We spent about a week touring Delaware, but specifically several days at the Delaware State Archives in Dover, and several days at the Delaware Historical Society Museum and Library in Wilmington. These days were spent poring over books and many, many original documents from the War period. I had copies made of some very interesting documents. I am still going thru these documents and trying to organize them and what we learned. We ended up at National Archives on the last day, and found out about a website called http://www.fold3.com/. This for fee website has a large number of NARA documents scanned and available on the web, for a fee for most documents. One can subscribe for a year and have access to all documents, and the fee is reasonable.
Currently I am using the documents to trace past uniform and equipment research back to the original sources, to check validity of the work and conclusions, and also to see what might have been missed.
Some highlights:
Delaware Archives:
Found Cpt Jacquett Co 1777 accounts for uniforms and equipment, including all soldiers of that Company having tomahawks.
Large number of accounts of textiles being ordered, especially all sorts of linen for shirt, and materials for overalls (linen and wool), and breeches (linen, wool, buckskin).
Made contact with a State Archeologist who portrayed Cpt. McLane, and is very knowledgeable on Delaware uniforms and equipment.
The amount of original material from the period we were handling was amazing.
Delaware Historical Society:
The amount of original material is smaller than Archives, but still very worthwhile.
Lots more material on textiles being ordered and supplied.
The FIND - an original 4 page letter to Col. Haslet, from GEORGE WASHINGTON! This original letter was just mixed in with other original documents in an archive box. Beautiful original signature. $20,000 + document!
The other FIND - A curator in the DHS Museum across the street came over with a box. Opening the box, she displayed for us the Revolutionary War shoulder sash of Cpt. Kirkwood! Silk. Faded but clearly was once scarlet.
When we meet we will also show some of the other finds, not related to Delaware Regiment, but amazing nevertheless. Including several original dresses from Rev War era to 1812 being displayed for the first time in 30 years, and that were packed up after the weekend display , for another 30 years. Finds from an about 1805 shipwreck off the coast.
I visited Haslet's grave on the Dover Capitol grounds.
The trip was rewarding and fun, and will likely be repeated soon to pursue other leads. Everyone at Archives and DHS was extremely helpful.
We brought back a few finds from a couple of days of antiquing, including a large CW era portable desk, a CW era folding chair, and more. Next trip I think I will rent a van to drive home. The furniture and everything in antique stores was amazing, and not that pricey.
What we did not find:
Any solid descriptions of the early war uniform in detail. Nothing regarding the size of coat used, nor description of the tails. Button information was found, confirming what we know. No information on straps for cartridge boxes or bayonets. We have names of many makers, including supplier of some "belts" which is what we believe to be the cross straps. Delaware has many family histories, so later I may be able to find out if that person was a harness maker for instance. More confirmation on the men wearing hats. Virtually nothing regarding use of caps.
