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trail food 1775

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The main local item of vegetation for fighting scurvy in New England was cranberries. They were loaded onto ships in barrels. I don't know if they were used much by land lubbers for that purpose. Land lubbers had such things as spruce tea to ward off the winter's lack of vitamin rich foods.
 
Spence,

The Cresswell journal is an enlightening read in many ways. I'd don't think to pay as much attention to the food. I found it interesting how no one in Pittsburgh would extend him credit when he got back, owing to his ragged appearance. I believe in that trip he mentioned stopping to mend clothes at least a few times, and when he returned to Pitt, sewing a piece of linen from the "lap" of his shirt to his breeches so he could be decent. He must have been a sight! He didn't particularly enjoy the food at first until it got scarce, and that certainly changed his opinion about some of the available fare. The old Dutchwoman's cornmeal comes to mind.

Fred, Cresswell schemed all this up himself, actually, it seems. went out with the hopes of scouting out some land in Illinois and trading some trinkets to Indians. He was fresh off the boat from England and out to get rich. He ended up destitute and in a bad way. It didn't help his mental health any that he was a staunch Loyalist in the states right when the war was kicking off. He spent a lot of time very sick, too.

It's a very good read.
 
Where can I find copy's of these journals. Some of my ancestors were from Pennsylvania and lived in Kentucky in the mid-1700's.
Thanks,
Jason
 
They are available online, here are a couple of spots.

Cresswell:

https://www.loc.gov/item/24030436/

James Nourse, Sr.:

http://noursefamily.info/journals/FCHQ-Volume47-Number3-1973.pdf

Spence
 
Sorry, I gave you wrong info. The link above is to the journal of James Nourse, junior. He was the son of james, Senior. Senior went to kentucky in 1775, Junior went in 1779 to finish land business started by his father earlier. Junior's journal is interesting, but we are looking for that of Senior. I think this link has both.
http://www.noursefamily.net/

Spence
 
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