The Passing of 'Old Sutler John'
By Julio C. Zangroniz

CONKLIN, N.Y. - Practically everybody who has been to a Civil War reenactment within the last few decades couldn't help but notice a stocky, good-natured gentleman in the battered top hat, sitting quietly or laughing with friends and visitors in some corner of sutler row - he was Old Sutler John - and he always had a kind word, something cheerful or a piece of fatherly advice for those fortunate enough to cross his path.

The memories of those days will comfort many, because John W. Ferry, 59, died on May 16 at Wilson Memorial Hospital, following a long struggle with kidney disease.

Ferry was born on Sept. 9, 1941, in Washington, D.C., and became a sutler while competing at the North-South Skirmish Association (N-SSA) matches, when "he started selling nipple picks to pay for his gas," according to Nancy, his wife of almost 30 years.

"He was one of the oldest, original sutlers active today in reenacting circles," recalled Nancy, because "his first time as a full-fledged, full-time sutler at an event was in 1972, at a GAR State Convention in upstate New York."

Old Sutler John was also a reenactor, serving for about 10 years with the 137th New York, a unit he started in the Binghamton area, while at the same time running his sutlery. Eventually "we'd do about 32 events per year. It was a full-time business that will continue," declared Nancy, who expects to be "on my own, with part-time help from our son, Richard."

Nancy recalled that she and John first met in 1969, "at a local bar," she said with a laugh. The couple married about a year later.

"The thing that John liked the most was talking with and serving the people … he met a lot of fine people out there." She said, "Often, he would lose sales because he couldn't help telling people when something was 'a piece of junk.' They knew they could trust whatever John told them."

Mark DeAngelis, a fellow sutler, as well as a musician and reenactor, recalled: "John was a nice fellow. I enjoyed being set up near his tent because he always told me that he enjoyed my music. I bought my first set of traps - from leathers to haversack to musket - from John."

DeAngelis recalls how, many years later, before the 135th Gettysburg reenactment, he and his family were driving up the hill to sutler row and saw John walking.

"'Hey, can I get a ride?' 'Sure' was my reply, as I slowed to let him get in. But before I could even come to a stop, he turned and jumped onto the hood of the truck. So, there he sat as we crawled the 100 or so yards up to his tent."

A small group of friends who witnessed the end of that joyful ride, commented about the expression on Old Sutler John's face, as if even though he had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, enjoying the moment to the fullest.

Old Sutler John waged a gallant fight against kidney complications. "He had had a transplant about eight years ago and was getting ready for a second such operation," according to Nancy.

"He was my whole life and if we didn't do this business together, we wouldn't have survived this long. He encouraged me to go on with the business, because he worked so hard to build it up and we just don't want to simply let it go," she said.
Ferry served in the United States Navy from 1960-1965 and was a proud "plank owner" of the U.S.S. Enterprise, noted Nancy, who said that he participated in the commissioning of the ship when it first went out in 1960.

Old Sutler John was given a military funeral, including an artillery honor guard, thanks to Cooper's Battery, who counted themselves among his staunchest supporters.

Civil War News reporter/photographer Marilyn Ela John calling her to his tent at the 135th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. He said, "I have something I want to show you, something that gives me great pride." He showed her three black and white photos of his father during the 75th reenactment of Antietam.

His father was John W. Ferry Sr., a member of the Maryland National Guard which had sent men down to do Confederate impressions. "It was Sept. 17, 1937. The men were dressed in World War 1 military uniforms, with wrapped legs, and D.I. hats. They used 03-A3 Springfield Rifles, .30 caliber, and were shooting blanks. Most impressive of all, they were photographed where they did the reenactment, in the original Bloody Lane," recalled Ela.

Sutler John asked her to photograph the photos for The Civil War News. "He wanted to share what his father and the Maryland National Guard had done to preserve what happened there 135 years ago with all the reenactors we have today....to show them how it 'used' to be done in 1937," said Ela.

Ela, who photographed Ferry at every event, said "It was easy to talk to Sutler John of his illness. I would sit beside him and listen to what he had to say, and some days, it was hard for him to speak.

"He was not feeling very well, and I asked him why he was there, and not at home resting. H answered me by saying, 'I love it here, I love the comradeship of the reenactors, it makes me feel good, makes me feel alive.'"

According to Nancy, Old Sutler John's tall beaver hat "will be with me at every reenactment, on the table. It will still be part of the business."

Nancy could not explain the origin of the beaver hat which was John's trademark. "I know he had it as early as 1972, but I don't know where he got it."

This season Old Sutler John's sutlery expects to set up at the Battle of Gettysburg in July, then in Mumford, N.Y., at First Manassas in Virginia and Jackson, Mich.

Nancy Ferry expressed her thanks because "the reenacting community has been very supportive. I thank all the re-enactors and sutlers who have contributed to the National Kidney Foundation in his remembrance, as well as those who attended various ceremonies. I thank you for your help and support throughout the long illness." Old Sutler John is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Sharon, granddaughter Megan, and step-grandson Michael.