How to Wear a Blanket as a Matchcoat ©

Photo by Author

 Author’s note: This is something that I originally wrote in 2008; however, it was never published.  I decided to dust it off and update it.  I hope that you enjoy it, in addition there is a video HERE and also at  BandanaMan Productions on YouTube HERE, if you would like to watch a matchcoat being put on.

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”…their clothing is a match-coat like mantle – either a blanket or a bear skin…” – Reverend William Andrews, 1712 ¹

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Robert Beverly, “Fig. 1. [R] wears the proper Indian Match-coat, which is made of Skins, drest with the Furr on, sowed together, and worn with the Furr inwards, having the edges also gashed for beauty sake. Fig. 2. [L] wears the Duffield Match-coat bought of the English, on his Head is a Coronet of Peak, on his Legs are Stockings made of Duffields”

What is a Matchcoat?

During the 17^th, 18^th and early 19^th centuries, the era of the fur trade with the Native Americans east of the Mississippi, the English used the word matchcoat to describe a length of coarse, rough, woolen cloth, such as Stroud or Duffel, that was traded to the Native Americans and worn by them as a cloak or a loosely wrapped mantle.  The word matchcoat is an English word; it is believed to be a corruption of the Algonquin word “matchkore”, meaning a robe².  Originally, Native Americans would have worn a mantle made of fur, it would have been worn fur inward during cold or rainy weather and fur outward during nicer weather.  As contact with the Europeans continued, a matchcoat came to mean coarse woolen blanket, worn as an outer garment.  And, as contact with the Native Americans continued, European colonists began to copy “the Indian Manner”³ of dress, for example, George Washington wrote on December 23, 1753 that I “…tied myself up in a Match Coat”, which with leggings and moccasins was called, an “Indian Walking Dress”⁴.

Blankets during the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries…

For those who are interested in life on the Old Northwest Frontier, during the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries, John U. Rees wrote a fascinating article on blankets that would have been used then (it can be found HERE).  In it, he wrote that blankets were made from wool, linen or a linen-wool mix, called linsey-woolsey, and were often white in color.  Additionally, since American looms could only produce cloth between 30-42 inches wide, blankets manufactured in the American colonies, would have had a center seam where the two pieces of cloth were stitched together.  Blankets manufactured in England and shipped to the American colonies for sale; would not have had a center seam, as British looms were able to weave cloth between 74-117 inches wide.  As for size, a white, 3-point blanket, that was carried by a Revolutionary War soldier, and is currently in a museum, is 53 inches by 72 inches and has two, 2-3/4 inch wide indigo stripes on each end.

 

Edward Cave, The Boy Scout's Hike Book, p. 150

How to Wear a Blanket as a Matchcoat

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"...over my great coat, I wore a blanket, pinned under the chin in the Indian fashion, and confined to the waist by a leather belt; to which was suspended a large hunting or scalping knife.  Fifteen years ago, this was a common dress in Kentucky, as it is now on the frontiers of Indiana and in the Illinois Territory" -- Elias Pym Fordham, 1818 ⁵

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Many times in American history, blankets have served as both clothing and bed coverings and a blanket would have been worn as follows:

  

Photo by Author

1.   Start by holding the blanket lengthwise behind your back.  Next, drape the blanket over your head and down your back, so that the middle of the top edge is just above your eyebrows.

 

Photo by Author

 

2.   Wrap the blanket around your waist, so that the bottom edge of the blanket is at the level of your knees and secure the blanket at your waist with a sash, rope, belt, pin, etc.

3.   You can now bring the top edge of the blanket down from your head and drape it around your shoulders.  Arrange the blanket within the belt or sash so that you are able to move and walk freely.

  

Photo by Author

4.   In the case of rain, or if it is cold, lift the top edge of the blanket up over the head to make a hood and secure the edges at the throat with a pin, stick, etc.

 

Photo by Author

5.   If it warms up, drop the blanket off your shoulders to hang from your belt or sash

The Well-Dressed Survivor…

Now, this is great information for people who are new to historical reenacting of the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries, on the Old Northwest Frontier: however, why is it important for people who are not reenactors?  Why should modern day outdoors-people know what a matchcoat is and how to put it on?  Let us say you are in a survival situation and you need to keep in the heat and keep out the cold and wet.  A matchcoat is a great way to make an improvised jacket or raincoat.  In a pinch, you can wrap anything around yourself, a square of plastic, a piece of canvas, or a blanket.  If you are going to use a blanket in the outdoors, wool should be your-go-to fabric.  Unlike cotton, it keeps you warm even when it is wet and it is fire-resistant.

So, put that matchcoat on and keep warm in the great outdoors.

I hope that you enjoy learning from this resource!  To help me to continue to provide valuable free content, please consider showing your appreciation by leaving a donation HERE.  Thank you and Happy Trails!

Notes

¹  Hawkins, Ernest, Historical Notices of the Missions of the Church of England in the North American Colonies, [Published by B. Fellowes, London, 1845], p 267, https://books.google.com/books?id=Xu9HAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA267&lpg=PA267&dq=their+clothing+is+a+match-coat+like+mantle+%E2%80%93+either+a+blanket+or+a+bear+skin&source=bl&ots=EywVEFBpH3&sig=ACfU3U1FnujPbqiQW0vQ1OKbiJKnHhf5gQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi2u5yLiKfhAhUEhuAKHf_GCEYQ6AEwB3oECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=their%20clothing%20is%20a%20match-coat%20like%20mantle%20%E2%80%93%20either%20a%20blanket%20or%20a%20bear%20skin&f=false, Accessed 3/29/19

²  English Oxford Living Dictionaries, https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/matchcoat, Accessed 3/30/19

³  Smith, James, William McCullough Darlington, Editor, An Account of the Remarkable Occurences in the Life and Travels of Col. James Smith, [The Robert Clarke Co., Cincinnati, 1907], p. 108 https://books.google.com/books?id=q9o_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA108&dq=%22the+Indian+manner%22+%22james+smith%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu64ClyKrhAhWPmOAKHWs9AXsQ6AEIUTAH#v=onepage&q=%22the%20Indian%20manner%22%20%22james%20smith%22&f=false, Accessed 3/30/19

⁴  Fitzpatrick, John C., Editor, The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, Vol. I, 1745-1799, [United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1931], p.28 https://books.google.com/books?id=D3KMAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=%22tied+myself+up+in+a+Match+Coat%22&source=bl&ots=FZAuHvv3Ru&sig=ACfU3U39ilO9HoNS_0h-Lm7klTHtYaRC8A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXnY3pu6rhAhXklOAKHZE9BeQQ6AEwAnoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22tied%20myself%20up%20in%20a%20Match%20Coat%22&f=false, Accessed 3/30/19

⁵  Fordham, Elias Pym, Edited by Frederic Austin Ogg, Personal Narrative of Travels in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio…, [The Arthur H. Clark Company, Cleveland, 1906] p. 158 https://books.google.com/books?id=yBk1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=%22over+my+great+coat,+I+wore+a+blanket,+pinned+under+the+chin+in+the+Indian+fashion%22&source=bl&ots=sCMZ8FDvuw&sig=ACfU3U1DNsT9eqnYNA-NdhlpQixA5TdnTQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwin0fCbjKfhAhXwQd8KHYRoDrwQ6AEwAHoECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22over%20my%20great%20coat%2C%20I%20wore%20a%20blanket%2C%20pinned%20under%20the%20chin%20in%20the%20Indian%20fashion%22&f=false, Accessed 3/29/19

Sources

Cave, Edward, The Boy Scout's Hike Book, [Doubleday, Page & Company, Garden City, NY; 1920] p 150 https://books.google.com/books?id=B3NLAAAAIAAJ&pg=PR14&lpg=PR14&dq=%22how+to+wear+a+blanket+as+an+overcoat%22&source=bl&ots=VPW6gssrlV&sig=ACfU3U2G7VU4zloBfwHdxiNJtKgSTcjz-g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiL_uqa5qfhAhUQk1kKHbsXC_EQ6AEwAnoECAIQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22how%20to%20wear%20a%20blanket%20as%20an%20overcoat%22&f=false, Accessed 3/29/19

English Oxford Living Dictionaries, https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/matchcoat, Accessed 3/30/19

Fitzpatrick, John C., Editor, The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, Vol. I, 1745-1799, [United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 1931], p.28 https://books.google.com/books?id=D3KMAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=%22tied+myself+up+in+a+Match+Coat%22&source=bl&ots=FZAuHvv3Ru&sig=ACfU3U39ilO9HoNS_0h-Lm7klTHtYaRC8A&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiXnY3pu6rhAhXklOAKHZE9BeQQ6AEwAnoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22tied%20myself%20up%20in%20a%20Match%20Coat%22&f=false, Accessed 3/30/19

Fordham, Elias Pym, Edited by Frederic Austin Ogg, Personal Narrative of Travels in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio…, [The Arthur H. Clark Company, Cleveland, 1906] p. 158 https://books.google.com/books?id=yBk1AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA158&lpg=PA158&dq=%22over+my+great+coat,+I+wore+a+blanket,+pinned+under+the+chin+in+the+Indian+fashion%22&source=bl&ots=sCMZ8FDvuw&sig=ACfU3U1DNsT9eqnYNA-NdhlpQixA5TdnTQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwin0fCbjKfhAhXwQd8KHYRoDrwQ6AEwAHoECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22over%20my%20great%20coat%2C%20I%20wore%20a%20blanket%2C%20pinned%20under%20the%20chin%20in%20the%20Indian%20fashion%22&f=false, Accessed 3/29/19

Hawkins, Ernest, Historical Notices of the Missions of the Church of England in the North American Colonies, [Published by B. Fellowes, London, 1845], p 267, https://books.google.com/books?id=Xu9HAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA267&lpg=PA267&dq=their+clothing+is+a+match-coat+like+mantle+%E2%80%93+either+a+blanket+or+a+bear+skin&source=bl&ots=EywVEFBpH3&sig=ACfU3U1FnujPbqiQW0vQ1OKbiJKnHhf5gQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi2u5yLiKfhAhUEhuAKHf_GCEYQ6AEwB3oECAUQAQ#v=onepage&q=their%20clothing%20is%20a%20match-coat%20like%20mantle%20%E2%80%93%20either%20a%20blanket%20or%20a%20bear%20skin&f=false, Accessed 3/29/19

Rees, John U., "White Wollen," "Striped Indian Blankets," "Rugs and Coverlids": The Variety of Continental Army Blankets, [Originally published in The Brigade Dispatch, vol. 30, no. 2 (Summer 2000), 11-14], http://revwar75.com/library/rees/variety.htm, Accessed 3/30/19

Beverly, Robert, The History and Present State of Virginia, [Printed by R. Parker, London, 1705], https://docsouth.unc.edu/southlit/beverley/plate-book3-4-1.jpg, Accessed 3/30/19

Smith, James, William McCullough Darlington, Editor, An Account of the Remarkable Occurences in the Life and Travels of Col. James Smith, [The Robert Clarke Co., Cincinnati, 1907], p. 108 https://books.google.com/books?id=q9o_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA108&dq=%22the+Indian+manner%22+%22james+smith%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiu64ClyKrhAhWPmOAKHWs9AXsQ6AEIUTAH#v=onepage&q=%22the%20Indian%20manner%22%20%22james%20smith%22&f=false, Accessed 3/30/19

How to Wear a Blanket as a Matchcoat

And A Raven Came Calling…©

Minister Valley, Allegheny National Forest, Warren County, Pennsylvania, picture by the Author

Krrroooaaackkk!  It was a bright spring morning in Minister Valley, which is in Warren County, Pennsylvania, and is part of the Allegheny National Forest.  I was sitting at the mouth of a rock shelter, by a fire, boiling water for breakfast, when I heard Krrrroooaaackkk!

I said to myself, out loud, “that sounds like a raven!” a bird whose call I know well from my travels in Algonquin Park, Canada.  But, I knew that it couldn’t be a raven, because ravens were extinct in western Pennsylvania.  However, I knew what I’d heard.

So when I got back to Internet-land, I did some research, and here is what I found.

Unlike crows, whose range expanded due to human settlement and logging, ravens retreated as the forests shrank and the farms and cities grew, retreating until, in Pennsylvania, they only hung on in the wildest ridges of Allegheny and Appalachian Mountains.  Because of logging and settlement, ravens had almost vanished from Pennsylvania by the early 1900s and ornithologists thought that ravens would be extinct there by 1940.

However, ravens are adaptable and opportunistic birds, who have a greater worldwide range than any other bird, and somehow they managed to survive in the wildest parts of Pennsylvania’s central mountains.

Fast forward to today and the forests have regrown over large areas that were once farmland and the ravens have been leaving their mountain hideouts to return to places where they haven’t been seen for decades, such as Warren County, Pennsylvania.  Even though ravens have been slowly expanding their range, mountainous, wilderness areas are still where you will most likely meet ravens.  Today, in Pennsylvania, ravens are found mostly in the remote parts of the north-central counties of the Allegheny Plateau and south-central counties, of the Appalachian Mountains.

Distribution of the Common Raven in North and Central America, Fig. 1, by Boarman, W. I. and Heinrich, B., “Common Raven

Usually your first clue that a raven has come calling is its call.  Crows cannot “croak” they make a high-pitched “caw”, so if you hear a deep croaking call it is probably a raven.  Raven calls can be heard [HERE]

So, if you do hear a deep, croaking call, look up but how do you know if that black bird that you just heard is a raven or a crow? 

At an average of 20 to 25 inches in length, ravens are about 25% larger than crows, weighing on average 32 ounces and have a wingspan of four feet: crows have an average weight of 16 ounces.  In fact, crows are about the same size as a large hawk.  However, it is difficult to tell bird species apart by relative size, unless you can see both birds at the same time. 

The two most distinctive features that will help you distinguish between ravens and crows are; one, ravens have a thicker and heavier beak than crows, whose beaks by comparison are slim.  Also, the feathers on a raven’s throat are shaggy. 

Two, in flight, a raven’s tail has a distinct wedge shape and a crow’s tail is fan shaped.  When flying a raven has both a pointy-head and a pointy-tail.  Also, when flying, ravens keep their wings horizontal, while the wings of crows form a shallow vee.  In addition, ravens when flying, tend to soar long distances without flapping their wings, while crows rarely soar and must constantly flap their wings.

Adapted from “All About Birds: Similar Species: Crows and Ravens”

Lastly, ravens are usually found alone or at most in pairs, while the more gregarious crows are usually in groups of three or more, sometimes many more.

So, if you happen to be in the Pennsylvania wilderness and you hear a deep Krrroooaaackkk, look up perhaps a raven came calling…

Sources:

“All About Birds: Similar Species: Crows and Ravens”, Kevin McGowan, August 3, 2012, [Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY], https://www.allaboutbirds.org/similar-species-crows-and-ravens/, Accessed 3/21/19

“All About Birds: Common Raven” [Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY], https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Raven/sounds, Accessed 3/12/19

BirdNote, “Ravens and Crows - Who Is Who”, https://www.birdnote.org/show/ravens-and-crows-who-who, Accessed 3/20/19

BirdNote, “How to Tell a Raven From a Crow”, https://www.audubon.org/news/how-tell-raven-crow, Accessed 3/20/19

Boarman, W. I. and Heinrich, B., “Common Raven (Corvus corax), version 2.0.” In The Birds of North America, (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). [Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, 1999], https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.476, Accessed 3/12/19

Fergus, Charles, Wildlife of Pennsylvania, [Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA, 2000], https://books.google.com/books?id=hmeG4EBxVJYC&pg=PT328&lpg=PT328&dq=ravens+in+pennsylvania&source=bl&ots=8l4vOwxbf7&sig=ACfU3U17EuwJ_3H3bQBHXBDbYEg90fGDUg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJj_3C8PrgAhVjrlkKHZ7CA6Q4FBDoATAIegQIARAB#v=onepage&q=ravens%20in%20pennsylvania&f=false, Accessed 3/12/19

Moyer, Ben, “Ravens, Often Mistaken For Crows, Have Rebounded Following Decades Of Decline”, Special to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Feb 19, 2012 https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/hunting-fishing/2012/02/19/Ravens-often-mistaken-for-crows-have-rebounded-following-decades-of-decline/stories/201202190516, Accessed 3/12/19

Survival Hints for the Sportsman, 1959©

Survival Hints for the Sportsman, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Survival Hints for the Sportsman, was compiled in 1959, by the RCAF Eastern Area Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, and is an interesting and very hard to find booklet, which includes some great points and tips on survival, particularly on survival in the Canadian forest.  I found a copy for sale a couple of years ago, purchased it, and in the spirit of the compiler's wishes, I have decided to share it with you.

 

The authors of Survival Hints,  explained that they had three main ideas in mind when they wrote the booklet.  First, that it was to be used as a guide to help you prepare for an expedition into the wilderness, second, that should you become lost in the wilderness, that you could use the instructions provided to stay alive, and third, to help you help your rescuers to find you.

 

The authors also recommended learning to use and always carrying, several essential survival tools, whenever you go into the woods.  They felt that you should always carry a sharp axe with a sheath or a sharp knife, strike anywhere matches in a water-proof container, a compass and map and some emergency food (for information on a really tasty 1962 survival ration go [HERE] and [HERE]).  The authors also suggested the following optional items, a whistle, sunglasses, signal mirror, mosquito net, snare wire and a medical kit which includes tape, a sewing kit and insect repellent.  These essential and optional tools are very similar to the early 10 Essentials developed by The Mountaineers.

 

What I liked most about this booklet was the philosophy of the authors, which is as follows, that there is no disgrace in becoming lost, although there is a potential for a tragedy, particularly if you haven’t prepared ahead of time or you give in to your fears, lose your will to live and then die before you are found.  The compilers of Survival Hints believed that tragedy could be avoided with “a little knowledge, a minimum of skills and a STRONG DESIRE TO LIVE”.  Additionally, they felt that “YOU MUST HELP YOURSELF!” and that “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.  To help yourself, you have to learn and practice some essential habits and skill, so “LEARN THESE…AND LET’S STAY ALIVE”.

 

I hope that you reading this booklet as much as I did and until next time, Happy Trails!

 

Sources:

RCAF Eastern Area Rescue Co-Ordination Centre, Survival Hints for the Sportsman, The Queen’s Printer And Controller Of Stationary; Ottawa, Canada; [1959]

Front and back cover, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Inside cover and preface, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Inside cover and pg. 1, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 2 to 3, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 4 to 5, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 6 to 7, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 8 to 9, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 10 to 11, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 12 to 13, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 14-15, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 16-17, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 18-19, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 20-21, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 22-23, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 24-25, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 26-27, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 28-29, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Pg. 30 and inside back cover, courtesy of The Woodsman’s Journal Online

Further Thoughts on Survival Rations … 1962 Civil Defense Style

Canteen cup, measuring cup and survival bar, picture by the Author

After I had published, “Survival Rations … 1962 Civil Defense Style”, which can be found [HERE], I received several questions from readers.

Wegmans brand Oats & Honey Flakes, picture by the Author

 The first question was, “you demonstrated making the ration bar with Wegmans brand Oats & Honey Flakes, where I live there aren’t any Wegmans stores, what type of cereal should I use?”

This is a very good question.  The recipe was not very specific about the type of cereal that was used, stating only “3 cups cereal – Oatmeal or Barley, Corn or Wheat Flakes”.  I used two cups of rolled oats and one cup of Wegmans brand Oats & Honey Flakes, because breakfast cereal is heavily fortified and I wanted the ration bar to have a higher nutritional content.  If I wanted to have a more accurate 1962 look to the bar or if there were no Wegmans where I live, I would have used two cups of rolled oats and one cup of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes.  The nutritional content of the ration bar with Corn Flakes is:

Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, picture by the Author

Nutritional information of survival ration with Kellogg's Corn Flakes, information condensed by the Author

 In addition, if you wanted to change the texture and make the survival bar chewier, you could substitute ½ or even one cup of the rolled oats for an equal amount of steel cut oats.  Next time I make these bars, I plan to substitute one cup of rolled oats for one cup of steel cut oats.  I will report back and let you know how this experiment turns out.  Substituting steel cut for rolled oats would not only change the texture of the bar, but it would also increase both the calorie and nutritional count. 

Wegmans Organic Steel Cut Oats

Nutritional information of survival ration with one cup of steel cut oats, information condensed by the Author

Nutritional information of survival ration with half cup of steel cut oats, information condensed by the Author

 The second question that I received was, “the recipe said the bar could be cooked with ²/₃ of a canteen cup of water, how much water is that?”

Canteen cup and measuring cup, picture by the Author

 That is also a very good question and to answer your question I pulled out my 1941 US Army issue canteen cup to measure it.  During the 1960's, because of the sale of military surplus items, a canteen cup would have been very familiar to campers and other outdoors-people.  One full canteen cup measures three cups or 24 ounces and therefore a ²/₃ canteen cup measurement is equal to two cups or 16 ounces of water.

The last question that I received asked, “You told us how the survival bar tasted when it was dry, how did it taste when it was cooked?”

Up until I was asked this question, I had only eaten these survival bars in their dry, uncooked and un-hydrated state, so I decided to experiment.  First, I put an ¹/₈ of a survival bar into a ¼ cup of cold water (a ¼ cup, is ¹/₈ of the two cups that the recipe called for) and let it sit without heating it.  I ended this experiment after 15 minutes and discovered that while the bar had softened a little, only the out layer that had softened to the consistency of cooked oatmeal.

¹/₈ of a survival bar soaked in ¼ cup of cold water for 15 minutes, picture by the Author

Second, I put a ¹/₈ of a survival bar into a ¼ cup of cold water, but this time I set it to boil.  In this experiment, the bar crumbled easily with a fork and dissolved into a watery oatmeal within three minutes and 53 seconds.

¹/₈ of a survival bar boiled in ¼ cup of water for 3 minutes, 53 seconds, picture by the Author

 In both cases, it was the texture of the bar that changed and not the flavor, which remained a rather yummy orange-honey-oatmeal flavor.

I hope that these answers helped and until next time, Happy Trails!