Fort de la Caroline

St Augustine, Florida, is the oldest continuously inhabited European city in North America. It was founded by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his Spanish forces in August of 1565. But Spain was not the first European nation to colonize North America. A French expedition of a few ships led by Admiral Gaspard de Coligny and his navigator, Jean Ribault, landed on the Florida coast in February 1562. They sailed up the St. Johns River, landed, planted a marker and claimed the land for their king, Charles IX. Then they sailed on to present-day Parris Island, South Carolina. Here, Ribault erected a second monument establishing a northern border of a land they called New France. Ribault’s men built a fort called Charlesfort. Twenty-eight Frenchmen where left to defend the fort when Ribault and the remainder of his men sailed back to Europe for supplies and settlers for the new colony. However, Ribault was arrested and imprisoned in England due to complications arising from the French Wars of Religion. Here, he languished for a year. As the months went by, the French manning Charlesfort became desperate. Their supplies were running out, forcing the French to rely on trade with the native populations to obtain food. The Native Americans did not grow large food surpluses and were becoming hostile when the French demanded the very food from their mouth. When a year had passed with no relief ships, the men of Charlesfort decided it was time to go. They built an open boat and shoved off. During their voyage, starvation and thirst reduced them to cannibalism. Eventually, the survivors were rescued in English waters. Meanwhile, René Goulaine de Laudonnière, Ribault's second-in-command on the 1562 expedition, guided a fleet of ships carrying 200 new settlers back to Florida. They founded Fort de la Caroline atop St. Johns Bluff on June 22, 1564. For a year, the men and women of this new colony suffered from hunger, Indian attack, and mutiny. The colonist did not clear land, plant crops or tend livestock. They were promised that France would provide all the settlers, craftsmen, tools, food, livestock, arms and munitions the colony needed. The colonists only task was to search for sources of gold, silver and other precious minerals. These valuable minerals must exist in Florida as they did in the Spanish colonies of Peru and Mexico! Well, they did not! And while the French settlers searched for Florida gold, the Spanish court was told of Fort de la Caroline, a foreign colony lying close to the route of the annual Spanish treasure fleet. This threat must be eliminated. . . and it was by Don Pedro and his Spanish troops . . . who also founded the city of St. Augustine.

An Ocean Voyage in the 17th Century

Three centuries ago, wind power was the only way Europeans could travel to the Americas. The French as well as several other nations had colonies in the New World. In the early days, these colonies needed to be constantly replenished with settlers, tradesmen, carpenters, soldiers and mechanics, food supplies, seeds, lifestock and many manufactured products. Ships returning home carried valuable New World products back to Europe. This was how the high cost of establishing a colony was financed. Spain received a fleet of ships most years that were filled with Inca and Peruvian gold and silver. England received hogsheads of valuable tobacco. France received shiploads of very valuable furs. Nearly every European nation welcomed boat-loads of Cod fish caught on the Grand Banks.

Sailing to the New World was not a simple matter of raising an anchor and hoisting a sail or two. Crossing 1200 leagues of icy North Atlantic waters could be a deadly endurance test for both men and ships.

Usually, prior to embarking on a New World voyage, everything was emptied from the ship and it was towed into shallow water. Using ropes and pulleys, the ship was tipped (careened) on its’ side. One side of the ship's bottom was scraped, rotten wood replaced and joints filled with oakum and tar. When one side was done, the boat was rolled onto its’ other side and the laborious work repeated. When refloated, the ballast, which consisted of many wooden barrels filled with stones, were carefully replaced in the hull of the ship. It was important where the ballast was placed, as this heavy weight counterbalanced the wind-filled sails, preventing the ship from tipping over.Next the ship was towed to a berth where its’ masts, spas, cables, rigging and sails where inspected, repaired or replaced where necessary, tarred, painted, etc. Lastly, the ship’s crew loaded provisions, water, cargo and any passengers aboard. All these preparations could take a couple of months. Once the sailors had hoisted the anchor and set the sails, a French merchant ship might anchor in Quebec City in about 70 days. The trip home was usually much faster (33 days on average) because of the strong westerly winds. Of course some French ships never reached home as storms, icebergs, pirates, kitchen fires and enemy gun ships took their toll.

Midwest Rendezvous

Rendezvous are a popular tourist destination in the Midwest. Each Spring, a large rendezvous is held at Fort Des Chartres, in southwest Illinois near the banks of the Mississippi river. In early Fall, a rendezvous is held on the Des Plaines river just outside of Chicago. In West Lafayette, Indiana, home of Perdue University, a huge rendezvous has been held annually for 44 years. Called "The Feast of the Hunter's Moon" this event attracts hundreds of enactors who dress in 18th century clothing, camp, cook, and entertain roughly 50,000 spectators. There are Buffalo burgers, roasted corn, home made root beer, corn bread and other munchies. A variety of hand-made items appropriate to 18th century trade goods fill tents along with racks of clothing the stylish French voyageur, colonial lass, British soldier, colonial militia and Native American might wear. Blacksmiths hammer iron into useful tools. The air is filled with ancient songs once sung by Voyageurs, the haunting sounds of hammer dulcimers and the military music of Drum and Fife Corps.

Old Quebec Kitchen

Behold a 17th century log cabin kitchen. A microwave, gas stove, toaster or any other electric appliance is over 200 years in the future. Refrigeration and a freezer are only available in winter. A spring house can keep butter, cheese and other food products cool in summer. There is no inside running water, hot or cold. Lighting (other than that from the small window) is provided by the fireplace, a candle, or a whale oil lamp. If it is a warm day, you might prop open the door for more light. . . but that might let in the flies and bugs and wild critters. The fireplace serves as a stove and a furnace too in the winter months. In the summer, mother might cook outside so her log cabin home isn't overheated. Your diet depends very much on the season. This cabin was built close to the St Lawrence river. In warmer months, you might fish for your dinner. At certain times of the year, eels were so abundant they were called "Quebec Manna". At other times, the river was frozen. There was an abundance of wild game in the forest. You could hunt moose, bear, deer, rabbit or water fowl. You might also raise farm animals like pigs, cattle, chickens and geese for food. Many Maple trees were tapped for syrup and sugar each spring. There were also farm crops like wheat, peas, cabbage and a number of herbs and vegetables. Wheat was ground into flour and made into large 5 lb loaves of bread which were baked in large outside ovens. Fresh green peas were strung on strings and hung from the rafters to air dry. The French Canadians consumed so much pea soup that other nations nicknamed them "Pea Soupers".