Matt Novosad
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franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Matt Novosad
@franklinhistorian.bsky.social
1.5K followers 270 following 86 posts
MA in History. Submarines and Horses. The First World War, American War of Independence, and local history of Franklin, Connecticut.

https://www.franklincthistorian.org
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franklinhistorian.bsky.social
New hat had arrived to help me interpret the Connecticut Militia during the War of 1812! A “Chapeau de Bras”.
Man with prominent brown sideburns wearing a half-moon shaped Chapeau-de-bras, front view. Large red Ostrich feather on man’s left. Man with prominent brown sideburns wearing a half-moon shaped Chapeau-de-bras, side view. Large red Ostrich feather on man’s left, silver tape, tassels on the front and back, and a black cockade with an eagle button in its center.
September 16, 2025 at 11:34 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
#Nutmegsky
🗃️
Real Time Revolution March 1st 2025 THE COMING STORM Each Militia company in Connecticut was ordered to train for 12 half days between October 1774 and May 1775. East Franklin’s company (7th Company, 20th Regiment) met at the “usual place of parade” within Pautipaug Society on March 1st, 1775 to conduct one such training. Additionally, as Captain Jacob Hazen had moved out of Pautipaug, the company used this opportunity to elect a new Captain: Ebenezer Lathrop Jr. AMERICA250 CONNECTICUT AFFILIATE Franklin Town Historian: 860-642-1988 franklincthistorian@gmail.com FRANKLIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY MATT NOVOSAD, FRANKLIN TOWN HISTORIAN
March 1, 2025 at 9:55 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Well, that’s the rest of the materials to make my War of 1812 kit!
Cardboard box with folded red wool and a bag of flat pewter buttons.
December 4, 2024 at 3:42 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
That’s the vest done! Next up is the coatee. I was also too lazy to find my sleeve buttons for this fit test, so excuse the open cuffs.

One step closer to having a complete Connecticut Militia Uniform for the War of 1812.

#NutmegSky 🗃️
Man standing in front of a mirror wearing dark blue high waisted pantaloon trousers with a red welt in the seam, a white linen shirt, white woolen vest without skirts and with a high standing collar, and a black top hat with a black and red feather on the left. Man standing in front of a mirror wearing dark blue high waisted pantaloon trousers with a red welt in the seam, a white linen shirt, white woolen vest without skirts and with a high standing collar.
November 24, 2024 at 11:34 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Incredible to see how I’ve improved in sewing, my buttonholes on this waistcoat are looking excellent!
Left hand holding up a piece of white woolen broadcloth for a waistcoat with three buttonholes cut into it. Two of the buttonholes are finished with white silk twist and have bar tacks on each end.
November 21, 2024 at 6:21 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
#Nutmegsky 🗃️

I do “trivia” posts about CT and town history every tuesday! Keep an eye out for them :)
Tuesday Trivia 11/19/24 franklincthistorian.org Did you know? The Militia was an important social, legal, and political institution in Connecticut during the 17th, 18th, and early 19th Centuries. In the 17th and 18th centuries, most white men between the ages of 16 and 50 were required to train with the militia. If they did not, they faced fines for nob-appearance. They would also be fined for the neglect of their accoutrements and arms. After the “Uniform Militia Law” of 1792, the ages were adjusted to men between 18 and 45. Black and Indigenous men were barred from the Militia, as lawmakers believed that only white men played a role in defense and were afraid of slave revolts. 17th century New England musketeer with matchlock, lobstertail helmet, and yellow coverlet, dark blue doublet, and bandoleer looks to the right. Franklin Historical Scoeity, 860-642-1988 P.O. Box 73, North Franklin, CT 06254
November 19, 2024 at 3:27 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Last night’s waistcoat progress. Hemmed the front and hem edges of the front panels, turned the edges of the lining. Will sew the lining to the front panel today!
Grey linen front panel for an 1810s waistcoat and above that a white wool front panel for the same waistcoat.
November 19, 2024 at 1:43 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Yesterday’s work on the waistcoat. Added the welted pockets!
The front of two white wool front panels for a short waistcoat facing each other showing welted pockets. The back of two white wool front panels for a short waistcoat facing away from each other showing grey linen pocket bags.
November 18, 2024 at 4:26 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Last night’s work on an 1812 appropriate waistcoat!
Ironing Board with two front panels made of white wool for a short waistcoat laid on top facing in opposite directions. Sewn onto this is dark buckram from the collar to the hemline and tape sewn onto the outer edge of the buckram.
November 17, 2024 at 6:10 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
My War of 1812 bin grows larger!
Clear plastic tub with a hat-plate painted black. The plate is decorated with an eagle holding a bundle and american flag shield on its chest. Text under the eagle reads “2 - Compy, 20 - Regt”. Above the eagle are six gold stars. Top hat, feather for hat (black topped with red) and horsehair neckstock are all visible.
November 13, 2024 at 2:22 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
New in my personal collection!
November 13, 2024 at 12:30 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Progress on a project of mine: Hand-sewn uniform of the Connecticut Militia for the War of 1812. Finished the pantaloon-trousers today!
Man wearing dark blue fall-front trousers that come up to the natural waist. Red piping on outer-seam. Man wearing dark blue fall-front trousers that come up to the natural waist. Red piping on outer-seam. View of right side. Man wearing dark blue fall-front trousers that come up to the natural waist. Red piping on outer-seam. Rear view, cotton twill tie visible. Man wearing dark blue fall-front trousers that come up to the natural waist. Red piping on outer-seam. Front view with white mockup of a waistcoat.
November 11, 2024 at 1:13 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
🗃️ #connecticuthistory #cthistory #connecticut #history #localhistory #industrialrevolution #publichistory #localhistorian
Tuesday Trivia, October 1st 2024. franklincthistorian.org Did you know? In 1813 there were 1,486 sheep in Franklin. Each sheep gave its owner a 75¢ abatement on their grand list, as encouragement for wool production. As a result, Franklin was a regional production center of linen and wool cloth during the latter part of the first industrial revolution (1770-1840), and outproduced almost all surrounding towns with its linen and wool factories. Franklin Historical Society: 860-542-1988 P.O. box 73, North Franklin, CT 06254
October 1, 2024 at 2:18 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Anyone have any idea what the first name for this Perkin's individual is? Elias? 🗃️
September 22, 2024 at 4:43 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
The face you make while badly enduring the heat.
August 6, 2024 at 2:09 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Working on a mockup for a pair of Pantaloon Trousers circa 1814. Think I have a fit down finally! 🗃️
May 30, 2024 at 10:43 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
🗃️ I am so stoked to dig into these.
May 20, 2024 at 10:32 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Reproduction Hat and Frontispiece, 2nd Company (Franklin West Society), 20th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division. Connecticut Militia, War of 1812.

Hat by M. Brenckle, Hatter
Plate by Derek Heidemann, Old Sturbridge Village.
Plate painting by Astrid Donnellan.

🗃️
Black top hat with large upturned brims on the left and right side with a tin front plate painted black with a gilt gold leaf eagle in the center. Above the eagle are six stars, and on its chest is a shield with a blue top and then verticle narrow red stripes with white in between. It holds in its feet an olive branch and arrows. Below the eagle is painted “2 - Compy” and below that “20 - Regt.” On the top left crown of the hat is a black feather topped in red which extends approximately five inches above the crown.
January 23, 2024 at 10:09 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Making progress on the breeches! Fit and length are finally good. Now to move on to finishing: adding the knee bands, fixing the fall liner, adding the waistband liners, buttons, and top stitching! 🗃️
January 8, 2024 at 3:30 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
January 6, 2024 at 3:27 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Let me tell you: making your own clothing for reenacting is amazing. I’m learning a lot, and I know it’s going to fit correctly (made mockups already).

Pictured are my Fall Front Breeches in Progress. 🗃️
December 31, 2023 at 6:33 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
The mockup of my breeches are complete. The fit is good! Meaning it’s time to make the real deal in wool!
December 30, 2023 at 7:36 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Captain Ebenezer Lathrop Jr.
7th Company (Norwich-Pautipaug Society), 20th Connecticut Militia Regiment, 3rd Brigade.

1776:
New York Campaign (Rye)

1777:
Providence
Saratoga (Bemis Heights).

Men from this company were also involved in the Battle of Rhode Island (1779) and New London (1781). 🗃️
December 28, 2023 at 5:48 PM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Working on sewing the mockups of my Revolutionary War kit.

Both easier and more difficult than I thought!
December 28, 2023 at 12:40 AM
franklinhistorian.bsky.social
Captain Isaac Johnson, 3rd Company (Norwich CT, West Farms Society), 20th Connecticut Militia Regiment.

Confirmed tours of the company:
New York Campaign, 1776
Burning of New London, 1781

Members of the company participated in:
Coast Defense, New London/Groton, 1775-1783
Rhode Island, 1777-1779 🗃️
December 27, 2023 at 8:42 PM