T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E C O N T E M P O R A R Y L O N G R I F L E A S S O C I A T I O N VOLUME 5, NO. 1
WINTER 2014
Bill Shipman
Julie@billshipman.com •(717) 394-8528
Bill Shipman 401 Brook Terrace Lancaster, PA 17603
T H E J O U R N A L O F T H E C O N T E M P O R A R Y L O N G R I F L E A S S O C I A T I O N
CONTENTS
Volume 5, No. 1 • Winter 2014 EDITOR John W. Hayes
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ASSOCIATE EDITORS Frank House
4. THE JOHN BRADY RIFLE, ITS MAP PATCHBOX AND RELATED ACCOUTERMENTS Walter O’connor
ART DIRECTOR John W. Hayes Summer Criswell Walter PRODUCTION MANAGER Summer Criswell Walter
16. BETHLEHEM TO CHRISTIAN’S SPRING – BORN AGAIN Bob Lienemann with Jack Brooks
COPY EDITOR John W. Hayes PHOTOGRAPHERS Ric Lambert Jan Riser
36. “ORNAMENTED WITH CURIOUS IMAGES”: EFFIGIES ON THE AMERICAN FRONTIER Joshua Shepherd
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Rachel Nolen RESEARCH DEPARTMENT Henry Bishop James Blake Dan Brawner Kyle Carroll
Front Cover: The lead article describes the history on the rifle owned by John Brady, used courtesy of Walter O'Connor who is also the author. The article shows the use of a map on the patch box; but this rifle was also accompanied by a number of other items and a great history; see page 4.
AMERICAN TRADITION is the official publication of the Contemporary Longrifle Association and is published twice a year for the membership. Annual membership dues are $50.00. To join the CLA or for more information, contact: The Contemporary Longrifle Association, P.O. Box 2247, Staunton, VA 24402. Phone: 540 886-6189. Email: cla@longrifle.ws. Website: www.longrifle.com
The realities of the frontier in John Brady's time were both harsh and beautiful. The pipe-tomahawk, made by Rich McDonald and used courtesy of CLA member, Max H. Soaper, of Henderson KY, was an item used in vicious fighting and also shows off the simple beauty of wood grain mated with finely finished iron and silver work, and is also used for smoking. The closing article by Joshua Sheppard discusses various effigies in wood, such as the Indian head war club by Matthew Fennewald, a detailed yet bold face on this tool of war and fighting had but one use, namely to bludgeon the opponent. Also, Every hunter was mindful of keeping his powder horn full and dry as well as having plenty of round balls on hand; this unique powder horn by Jeff Bottiger is shown in detail in Sheppard's article. The horn holds both powder and lead and is dressed with an acorn finial and a heart stopper at the tip.
Copyright 2014 by the not-for-profit Contemporary Longrifle Association, all rights reserved. CONTACTING THE EDITOR: For editorial inquiries, contact John W. Hayes at <jwhcrosshares@yahoo.com>, phone 218327-3546. Mail written material to: John Hayes, 38110 County Rd 469, Cohasset, MN 55721 Printed by Modern Litho Jefferson City, MO 65101 American Tradition
EDITOR’S NOTE
PHOTOGRAPH BY RIC LAMBERT
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EDITOR’S NOTE RIC
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Tomahawk by Rich McDonald
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embers of the CLA, I greet you as the new editor of our flagship publication American Tradition, The Journal of the Contemporary Longrifle Association. I have been involved in muzzleloading and living history for over 25 years. For over 16 years, my writing as focused on shooting and hunting with muzzleloaders and using the accoutrements that accompany them. Now I look forward to focusing on the art and the traditions of this craft by working with members to produce this fine publication. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the many members who welcomed me into the fold and gave me good encouragement as the new editor. August 2013 was my first trip to the Lexington show wherein I was quite pleased with the great array of skilled artisans and displays of their work. With the transition in editors, there will be some change in the types of articles but not the quality of content. This issue brings to the fore an article written by Walter O’Connor some years ago, the subject of which has been near and dear to his heart, namely the firearm possessed by John Brady Jr. along with its history and various other related artifacts. Bob Lienneman and Jack Brooks have teamed up to produce a pithy, educational piece on the assorted firearms produced by the Moravian gunsmiths at Christian’s Springs, along with numerous references to the relative worth, then and now, of those early guns. Finally, Joshua Shepard, addresses the effigies which invariably find their way into the wooden objects which are our tools and tapestry in this genre; bolstering the adage that “art imitates life.” This journal will continue to host the artisans of the CLA. The new staff, which has taken on the job of publication, will endeavor to showcase as many artisans as possible. Bill Scurlock has resigned his position and it is being filled at this time by Summer Criswell Walter, whose work is evidenced by layout in the Journal of the Early Americas magazine. I also want to thank Bill for his
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dedication to the magazine and a lot of hard work. There will be an effort toward education as well as attention to certain historical figures and events which, when fleshed out, enhance our view of the art which we admire; and thus love to interpret and recreate. This publication remains a platform to showcase the abundance of talent, skill and knowledge within our membership. We will, with that in mind therefore, continue to use Sponsor Pages, presented in the most the tactful manner through high quality photography. I hope that all who are interested in advertising will not hesitate to bring to show their best work. Last but not least, I must thank those members who, by their talented endeavors, continue to contribute their time and materials to this publication which in turn, benefits the organization. I hope you enjoy Volume 5, Issue number 1 of American Tradition. Your most humble and ob’t servant,
John W. Hayes, Editor
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The John Brady Rifle ITS MAP PATCHBOX & RELATED ACCOUTERMENTS WALTER O’CONNOR
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On the 18th of December of the same year, John, a boy of fourteen, set out from Fort Augusta at Sunbury for the battlefields of New Jersey with a group of riflemen including his father, who was then a captain in Colonel William Cooke’s 12th Regiment of the Pennsylvania line. The regiment went immediately into active service and participated in several spirited engagements.
he tread of the warrior’s moccasin is forever silent, and those who tended the Six Nation’s council fires have all been gathered to their ancestors around the fires of the Great Spirit. But in the latter half of the 18th century, when those very fires were kindled by the red man’s hatred for the early settler, no one clan was more despised by them than that daring and intrepid family of frontiersmen known as, “The Bradys.”
When Washington moved his army to the banks of the Brandywine in 1777, John Brady was by his father’s side with a rifle in his hands, and the boy greatly distinguished himself. The 12th Regiment was in the thickest of the fight and both fell wounded, the elder Brady with a shot through the mouth. The day ended with disaster, and the 12th sullenly quit the field, nearly cut to pieces. John’s older brother Samuel (1756-1795), also participated in this battle as a Lieutenant in Capt. John Doyle’s Company. He had formerly been in Capt. John Lowdon’s Company, which had left Sunbury for Boston in 1775.
John Brady, Jr., the original owner of this rifle, was born on the 18th of March, 1762, near Shippensburg in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was the fourth son of thirteen children born to the famous Captain John Brady of noble Irish descent and his wife Mary. When the war belt was passed, Capt. Brady served actively against the red foe during the French and Indian campaigns, later settling with his family along the river Susquehanna in the beautiful Muncy Valley, its name derived from that branch of the Delaware Indians known as the Monseys or Wolf Tribes. Here in 1776 a semi-fortified log residence known as Brady’s Fort was erected.
Returning home to convalesce and protect the Muncy frontiers, Capt. Brady was ambushed and killed by Indians while en route with supplies from Fort Muncy to
Map redrawn by Ric Lambert. Photo by Ric Lambert. American Tradition
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BRADY RIFLE
his own refuge on April 11th, 1779. He lies buried near Hall’s Station, a short distance from the present town of Muncy. The death of this great man, on whom so many inhabitants depended, cast a pall of gloom over the settlements in the West Branch Valley. Samuel Brady, then at Fort Pitt, learning of his father’s fate, made this fearless vow: “Aided by him who formed yonder sun and heavens, I will revenge the murder of my father; nor wile I live will I ever be at peace with the Indians of any tribe!”
Thoroughly acquainted with the wiles of Indian warfare, he commanded scouting parties and was constantly on the trail as an avenging spirit. His daring adventures on the Allegheny and in Southwestern Pennsylvania would fill a volume. John Brady Jr. was married in 1785 and went on to become sheriff of Northumberland County in 1794. During his three year term he was officially involved in the Whiskey Rebellion and a vivid account of this armed fiasco, which failed on the part of the insurrectionists, is recorded in the annals of Northumberland. He departed this life on December 10th, 1809, and now rests beside the remains of his wife and his courageous mother at Lewisburg. His rifle, one of graceful lines but notably plain and utilitarian, was evidently purchased by or given to him in 1803 and remains
Detail of the John Brady Jr. rifle. The points of the compass are 90 degrees off as the barrel should be the direction of north. Also visible is a wrist escutcheon.
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Photo of the rifle owned by John Brady Jr, courtesy of Author. The map on the previous page is a patch box, engraved with a map of the Susquehana River from the area just south of Penn’s Creek with three islands and up river to Fort Muncey. ALL PHOTOS BY RIC LAMBERT
Left side views showing the crescent moon on the cheek rest (above) and the side plate showing a scene of an Indian in a canoe, a deer, and a possible water bird. Edged with “rocker” carving.
Though void of carving and inlay except for a simple crescent moon on the cheekrest, it possesses one bit of decoration which dubs it unique and distinguishes it from ALL other Kentucky rifles known to collectors.
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Map from the patch box. The numbers are drawn in for reference only, and do not appear on the patch box, courtesy of Author. RIC LAMBERT