldn't help but ask some of my 'favorite' questions of the reenactors present before I would introduce myself to them.
"Is that real fire?"
"Aren't you hot in those costumes?"
"Are you really gonna eat that?"
One reenactor was so disgusted by my questions she literally rolled her eyes at me...
In other parts of the camp I REALLY started to see the FARBY stuff (AKA: Non Period Stuff or NPS). And it wasn't the typical NPS that you see in a camp, the stuff that's covered by blankets so the public can't see it, you know, coolers, modern cots or plastic grocery bag with snack food... etc.
I walked into one tent (invited by the fellows inside of course) and took a look at a small folding table that they had set up with some items to view, everything very artfully arranged for the public like a little museum display. Right there on top of this very carefully laid out display was a plastic Ziploc bag and a stack of photographs, obviously taken at various events.
Then at another spot, I saw that one fellow was eating out of a plastic Cool Whip container... and of course I also noticed ALL the modern glasses, modern shoes and so forth.
Now, if it sounds like I'm dogging the event... forgive me, that's not my intention at all. We had alot of fun!
I mention these things because they have caused me to stop and consider my OWN interpretation with greater scrutiny, and a more critical eye.
My opinion on the whole matter is this: you spend all this money to get the outfit, gear, guns, tent etc... in many cases by the time you've spent all this money, you're out several thousand dollars... why would you negate all that effort and research and money spent by having FARB laying out for everyone to see?
I mean an accidental glimpse is one thing... but having it laying right out in the open? I'm guilty of having modern-ish or incorrect stuff laying out when the public comes by, but I'm also VERY careful to cover it up as quickly as I can if they stop to talk to me.
I will be spending some time this week in thought about what things I carry with me that detract from MY interpretation. I want people to leave an event and remember the things I said and taught them, not to be distracted by the 21st century stuff that was seen laying around my camp.
LOCUST GROVE
HE Inquiries I made to Locust Grove have produced no leads on where we might stay whilst there in the land upon ye Ohio. But I will not be deterred, warm weather and favorable locale make for excellent outdoor sleeping, along with my blankets and fresh straw. It will not be the first time I have slept in the out-of-doors.
Mel Hankla as General George Rogers Clark
Upon the 25 & 26, I have been invited, at the request of Ensign Bogges to take over the Infirmary at Fort Loudoun whilst the goode Dr. Anderson is away on the King's Business. I do not know the nature of the business, but I suspect it must be of the utmost import if it would draw him out of the safety of the fort into this savage frontier.
THE RETURN FROM RED RIVER
E HAVE just returned from the Militia Muster and Blanket Trade Day at the Red River Meeting House and are thoroughly exhausted from a long day in the out of doors. A morning with cool gusts turned into a pleasant and warm day to visit with those assembled. I purchased a small, black leather needle holder... essentially a tiny folding wallet to keep ones needles from wandering away. It was handmade by mr. Butch Hauri. I also purchased a set of six wooden trenchers for myself and the girls from the goode Surgeon Operia's wife.I also had the opportunity to meet several people in the flesh whom I had previously only corresponded with, mr. T. Ogle and mr. M. Ramsey being two of them. I even worked out a trade deal for a new brown journal bound by mr. Moore via mr. Ramsey. I look forward to cracking it open and getting to work at it. Ah, what to write first?
I fared well with my own blanket trade items. I sold an old linen shirt to young mr. Hollingsworth, (for which I believe the lad put himself into debt with mr. Ruley for) several bottles and a quantity of books from my collection. I was rather disappointed that the maps I made of the region of Tennasee and the lower parts of Kantuckee didn't sell better than they did. I prepared many, but sold only a single copy to those in attendance. Let them all get lost says I!
I shall endeavour to make the trek once again to Locust Grove in the land upon the Ohio in a fortnight, where George Rogers Clark's companies shall be encamp'd for a time. I will be curious to find if the Surgeon Miller and his family will be with them again.
The week after upon the 25 & 26, I have been invited to take over the Infirmary at Fort Loudoun whilst Dr. Anderson is away on the King's Business.
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