Patty Reed’s Doll
Chapter One Discussion
Let's see--lots learned in
this beginning chapter.We learned the exact description of the doll--a
painted
face, a knob of painted hair, rosy cheeks, black hair. Nice to know as
we make
our clothespin dollies!
The story begins in 1845. Didn't it seem
like they were planning to take a LOT of stuff? I don't think
they knew
in the slightest what they were getting into!
As the Book starts out
Patty's doll tell us she first heard of pioneering in Grandma's big
bedroom in
Springfield Illinois in 1845.
Grandma's stories ignite the imaginations of Patty,Puss and Patty's
doll. Soon
they all learn that They too will be pioneering because Pa intends to
take the
family to California.The dolls worry that they might be left behind.
But
Patty's little wooden doll is sure that she will go in Patty's pocket.
The doll
watch the preparations from the window seat. I don't think I read
Patty's dolls
name. Did anyone notice her name?
I would just like to again
recommend watching the American Experience broadcast on the Donner
Party. It is
available on-line. The film's first minutes include a lovely close-up
of our
heroine, Dolly.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/donner/
No, I don't think they had a clue. It seems as though they were trying
to re-create their comfortable life-style, which as we know from
history, was
stripped away from them bit-by-bit. Frightful lesson to learn!
When I read this I thought
how very much their adventure was like packing up into a sailboat or a
camper
van and traveling out into the world. They didn't really seem to have a
sense
of privation about squeezing all the stuff into the wagons.
They *thought* they knew what they were getting into. But Adventures
are often
like that.
Except we have roads! the courage the folks must have had!
I was aghast at the list of
things they were planning to transport across the country in wagons!!
It's hard to believe the leaders and/or parents thought they
could move
so much "stuff" successfully.
I think Mr Reed just wanted
adventures because except for saying it would be a healthier place for
Mrs Reed there was not a
reason for them to go! They were leaving a big white house and it
was never mention what Mr
Reed did for a living, but they seem to be well off. They had a
cook and
other hired men. They talk about all the fine dresses the dolls
had and
even made more for the journey. I agree that they didn't
know what
they were getting into.
It did in another book... Mr
Reed was a shop keeper... like a mercantile. they were very
wealthy...but
not great at survival...
Their wagon was the largest
of all.. and they had more oxen than the others.
They also carried goods from
their business to restart another business in the west..
Matter of fact most the
people on the Donner wagon train were mostly business people. not the
out of
doors type rustic men needed for this journey.
And they followed a book
written by a man very popular on the trails and area they should travel
but
when it came down to it, the writer never went west of
Chicago. and
this is how they ended up in the tragedy they did. It was supposed to
be a
shortcut.
I had the advantage of
visiting the museum on route 80 into Reno on the border or California
and
Nevada. You could walk back to the area where they were stuck thru the
worse
storm ever at the lean to's. I also bought that other book, not
the patty
reed doll one but it was mentioned in this other book. Years have gone
by and i
have lost this book by loaning it out to someone who never returned but
I
remember some of the history written. some of it were excerpts of Mr's
Reed's
journals and she mentions the doll and the child quite often
.. but
I never put two and two together about the doll till y'all started
talking
about it.
Another really interesting
book that is put out by Scholastic (schools order books from here) is
called
"The Perilous Journey of the Donner Party" by Marian Calabro.
It is an excellent book!!
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?keyword=The+Perilous+Journey+of+the+Donner+Party&mtype=B&hs.x=14&hs.y=8 Hi all you Patty Reed Doll friends!
I love this first chapter - it opens the book perfectly. Everyone
talking about
going "pioneering" to build the excitement and then the big
announcement that they really are going "pioneering"! Then next the
"planning" of the families - it showed how involved the trip was,
each person had their part to prepare, then Patty "planning" for her
doll family's things. I loved Dolly's personality that the author gave
her
right away, the way she envisions things are so one sided to stay loyal
to
Patty. They are a great team! :)
I have read this book so many times - probably 6 times and love it more
each
time. This is so great to be apart of a group reading it and discussing
it.
Thanks Julie!!
I think it's going to be fun
too! I liked the pleasant way the book begins too. Even
Dollie is
getting into it!
Hi Annie,
I loved reading your post - its packed full of very interesting
information and
facts. How neat to have toured the museum. We take so much for granted
to be
able to drive places and eat along the way. Yes, its true they were
educated,
but were uneducated in many things.
Thanks again for the facts!!! Makes me ponder a lot!
Thanks Kathie for the link and info!
They sure
packed a bunch of stuff! :o) I liked the
comment that the dolls made about
being shocked at all the food.
I cannot imagine packing
items for 6 months trips. And which one of us could possibly
leave our
dolls behind or take just one. I could not decide on
one.
Guess you better count me out on this trip. They probably thought
it
would be easier. I cannot imagine it. The book is quite
interesting. Will try to get the other one too.
Thank you Beth, I read about
the snow storm and the terrible things that really did happen on the
trip.
The Patty Reed 's Doll does
not really go into some of the bad things, Thank Goodness.
Thank you
for filling us in on Reed occupation. We
can see
now where they made bad decisions,
but now days
we drive over the Sierra Mountains and the pass where they
had all
the trouble in about 5 minutes
and stop at a fast food
place for a hamburger down the road a bit. So I guess we
shouldn't criticized our pioneers.
I love my Hittys, but she
really didn't face the hard shipped Patty Reed's little Dolly did
and
survive.
And Dolly only had one
owner,Patty, who loved her and took care of her and never forgot her
whatever
happen.
I didn't think I was going
to enjoy this book, but the history is great and Dolly is 167 plus
years old.
The Reeds needed enough food
for about 10 people, for about a year. True, the trip was to take 6 to
8
months, but arriving in early winter meant they would need food to last
into
spring, when they could pick wild greens & start a garden.
Some of the 'stuff' they packed were tools to repair wagons & to
build a
new home, as well as medicine they might need for a while.
I like that the story is
told from Dolly's point of view like Hitty's story. I thought that the
description of the dress that Patty sewed for Dolly was sweet and so
child
like, "...my dress was usually a little square with a hole for my head,
sewed together with a few awkward stitches and tied round the middle
with a bit
of a ribbon sash."
If I get around to carving a Dolly, I want to make her a dress like
this too.
That sounds like the first
dresses I made for my dolls when I was five. Cute. However,
the
picture of Dollie at the Ft. makes her look a lot better dressed,
so at
some point, her clothing and the makers skills must have improved.
I thought the same when I
saw her dress (on the real doll). I would guess, much like the
story of
the Real Hitty, the author took some license with the 'facts'.
I'm still
debating how I might dress my clothespin Dollie.
i have read alot of books on
the Donner party - but saved this book to read chapter by chapter as we
go
along in the discussion - so that means i have not read the whole book
yet.
This is my first attempt in participating in a book dicussion, so
please
forgive me of any mistakes I make in learning the process.
In this first chapter the doll talks about "puss"
it has me wondering about "puss" first i thought cat, but no -
because the doll says "toasted thier toes by the warm fire" so i no
longer think "puss" is a cat. In this first chapter I can find no
explaination who "puss" is.
the doll appears delighted by the notion of the palace car in which
they will
travel - which i find amusing.
she seems excited and scared of what new ventures are to come, but
finds
comfort in her faith Patty will keep her safe.
Puss? well! Now I have
to go back and reread that chapter! I assumed it was a cat
too....!
Somehow I thought that was a
reference to her sister.
I also like that the book is
written from the doll's point of view. if it wasn't, I don't think I'd
read it.
everyone knows the grief that they came to. it's good to have a story
that the
focus is on the journey and the comfort a small doll can give.
by not mentioning the
shocking horror, we can have a better view of what it was like to take
a trip
west in those days.
it does seem like they
packed too much stuff, but there weren't any 7/11's along the way.
also, they might have gotten
to California if they hadn't taken the cut-off.
I had seen a PBS show about
it, and the ending related that one of the survivors (I think it was
Patty
Reed) wrote to her cousin who was planning to come west. she ended her
letter
with "hurry right along and don't take no
cut-offs"
the
tragedy reminds me of the titanic. there were so many things that
went
wrong, and it seems that if any one thing had been different they may
have
survived.
This is my first book
discussion too :). Knowing what the Donner party went through and the
end of
the story made me hesistant at first to read the book, but when I saw
the
pictures of Dolly I knew I wanted to know more.
It's easy for me to question the wisdom of the trip since it turned out
so
badly, but it is interesting to read how a little inanimate object like
a doll
made a difference. Is it because it has the same form as us that makes
this
difference?
Patty whispers her fears to Dolly and is reassured by Dolly's presence
(after
Grandma told her about Indians). Patty talks to Dolly about the trip
and how
exciting it's going to be and about their home on wheels. I think that
Patty
talking to Dolly reassures Patty that her basic needs of a home and
protection
will be taken care of.
Patty talks to Dolly as if she is real can hear and respond, but is it
just
hearing her thoughts aloud that really make a difference to Patty,
having
someone else little and with no control to share with?
Can you imagine the day back
then.. ? what the pioneers had to go thru and face. The heathen indians
scalping people. the piece of cloth the child found to make a dress..
probably
some of the supplies brought forth from the Reeds inventory or a piece
off her
own dress?>
I went to another
museum up in Willits Calif... there on display was a covered wagon and
two
pioneer mannequins, one was a woman.. even tho the sign SAID do
not touch
displays.. I had to reach out and touch the dress (when the guide
looked the
other way) the lady mannequin was wearing.. it intriqued me. It
was like
the heaviest of quilted blankets, not very clean and still smelled like
the
sweat of the wearer and aged fabric. Underneath were tens of petticoats
(yes I
lifted it), also not lightweight. the whole skirted part of the outfit
must
have weigh 20 pounds or more..
her boots were buttoned on
the side and more delicate looking than the skirted dress..and worn
like she
walked alot the soles were busted out.
Now Im pretty rustic but to
do such a task as they had to forego, i dont even think i could do it.
well not
in that skirt. I would have had to wear buckskins like the men.
Once again we find a little
four-inch wooden doll, like Tottie in The Doll's House, as a pillar in
her
Dolly Community. It is Dolly that explains the news on the
upcoming
journey to the other dolls in the family and how the pioneering might
affect
them. And, like Tottie, Dolly also suffers discrimination for her
size
and humble estate from the more elegant dolls - the finer dolls
misinterpreting
Patty's endearment for Dolly, "little country cousin", as a
snub. For the most part, Dolly seems to have more confidence in her
role than
does Tottie, but even she was dismayed when the children of fellow
travelers
remarked that they could only take their best dolls and had to give
their old
dolls away.
It seems as though Patty achieved her desire for the hair trunk and new
ensembles for the dolls. Even in the midst of all the vital
preparations,
the family made sure Patty's dolls were well provided for.
Funny, I know many of us, that in the middle of preparations for a
Hitty
Gathering or a private vacation, spend just as much time making sure
our own
beloved dollies are kitted out properly. I may forget to pack my
toothbrush, but never a change of pantalettes for Hitty!
so true miss Jane so true..
I once forgot my hairbrush, an essential for longish hair at that
time.. but my
hitty..oh she had it all...!
Hi Sharon, I liked what you
wrote and agree with all your points. Dolly and Patty were best buddies
and she
helped Patty so much!
I love the bond between
Patty and Dolly, and how important Dolly was to Patty, both as her toy
and as a
comfort. How fortunate that she was indeed small and portable,
showing in
many ways her superiority to larger and supposedly more beautiful
ones.
Sometimes we prize the wrong things, but Patty got it right.
perhaps the small dolls are
the ones who can explain because they can easily be carried along
everywhere
especially in a pocket and are in a position to overhear much of what
is going
on.
I found a really cute book
called "Dolls and Why We Love Them" by Weleran Poltarnees. It
has many delightful illustrations taken from publications as old as
1886, and
ponderings and explanations, many of which apply to Patty Reed and her
Dolly.
Here are a few examples:
Early in childhood humans
develop a fondness for small and helpless beings. Dolls and toy animals
draw
upon this instinct. They appeal with their smallness and
helplessness.
The innocence of dolls is
invincible. Even when they encounter evil they fail to learn it.
They have little or no knowledge of the larger world.
Without us
they are lost. They are weak in abstract understanding, but they enjoy
being
instructed and informed.
We love dolls for many
reasons, but most centrally we love them because they need us so much,
because
they need us to fully live, and if we love them as they deserve, they
will give
back to us a deepened capacity for love.
Doesn't this sound like
Patty's relationship with Dolly?
I'd buy that book just to be
able to read the name of the author aloud! Both "Weleran" and
"Poltarnees" need a doll named after them!
Those are all very good observations - thanks for sharing them, Ann.
you can understand that the
Reed family was considered very wealthy..
With James and
Margaret Reed were their four children, Virginia, Patty, James and
Thomas, as
well as Margaret’s 70-year-old mother, Sarah Keyes, and two hired
servants.
Though Sarah Keyes was so sick with consumption that she could barely
walk, she
was unwilling to be separated from her only daughter. However, the
successful
Reed was determined his family would not suffer on long journey as his
wagon
was an extravagant two-story affair with a built-in iron stove,
spring-cushioned seats and bunks for sleeping. Taking eight oxen to
pull the
luxurious wagon, Reed’s 12-year-old daughter Virginia dubbed it
"The
Pioneer Palace Car.”
In nine brand new
wagons, the group estimated the trip would take four months to cross
the
plains, deserts, mountain ranges and rivers in their quest for California.
Their first destination was Independence, Missouri,
the main jumping-off point for the Oregon and California Trails.
I have been following along
with all the discussions, but haven't gotten my book yet, I have it
ordered and
should be in soon.. I have read the book about the Donner Party
though.. It is
such a heart touching story.. I think if you really are to understand
completely, one would have to be from that time.. I can't imagine what
it must
of been like to load up and move away without knowing the exact
location of
each stop being made.. This was through some rough and really scary
land that
they traveled.
I am excited to read the book from Dolly's view..
Thanks for inputting all you have..
Someone drew a picture of
Patty Reed all grown up..attached
I went to the library to see
what I could find and I have Patty Reed's doll book coming in
from
springfield OR
I found a bungh of books on
the Donner party itself...
but its going to take a good
week...Im interested in reading anything about her.. and her sweet doll
She was only 4 inches small?
I have a picture in the book of that doll also next to a ruler..if
anyone wants
me to take a picture copy of it so you can see?
She has the Hitty hairstyle
too. Love the dress collar. Bet she has a pocket on her
dress. Thanks for the info. I have the 2 other authors
coming. Am glad it wasnt me in the wagon. We traveled with
6 kids
but in a station wagon and toys etc and there was fast food snacks
etc. I
WILL NEVER complain again.
I didn’t notice the
hair! Good eyes!
Thanks so much for the
drawing!!! So cool :0) Hi Beth, This
explains so much more than the book. These are details I have pondered
about.
Thanks so much for sharing your findings!
that really looks a lot like
her, though, doesn't it!
Amazing that the little doll
is still around. Think of the attics she might have seen!
pretty isnt she tho, spendy
but pretty
Im sort of amateur historian
and this was one i really researched out... as I live so close...and
love to
delve into history.
thanks for the kind words.
(This explains so much more
than the book. These are details I have pondered about. Thanks so much
for
sharing your findings!) Great observation,
I felt this too about patty's relationship to dolly when reading the
chapter -
just jas not sure how to express in words.Just a bit of trivia - Patty
was not
her real name, Patty was a nickname. Her real name was "Martha Reed"
The excepts from a letter someone quoted in an earlier post, the letter
was not
written by Patty. It was written by her sister Virgina.
Since childhood I have always been fastenated by the Donner Party
story. I have
read a total of 14 Donner Party related books (3 more in the last 9
mos) and I
seen three documentaries throught the years on this pioneering
group(excluding
hollywoods lastest movie scare & gore fest a few years ago on the
Donner
Party). Five yrs ago I did an extensive historical study on the typical
snow
& rain totals for the Sierra mountains. So very interesting story
on the
whole.
Hey Annie, I'd love to see
the picture of Patty's doll next to a ruler. I hoep to carve one and am
getting
as many pictures as I can to go by. I thought Patty's hair looked like
Hitty
too.
okay... see here.. now I
took a pix of it in the book...
I cant hardly believe it was
a mere 4" tall...
I did not sign up for the
discussion but dearly love the book about Patty Reed's doll. I'm doing
another
library display, going in next week, and my Judy Brown Patty Reed doll
will go,
along with a little very old peg wooden. The exhibit, Dolls in Books,
will be
such fun to do. I was amazed how many dolls and books I have that go
together!
Judy sent me the paperback book when I bought her beautiful little doll.
Beth, THANK YOU for the picture of the real Patty Reed. I've printed it
off to
put with the dolls and the book!
I did not sign up for the
discussion but dearly love the book about Patty Reed's doll. I'm doing
another
library display, going in next week, and my Judy Brown Patty Reed doll
will go,
along with a little very old peg wooden. The exhibit, Dolls in Books,
will be
such fun to do. I was amazed how many dolls and books I have that go
together!
Judy sent me the paperback book when I bought her beautiful little doll.
Beth, THANK YOU for the picture of the real Patty Reed. I've printed it
off to
put with the dolls and the book!
Billie Aye, You don't have
to sign up for the Discussion. Just read the book and jump in. I love
the
library displays of dolls and books. I first read Miss Hickory because
of a
display like that when I was 8 years old.
Don't you think that they
all went into this as if it was a great and wonderful adventure?
They
must have been very excited about the whole idea of not only the trip
but of
being in a new land, so to speak, doing new things. Like a trip
to Disney
or anticipating Christmas. At this point, it was all wonderful
and new
and speculative.
Regarding clothing.
I worked at an 1816 c.
museum/fort many years ago and we had a Christmas weekend.
With only fireplaces, and no
other heat in the log buildings.
It was along day, and when I
got home I was very tired.
Then I realized, how much
clothing I had on.
So, curiosity too over, and
I stepped on the scale in my many layers.
Full length flannel lined
wool cloak, quilted petticoat, dress, jacket, chemise, stockings,
boots,
mittens and muff, and linen coif.
I had on 35 pounds of
clothing! No wonder I was tired. From bending over the
fire, cooking,
and just walking!
We really have come a long
way, baby!!!!!
I added two photos of Dolly
from our visit to Sutter's Fort to the April album. I think you may get
a
little better view of her ensemble. I am not too sure Patty's
needle-working
skills progressed much further than her initial "square with a hole for
my
head...tied around the middle with a bit of ribbon sash". I think that
description fits this gown almost perfectly, and that *could* be the
author's
literal interpretation of what she saw.
I'd love to know if anyone has any further information about Dolly's
present
costume. Do we even know if this is the dress she traveled in? Was she
dressed
again by Patty at some point after the ordeal?
Has Patty's diary been published?
A quick google brings up a photo of Patty's diary, and today's quest
found this
web-site. I have not read through the entire site, so make no claims as
to
correctness or suitability, but there are many photos to view.
http://serene-musings.blogspot.com/2009/11/tragedy-in-sierra-nevada-part-i.html
I don't know about the diary
- it would be an interesting read. however the ebook on that blog, and
another
one is available for free download at this site
Yup, I re-read this morning
and found that it is a direct reference to a female sibling - aka
sister. This
book mentions Puss had a pony named Billy.
In all my other Donner Party books, the pony Billy belonged to Virgina
Reed,
Patty's sister. What I find curious is none of my other 14 books refer
mention
the nickname name "Puss" at all - not even in the use for Virgina. So
I believe Rachel K Laurgaard used creative license with this nickname
for
Patty's sister.
Also as for clothing the book mentions the woman received a new
wardrobe of
"Lindsey" dresses for the trip. these garments were suppose to be
lighter wear more appropriate for the journey est through the blazing
sun and
hot summer days. I looked up Lindsy cloth and found it is a coarse
twill or
plain-woven fabric woven with a linen warp and a woolen weft. this is
suppose
to be a lighter wearing cloth, but still sounds pretty sturdy and heavy
to me.
If this as lighter wear, Wow, can you imagine what how bulky and heavy
the
regular wear must have been?
Patty Reed Doll by Judy
Brown
Your Dolly is a sweet thing,
Billy - such a far-away look, remembering. Judy did a wonderful work
with her
gown - looks perfect!
Minnie is another doll that
Patty owns. She is the big wooden doll (large peg or Schoenhut?) who
was
jealous and snubbed Dolly calling her just the little country cousin
(which she
had heard Patty say).
I like Dolly's personality. Minnie is hurtful to her, and Dolly's
reaction is
not anger or retaliation, but confidence in the facts that Patty didn't
mean
her remarks as a put down (simply referring to Patty's own sewing
abilities)
and that Patty loved her best.
The time is 1846, so the
doll Minnie needs to be earlier than that - good excuse for research
and pondering.
I wonder who she could be?
Yes, Dolly is a good example of confidence in her own worth and the
unconditional love of Patty.
The Donner
Party: American Experience is also available from Net Flix.