Spence,
The Cresswell journal is an enlightening read in many ways. I'd don't think to pay as much attention to the food. I found it interesting how no one in Pittsburgh would extend him credit when he got back, owing to his ragged appearance. I believe in that trip he mentioned stopping to mend clothes at least a few times, and when he returned to Pitt, sewing a piece of linen from the "lap" of his shirt to his breeches so he could be decent. He must have been a sight! He didn't particularly enjoy the food at first until it got scarce, and that certainly changed his opinion about some of the available fare. The old Dutchwoman's cornmeal comes to mind.
Fred, Cresswell schemed all this up himself, actually, it seems. went out with the hopes of scouting out some land in Illinois and trading some trinkets to Indians. He was fresh off the boat from England and out to get rich. He ended up destitute and in a bad way. It didn't help his mental health any that he was a staunch Loyalist in the states right when the war was kicking off. He spent a lot of time very sick, too.
It's a very good read.
