Shoes for a Virginia backwoodsman 1750 to 1780

[Wahkahchim]

I am seeking to learn about the history of shoes and boots. Does anyone have a reference for what long-traveling people used for footwear/ My ancestor lived and migrated between Virginia, Pennsylvania, even up into New York and the Chickasaw country in Tennessee with the Cherokee and other tribes in between. He had a successful farm in what was then the "Wild West": middle Virginia. His family also had plantations in Maryland and the tidewaters of the James River so he wasn't poor. He seems to have simply been drawn to the west. He appears to have traded amicably with the tribes along the Appalachia. Later relations became quite violent: his son was killed by the Shawnee in 1784, much of his son's family was burned to death at Chillicothe, and his grandson was kidnapped and taken to Canada to be sold to the British. Anyway, what would he have worn on his feet for his long walks? Thanks.

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[LRB]

Are you sure that he walked? From your description he could easy afford a horse.

[AxelP]

The below is my opinion---

Your ancestor sounds kinda similar to George Rogers Clark or many of the era. It might be a good start to investigate what Clark wore. He most assuredly rode most of the time. I suspect he had the money to afford shoes and riding boots, but moccasins would have been a practical option on long travels in the less settled. Then sometimes worn by choice-- not neccessarily circumstance.

While traveling from Inn to Inn? He would have reason, I think, to wear footwear that befit a country gentleman.

Since he probably rode a lot, boots might just be the ticket.

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I Hate Rabbits...

[Wahkahchim]

Would a person use boots for walking AND riding? What do YOU use? For my own use, how accurate and useful would these be?

http://www.fugawee.com/hilow.htm

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[AxelP]

Peter you really need to research what they actually used, not what you or I would use--not what you think would work better or best.... Remember your goal---

I like hi-lows a lot, they offer good support. and would work well on horse or foot. But I have read that it is debateable as to how "common" they were?

My opinion is that an 18th c gentleman & rider would wear boots. (Mocs and stirrups are not all that comfy--especially on a really long ride, and if you had the convenience and money to choose?)

Now-- if you were poor frontier settler far from the settlements?, then I would say mocs.

I have found that a person can walk in 18th C low-healed boots just fine.

The question is not what would we have done... the question is what did THEY actually do? The two is often not the same.

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[Adam Wetherington]

Not to mention that 1750 to 1780 is a very long time frame when trying to nail down just a few types of footwear.

[CT03]

The upper crust wore boots that were very fitted to the leg requiring boot jacks and powder to get them on and off. Only one seam in the back of the leg. They would have been custom tailored by the bootmaker. I suppose you could get a pair of fugawees and have them redone by a good cobbler. The only bootmaker I know of who makes them like that is the fellow in Williamsburg.

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At last he rose, and twitched his mantle blew Tomorrow fresh Woods, and Pastures new

[Adam Wetherington]

[Wahkahchim]

Hi Adam. How do they handle the long hikes? Thanks! Also yes, it is a big time period, and yes, I am guilty of seeking comfort before accuracy. I am a wimp on distance backpacks when my feet hurt. The best of all worlds would be absolute historical accuracy and absolute comfort. When the living history people try to do US in 200 years, they'll have it much easier. :)

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[Adam Wetherington]

[Lady of the Woods]

I have a couple of thoughts on this: Read Daniel Trabue "Westward into Kentucky"
here Daniel is being chased by indians:

[AxelP]

Good find!

I have done a few 12 mile wood and mountain trail hikes in my mocs. I found my mocs held up surprizingly well, my calves got sore due to the low heel, and the soles of my feet were slighlty bruised but not as bad as I expected--as anyone that has done it knows, you learn to walk differently in soft soled footwear. When hunting modern or period, I usually wear my mocs, but I also like those hi lows.... I do not own any---yet. The mocs would be quieter, the hi-lows more supported and comfortable in rocky sierra mtn terrain.

I have found this message thread interesting to follow so far. I am not judging--we all do it to a greater or lesser degree (even Paul Daiute) but its easy to understand how someone with visions of Daniel Boone, can morph into Fess Parker with out being aware in the wink of an eye. Its hard to keep our 21st Cent mind out of the mix.

So based upon the above treasure of a quote, it seems that Trabue in the woods sported buckle shoes and fleeing indians in the woods in them, caused him to shed them and resort to bare feet. He had no horse though, and your persona most usually would. Unlike the poor longhunterk, your persona has the means to sport whatever shoes/boots he wants to... He mightt very well have all of the above.

It looks like you have several options that would work fine for your chosen persona depending upon the circumstances he is in?

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I Hate Rabbits...

[AxelP]

http://www.history.org/almanack/life/trades/tradesho.cfm

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[CT03]

Hobnailed military style shoes also work pretty well when combined with spatterdashers. They are comfortable sturdy and give great traction as long as you stay away from civilized locations (concrete, marble, nice wood floors)

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At last he rose, and twitched his mantle blew Tomorrow fresh Woods, and Pastures new

[AxelP]

alas, Peter's persona is not very military.

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I Hate Rabbits...