Impressions

A Militia Captain was usually a gentleman of means in the 18th C,, where his financial position afforded him a wool civilian frock coat and matching waist coat, linen shirt with neck stock, linen breeches, a tricorn hat with cockade, and a good pair of buckled shoes. Take note of the red sash, which signifies his rank. He is also is carrying a wooden canteen, and sword.

The typical Militia Lieutenant, was again, was a person of good social and financial stature, being able to afford more stylish clothing. He wears a tricorn hat, linen shirt with a silk cravat, linen waistcoat and breeches, a wool civilian frock coat, and a good pair of buckled shoes. He carries a knapsack, a leather cartridge box, a wooden canteen, smoothbore musket, and bayonet. 

The Company Drummer was an important part of the Militia company. At the direction of the Captain, or commanding officer, his drum beats instructed the troop movements and commands, which could then be heard over the noise of the battle. While not a primary combatant, he did carry a sword for self defense while on the battlefield. Here, this drummer wears a tricorn hat, a wool Bounty Coat, linen shirt with a neck stock, a linen waistcoat and breeches, a good belt and shoes, and also is wearing gaiters to protect his legs while traveling through brush. The drum is worn by suspending it with a leather sling over the shoulder, with sleeves for the drumsticks. He also carries a "cat-n-nine tails" for administering punishment deemed necessary by the Captain.

Typically a protégé of the company drummer, the drummer boy accompanied the company drummer to learn the commands and appropriate drum beats to instruct the troops. He is wearing a tricorn hat, linen shirt and waistcoat, and linen breeches.

This impression is of a militia infantry soldier. Notably, he is wearing what is termed a wool "Bounty Coat" which was used as an enticement for enlistment into the militia in Bristol County, MA. during the Revolutionary War. He is wearing a tricorn hat, linen shirt and neckstock, linen waistcoat and breeches, and buckled shoes. He is carrying a Brown Bess musket, canteen, cartridge box, and haversack.

Being close to the ocean and having an ample supply of the "King's wood" used for ship masts, there were many sailors, fishermen, shipwrights, and nautical workers in the area, and would serve in the militia. This sailor wears a long, knit wool cap, blue checked linen work shirt, silk neck scarf, a short blue wool work coat, and "slops". Slops were used as modern day overalls to keep breeches from being covered in tar, which was used extensively on sailing ships during the period. He carries a cutlass, leather hunting bag and powder horn, along with a older, shorter, musket for use onboard the sailing vessels. 

At the outset of the American Revolution, no official American Navy existed. In order to fill the need for a naval force, Privateering came into existence. Ship captains carried "Letters of Marque", issued by the government. These letters allowed the Privateers to operate as legal pirates in the waters off the coast. Ships and their cargo were seized by the Privateers who were given a portion of the value of the capture. Note that this Privateer wears a tarred hat, with the word Fanny on it. The Fanny was a ship which operated off the coast of New England during that period.

A typical civilian militia impression, with one notable feature, which is the Bounty Coat issued for previous service. He wears a tricorn hat, linen shirt and stock, a linen waistcoat and breeches. Although sometimes used as a fashion accessory during the period, he also carries a cane as a result of an injury during his service. 

During the American Revolution, Pastors often accompanied the troops, as non-combatants, on the march in order to pray for the troops before battle, and to administer Last Rights to the wounded. He is wearing a civilian flop hat, a pastor's linen stock, linen coat, waistcoat, and breeches. He also keeps a Bible at the ready.

While out of our time portrayal period, we've included some of the later Continental Line uniforms as often you will see them at aggregated re-enactment events. This officer is wearing a military style, white rimmed tricorn hat with a cockade, white linen shirt with black linen neck stock, a brass gorget worn around the neck which signifies rank of an officer, a slightly longer, older French and Indian war style linen waistcoat, a red sash, linen breeches with black leggings.

Again, a late war uniform, this typical line soldier wears a military white brimmed tricorn hat with cockade, white linen shirt with black neck stock, a white linen waist coat, wool blue regimental coat with white facings, white linen trousers, and buckled shoes. Although not visible, he carries a cartridge box, and bayonet in the scabbard by his side. He is carrying a Brown Bess musket. The color of the regimental coats and facings signified which unit the soldier belonged to. Each particular state had it's own designation. During the course of the war, many units would be consolidated, so each company would have troops from different states, wearing their coats from their original units, resulting in many different color coats on the field operating as one company.

A Continental Line Light Infantry soldier's uniform was set up differently than an infantry man's uniform. A late war impression, Light Infantry soldiers often spearheaded assaults through difficult terrain and brush. In place of a cartridge box which was worn on the side, he is shown wearing a belly box which would be less likely to get caught on brush and other obstacles. He is wearing a blue checked work shirt with a black stock, a brown wool regimental coat with white facings, linen trousers with front flaps which protect his shoes. He carries a haversack, bayonet and scabbard, and a canteen, along with a brown bess musket.  

Navy blue linen Caraco 3/4  jacket..  Purple linen petticoat,  White scarf, chemise and white cap trimmed with navy blue satin ribbon.

Long two tone green ball gown.  Stomacher, ruching and petticoat all matching material. The light green dress closed with satin ribbon over the stomacher,  Sleeves are trimmed with ruching, lace and satin ribbon. Williamsburg cap and white chemise.

Long Williamsburg print dress, closed in front with pins.  Blue linen petticoat.  White cap, scarf and chemise.  Straw hat trimmed with blue ribbon.  Red dress dress shoes with black ribbons.

Long pink ball gown of brocade satin.  Dress petticoat and stomacher are all the same material.  Dress has sleeve flounces with lace trim and rouching  Closed with satin ribbon over the stomacher.  Williamsburg cap and black neck ribbon.

Long printer jacket with a stomacher.  Closes with hooks and eyes.   Peach linen petticoat.  Carries basket and fan.  White cap chemise and straw hat.

Natural colored linen bed jacket.  Held closed at waistline with a checked apron.  Green and brown petticoats. White chemise and cap. No shoes.

 Light blue short gown with a blue and white scarf.  Checked apron with light brown petticoat.  Blue socks. Regular ladies shoes with buckles. White cap, chemise with black ladies hat.

Brown linen petticoat with blue patterned wool apron.  Blue clock stocking with regular ladies shoes tied with leather laces.  Red wool long cloak with hood  closed with black ties.  Light brown woolen mittens.  White cap with straw hat.

Blue short gown with blue and white stripped petticoat.  White apron chemise and cap.  Carries a large basket with the tools of her trade.  Always a bottle of cleaner handy to get clothing clean.

Dressed in men's clothing.  Brown hat, red checked shirt with tan waistcoat.  Blue breeches, ,green socks and black shoes.  Carries a haversack.

A War Widow, the lowest class of person, during the revolutionary war. Once married to a soldier, and referred to as a camp follower, she and her husband had the luxury of staying in a tent together. Not having to share the tent with other soldiers as was the custom at that time. She also received a ration of food each day from the army. After the death of her husband and sons during the same battle, she became a widow. The tent and rations she received went to other families.