History

     Mt. Vernon published a small booklet entitled "General Washington's Military Equipment" in 1963. This book states that "His military equipage grew gradually as the war dragged on. In April 1776. Benjamin Harbeson of Philadelphia provided a "mess kit" consisting of the following: 1 Nest of Camp Kettles, 3 large Tin Canisters, 1 doz. Oval tin dishes, 9 Tin plates.” It goes on to say that, “He added more plates and canisters the following month.”
     The mess kit is further described as follows: “A Chest of wood - covered with leather, lined with green wool. Interior divided into fourteen compartments and containing a tray with nine compartments. This kit was equipped with the following: 4 tin pots with detachable wooden handles, 6 tin plates, 3 tin platters, 2 knives and 4 forks with black handles, 1 gridiron with collapsible legs, 2 tinder boxes, 8 glass bottles with cork stoppers, 2 glass bottles for pepper and salt with pewter tops.”