First Post of the Day
Ever held something in your hands that you know is REALLY old, even centuries old?
Participating in living history has allowed me to have that opportunity more than once. My two favorite items?
Parson John's 1726 Anglican Bible.
Frank Jarboe is a minister in real life and his living history persona reflects that - Parson John. He provides the early morning church services (18th century style) at many events, including Kalamazoo and the Feast.
Frank always lets me look at his Bible and honestly, I get the shivers knowing it has been in use for 299 years (300 next year.)
The other is my sister's 18th century sidesaddle. And it's sitting in my dining room right now.
The horses who wore this saddle and the women who rode in it are long gone, but still there are echoes from the past that I feel when I touch or look at it. I wonder about those who used it and where it has been. More shivers.
The fixed horn is beautifully decorated
and the leather tooling is exquisite and well preserved. Look at those tiny stars!
The sewist in me also wonders about the stitching. The first known mechanical device for sewing was invented in 1755 by Charles Frederick Weisenthal, but I don't know if that was for use on leather or not. Perhaps there was a tool that punched tiny holes together and then they hand sewed it that way?
This saddle has been examined and dated to 1785 - 1795 so it's around 230 - 240 years old.
The stirrup irons remind me of those that have been found during archeological digs at Fort Ouiatenon.
This is one that was unearthed during one of the digs on the original site.
There is more to come on the things I have for this year's Feast School Day. Stay 'tooned!
Don't forget the September Give Away! Here are two of the keychains that you can choose from.
To enter, comment on any blog entry posted between Wednesday, September 24 and Saturday, September 27, 11:59 PM Eastern. There will be several winners this month!
