A trader's--or voyageur's--life was spent living and surviving in the woods. What does this trader's clothing tell us about his lifestyle?

"My clothing during this winter and for the subsequent years of my life as a trader, consisted of a buckskin hunting shirt or a blue capote belted in at the waist with a sash or buckskin belt, in which was carried a knife and sheath, a tomahawk, and a tobacco pouch, made of the skin of some animal, usually otter or mink. In the pouch was carried a flint and steel and piece of punk. Underneath my outside garment I wore a calico shirt, breech-cloth, and buckskin leggings. On my feet neips and moccasins, and sometimes in winter a red knit cap on my head. I allowed my hair to grow long and usually went bareheaded. When traveling in winter I carried and sometimes wore a blanket."

Gurdon Hubbard quoted in: Michael E. Dotson, In Search of the Golden Fleece, Lockport, IL: Will County Historical Society, 1986:32

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96