Colonial Painting ~ Mixing the Paints

by Roseanna M. White

In research for the second book in my Culper Ring Series, Whispers from the Shadows, I had a heroine in 1812 who was an artist...and who had to mix her own paints. When writing it, I dreaded trying to find information on what it was like to create her own pigments back in the day, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a book from the 1700s that told me all about it!

The Handmaid to the Arts is exactly what I needed--a comprehensive book written in the 1700s that was meant to be a reference guide for artists. In it I found a ton of information on how to make paints, what they're made from, which ones are tricky at best to get to set right, which shades come from which materials.

Eureka!

The author begins by clarifying that there are 2 main components of paint--the color and the vehicle. These means that one substance is used for the pigment, but it needs to be mixed with something else to turn it from pure color into paint...and sometimes it requires yet another something to help it mix in correctly.

As for colors, there can be either pigments or fluids. Pigments must be mixed with a fluid. Fluid-colors are few and only used for watercolor. So any oil pain is going to require a pigment. The equipment required to make them is extensive--you would need three separate furnaces for subliming the three different primary colors (subliming is the process of heating a solid until it turns into a vapor that, upon cooling, becomes a solid again, bypassing the liquefaction stage--this is a means of separating substances or purifying them), coals, boilers, filters, boards for drying...

But what I found very intriguing were the ingredients used for the pigments themselves. Ingredient lists include things like ground-up beetles. Urine. And processes often involve packing things into the ground with dung.

Lovely, eh?

The directions in this book are incredibly specific, down to how thick the metal needs to be when building your furnace to the precise measurements of cross-members to what fabrics you can use to hold each different color.

It wasn't an easy task, to be sure--and the author found it a very sad occasion to note that the French were far ahead of England and her Colonies in devising methods and producing exceptional paints. Through this book, he hoped to alleviate a bit of that distance and make paint-production attainable for the British artist.

And we can be glad they did, and that we have such masterpieces to remember the period by.

~*~
Roseana M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two small children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of 9 historical novels and novellas, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to her new British series. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to make their way into her novels…to offset her real life, which is blessedly boring. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Memorial Day, A Time to Honor and Remember

        In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, the birthplace of Memorial Day.
        They did this because on May 5, 1866, the town held a service honoring veterans who had fought in the Civil War.

In a General Order in Washington DC, Maj. Gen. John A. Logan said, The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.
        We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion."
        What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.

        Other towns, including Macon and Columbus, GA, Richmond, VA, Boalsburg PA, and Carbondale, IL, claimed to have had earlier ceremonies, but their events were considered informal and not community wide.

        For example, on April 25, 1866, a group of women in Columbus, MS, decorated the graves of Confederate soldiers killed at the Battle of Shiloh. When they saw that nearby graves of Union soldiers had fallen into neglect, the women put flowers on their graves as well.
        Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, ceremonies were held on May 30 throughout the US, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations on how to properly observe the day at their facilities.
        At the end of World War I, the observance was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May.
        The passing of “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” by Congress in December 2000 encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
        Let us pause today to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

 

 

Susan F. Craft is the author of a Revolutionary War suspense, The Chamomile, and its sequel, Laurel. A third book in the trilogy, Cassia, will be released September 2015.
 

Halter vs Bridle

Nothing throws me - as a horsewoman - out of a story faster than the author misusing the horse tack terms of halter and bridle. And it happens. All. The. Time. It happened again just last week. The hero took the horse by the halter, grabbed the reins, and swung aboard. Um. No.

Halters: Used for leading or tethering a horse.

Jason is wearing a standard halter. These are made of leather or nylon and buckle behind the horse's ear. There are several brass or steel rings to attach a lead rope or tether.

Cash is wearing a rope halter. It does the same job, but lacks any hardware. The halter is tied behind the ear and the lead rope is tied to the halter. The biggest advantage of a rope halter is that it's fully adjustable to any size horse.

Bridles: Used to control the horse while riding.

Cash is wearing a standard western bridle. The bridle consists of the headstall, which buckles behind the ears and includes a browband that lays in front of the ears. (Most western bridles do not have a noseband - but English bridles do.) The bridle also has a bit that goes into the horse's mouth with two reins attached. Cash opened his mouth so you can see it here. The combination of bit and reins allows the rider to control the horse. The horse responds to the cues, such as when the rider lifts the reins, moves the reins, or draws back on them. He feels these movements on the bars of his mouth, the area with no teeth between his incisors and molars.

In the photo above, Cash is wearing the same bridle over a tie-down. The tie-down consists of a wide leather noseband with a strap that buckles behind the ears. The noseband is connected by another leather strap to the cinch of the saddle. Horses wear this type of equipment when roping and working cattle.

In this photo, Cash is wearing a hackamore on the headstall in place of a bit. It's commonly called a hack. The reins attach to the hack and it services the same purpose as the bit, but applying pressure on the bridge and sides of his nose, instead of in his mouth.

I ride my old Trooper in a hack. 

Pegg Thomas - Writing historical fiction with a touch of humor.

History of the Saratoga Monument

by Elaine Marie Cooper

For years in the early 1800’s, the grassy bluff overlooking the Hudson River in Schuylerville, New York, looked like an ordinary field. But the residents of the area knew differently. On October 17, 1777, it was the site where British General John Burgoyne surrendered to the American Army after the Battle of Saratoga—and the course of history changed as the Revolution began its victorious turn toward the birth of a new nation.

While other historic locales often had granite rocks of remembrance, the site of the surrender in Saratoga was left unmarked. Several citizens of New York State bemoaned the lack of a monument and determined to erect one.

On October 17, 1856 (the 79^th anniversary of the surrender), a group of patriotic gentleman met in the town of Schuylerville to discuss a plan. After a small celebration including a banquet, the group organized a Saratoga Monument Association, with the intent to erect “a fitting memorial on the site of Burgoyne’s surrender.”

The outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 cast a gloom over the country and suspended all planning for a Saratoga Monument. It wasn’t until 1872 that the association was able to reconvene. In the meantime, several of the association’s original trustees had died—but the dream of creating a monument had not.

New members joined the cause and petitions were sent to the legislatures of the original thirteen colonies asking for their support. An architect designed a plan for the monument and a letter was sent to Congress requesting an appropriation of funds for this memorial to celebrate the upcoming centennial of the battle.

A petition to the Senate and assembly of the State of New York earnestly entreated support for “considerations of high patriotic duty…to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the great victory.” It was hoped that the laying of the corner stone might take place at that time.

Years of effort were finally accomplished on October 17, 1877, when a two-mile procession, replete with civic, masonic and military pageantry, marched to the site of the surrender where, in front of 40,000 viewers, the cornerstone for the Saratoga Monument was laid.

When the ground was broken during the memorial’s construction, the architect discovered two bullets from the 1777 battle within a foot of each other. While excavating the same area, workmen dug up two cannon balls.

Finally in 1883, the completed granite obelisk rose to its full height of 155 feet. It is an impressive sight both from a distance and up close. The four sides have arched alcoves, one for each heroic American officer who led at Saratoga in 1777. The niche facing west has a statue of sharpshooter, Colonel Daniel Morgan. The eastern alcove holds a likeness of General Phillip Schuyler and the northern niche, General Horatio Gates. Only the southern alcove is empty, representing Benedict Arnold who was a hero in Saratoga but turned traitor during the American Revolution. It is often said that if Arnold had died of the wounds he received in that battle, he would today be remembered as a hero. Instead his name is synonymous with being a turncoat.

The Saratoga Monument is now overseen by the National Park Service and is open for visitors during the summer months. For more information about visiting the monument and the Saratoga battlefield, you can visit their website here. 

Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of the award-winning historic novel, Fields of the Fatherless. Her upcoming novel, Saratoga Letters, will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in 2016. You can visit her website/blog here.

Dance of the Colonial Era

Members of Atlanta Baroque Dance in Charleston, SC. Kat is in red.

Having come lately to researching and soon-to-be-writing for the Colonial Era as part of my multi-era Restoration Chronicles (1920, 1870 and 1790), I have spent most of my previous years as a writer, historian and vintage dancer from the mid-1800s, as befitted the era of my Georgia Gold Series (www.deniseweimerbooks.webs.com). While leading a group of dancers from North Georgia, I met Kat Peng, now Kat Peng Nagar, and her group of Atlanta-area dancers, also doing mid-1800s dance. On several occasions we enjoyed recreating elegant dances of the Civil War era with them at re-enactment balls. Since those days, I’ve concentrated more on writing and less on dancing, while Kat has gone on to become an expert (who sometimes appears in film!) on various periods of dance, from Baroque to Swing, and just about everything in between! She is the directress of Atlanta Baroque Dance Company. Today I’d like to introduce you to Kat and ask her to share from her expertise on Colonial-era dance, a subject which I am sure will delight many Colonial Quills writers and readers alike!

So Kat, if you will introduce yourself …

My name is Kat Nagar and I am a historic dancer and costumer.  I am a classically trained dancer who stumbled upon historic dance when I was getting my art degree at GA State University.  I had no idea that anyone even studied the subject and I became completely hooked.  I have always been fascinated by historic dance in film and am so happy that I get to create costumes and perform those dances I admire in real life.

In a nutshell please tell us how Atlanta Baroque Dance got started and what type of dances you do.

About fourteen years ago, I attended a Baroque dance for musicians workshop and met Chris Wilson, a fellow Baroque dancer.  Since we had both studied this form of dance and there was no current performance company to join, we decided to start our own company.  Since that time, we have added about ten dancers and have performed and taught Renaissance and Baroque dance all over the metro Atlanta area.  Chris and I perform the more complicated earlier dances, and our company members perform the group pieces.

Can you explain the difference between Baroque and Colonial?

Baroque dance, in court, had its heyday during the reign of Louis the XIV.  He was an excellent dancer and required that all of his courtiers become experts as well.  Dancing well at court meant that you could move up the social ladder and dancing poorly could get you excused until your dancing skills had improved.  When the king got older, he established the first ballet school in 1661.  Notation from that time period tells us how these dances were performed.  By the middle of the 18th century, most of the complicated Baroque dances were out of fashion.  Colonials would still dance a Bourr'ee, Minuet or Gavottes but the country dances were the most popular.  After the Revolutionary War, people were even less interested in formal style dance.  

Can you explain the main differences of style between court dances and country dances and give several examples of the most popular types of each.

Whereas court dancing followed strict rules, country dancing was much more relaxed.  Servants danced country dances that were easy so that when they had a opportunity to go to a dance, they could just jump right in.  This kind of dancing looked like great fun to the nobles but they didn't want to dance the same dances as their servants.  They had their dancing masters create complicated dances that would show off their dancing abilities and would require practice before being danced.  Examples of these types of dances would be Portsmouth, Juice of Barley and Sun Assemble.  

What is your favorite dance and why?

My favorite dance is a court dance called La Forlana, 1700.  I like it because it's sprightly like a jig with lots of turns and tomb'es.  Tomb'e literally means to fall.  I love the way I feel and look when I'm dancing that step.  The dance is the perfect marriage of graceful movements and quick steps.  

What is the most unexpected/unique dance of the period in your opinion and why?

A lot of Baroque ballets have mythology themes.  I think one of the most unique ballets would have to be The Ballet of the Night, where Louis the XIV portrays himself as Apollo, the sun god.  

Please share a brief description of the expected etiquette and mannerisms of a Colonial-era ball.

A typical colonial ball would begin with the Minuet, usually danced by the host or honored guest of the evening.  After the couple dances, the country dances would begin.  Couples would line up in a row down the length of the ballroom, with the head couple nearest the musicians.  The first two couples of rank would begin the dance.  As the first couple progresses down the row, each couple would join the dance as they pass.

What would the typical musical instrumentation be for a period ball? Would this differ court ball to country ball?

The typical instruments played for a court ball, during the Baroque time period, would consist of violin, cello and a harpsichord or piano depending on the year.  A country ball would usually have a violin or fiddle to accompany the dancers, more musicians if the budget allowed.

Please share a few comments on costuming for balls.

A lady’s dress for a ball was dictated by her clothing allowance.  If she wasn't able to afford a whole new gown, she could possibly afford material for a petticoat and stomacher.  My personal pet peeve is seeing ladies wear straw hats to balls.     

Thank you so much, Kat! What a pleasure to interview you on this subject. We appreciate the knowledge, elegance and beauty you and historical dancers reconstruct and preserve! Please be sure to visit the sites listed below for Kat’s company. And if you have a question on historical dance 1600-1800 perhaps the dance directress can pop back by with the answer. J Many thanks from Denise Weimer.

www.atlantabaroquedance.com
www.atlantahistoricdance.com

May Tea Party -- The Most Eligible Bachelor collection and The Lumberjacks' Ball

Martha Custis's house in Colonial Williamsburg

WELCOME to our May Tea Party!!!

We're gathering in the parlor of Martha Dandridge Custis's lovely home at Colonial Williamsburg. I'd never have noticed that this was her residence had not my friend, Mistress Cynthia Howerter, pointed it out on our recent visit. This fine home is located directly across the street from the historic 

Bruton Parish Episcopal Church. This house is NOT on the CW tours. But we are going to virtually hold our party here and the cook house out back has already been preparing a lovely tea for us!  While you are visiting you may want to take a Tour of Colonial Williamsburg!

Colonial Williamsburg postcards atop a CW paper bag.

One of our guests will take home this goody bag with Colonial Williamsburg postcards just for leaving a comment on the blog today.

***

THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR

Romance Collection

9-in-1 Anthology

ISBN 978-1-63058-876-2
Barbour Publishing May 2015

A hero often has larger-than-life qualities and is the one for whom all the women set their cap. But some are unassuming and overlooked. Meet nine men from bygone days who have all the qualities of a true hero and who all the single ladies wish to court—though some are unassuming and overlooked until their worth is revealed. The socialite, the architect, the doctor, the masked vigilante, the missionary, the postmaster, archaeologist, the wealthy widower, and the heir can have their pick of brides, but which one will they choose?

Three CQ authors are in the same collection! Shannon McNear, Gina Welborn, and Gabrielle Meyer.

The Highwayman, by Shannon McNear

The collection's only colonial, The Highwayman, is set during the summer of 1774, on the eve of the American Revolution. Samuel Wheeler is an ordinary colonial wagonmaster by day, a masked vigilante by night. It started as a lark, but has gotten out of hand. He hardly sleeps, his secret identity has taken over his life, and the girl he loves barely notices him while his alter ego sets her aflutter.


Sally Brewster works hard at her parents’ inn, nestled in the lower Shenandoah Valley, along the Great Wagon Road that runs from Philadelphia down through the Carolinas. She pays little mind to the gossip about the mysterious highwayman who lately makes life difficult for the redcoats—until the night when the heroic figure saves her from brigands.

The Highwayman is the second colonial novella by Shannon McNear. Her first, Defending Truth, a 2014 RITA nominee, was part of A Pioneer Christmas Collection, first released September 2013. (The collection is up for a second edition in September 2015.)

***

Four Brides and a Bachelor, by Gabrielle Meyer

In 1852, missionary Luke Longley travels a hundred and fifty miles down the Mississippi River to convince a stranger to marry him. When he arrives, there isn't one single female missionary, there are four, and all are eager to become his bride. He only has one week to choose, but can he pick the right one before time runs out?

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four young children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events. Gabrielle can be found at www.gabriellemeyer.com where she writes about her passion for history, Minnesota, and her faith.

Four Brides and a Bachelor is the first of two novellas Gabrielle will release with Barbour in 2015. The second, A Groom for Josette, releases July 1st.

***

Baker's Dozen, by Gina Welborn

Twelve socialites vie to win the heart of a widowed shipping baron
who has his own fascination with the childhood friend-tuned-cook
who has aspirations of her own.

1910 / Autumn / Fort Worth, TX

Grieving widower Duke Baker needs to remarry. Thus his father invites twelve socialites from all over Texas to a weeklong house party in Fort Worth’s exclusive Quality Hill neighborhood. Duke doubts he’ll find a woman comparable to the wife he buried two years earlier, but his five-year-old daughter, Tabitha, needs a mother. Only Tabitha is more interested in hiding out in the kitchen with the cook than with helping Duke “connect” with any of the socialites. After four years of studying at Miss Farmer’s School of Cookery, Irie LaCroix is back home and wants to open her own cooking school. What she needs is financing. So when Duke’s father offers her a chance to prove her cooking and teaching skills to a dozen socialites, she jumps on the chance. She never anticipated a child re-awaking a past she’s tried to forget. Will Duke and Irie allow God to heal their brokenness and restore their hearts to love. (Click here to go to Gina's Pinterest page for Baker's Dozen.)

Gina Welborn is the author of eight inspirational romances, including an Amazon and an ECPA bestseller. After a decade in Virginia, she now lives in Oklahoma with her pastor husband, their five Okie-Hokie children, and a slew of pets.

Click here to purchase THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR ROMANCE COLLECTION on Amazon. Slide sy Christian Book Distributors and Barnes and Noble and the following:

Bookshout!

http://bit.ly/1QCxi1E

Gospel Bookstore

http://bit.ly/1oLTUmz

IndieBound

http://bit.ly/1KXZrwL

Parable

http://bit.ly/1J6tK5x

Vyrso

http://bit.ly/1PCKHEs

***

Do a little time traveling with me to 1891 to the woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!

The Lumberjacks' Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Lumberjacks' Ball, by Carrie Fancett Pagels.  Available in ebook and paperback on Amazon (click here). This is book two in The Christy Lumber Camp series.

The Lumberjacks' Ball Blurb

A decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter begins her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave the lumber camp and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the proprietress must learn to face her past and open her heart. When complications arise, will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjacks’ Ball?

Book One, The Fruitcake Challenge was a Family Fiction finalist for Book of the Year and is a Selah Award finalist! The winner of the Selah will be announced next week at Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina! Very thrilling! Originally part of The Christmas Traditions series, The Fruitcake Challenge has a new cover.             


My three ebook novellas are all on sale for only 99 cents right now through Friday May 15th! So grab them now on Amazon!

I am giving away some wonderful hand-made soaps from The Feathered Nest (a company co-owned by my son's homeschool co-op drama teacher!) They'll be tucked inside a mini bag from Colonial Williamsburg (on the left).  Get your sweetheart to use the Bay Rum soap (mmm! Smells so good) and you try to sweet Spring Rain scent. All natural ingredients, e.g., olive oil.

Don't forget to come by the Facebook Page Party from 2-4:30.

Come in character here to the blog party if you wish! (We encourage it!!!)  And share your gowns on the Facebook page if you like!

Giveaways: 
See above PLUS:

Two paperback copies of The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection (USA only). (CFP: I have read these novellas and LOVED Gina's, Shannon's, and Gabrielle's stories!!!)

Winner's choice of Carrie's Lumber Camp series books, choice of format (international ebook only).

Please leave a comment below. For Carrie's giveaways please answer this question: Have you ever been to Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula? If so, what did you think? 

Come be seated for the Tea Party or walk around the nearby gardens and come back for your tea time! All manners of teas and lemonade served throughout the day and hearty food for our travelers--many of whom have had coach rides from far away. Martha's china is simply fabulous and should hold up well for our Southern biscuits and ham, Sally Lund with fresh butter and jam, pudding or custard, salat with fresh greens and more! And we have a small quartet playing music in the courtyard out back. Enjoy and mingle!