THE

New Jersey Ranging Company

1757-1763

Uniform & Equipment

Picture © Osprey Books Ltd.

 

This Guide outlines the basic clothing worn by soldiers and associated members of the unit. It is based on clothing worn by the common civilian man and woman of the middle of the 18th Century, and of documented soldier’s equipment. It is meant to give the unit a good, historically accurate impression. Items underlined are known issued to the unit in 1757. The Uniform is taken from:

1.       Votes & Proceedings of the General Assembly of the Province of New Jersey, 1757, page 16.

2.        New Jersey Archives, Third Series, Book 3, Laws of the Colony of New Jersey 1746-1760, page 522-525.

3.       A deserters report published in New York Gazette or The Weekly Post Boy, 2 Jan 1758, page 1.

 

 

Sources:

 

Sketch Book ’56 series                       

Textiles in America

Sketch Book ’76 series                              

The Book of Buckskining series                

Patterns of Fashion

Tidings from the 18th Century                  

18th Century Clothing at Williamsburg

Collector’s Illustrated Encl. Of the Rev.   

War for Empire in Western Pennsylvania

Swords & Blades of the Rev.

A Visual History of Costume: The 18th Century

Military Uniforms in America: The Era of the American Revolution 

Osprey: Wolfe’s Army, King George’s Army, American Woodland Indians

Muzzleloader Magazine

Journal of the Forces of Montcalm & Wolfe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men’s Clothing

 

Uniform

           

Headgear:                                             Leather Jockey Cap, Workman’s cap,

                                                            Short Brimmed Round hat.

 

Neckwear:                                             Black neck roller, silk/cotton/linen/wool  

                                                            scarves.

 

Shirt:                                                    3/8’’ blue or green check, or                                                                                                          civilian white/natural linen/cotton.

 

Breeches:                                               Buckskin /cotton/wool/linen                                                                                                        French or English fly style.

 

Weskit:                                                 Green, crotch length sleeved weskit,                                                                                             with 5/8’’ plain flat pewter                                                                                                          buttons.                                                                                                           

Regimental:                                          Gray faced gray military coat, without sleeves                                                                             mid-thigh in length with 7/8-1 inch                                                                                              plain flat pewter buttons.

 

Stockings:                                             Cotton/wool at user’s preference.

 

Leggings:                                              Mid-thigh length blue wool Indian stockings,

leather/wool side seam style

brown/black/gray painted canvas military gaiters.

 

Garters:                                                Leather/cloth/tape to hold up stockings and                                                                                        leggings.

 

Footwear:                                             Black colonial shoes with buckles or ties,                                                                                     or Eastern Woodland style moccasins.

 

Fatigue Shirt:                                        Workman’s or hunting shirt (Dirty Shirt)

                                                            left natural or dyed with walnut dye.

 

Equipment

 

Waist Belt:                                           British infantry waist belt/bayonet frog,                                                                                      or a similar style.

 

Haversack:                                            Linen/cotton canvas standard 3 button                                                                                         style or knapsack/pack style at user’s                                                                                           preference.

 

Canteen:                                               Kidney or “D” shaped British style in                                                                                           tin, copper, or stainless covered with                                                                                            wool.

 

Bedroll:                                                 Wool blanket with oilskin cover                                                                                                  (no white canvas covers).

 

Tentage:                                               Wedge tents, with the British infantry                                                                                         wedge(7’x6’x7’w/bell) as standard tent.                                                                                          No wedge tents larger than the                                                                                                       French 1750(8’x8’6”x7’w/bell).

 

Arms & Accouterments

 

Firelocks:                                              1st Model Brown Bess                                                                                                                 (2nd Model is acceptable)

                                                            British/French/Dutch smoothbore trade                                                                                       and military muskets of the period.

                                                            1740’s-60’s period rifles are acceptable.

 

Bayonet:                                               Suitable to fit musket.

 

Cartridge Box:                                       16/18 round belly box, 24/32 round                                                                                                shoulder box.

                                                            Suitable civilian shooting bag and powder horn.

 

Edged Weapons:                                    A suitable hatchet.

                                                            Any suitable folding or sheath knives of                                                                                      the period, especially scalping knives.

 

 

 

Accessories

 

            The following is a list of documented accessories that a common soldier might have on his person or in his pack:

 

                        Folding knife

                        Fork

                        Spoon

                        Tin/ceramic/horn cup

                        Tin/wood/pewter/ceramic plate or bowl

                        Sewing kit

                        Salt/spice horn

                        Tompion to fit musket

                        Calf’s knee to fit musket

                        Wallet/coin purse

                        Journal

                        Lead pencil

                        Reading material of the period

                        Playing cards

                        Compass

                        Pocket watch

                        Pipe & tobacco 

                        Soap

                        Razor

                        Fishing kit

                        Musket cleaning kit (Sergeants usually carried these)

                        Rain-proof Surtout (oilskin shirt)

 

            Some items that may or may not be documented, that are presently accepted as correct period equipment:

 

                        Bean/corn boiler

                        Small pot

                        Folding skillet

                        Squirrel fork

                        Priming horn

 

 

 

 

 

Native American

Items

 

            It may have been common for soldiers who had contact with Indians to adopt some of their accessories such as bags, straps, etc. and also some of their decorative items as well, especially those who had taken Indian wives. On the whole though, most Anglo-Americans had little regard for Indians so a good rule of thumb on the wear of Indian items would be “less is best”.

 

Men’s Civilian Clothing

 

          From time to time we are asked to represent early non-uniformed Rangers and civilian militia, requiring the use of common civilian clothes of the period. Most of us prior to joining the unit were dressing as civilians of the middle of the 18th Century, but for those persons new to this time period, common men’s clothing would consist of:

 

                                    A hat. Cocked/round/workman’s/etc.

                                    A neckcloth.

                                    A white or checked shirt.

                                    A plain or patterned weskit (crotch to mid-thigh length).

                                    Breeches (buckskin was very common for farmers).

                                    A plain or patterned coat (mid-thigh to knee length).

                                    A hunting or workman’s shirt (Dirty shirt).

                                    Stockings and leggings.

                                    Shoes and Moccasins.

 

Accessories and equipment would be the same as the soldiers.

                                   

                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s Clothing and Accessories

 

 

Clothing

 

Undergarments:      

                                               

Foundation garment:                                          A white/natural linen/cotton shift or                                                                                           chemise.

 

Stays & Jumps:                                                  Stays were worn by just about all                                                                                               women during this period.                                                                                                          Fully/partially boned cloth and leather                                                                                        are common styles. Stays can be                                                                                          plain, striped or floral.

 

                                                                        Jumps are what is commonly known as                                                                                        a bodice. These were considered an                                                                                             undergarment and should be covered by                                                                                       a Jacket or Gown.

 

Outergarments:

                                                                                                           

Petticoat:                                                          The skirt. Any number of these could be                                                                                      worn depending on the weather or                                                                                               fashion. Usually ankle-length, in                                                                                                 linen/cotton/wool, solid colors, floral                                                                                              (no calico), striped and checked are                                                                                              common.

                                                           

 

Jacket or Gown:                                                These could range from plain working                                                                                         garments to very fancy evening gowns.

Many styles were available to include:

                                                                        Short gown

                                                                        Bed gown

                                                                        Bed jacket

                                                                        Jacket

 

Jacket or Gown

Continued:

                                                                        Sack-back gown (robe a’ la Francaise)

                                                                        Nightgown (robe a’ l Anglaise)

                                                                        Fabrics could range from                                                                                                            linen/cotton/wool/silk, solid colors,                                                                                              stripes, brocades, embroidered,                                                                                                    floral (no calico).

 

Headgear:                                                         A cap, usually white linen/cotton, which                                                                                      was worn at all times while in public.     

                                                                        Mob, Lappet, Coif, etc. styles, depending                                                                                     on nationality or fashion. Also a kerchief                                                                                    worn over the head.

                                                                       

                                                                        Low crowned felt or straw hats.

 

Neckwear:                                                         A kerchief worn about the neck.

Linen/cotton/silk/wool to accent the outfit. It was used for modesty, and to protect neck from sun and cold.

 

Apron:                                                              These could also range from plain to                                                                                           fancy depending on the outfit.                                                                                                    Linen/cotton in solid colors, checks,                                                                                             floral.

 

Stockings:                                                         Cotton/wool at user’s preference. These                                                                                       could be solid colors, striped, and                                                                                                clocked.

 

Garters:                                                            Leather, cloth, or tape to hold up                                                                                                stockings.

 

Footwear:                                                         Colonial shoes with buckles or ties,                                                                                              Eastern Woodland style moccasins,                                                                                             sabots (wooden shoes), mules, barefoot.

 

 

 

 

Accessories

 

            The following is a list of documented items that a woman might carry or wear on her person:

 

Pocket (worn about the waist under or over the petticoat, containing necessities)

Knife (in a sheath tied to the apron strings)

Wallet/coin purse

Chatelaine with accessories (keys, sewing tools, etc.)

Pocket watch

Journal

Basket

                                                Hat pin

                                                Jewelry

 

Native American

Clothing

 

            Due to the proximity of the unit to the Mohawk Nation it is very possible that some of the soldiers could have taken Indian wives, therefore women wishing to dress in Woodland Indian style clothing are encouraged to do so.

            Native American woman’s clothing consists of the following items:

 

Upper body:                                     Shift or Chemise

Man’s shirt

Wool or deerskin cape

Jackets and gowns

 

Lower body:                                     Petticoat

                                                            Wool or deerskin skirt (usually knee to                                                                                        mid-calf in length).

 

Leggings:                                          Wool or deerskin.

 

Footwear:                                         Woodland style moccasins, colonial shoes,                                                                                   barefoot.

 

 

 

Native Woman’s Clothing

Continued:

 

Most of the woman’s clothing was highly decorated with ribbon, bead, and quill work especially the leggings, moccasins, and skirt. Trade silver was also prominently displayed on all the garments.

 

Accessories:                         Pocket

                                                            Plain and decorated pouches and bags

                                                            Sheath knife in decorated sheath

                                                            Baskets

                                                            Any available trade items.

                                                            Matchcoat