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St. Maries Citty Militiaman Ancient and Honourable Order of the Followers of Calvert’s Black and Gold in the New World

St. Maries Citty, Ancient and Chief Seat of Government of the Lord Baltimore’s proprietarie Colony of Mary-Land, 1634-1694 Number 335, October, 2014 Editor: Ernest J. Willoughby

REPORT ON THE MILITIA MUSTER OF SEPTEMBER 27

Sixteen members of our Militia, together with 27 others mustering with 6 other militias and two sutlers, made this muster one of the most successful ones in several years. The superb weather and a large crowd of more than 1200 visitors drawn in by the concurrently scheduled St. Mary’s River Fest sponsored by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association contributed to the success of the muster.

The weekend began with six of our members gathering at 4:00-5:45 p.m. Friday, September 26, to set up camp consisting of the dining fly, quartermaster tent, and fire pit. They then met at the nearby Willoughby plantation for the evening meal and socializing, joined by two later-arriving members, before retiring for the night in the 1676 State House.

The muster encampment was set up in the area behind the Margaret Brent Garden and east of the Van Sweringen coffee house, where the muster has camped for the previous two years. The military demonstration, held at 3:00 p.m., was in the field just beyond the encampment, and with 17 musketeers and five pikemen made an impressive showing.

Activities throughout the day included sessions of drilling children in handling of musket and pike, camp activities and displays for visitors, meals in camp, and the Ladies’ gathering at 2:00 p.m. for distaff members of the various units to socialize. The Ladies’ gathering was well attended and rewarding for the participants.

The communal evening meal was well attended, and held in camp rather than in the Farthing’s arbor, which was judged to be inconveniently far away from the camp. The calm, comfortable weather made for a pleasant gathering, and the various units contributed many delicious dishes prepared over the respective campfires. Our militia provided a ham, and some salads and other dishes left over from the midday meal, and the other units provided various hot side dishes, so everyone was well fed.

The other units that participated were as follows: Cavalier Association, Colonial Living History Alliance, MacLean’s Company/MacDonnell’s Regiment of Irish Foote, Kent Militia, the Twisted Knot Company of Pike and Shot, Lady Aimee’s Fine Sewing and Sutlery, and Syke George Paczolt selling clothing items. Also mustering with MacLean’s was a member of the Patowmack

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Peoples Comm, and mustering with Twisted Knot was a member of The Kingdom of Lucerne, Inc.

For the midday meal, our St. Maries Citty Militia distaff members provided tasty pork and apple pies, cabbage salad, bread and cheeses, fresh apples, and delicious cakes.

On Sunday morning, September 28, camp was packed up and stored in the State House attic by 9:30 a.m., so that those traveling a long distance got started on their journeys relatively early for a change.

Our members present were the following:

Alice Brylawski, distaff Bryce Brylawski, drummer, pikeman T. J. Maday, pikeman Cocoa Maday, distaff Ivy Maday, child Logan Maday, child Tristan Maday, child Viet Nguyen, pikeman Diane Pry, distaff Bill Stevens, musketeer Ernest Willoughby, musketeer Paul Willoughby, musketeer, lieutenant Paula Willoughby, distaff Mark Zalonis, pikeman Ruth Zalonis, distaff Carl Olson, musketeer (paid temporary membership) Many thanks to Aaron Meisinger for his usual efficient and affable work organizing and directing the muster! AN UNWELCOME CALL, BY

Here is a genre scene by another of the famous Dutch Golden Age painters, Gerard ter Borch (December 1617-December 1681). It tells a story about military life in The during the middle of the 17th century (dated to 1655). We see a young cavalry officer and his wife or sweetheart in their lodging receiving the message from headquarters, presented by the trumpeter/courier, calling him back to action. They have obviously anticipated the impending separation, for he is already dressed in his buffcoat and cuirass, and wears his officer’s sash. His carbine and powder flask hang on the wall behind them, his hanger and sword and other accoutrements hang on the bed post. Perhaps that is a pistol in its holster on the table with the cup and flask. The expressions on their faces show the sadness they feel for the separation. The courier doffs his hat apologetically for intruding on the intimate scene.

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The model for the woman is reported to be Gesina ter Borch, the artists younger half-sister, an artist as well. She appears in many of his genre paintings as a refined young woman in various domestic scenes, including visits from suitors and other courtship themes.

Gerard ter Borch studied painting under his father, Gerard ter Borch the Elder, in , and also studied in Amsterdam and Haarlem under other well-known painters. More information about the artist and his paintings is available on Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

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News about Members.

The editor is introducing a new feature in The Militiaman: news about members and their activities.

Wesley R. Willoughby.—Longtime member pikeman Wes Willoughby is currently employed as an archaeologist by Louis Berger Group, Inc. in Albany, NY. Because of work assignments he was unable to attend the Militia Muster. Louis Berger Group, headquartered in Morristown, NJ, is a consulting firm that provides engineering, architecture, program and construction management, environmental planning and science, and economic development services worldwide. Albany, originally called Fort Orange, was established in the Hudson River valley in 1614 in New Netherlands, but was renamed Albany when England took possession of the Dutch colony in the 1660s.

Gloria Callaway.—Gloria’s assisted living residence has changed its name from The Southerlands to Commonwealth Assisted Living in Front Royal. The address is still 600 Mount View Street, Front Royal, VA 22630. Her telephone number is 540-635-8710. She welcomes visits from old Militia friends.

THE EDITOR’S PAGE

Your editor reminds you that he is looking for short articles, announcements, and items of interest pertaining to our St. Maries Citty Militia and to Maryland and other English colonies of the 17th century. If you have anything that you would like to see in The Militiaman, send it in! By e-mail: [email protected]; by postal service: 18335 Hartman Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653

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