Sunday, October 24, 2021
THE STORY OF THE NEW RIVER: Blueridge PBS documentary
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
An interview with Wayne Trout, Gunsmith.
Although this post is a departure from my usual content and scope, I thought an interview with my good friend and gunsmith Wayne Trout would be of interest to the readers here. Wayne is a talented, humble and helpful man; I always enjoy visits with him at his shop. For inquiries, Wayne can be reached at: wayne.trout@gmail.com
What is your professional background and where are you from?
I was born in Norfolk VA and lived there 57 years. I graduated from VA Tech in 1973 with a BS in biology. I played VHSL sports in high school and NCAA sports in college. After graduation I finally found full time employment in April 1974 in the City Real Estate Assessor's office. I spent my entire professional career, 32 years, in the office. I was appointed to the chief position, City Assessor, in 1989 and held that position for 17 years until my retirement in 2006. In 2008 my wife of 43 years- Margo, and I moved to Giles County Virginia where we currently reside. We have a daughter and son, both of whom are married, and 8 grandchildren.
How did you get started building muzzle loaders?
I joined up with one of the North South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) teams in 1975 and competed in the N-SSA for about 35 years. I had the good fortune of shooting on several national championship teams during that time. It was the N-SSA competition that got me started building guns. A good friend and I were having to rework the internal parts on our reproduction locks at least twice a year. We noted that the guys shooting original guns never had to do lock work. So, we decided to buy original locks and build rifles around them. When I had finished my rifle the chair of the N-SSA small arms committee expressed interest in buying it from me. I told him I had no interest in selling the gun and gave him what I thought was an outrageous price and he said that if I decided to let it go to tell him! Because I enjoyed doing the rifle build I purchased parts and started another one. Before I had finished it someone had said they wanted to buy it when I was done. As a result I estimate that I built around 30 copies of civil war rifles for shooting competition. Around 2008 I bought a flint long rifle kit and built it. While that rifle will never see the light of day, the ability to utilize a degree of artistic license in building a gun really appealed to me, especially since the civil war rifles had to be exact reproductions of the original guns.. So, I thought I would do another. When I had completed the second kit I took it to a show in Harrisonburg VA. I walked into the showroom and almost immediately someone asked me if it was for sale and they bought it! I guess that pretty well sums up how I got to where I am today.
Who have you learned the most from?
Living in Norfolk I had the good fortune of being about 45 minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg. Almost once a week I would drive there and go to the gun shop and aggravate the guys in there. At the time Richard Frazier, Clay Smith and Richard "Sully"Sullivan were the journeyman smiths and George Suiter was the shop master. All four men were of great help and encouragement to me. Even now I maintain regular contact with George Suiter and have annual contact with Clay and Sully. At George's insistence I started taking classes at the NMLRA gunsmithing school at Western Kentucky University. I have had the distinct pleasure and privilege of working under masters like Jack Brooks, Art DeCamp, Jim Kibler, Mark Silver and my good friend George Suiter.. I have also had the good fortune of getting to know Jim Chambers, Mark Thomas and many other people who are at the top of the long rifle art. Lastly, I had the distinct pleasure of being able to spend extended time with my dear old friend Bob Harn. I was able to work in Bob's shop while my wife Margo and I vacated the winter climate of the Virginia mountains for Florida. I have been very fortunate to receive instruction and critique from folks I consider the best at what they do.
Trout's 2019 Contemporary Longrifle Associatioin show display via the Contemporary Makers blog
What is it about building rifles vs. fowlers or muskets that intrigues you?
As I alluded earlier, the art of long rifle building is much different than reproducing an 1861 Springfield rifle, 1855 Harpers Ferry or any other civil war shoulder arm. All I did was make an exact duplicate of the original military weapon. The artistic skills needed to complete a longrifle and the ability to apply some degree of personal interpretation far exceeds and is considerably more rewarding than making an exact copy of a military gun that is no different than any other weapon of its kind. While I greatly enjoy building and decorating long rifles I would say that there really is not any part of the build that is easier from me than others, they're all difficult! I do, however, enjoy the finishing work of carving and engraving, but it takes a long time to get there.
Who is your favorite historic gunsmith or rifle style and why?
Because I am a native Virginian, I gravitate primarily to the work of early Virginia gunsmiths. While I appreciate the arms from throughout the long rifle era, I prefer the early work, say from 1760-1790. The graceful lines of an early Virginia or Lancaster County gun with their clean, crisp lines I find very appealing.
What advice would you give an aspiring gun maker?
If I were to advise an aspiring gunmaker I would say to find someone who has original guns. The ability to handle originals provides a tremendous amount of "tactile memory" that will prove invaluable in moving forward in the art. The study of originals will help to add that third dimension that is often needed when studying flat photos in a book.
What is your most frequently used reference book/resource?
Spending time looking at and studying those "flat" photos in books like Shumway's Rifles of Colonial America Volumes 1 and 2 and Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age is of great benefit. Also, don't be afraid to take classes. Learning from those who have mastered the skills of barrel inletting, stock shaping, furniture inletting, making patch boxes and furniture, carving, engraving and any other associated skills will prove much more beneficial than the school of "hard knocks".
I was born in Norfolk VA and lived there 57 years. I graduated from VA Tech in 1973 with a BS in biology. I played VHSL sports in high school and NCAA sports in college. After graduation I finally found full time employment in April 1974 in the City Real Estate Assessor's office. I spent my entire professional career, 32 years, in the office. I was appointed to the chief position, City Assessor, in 1989 and held that position for 17 years until my retirement in 2006. In 2008 my wife of 43 years- Margo, and I moved to Giles County Virginia where we currently reside. We have a daughter and son, both of whom are married, and 8 grandchildren.
I joined up with one of the North South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) teams in 1975 and competed in the N-SSA for about 35 years. I had the good fortune of shooting on several national championship teams during that time. It was the N-SSA competition that got me started building guns. A good friend and I were having to rework the internal parts on our reproduction locks at least twice a year. We noted that the guys shooting original guns never had to do lock work. So, we decided to buy original locks and build rifles around them. When I had finished my rifle the chair of the N-SSA small arms committee expressed interest in buying it from me. I told him I had no interest in selling the gun and gave him what I thought was an outrageous price and he said that if I decided to let it go to tell him! Because I enjoyed doing the rifle build I purchased parts and started another one. Before I had finished it someone had said they wanted to buy it when I was done. As a result I estimate that I built around 30 copies of civil war rifles for shooting competition. Around 2008 I bought a flint long rifle kit and built it. While that rifle will never see the light of day, the ability to utilize a degree of artistic license in building a gun really appealed to me, especially since the civil war rifles had to be exact reproductions of the original guns.. So, I thought I would do another. When I had completed the second kit I took it to a show in Harrisonburg VA. I walked into the showroom and almost immediately someone asked me if it was for sale and they bought it! I guess that pretty well sums up how I got to where I am today.
Who have you learned the most from?
Living in Norfolk I had the good fortune of being about 45 minutes away from Colonial Williamsburg. Almost once a week I would drive there and go to the gun shop and aggravate the guys in there. At the time Richard Frazier, Clay Smith and Richard "Sully"Sullivan were the journeyman smiths and George Suiter was the shop master. All four men were of great help and encouragement to me. Even now I maintain regular contact with George Suiter and have annual contact with Clay and Sully. At George's insistence I started taking classes at the NMLRA gunsmithing school at Western Kentucky University. I have had the distinct pleasure and privilege of working under masters like Jack Brooks, Art DeCamp, Jim Kibler, Mark Silver and my good friend George Suiter.. I have also had the good fortune of getting to know Jim Chambers, Mark Thomas and many other people who are at the top of the long rifle art. Lastly, I had the distinct pleasure of being able to spend extended time with my dear old friend Bob Harn. I was able to work in Bob's shop while my wife Margo and I vacated the winter climate of the Virginia mountains for Florida. I have been very fortunate to receive instruction and critique from folks I consider the best at what they do.
What is it about building rifles vs. fowlers or muskets that intrigues you?
As I alluded earlier, the art of long rifle building is much different than reproducing an 1861 Springfield rifle, 1855 Harpers Ferry or any other civil war shoulder arm. All I did was make an exact duplicate of the original military weapon. The artistic skills needed to complete a longrifle and the ability to apply some degree of personal interpretation far exceeds and is considerably more rewarding than making an exact copy of a military gun that is no different than any other weapon of its kind. While I greatly enjoy building and decorating long rifles I would say that there really is not any part of the build that is easier from me than others, they're all difficult! I do, however, enjoy the finishing work of carving and engraving, but it takes a long time to get there.
Because I am a native Virginian, I gravitate primarily to the work of early Virginia gunsmiths. While I appreciate the arms from throughout the long rifle era, I prefer the early work, say from 1760-1790. The graceful lines of an early Virginia or Lancaster County gun with their clean, crisp lines I find very appealing.
If I were to advise an aspiring gunmaker I would say to find someone who has original guns. The ability to handle originals provides a tremendous amount of "tactile memory" that will prove invaluable in moving forward in the art. The study of originals will help to add that third dimension that is often needed when studying flat photos in a book.
What is your most frequently used reference book/resource?
Spending time looking at and studying those "flat" photos in books like Shumway's Rifles of Colonial America Volumes 1 and 2 and Kindig's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age is of great benefit. Also, don't be afraid to take classes. Learning from those who have mastered the skills of barrel inletting, stock shaping, furniture inletting, making patch boxes and furniture, carving, engraving and any other associated skills will prove much more beneficial than the school of "hard knocks".
Monday, February 1, 2021
"A List of the Negroes at the Lead Mines" The enslaved workforce of Virginia's Revolutionary War lead mine.
Our American liberty was won in part, using leaden bullets mined by men and women who were themselves denied freedom. One of the regrettable ironies of our fight for Independence from Britain is that approximately 33 enslaved men and women labored at Chiswell's lead mines in southwest Virginia (located in modern Austinville Virginia, near Wytheville) during the Revolutionary war. The mines had been a private commercial concern, but by 1776, were rented and administered by the State of Virginia due to their strategic importance. In a letter to William Byrd, who was one of the mine's partners; Edmund Pendleton wrote that "the Committee of Safety wishes to have the Assistance of your two negroe men Big Joe and Little Isaac or if you cannot spare them, two others named Lewis and Sligo" (Pendleton papers v1 p149 EP to WB 2/9/1776).
The labor of these slaves was generally voluntarily "hired" by their masters for a term of eight years; however in one case a runaway named Bristol who had been caught attempting to join "Lord Dunmore's fleet when at Gwynn's island" was sent to the mines as a prisoner. Bristol's lost wages were petitioned for by his former owner, William Mountague of Lancaster County, Virginia in 1779. Bristol again attempted to gain his freedom in 1785 and a runaway ad for him was published in the Virginia Gazette.
A conjectural sketch of the issued clothing worn by enslaved mine workers circa 1780. Illustration by Jim Mullins.
The names of the enslaved workforce were recorded in a manuscript now held in the Library of Virginia and are included below in hopes that they will be properly remembered for their contribution to our Nation as an integral part of the forging of our Republic, even while being denied freedom and the fruits of their labor themselves.
CHAP. III. [Chapter CXC in original.] An act directing the emancipation of certain slaves who have served as soldiers in this state, and for the emancipation of the slave Aberdeen.
Chan. Rev. p. 210. I. WHEREAS it hath been represented to the present general assembly, that during the course of the war, many persons in this state had caused their slaves to enlist in certain regiments or corps raised within the same, having tendered such slaves to the officers appointed to recruit forces within the state, as substitutes for free persons, whose lot or duty it was to serve in such regiments or corps, at the same time representing to such recruiting officers that the slaves so enlisted by their direction or concurrence were freemen; and it appearing further to this assembly, that on expiration of the term of enlistment of such slaves that the former owners have attempted again to force them to return to a state of servitude, contrary to the principles of justice, and to their own solemn promise. Preamble reciting that many slaves, during the war, were enlisted into the army, as substitutes, being tendered as free men. II. And whereas it appears just and reasonable that all persons enlisted as afosesaid, who have faithfully served agreeable to the terms of their enlistment, and have thereby of course contributed towards the establishment of American liberty and independence, should enjoy the blessings of freedom as a reward for their toils and labours; Be it therefore enacted, That each and every slave, who by the appointment and direction of his owner, hath enlisted in any regiment or corps raised within this state, either on continental or state establishment, and hath been received as a substitute All slaves so enlisted, by appointment of their masters, and serving their term, emancipated.
Colonel Charles Lynch, who managed the lead mine during the Revolution, became an advocate of manumission in his later years. A 1792 document signed by Lynch read:
For further information on the lead mines, I encourage you to have a look at my article "Chiswell's Lead Mines" which appears in the March/April 2021 issue of Muzzleloader magazine.
My sincere thanks to April Danner, Sarah Nucci, Michael Gillman, Spenser D. Slough and Joel Anderson for their generosity in sharing primary source information on this often overlooked topic. Additional info can be found here:
The labor of these slaves was generally voluntarily "hired" by their masters for a term of eight years; however in one case a runaway named Bristol who had been caught attempting to join "Lord Dunmore's fleet when at Gwynn's island" was sent to the mines as a prisoner. Bristol's lost wages were petitioned for by his former owner, William Mountague of Lancaster County, Virginia in 1779. Bristol again attempted to gain his freedom in 1785 and a runaway ad for him was published in the Virginia Gazette.
Virginia Gazette or American Advertiser (Hayes), Richmond, May 14, 1785.
TWENTY POUNDS REWARD WILL be given, for apprehending and delivering to me, two negro men, CAESAR and BRISTOL, alias BRISTER, or Ten Pounds for each of them.
Caesar is about 5 feet 7 inches high, of a square athletic make, and supposed to be near 30 years of age; he had on, a blue regimental coat, faced with white, and I believe, a white cloth waistcoat and breeches. He was purchased by the State, of William Robinson, Esq; of Princess Anne, the agent of John Hancock, and has for some years past been employed at the lead mine. BRISTOL, or BRISTER, is about 5 feet 9 inches high; of a spare make, and about the age of CAESAR. He was formerly the property of Mr. William Mountague of Lancaster, and has been employed for some years at the lead mine. He wore at the time he ran away, an old brown cloth coat, and an old pair of leather breeches. He carried with him, a new blue coat faced with white or red, a new white cloth waistcoat and breeches, and a new blanket.
THOMAS MERIWETHER. Richmond, May 10, 1785.
The names of the enslaved workforce were recorded in a manuscript now held in the Library of Virginia and are included below in hopes that they will be properly remembered for their contribution to our Nation as an integral part of the forging of our Republic, even while being denied freedom and the fruits of their labor themselves.
A List of the Negroes at the Lead Mines
Will
Bob
Cesar
Ned
David
Fielding
Juba
Bristol
Lewis
Roger
Jacob
Frank
Peter
Tar
Aberdeen
Tom
James
Phebe
Sue
These are able & fit for Labor when well }
Aberdeen
Glasgow
York
George
Lucy
Phillis
Sarah
Old & Super annuated
Charles
Luke [i]
Luke [ii]
James
Kitt
Aaron
George
Sam [i]
Sam [ii]
Jacob
Peter
Dick Run away
Clothing and bedding was issued to the enslaved workers from the Virginia Public Store (excerpts from Colonial Williamsburg MS)
Virginia Public Store Daybook June 1, 1778-Nov. 13, 1778 M-1016.1
Williamsburg 6th Nov. 1778
Lead Mines per Order Governor Dr
To Sundry Clothing for 33 Negroes imployed in that work del Colo. Charles Lunch Viz
To 264 Yds Tartaine
231 do Linen
33 pr Stockings
allowing [illeg] shirts [per] man...
M106.2
Nov.1 1779
Lead Mines Ord Board of Trade
Sundr furnished Negroe Dick belonging to the Mines Vizt.
1 Coat
1 pr Breeches
1 Waistcoat
1 Shirt
3 1/2 Yd Linen 1pr Stockings
1 Cap 1 pr Shoes
1 Baize Blanket
M-1016.2
Daybook Williamsburg Public Store
July 1, 1779-July 12,1780
[Nov. 3 1779]
"...Publick Lead Mines and B. of Trade
Sundr. for Clothing the Negroes at the Mines: Viz.
195 Yds 5/8 Coarse Cloth @ 25/... 243..15-
32 1/2 do. Green baize @ 10/... 16..5-
35 Pair Stockings @ 15/ 26...5-
30 hunting shirts @ 12/6 18..15..-
4 Baize blankets @ 90/ 18..
8 Small dutch do. @ 9L... 72..-...-
23 better do.
2lb Sewing thread
8 doz Pewter butts
30 ditto vest
Pr Christopher Irvine
Richmond 28th November 1780 p138
M-1169.5 Richmond
Public Lead Mines pr Ord Governor
For Sundry Clothing furnished for the use of Thirty Three Negroes belonging to the Public [illeg] works at the Mines-Vizt
10 Sailor's Jackets
45 Yds coarse Cloth for 15 uper Jackets
33 Sailors under Jackets
33 pr Breeches
261 Yds Osnabrigs for 66 Shirts & Linings
for 20 pr Breeches
7 yds Negroe Cloth
40 yds do do
Pr Harry Terrece [?]
CHAP. III. [Chapter CXC in original.] An act directing the emancipation of certain slaves who have served as soldiers in this state, and for the emancipation of the slave Aberdeen.
Chan. Rev. p. 210. I. WHEREAS it hath been represented to the present general assembly, that during the course of the war, many persons in this state had caused their slaves to enlist in certain regiments or corps raised within the same, having tendered such slaves to the officers appointed to recruit forces within the state, as substitutes for free persons, whose lot or duty it was to serve in such regiments or corps, at the same time representing to such recruiting officers that the slaves so enlisted by their direction or concurrence were freemen; and it appearing further to this assembly, that on expiration of the term of enlistment of such slaves that the former owners have attempted again to force them to return to a state of servitude, contrary to the principles of justice, and to their own solemn promise. Preamble reciting that many slaves, during the war, were enlisted into the army, as substitutes, being tendered as free men. II. And whereas it appears just and reasonable that all persons enlisted as afosesaid, who have faithfully served agreeable to the terms of their enlistment, and have thereby of course contributed towards the establishment of American liberty and independence, should enjoy the blessings of freedom as a reward for their toils and labours; Be it therefore enacted, That each and every slave, who by the appointment and direction of his owner, hath enlisted in any regiment or corps raised within this state, either on continental or state establishment, and hath been received as a substitute All slaves so enlisted, by appointment of their masters, and serving their term, emancipated.
Colonel Charles Lynch, who managed the lead mine during the Revolution, became an advocate of manumission in his later years. A 1792 document signed by Lynch read:
“All men who are by nature free and agreeable to the command of our Lord and Savior Christ believe it is our duty to do unto all men as we would have them do unto us.”
My sincere thanks to April Danner, Sarah Nucci, Michael Gillman, Spenser D. Slough and Joel Anderson for their generosity in sharing primary source information on this often overlooked topic. Additional info can be found here:
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Setting a Genteel table: William Preston's Imported Ceramics in the Virginia Backcountry
One of the most prominent figures in the history of the 18th-century Virginia backcountry was William Preston. During his lifetime, Preston wore many hats, serving as a Surveyor, a Soldier in two wars (both as a County Militia Officer as well as a Ranging company officer during the French and Indian War) and as a Politician: fulfilling several roles in Virginia's Colonial Government. Preston became one of the most wealthy men in the region, amassing large amounts of land and experimenting in numerous revenue streams including land speculation, farming, the slave trade and running a distillery. Preston lived at "Greenfield", in Botetourt county during the 1760s and around 1773 began building a new home named "Smithfield", in what would become Blacksburg in Montgomery County, Virginia near the site of Draper's Meadow.
Smithfield is an (unusual for the area) 18th century timber frame building that would look more at home in Virginia's Tidewater region than in the Virginia backcountry, and as such was a powerful demonstration of his wealth and status when compared with the more common small log structures of his neighbors.
Recent excavations at his Greenfield property uncovered portions of a mid 18th-century Earthenware "clouded" or "Tortoiseshell" glazed plate as well as other artifacts including an English trade gun buttplate. Preston's choice of ceramics for his table at Greenfield mirrored that many of his middling neighbors who utilized sturdy utilitarian pewter and stoneware tablewares; the lower sort perhaps treen.
"Tortoise Shell Cups and Saucers" Advertised alongside a variety of ready made slop clothing and common goods in the North Carolina Gazette (October, 1759, page 4)
A mid 18th century molded "clouded" plate similar to fragments excavated at Greenfield in 2016-2018 (Private collection).
The mottled and molded clouded or tortoiseshell glazed plates from Greenfield were evidently replaced by the more fashionable "Creamware" style of molded earthenware in the upwardly mobile Preston family household by 1771. Preston was a very early adopter of this style in Virginia.
A ca. 1770-80 Creamware plate (Private collection).
The earliest mention of "Queen's sets of cream coloured ware..." from the Virginia Gazette also references the universality of stone wares in the past and the novelty of the new cream wares. Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon June 30, 1768 page 2.
Oval creamware platter from Fort Chiswell. Detail figure 48 from Excavations at Fort Chiswell (Funk/Hoffman/Holup/Revwer/Smith UVA Laboratory of Archaeology 1976).
At Fort Chiswell, "Creamware was one of the more common ware types found at the site and was included in every structure...But an earlier mottled glazed cream-colored ware (refined earthenware) known as "clouded" ware was produced in 1740. We have just one sherd of this type, located in Structure #2 in a sealed eighteenth century level..." (Excavations at Fort Chiswell p61).
A 19th century copy of an 18th century drawing depicting Colonial era military Officers and Gentry carousing while an exhausted enslaved Servant stands by the wall in Charleston, South Carolina. " Mr. Peter Manigault and his friends drawn by one of them (Mr Roupell) about the year 1754 from which this copy is now made in August 1854 by his Great- Grand - Son Louis Manigault Charleston So.Ca." Gibbes Museum of Art Gift of Mr. Joseph E. Jenkins 1968.005.0001
Ann Smart Martin's Buying Into the World of Goods: Early Consumers in Backcountry Virginia mentions that: "The earliest reference to Queen's ware- also known as cream-colored ware- in Virginia dates from 1768; by the summer of 1771, a wealthy Tidewater planter had reported that Queen's ware had attained popularity among his peers. That [William] Preston also purchased "Queen's ware" on his 1771 trip [from Botetourt to Williamsburg] simultaneously illustrates his awareness of fashion and the absence of large sets in his own local market."
Although he was one of the first to procure it in the backcountry; Preston wasn't the only man in Southwest Virginia who would own creamware. McCorkle's store in what is now Pulaski County, Virginia carried "Queen's china" around the eve of the Revolution, and scattered references are found in local estates and probate inventories, such as a 1773 court case involving the debts of a deceased blacksmith in Fincastle county and the 1776 will of Welsh immigrant and Chiswell's lead mine manager William Herbert.
At Fort Chiswell, "Creamware was one of the more common ware types found at the site and was included in every structure...But an earlier mottled glazed cream-colored ware (refined earthenware) known as "clouded" ware was produced in 1740. We have just one sherd of this type, located in Structure #2 in a sealed eighteenth century level..." (Excavations at Fort Chiswell p61).
Creamware became immensely popular and despite being fairly new in the remote Virginia backcountry in 1774 English Potter Josiah Wedgewood foreshadowed that "I apprehend our customers will not much longer be content with Queen's Ware it being now render'd vulgar and common everywhere". Wedgewood's prediction would eventually prove truthful, and feather edge creamware fragments were recovered at Fort Boonesborough, among numerous other Revolutionary War era frontier sites.
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