Raising the Ramparts (Part 3): Blockhouse Upper Level & Turf’s Role in Irish History
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Join us on a fascinating journey back in time with Peter and Cathy at the Woodland Escape as we tackle the construction of the top floor walls on our historical 1700s blockhouse. In this episode, not only will we guide you through the meticulous process of preserving history through architecture, but we’ll also delve deep into Ireland’s rich heritage, exploring how the Emerald Isle turned to turf as a vital source of fuel for surviving cold winters and cooking throughout the centuries.
This video is not just a construction diary; it's a homage to the past, a hands-on history lesson, and a testament to the enduring spirit of pioneering. Whether you're a history buff, a woodworking enthusiast, or someone who cherishes the art of building and storytelling, this video offers insights into the challenges of traditional construction methods, the importance of community support, and the lessons history can teach us about resilience and innovation.We're passionate about sharing our adventures and a slice of history with you. Support us by liking, subscribing, and hitting the notification bell for a weekly dose of a wee bit of history and unique tales from the frontier.
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📺 Featuring: Peter Kelly
🎥 Cinematography, Production & Editing: Catherine Wolfe
🎵 Music Courtesy Of: Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald
Thumbnail and description: Shane Kelly
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Being 2 years younger than you, I'm really impressed with your strength, balance and nimbleness.
It's pretty amazing how many structures, canoes, long guns and accouterments that you have made.
I can’t sit still too long and some would say that’s a problem, but I kinda like it.
Hi Peter
Another great video, thank you. Speaking as a native of Ireland, well done on your pronunciation of the Slán (if you want to be a purist phonetically SLAWN). Yours story about turf is familiar to me.
When I was growing up as a 12 year old 50 years ago I was sent to a school called a Gaeltacht in Galway for the summer to learn to speak the Irish language.
I had a great time with lots of young people my age in the countryside having lived all my childhood in the city.
We learned how to cut and save turf for the fire. It involves clearing the topsoil and then cutting slices of turf with the Slán. The thing about it is that the blade is a right angle which allows you to cut rectangular sods of turf. You then toss them up to the kids, who stack them in piles of 3 like a teepee. They are left to dry for a few days and then turned again in groups of 3 to make sure both ends are fully dry. That's why this work is done in the summer.
When the sods are dry, they were moved to the nearest dry pathway by using a donkey with two creels (cane baskets) balanced on his back. Then, they were stacked again into long piles of turf. Then after even more drying they were loaded back onto a donkey pulled waggon and brought home.
Really good turf was black and as hard as rock.
You are right. There was a very distinctive smell off turf. You can smell it off good whiskey.
Keep making great videos
Well Joe you’re making want a wee dram! Thank you for your thorough explanation of the process. I hope some day to have the experience of actually seeing and smelling it burn.
Well Joe, you’re making want a wee dram. Thanks for the excellent description of the process. I hope some day to have the experience of seeing and smelling it burn!
Hats off to you on what you have accomplished in a shot period of time.
Looking forward to seeing more.
Be safe and take care!
Coming along, one log at a time. Thanks for watching.
The opening scene of the wildlife was great and it's nice to know you have plenty of meat on the hoof should you run out and that Fred is still there braving the cold. The blockhouse is coming on nicely Peter, I can't wait to see it completed. Brilliant project and wonderfully filmed.
Thank you and I’ll pass on your kind words to Cathy.
Peter you have come a long way there, i wish we where up to help you out there. About time for Cathy to get some seedlings started for garden. Talk soon sir! Be safe!
She started some today.
I think the word is Awesome, just Awesome.
Well sir, a fine compliment indeed!
Amazing build . Your strength and stamina are incredible.
Not what it was in my 30’s, lol, but I get by. Don’t stop when you’re tired, stop when you’re done!
The blockhouse is coming along nicely, Peter. Your cabin looks inviting on this winter day.
It is indeed a wonderful place to get in out of the weather and relax.
Peter, are there other fungi similar to Chaga that are good fire starters? Here in the midwest there are not a lot of birch. Can it be found on other trees?
Not familiar with what may be available in your area, but a lot of tree fungi are good fire starters, the only difference is that you need to char them first, a step not needed for chaga. Punk wood charred is another great method that works almost as good as Chaga, but it to needs to be charred.
The blockhouse looks great.be careful my friend. wish i was there to help , god bless.
Ah, you’d be here in spirit … thanks for your interest.
Hi Cathy and Peter.
Another excellent merger of wildlife footage, and blockhouse progress, sprinkled with a wee bit of history. It was a vey tantalizing episode what with all those pots and pans by the fireside and me drooling in anticipation of what vittles would be served! DANG, THE EPISODE ENDED TOO SOON!!!
Thanks Robert. Be seeing you in a couple of weeks …. Safe journey.
Howdy Peter
Got some little snow .... Nothing down here in MA Northshore..... I see some of Fred's friends come looking for him .... ...little surprised Fred did not " make camp " in your house you built for him ... maybe your scent .....
Tried to help you left the log up ... now my back hurts ..LOL .
Hard to think about what the settlers had to do to make it . Taught my son to appreciate what and how easy he has it ...
Take care and get your belly full !
Good point, we certainly pale by comparison to our ancestors. Thanks for the help on that there log, lol!
Thanks for the wee bit of History. My Great, Great, Great, Grandfather and his son immigrated from Ireland to America in 1847.
My pleasure. I suspect if your ancestors could tell their story it would be a daunting one!
Careful with that Preacher's axe. One side for choppin and one side for spliting. Thanks for sharing. I do enjoy the wee history lessons shared throughout your build.
Actually I keep both sides sharpened as to increase my productivity in the forest. Not quite period correct for mid 1700’s, given it wasn’t invented until the early 1800’s.
Peter, as I sit here watching this, I can't help but think back on how many times I've heard You say, "this is the last log I'm ever gonna peel". Lol
I have most certainly and for sure said that a time or two, lol.
Hello from southeast Kentucky. Love your videos and your wee bit of history.
Glad you like them and w3 certainly appreciate your interest.
Hi, I've been watching your vids in the last few months and love every one of them.
My wife and I were in Ireland for a holiday and wedding a little over a year ago.
Farming for Peat in ireland is now done under strict licence as, like you said, it's been getting depleted for fertiliser and fuel heating in fireplaces/stoves in rural areas.
When we were staying in a farm house in Glaway County near the town of Tuam. The first time I smelt the fireplace that was already in use, I instantly thought that coal was being burnt as im also familiar living in a coal mining town in rural Australia that coal is used alongside firewood.
When i was told Peat was used, I paid closer attention. Buring irish peat is small, a cross of coal and earth/dirt being burnt at the same time.
The 3 weeks we stayed in Ireland was a dream holiday. You could take a photo of nearly anything or anywhere you pointed a camera and could make a perfect postcard out of the picture.
I hope you get the opportunity to visit your country, your ancestors came from.
Take care,
From a fellow with the same namesake!
Well, Mr. Kelly , I must say I like your surname. Given you’re in Australia, do tell, we’re your ancestors sent there and by that I mean, not of their choosing?
Another great video Peter. It's really wonderful to see the progress on the blockhouse. After peeling logs myself this morning, I suspect that we are both looking forward to Spring, when the peeling should be easier . !!
Oh yes, please …. Soon my friend, soon!
The story Treasure Island describes a block house, in which the main party take refuge from their pirate crew of course this is a Victorian fiction. Was there any particular reason you are building your block house cheek by jowl with your forge??
I imagine he is establishing a walled perimeter for Kelly's Station.
20 minutes hasn't passed this fast in a long time. Great video, and wonderful progress on the blockhouse.
Thanks 👍
You guys just produce the best videos. Friday night is slow coming during the week
About as nice of a compliment as one could wish for, thank you so much!
My Gran burned peat in her rowhouse in 1970 in Cavantown. 3 stoves and we used bed warmers at night. She had a flush toilet but it was at the back of the yard.
If your home was as poorly insulated as our farm house, that bed warmer would have been very welcome indeed!
Your blockhouse is really coming along now can't wait to see the finished product
Hope to have the second story on this week. Our videos are always a week behind our progress.
Your build is coming along nicely. I am grunting and trying to help you get those Logs raised. Hope it helps. lol. I miss Fred. Hope to see him come spring
Ah, your here in spirit!
Thanks for the great videos, you have given us glimpses of your adventures from decades ago please share more in the future.
We weren’t sure people were interested in my backstory, but I sure appreciate your interest. Food for thought.
I think i recognized a few of those turkey from last spring.
Speaking of, it won’t be long until the hunt begins.
Peter if I didn't live down here in Pennsyltucky 😅, I'd lend you a hand free just a wee bit of coffee. 😂
Ah, but I’m feeling the positive energy up here. Thanks for following along.
You are amazing my friend, and an inspiration to anyone anticipating such an undertaking as you have.
Thanks Hayward. Doesn’t seem to be a lot of fort builders around these days, lol.
Question here, do you have to do anything special to the chaga to use instead of char cloth?
I dry it in small pieces, but one can take it right from the tree and it will catch and hold a spark.
That fire does look inviting. It really is hard to wrap your mind around how much wood was being used in the period to build and heat with.
Mind boggling indeed.
Thanks, your standing and filming from up there gives a solid idea why these were built. It also shows why they came in groups as more hands made the work quicker as well as horse or oxen for moving loads. Still this would have been the way if they came by canoe.
They would be a hard thing to overtake and not that many would be needed to defend.
Wish I could come and help ya awesome project
Well sir, I appreciate that you’re here in spirit!
I have enjoyed the herbal aroma of a peat fire: it is a very pleasant thing to sit beside or in front of one such.
An experience I’d like to have.
I was curious to see how the second floor was constructed. Very cool!
One log at a time. Thanks for watching.
Your episodes soothe my soul 🙏 Glad that Fred is well 🦉
That is a flattering compliment, thank you so much.
You’re making a lot of progress!
Coming along, one log at at a time, thanks for watching.
Good morning from Syracuse NY United States brother and everyone else thank you for sharing your live history video
Good morning Earl. We lived for years in Oneida.
Hi my friend
Thanks Earl.
You are welcome my friend and thank you for sharing your live history videos
Peter, love your program, love the history the wood work the tools and the music. Please tell us the name of the happy song played on the harmonica .
Thanks for the kinds words, Rodney. Not sure it even has a name, I think it is an original by my friend Al MacDonald.
Thank you Peter. Show us more. I'm 69 in good health in the lower 48 but not sure I could keep up with you sir. Show us more.
Two things are very evident in this vid...No. 1. You can't be a 'blockhead' to build a Blockhouse. No. 2. Your ability to have measurements come within a 1/4 of an inch side to side...proves you are a man who is; 'on-the-level', Emperor Peter! YIKES! Thanks 4 the tips on knots and fire starters = good to know and or share 'wee bits'. It looks LOVELY already! Am happy to know that Fred is still around...a 'part time' mascot for a Fort is a tad sad! LOL! Thanks also to Empress Catherine for yet another fine bit of filming! I always know what you are up to Peter...WORK, WORK and then more Work! " Here is your contrast; "Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75." (Benjamin Franklin). Take care dear ones! :)
We so look forward to your response to a new episode, we’ve come to expect it! As I’ve mentioned before “ never let the old man in”., a quote my father often told me.
Peter is a great storyteller of history.
I thank you sir.
Hi. I love the atmosphere of your Videos. And what´s more, I like your whole project very much. If you knew how I am looking for Chaga here in Germany ... It is rare over here an you would have a good laugh watching me searching without results🙂 Will go on looking for it... Greetings from Germany.
If your ever on this side of the pond, I’ll gift you a bunch.
Outstanding video Peter! The block house is really coming along nicely! Thanks for sharing, and be careful!
Thanks, will do! Appreciate your interest.
Peter, I absolutely love your videos and wish that I could help you with the fort. I have a question, I’ve noticed that you used modern bricks instead of stone for your chimneys and fireplace, is that due to building codes?
Nope, just wanted the look. Inside the fort will be another structure ( gun building shop) that will have a real rustic stone fireplace.
@@TheWoodlandEscape That will be Awesome! You both are my heroes.
You’re getting things done waaay quicker than I thought you would! I love the history lessons every time, too! Excellent channel👍
Glad you enjoy it … no moss going to grow under my moccasins, lol.
Wild turkeys and deer, plus some history as well. Made some char cloth a while ago, because I got some Flint and steel. I also use the lint from the dryer to get things going good. Great video, Peter and Kathy. Keep your powder dry and look forward to the next video. The block house is coming along nicely
You might say, a wee bit of everything, lol. Thanks for your continued support. Watch yer top knot!
You're making great progress on the blockhouse! Thanks for the bit of history as always!
One log at a time. Thanks for watching.
That is an advantage for me being in the south. Fat wood! Sometimes it's almost impossible to fine a piece pine with none in it! It may not hold an ember, but it will burn in a rain! I go through a couple of pounds a year. Now that it's March my fire days MAY be over until November or December.
I on occasion care a little fat wood in my kindle bag, it’s great stuff.
The blockhouse is looking fine , when my wife and I visited Ireland we saw a demonstration on the process of the cutting and stacking of peat and it is a very labor intensive undertaking. One question how old is your double bit axe? Thanks for sharing.
It is actually only about 10 years old and if the truth be known, not historically accurate for our persona of 1750. It was not invented until the early 1800’s. Don’t tell anyone, lol.
Al Gongquin should show up & give you a hand. You could talk Noah Webster & syntax
Too funny … you’ve given me a good laugh.
I just found out that I have an ancestor who was a Hessian soldier from Hesse-Cassel. Who was captured at the battle of Trenton. He was taken to Mt. Hope NJ to work in the the iron mines. Great video bud. I wish I had the room 😂
It’s always exciting to find new tidbits of one’s family history, thanks for sharing.
Thx for the background on burning, heating and cooking with Peat, for doing this, filming it and sharing it with us.
Our pleasure! Thanks for watching.
So would a horse to help with the maneuver of logs be period appropriate in your mind ?
I love wood fires ! so glad my ancestors immigrated from Ireland 🙂.
All best to Peter
A horse would indeed help, Wade. And to think, we used to farm with horses and had four … oh well, one log at a time.
Peter and Cathy, thanks for another great episode! Harvesting all that timber must keep you warm in the frigid temperatures. lol
Your use of a double-bladed axe makes me wonder if there is a difference in the 'blade bevel' comparing one side to the other?
Perhaps on some future episode, you could discuss what the pioneers chose as far as essential tools to take with them when
they first ventured into the wilderness to establish their home.
Thanks for the idea. An axe would be next in line to their flintlock in importance. The double bitted axe is actually outside the time period of our persona. Start seeing them in the early 1800’s. Bevel is the same… they were sharpened at night and one had two sharp blades when the days work began.
As a son of the outskirts of the Great Plains, I can attest to wood being as valuable as gold at times.
Hard for me to imagine when I’m surrounded by trees! Keep your fires small.
Brother you're a hoss. All that clean living agrees with you thank you for sharing your journey with us.
I appreciate that and thanks for joining us on our journey.
That reminds me of a fort we neighborhood kids used to have. It was made of boards instead of logs. We used to stand on top and scout out over the field between us and the kids from the other side. We could usually see them but they hid in the tall grass. We shot rubber bands from play guns and threw old fruit ect in our play wars. It was fun. Forts were such a big thing when I was a kid! Maybe they were a remnant of the past that still played out in our minds. Whether this was from memories in our genes or just reinactments from t.v., lol, we sure played it out in our own way.
You have put such hard work in the building of a more realistic fort. It has captured my imagination and wished I could dress up in the clothes and visit to see for myself. But..at least we have video!
Well if you happen to drop by, I’ve clothes to fit, lol. I can’t tell you how many play forts I built as a child. Some might say I’m still the same age … not a whole lot of real fort builders around these days!
You need to get a mule they are steady enough to lift the logs and make it way easier for you when I was a kid I helped my neibor build a 20 by 20 log barn with big logs the first two rows were all red oak on top of a rock footing about a foot high then we switched to poplar logs the walls were 10 feet tall and we framed the roof with all kinds of wood oak ash and locust and some others but we used dog wood pegs along with big spikes in places and we put a tin roof on it it took us a whole winter and the most part of the spring but I learned so much I am 60 years old now and still look on that time of my life with favor
I too remember being involved in construction an early age … I was fascinated then and I remain fascinated to this day. Thanks for sharing your story.
Does your Fireplace heat your Cabin well? Was always told you loose alot of heat as compared to a Woodstove.
U are correct about the fireplaces losing alot of heat but woodstoves were not yet for that period he portrays.
They are horrible compared to wood stoves. However, the Rumford style was the most efficient of fireplace designs, even to this day.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thank you for answering my Question.
I love this. I would hire you in a heart beat to build something like this on my Vermont property. I have been talking and dreaming about building such buildings, but can't get my husband on board. I orders an ax from Townsends with the intention of trying to build my little log hut. I don't think I have the skills, but I haven't given up on doing something like this! Thank you for your channel! @oldstonewellfarm
Go for it! I’ve found the best way to learn is to simply start … you may very well surprise yourself.
Thanks for the encouragement! :) @@TheWoodlandEscape
You definitely need a endentured servant.
Tell me about it, lol.
I noticed that you about went through the trap door!
I’m more mindful these days, lol.
Kilkelly is one of the most beautiful, yet saddest, songs over every heard. I love watching the progress.
I may sound like a wee bit of a sap, but it is the only song that I sing where I actually need to fight back tears .
From one sap to another, I can relate@@TheWoodlandEscape
Knowing the habits of critters like Fred don't be surprised if he decides to man the upper story of the blockhouse and calls in stinky drone strikes on the bottom floor. But he ought to be good company at that.
Oh my, I never considered that!
@@TheWoodlandEscape you won't have to worry about mice or rats. But, if there's an opening he can get in I wouldn't be surprised.
Burning Peat in Scotland smells of heather, and the smell is fantastic! Most places have propane or electricity for heat available these days, but the houses constructed up until probably 1990 still have their peat-burning fireplaces too. You can find peat bricks at the Scottish equivalent of Seven-Eleven stores where you might find bundles of firewood here in the US.
Who would have known … I thought it all but gone except for scotch, lol.
❤😊😊
Gee Peter you only seem to get stronger young man!
Don’t I wish!
😊
🗻🇬🇷🎀Nice two-way ax 🎀🇬🇷♒
It is indeed a dandy tool!
Peter, I have a question which I think I know the answer to, but will ask anyway for confirmation.
All of the cut and stacked timber on your property, did you fell and gather all of them? How many do you have?
Cheers!
If you’re referring to the palisade logs, about 1/2 are from my property and the remainder I’m buying. I estimate I need in the neighborhood of 700.
So, may I assume that all the trees you have cut, and will cut in the future, on your property are done with the axe and handsaw?
@@jdog881688 As much as would like to do it in a traditional manner, I’m afraid the date on my passport made it quite clear that if was to undertake this rather daunting task, that the use of modern equipment would be necessary. At the onset, I made a full disclosure that I would be using modern stuff. I built the original cabin completely by using hand tools, but this project is simply too big for one fellow.
I use a old pine stump to start my fire.
That would be a wonderful material.
The misuse of peat to poison otherwise good scotch in some places (Island Scotch) is lamentable.
The blockhouse looks great Peter
Frank
We agree on the blockhouse, Frank, but not our scotch … the smokier and peatier the better, 😝.
I have a bottle of a very peaty single malt in the back of the liquor cabinet. If you are ever ever in south- western Virginia I will barter it to you for a "wee bit of history "
best regards
Frank
@@tropifiori well now Frank, that sounds like a reason for a road trip!
Enjoy your yt videos. 😊
Thank you! 🤗
What would be a good starter book to learn these skills?
Mark Barkers two volume set called, a Pilgrims Journey and they are still in print.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Awesome! Thank you!
Thank you !
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Was thinking about how they may have raised Logs in the 18th Century if they ever used any kind of wooden mechanical device. Very interesting wee bit of history, learned more about tinder as well. Thank you.
I’m sure they would have used derricks, but figure it would take too long to build. As it I get higher i might have to
Another fine installment! To me it looks like a veritable labor of Hercules, but if anyone can do it, you can. As a side note, my great-grandparents on my father's side were from Ireland. My wife and I are planning a visit to Ireland in the next year or so.
I’d like to visit as well. My problem is I hate a lot of people congregating in one spot, like airports. I suspect you’ll have a grand holiday.
Cold,sleeting,and rain....mts of west n.c. ...but that's ok,I've got coffee,and a new post of woodland escape.
Glad I could be of help on an inclement day. Thanks so much for your interest.
Peter your strength really impressed me until now after watching the channel for more than 2 years with different builds you've built.
I must admit, I’m starting to feel he age in the bones.
You need help. Congrats on getting this far. I use char similar to what you do. I use the shelf mushrooms you find on trees, but I'm not sure of the genus. I chunk them up in small pieces and then char them in my char can. Everything else is the same. I don't think you can put them out even if stepping on the ember. Do you have any idea if we are talking about the same thing.
Charred conks are indeed a good spare catcher, but different from Chaga. Chaga does no5 get charred and can be used right off the tree.
Hallo, bist du auch im Facebook?
Loved the video. Would actually love to see you and Cathy making more food items in your daily routine.
Great idea!!
Looking great, you should buy a mule to pull those logs
And to think, we used to farm with horses … should have kept one, lol.
I was glad you mentioned the punk wood/chaga thing. I’ve read a book or two of people detailing their lives back in the day, and I know even small scraps cloth were used, or one lady from upper canada village said they traded colourful little bits with natives, so this whole char cloth thing didn’t make any sense, but when I wrote to some other historical channels, I heard nothing. It just makes sense they wouldn’t do it often. At least not here in the new world anyway.
On the same practicality line, I would think punk wood would have been more common as well, since it can be hit or miss if you find it, and it’s so slow growing. I would think it would be kept for travel, or wetter conditions, don’t you?, or does your research really say chaga was used most often?
I won’t burn my valuable tea. 🙂
Punk wood was the go to in the south where birch doesn’t grow, but in these parts it was use almost exclusively.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Really? That makes sense to me when people were pretty far away from each other, I guess. Like during my hunting trip last year I must have easily found 10lbs (wet) of the stuff for tea for the year. Plus you can score trees in an area with it, and in a few years it’ll probably be there. Plus the piece you used was pretty large. I’m sure they used it more sparingly.
Anyway, nice to see the place going up. You’ll have your bikini body ready for summer with all that work! 🙂
Did you have to buy all of the glass new?
Not sure what glass your are referring too.
How did you connect the second floor logs to the roof of the first floor? Did you drive some big pins through them or are you just using weight, friction and gravity?
It is fastened with heavy pegs. You’re very observant … thanks for your interest.
@@TheWoodlandEscape I'm an engineer. It had me worried!
@@kentfreier5705 I’m appreciative of your council!
My McGees were already in Canada since my G,G,Grandparents were married at Notre Dame cathedral in Ottawa in 1840. They both came from the Limerick area as far as I know. DNA puts my pap in Galway/South Mayo.
You sound proud of your heritage, as do I .
Lockout is coming along nicely. I do appreciate the history is share. Thanks to the both of you.
Glad you enjoyed it. We appreciate your support and interest.
Why not a timber hitch?
The timber hitch is an excellent one. I use it pretty much exclusively when I’m skidding out logs. I simply find if the end is off the ground the clove hitch is quicker.
I've only used Chaga for making tea. never heard of it for fire starting before
It is the absolute best for both!
Can you sometime show a picture of the chaga?
@@thegoodtom1718
I think I have seen similar stuff on trees in the south.
Thanks man.
@@boscodog4358 will do
@@thegoodtom1718 I never thought of that. I generally grind mine for tea, but if one used chunks your idea would work.
Another good one,and history lesson too,on peat and chagall thanks
Glad you enjoyed it