Who we are today

1st New York McCracken's Co. 1777

Below find a short Bio of who our 21st century membership are,
and why we "Portray" this Lifestyle.

Mitch Lee : Historic Reeinactor since 1982 BS in Art Education SUNY at New Paltz, MS Syracuse University. Live and work in the Adirondack Mountains. I write a weekly Column called “Growing Up Adirondack”. I Work for the Town Of Inlet Doing PR & Tourism& travel across the northern forest states doing Adirondack Storytelling. I became a reeinactor in my teen years as a result of wanting to understand the private struggles of a soldier in the American Revolution. To date I have done living history on 223 different sites, (several I have been to 10 or more times) in 18 States, Canada, & England. I still find that as much as I study there is more to know. If I could pass on anything to a new recruit it would be to understand that you will never know enough but to enjoy every moment you are “Living History”.

Peggy Huckel: I grew up in a very historic area, Salisbury, CT, where Ethan Allen lived off and on; I also have lived in historic Princeton, NJ, Alexandria, VA, Castine, ME (“Penobscot Expedition”), and for a year I lived in the Marshall house (of Baroness von Riedesel fame) in Schuylerville, NY. I’ve worked at the Saratoga Springs Public Library since 1987.

After writing papers about my coastal CT and RI ancestors in the F&I and Rev War for a degree in American Studies, working on an archaeological dig on Rogers Island in Fort Edward, going on a 10-day trip following the route of Benedict Arnold’s march to Quebec, and attending events far and wide including Southbury, CT and Yorktown, VA, I was more than ready when invited to join the 1^st New York in 2007.

I suppose because the seafaring life is in my blood (among my ancestors a clipper ship captain, a merchant in business with Benedict Arnold, and an 18c ship owner on Long Island) I’m also a member of the crew of the General Arnold, and a volunteer with the 1609 replica ship Half Moon.

Jack Long: I am a Student from NH who summers in Big Moose, NY and am a friend of Mitch Lee, who brought me into reenacting. He has been very helpful getting me started in the hobby. I have been to a few big events but nothing compares to Newtown. I enjoy the tactical aspects of the events and I am just mastering the drill. I plan to try and go to as many events as I can learning as much as I can for the next couple years until I am old enough to become a full member of the unit.

Scott Danni: Born and raised in the Buffalo, New York area for 34 years where I obtained a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Buffalo. I moved to the Schenectady area in 2005 to work at the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Niskayuna as a Mechanical/Nuclear Engineer. My side interests are quite different from my daily engineering job. I oil paint, read, collect books, model and act on a part time basis whenever I have the time. And of course, I love American history. Which is the reason for my life in 18^th century reenacting.

Joseph Urbanczyk
Born October 27th 1946 in Schenectady, NY. Wow!! Long time ago. Graduated from, the now merged with Mohanasen, Draper High School in '64. Long time ago again, Worked 28 years at Schenectady Steel Co. doing just about everything involved with fabricating anything made of steel. Another long time. I've been a self employed carpenter since 1997.
Joe the adventurer has been fishing since age 5, hiking and climbing mountains since age 12, hunting since age 20 and canoeing since maybe 35 or so. I became an Adirondack 46er in 1985 and served on the executive committee for 17 years. I've been doing volunteer trail work mostly in the high peaks for 27 years. I guess you might say I'm an outdoorsman.

I came into the reenacting hobby in 1998 as a camp follower and did that for 2 years. It happened that I came to faith in Christ and was born again in the same year. Interesting directions to go in at the same time. I longed for the day when I could get a kit together and join the ranks out on the field. That opportunity came at the Blue Bell event outside Philly on May 19 and 20, 2001, Tim Raymond let me borrow his Brown Bess since he had secured a Charley over the previous winter. Though I didn't have a regimental yet I fit in with my linen rifleman's shirt. If I remember correctly Mitch Lee was to my left when we sized the line but I had no idea who he was at that time.

It would be hard to pick out a favorite event from the many I've done. White Plains, Saratoga and Newtown are some to remember. The march to the surrender field at Yorktown left a lasting impression as I thought of the "Greatest army in history", at that point, about to surrender to a bunch of rag- tag rebels who just wouldn't give up their freedoms. I got choked up that day and even again as I write this. Among my favorite events I would have to include all the school shows I've done. I love kids and it was always a thrill to present them with a bit of living history. Too bad we don’t seem to have that opportunity anymore.

Many redactors are history buffs and can tell you all the battles and where and when and who was involved. I've always struggled with that, some I remember some just fade away. The big draw for me has always been the life of the continental soldier. Fascinating and fun to try to do it right.