Living in Massachusetts, essentially the cradle of the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), our colonial past is never really far behind us, for there is a special group of history enthusiasts who relish the experience of colonial life – living it and breathing it and presenting it all to us so that we can figuratively visit the past – to see it, smell it, witness it, speak to it.
On Saturday, July 8, the setting at Silvershell Beach in Marion was July 8, 1770-something as a weekend-long Revolutionary War militia encampment settled upon the grassy lawn.
Members from the Fairhaven Village Militia and the Wareham Militia Group donned their period costumes, adopted their historical personas, stoked the fires, pitched their tents and arranged their modest interiors for a show and tell of sorts, all while breaking from the burdens of modern life for a simpler existence, even if just for two days.
Characters each exhibit their trades and craft, displaying and often explaining to visitors what it was like in the olde tyme years as workers of tin, wives sewing clothes and casting candles, and soldiers operating their primitive weaponry.
The scene is indeed rustic, as are the clothing and tools, but there is a quaint charm to the antique lifestyle. Just ask Marion Board of Selectmen Chairman (and Marion Recreation Department Director) Jonathan “Jody” Dickerson, who is a common contributor to local militia encampments such as these.
Dickerson, in his red- and white-checkered long-sleeved shirt, tan waistcoat, black embellished tricorn hat, and black buckle shoes stations himself in the makeshift encampment kitchen as one of the cooks. He’s surrounded by rustic wooden spoons and bowls holding onions, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and amber glass jars of molasses and oils, as well as candles to see during the evening hours as he prepares the simple, yet hardy meals.
Showing off his shoes, Dickerson says, “Back then, they didn’t have a left foot and a right foot. Both shoes were identical.” Including a little bit of acquired colonial trivia, he adds, “George Washington used to tell his soldiers switch them around every thirty days. If they lived that long, who knows…”
Everything at the encampment is authentic. Nothing from the modern age is within sight – well, almost nothing. When it was pointed out that one bunch of greens was still held together by a blue rubber band, Dickerson quickly removed it and showed his gratitude to the one who pointed it out by flinging the rubber band at her feet. (No one was injured during the playful exchange).
Smoke and the scent of burning firewood wafted across the lawn, mixing with the salt of the sea air, and all was peaceful at the 1770-something Silvershell Beach, with the exception of a few blasts from rifles and muskets.
The militia et al. spent Friday and Saturday night sleeping at the encampment and greeted visitors from Saturday until they disbanded later Sunday morning.
Missed this event? There will be another encampment September 23 and 24 at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. At dusk on Saturday, September 23, there will be a firing of the fort’s four cannons. More information can be found at www.fairhavenvillagemilitia.blogspot.com.
By Jean Perry
