Colonial housewives obviously didn’t have all the labor-saving devices we women have today to help us maintain our households. Not only do we have refrigerators and stoves, dishwashers and washing machines, vacuum sweepers, and numerous other appliances, we also have hot and cold running water in our houses and enjoy the comforts of central heating and air while doing our. Today we’re going to take a look at the lot of the farm woman in colonial times. So lace up your stays, put on your bedgown and petticoats, tie on a fresh apron, and for the next few minutes slip your feet into the shoes of a colonial woman managing her domain.
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Colonial hearth |
You’ll quickly discover that running a colonial household requires a staggering array of skills. You’ll begin your day while it’s still dark outside, and your first job will be to build up the fire on the kitchen hearth from the live coals you carefully banked beneath ashes the night before. You did remember to do that, didn’t you? Lighting a new fire when yours has gone out isn’t an easy business, and it’s not something you look forward too. But assuming your coals are still glowing, you’ll rake the coals into several piles, depending how many dishes you plan to cook for the day, and add kindling to each to
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Spinning yarn |
bring up a low flame. A few logs are next, while you ply your
bellows to get a proper fire going. It’s important that you know which kind of wood
is best for baking or frying and how to correctly gauge the temperature of each
of your fires for the dish you’ll prepare over it. If you intend to bake bread,
then the bake oven has to be stoked and heated to the correct temperature as
well. In the summer you’ll find the heat in the kitchen to be stifling. And, of
course, in the winter the outer edges of the rooms, where the heat doesn’t
reach, will freeze. So dress accordingly, but be very sure to keep your
petticoats away from the fire to prevent a not uncommon tragedy.
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Dipping candles |
Cooking for the family and managing the kitchen is not the only work you’ll have to do, however. You must also feed the chickens and gather the eggs, churn milk into butter, and make cheese, grind a sufficient supply of corn into meal, and wash the laundry by boiling it in a large kettle over a fire. Of course, there’s always your large garden plant and tend. Then in the evenings you’ll want to spin flax and wool into thread and yarn on the large and small spinning wheels. After dying the yarn, you’ll be able to weave cloth on the loom so you can sew clothing for yourself and your family. And in your spare time you’ll need to make candles! If you have a tin or pewter candle mold, that will definitely speed the task. Otherwise, you’ll have to cut individual wicks, tie them to a stick, dip them into tallow, and let them dry before dipping again and again until they reach the right thickness.
A great resource for learning about the nitty-gritty of daily life in the colonial period is Alice Morse Earle’s
Home Life in Colonial Days. It’s fun—and daunting—to read through it and discover what life was really like back then. The following directions for butchering chickens, which would have been the same in the 1700s, come from the 1877
Buckeye Cookbook. I grew up on a farm and well remember my mother killing and preparing the chicken for Sunday dinner the same way—and warning me about removing the gall very carefully!
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Colonial Dominique Chickens |
“Do not feed poultry the day before killing; cut off the head, hang up by the legs, as the meat will be more white and wholesome if bled freely and quickly. In winter, kill them three days to a week before cooking. Scald well by dipping in and out of a pail or tub of boiling water, being careful not to scald so much as to set the feathers and make them more difficult to pluck; place the fowl on a board with the neck towards you, pull the feathers away from you, which will be in the direction they naturally lie (if pulled in a contrary direction the skin is likely to be torn), be careful to remove all of the pin-feathers with a knife or a pair of tweezers; singe, but not smoke over blazing paper, place on a meat-board, and with a sharp knife cut off the legs a little below the knee to prevent the muscles from shrinking away from the joint, and remove the oil-bag above the tail. Take out the crop, either by making a slit at the back of the neck or in front (the last is better), taking care that everything pertaining to the crop or windpipe is removed, cut the neck-bone off close to the body, leaving the skin a good length if to be stuffed; cut a slit three inches long from the tail upwards, being careful to cut only through the skin, put in a finger at the breast and detach all the intestines, taking care not to burst the gall-bag (situated near the upper part of the breast-bone, and attached to the liver; if broken, no washing can remove the bitter taint left on every spot it touches). Put in the hand at the incision near the tail, and draw out carefully all intestines; trim off the fat from the breast and at the lower incision; split the gizzard and take out the inside and inner lining (throw liver, heart, and gizzard into water, wash well, and lay aside to be cooked and used for the gravy). Wash the fowl thoroughly in several waters (some wipe carefully without washing), hang up to drain, and it is ready to be stuffed, skewered, and placed to roast.”
Whew! That’s a lot of work for one platter of chicken that’s consumed by a hungry family in minutes, not to mention all the dishes the poor colonial housewife had to cook to go along with it and the cleanup involved. The difference in the amount of women’s labor when I was a child compared to what we have to do today, is striking enough. But when I think about the vastly greater work the 18th century housewife had to do—well, I need my fainting couch! As they say, a man may work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done!
I’m giving away one print and one ebook copy of my newest release,
The Return, Book 2 of the
Northkill Amish series, coauthored with Bob Hostetler. Everyone who leaves a comment on this post by the end of the day tomorrow will be entered in the drawing—unless you specify otherwise—and the winner will be announced Monday morning. Tell me whether you grew up on a farm or in the city, whether you had chores as a child, and if so, which was your favorite—or not! Also please let me know whether you prefer print or ebook and include your email addy so I can contact you if you win.
~~~
J. M. Hochstetler is the daughter of Mennonite farmers and a lifelong student of history. She is also an author, editor, and publisher. Northkill, Book 1 of the
Northkill Amish Series coauthored with Bob Hostetler, won
Foreword Magazine’s 2014 INDYFAB Book of the Year Bronze Award for historical fiction. Book 2,
The Return, released April 1, 2017. Her
American Patriot Series is the only comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution.
One Holy Night, a contemporary retelling of the Christmas story, won the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year Award.
We love to romanticize the past, don't we? Great post to jog our senses and bring us back to reality. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right, Linore! If we really could time travel to earlier times, I think we'd first notice the smells, and then the enormous amount of work that goes into just living from day to day. We're totally spoiled with our modern conveniences! Thanks for dropping by, and I'll enter you in the drawing. :-)
DeleteGreat post. I grew up in the city of Hampton VA. Yes, I had chores like washing dishes, helping hang the clothes on the clothesline and taking them in when they were dry, sweeping the porches, taking care of my dog and more. Those chores made me a better person. My favorite chore was taking care of my dog Susie. :-) Print books are great. Ebooks are great, too. ahenderson312(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMelissa, I think if children today actually had chores to do, they'd be better for it! Thank you for stopping by, and you're entered in the drawing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Thank you. :-)
DeleteI'm worn out just reading all that!! Yesterday, I washed and dried 4 loads of clothes (what can I say, I've been on deadline and the laundry had piled up). But all I did was sort and throw it on to wash. I spent maybe 30 minutes total.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I got up, made a cup of coffee in the Keurig and sat down to my laptop. Amazing times we live in.
We can't even relate to that kind of workload, can we, Pam? lol! It made me tired writing about it. Then you add childcare on top of it--I'll tell ya! Thanks for stopping by! You're entered in the drawing, and good luck!
DeleteI grew up in a mid sized town of about 60,000. We had chores to do and I got my first paying job at 10 helping a neighbor lady clean house twice a month for 50 cents an hour. But at Christmas she bought me a pretty dress! We also ironed clothes for neighbors and babysat. Clothes were 3 cents each and we babysat for 50 cents an hour $1 after midnight. It was the 60's! We also had chores at home, vacuuming, dusting, dishes, setting the table, cleaning the bathroom and always keeping our own room clean( shared with 2 sisters).
ReplyDeleteI think kids today need chores, responsibilities not just have everything handed to them! We couldn't afford to send our kids to college......my husband just finished paying off his own student loans a year ago and were in our 60's! But one son graduated summa cum lauded all while supporting a family! Another son made it in computers without a degree! But they all learned to work honestly and hard for what they wanted!
I grew up in the 50s and 60s too, Paula, and it was just a different world from today. I always liked cleaning house, helping with the farm animals, and picking fresh veggies from the garden. Collecting eggs, not so much. The chickens never could seem to figure out that somebody came into the henhouse every single day. lol! It was always a new event, and all the clucking, squawking, flapping, and trying to peck you--sheesh!
DeleteOops, I forgot email address again. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet I prefer paper back( real, holdable ) books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paula! Got it.
DeleteI would love to win, Joan! You know SO much about history and I love the posts you leave on this site. Congrats again! (you know how to reach me. ;) )
ReplyDeleteHi, Amber! I'm glad you're enjoying these posts. :-) Yes, I know how to reach you, and I have you entered in the drawing. Good luck!
DeleteI love books on history, and I would want a print book
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I have you entered in the drawing for a print edition. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!
DeleteYour article tickled memories of skills my mother and grandmother spoke of. Life was very different just a generation or two ago and it seems like the pace of change has accelerated! Thanks for sharing! No drawing entry, please.
ReplyDeleteDarren, just in my lifetime I've seen incredible changes in how we do things, particularly in communications technologies. Life was very different just back in the 50s and 60s, and our grandparents saw stunning changes in their lifetimes. I agree with you--change seems to accelerate as time passes. Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteThanks for the post. I was tired after reading it. I grew up in a rural town. We had chickens and sheep at one point or other, so I am familiar with butchering chickens and lopping off lamb tails, yuck. Then my dad rented a barn in another town and started a dairy farm just as I was graduating high school so I was "lucky" to learn to muck gutters and milk cows. But I think I'd rather milk a cow or tend sheep than clean up after chickens. Print copy please. bcrug(at)myfairpoint(dot)net
ReplyDeleteConnie, you know, I agreewith you about chickens. Lol! I always liked the calves best. Got you in rhe drawing. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLoving the post! When I grew up, we lived 20 miles from the city. Not too far from my grandparents who had a chicken farm. Good memories!
ReplyDeleteMy main chore was doing the dishes. I didn't care for it then and don't care for it now. Ha!
I prefer a print copy. campbellamyd at gmail dot com
My husband enjoys washing dishes for some reason, Amy, but I don't either! Got you in the drawing. Good luck!
DeleteWonderful post. I loved reading this and my mind would drift to Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Park here in my county where I've seen most of the daily activities being reenacted.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on a farm and remember having a coal stove for a brief time. Our farm had chickens, milk cow, hogs, rabbits, a pony and form time to time lambs and hogs. I helped take care of the chickens, rabbits and even bottle fed the lambs. Of course, we had cats and dogs for pets. Our parents had a large garden and fruit trees, thus I learned to can and freeze fresh produce (which I still enjoy doing), making jams and jellies, homemade bread, butter, cottage cheese from all the rich cream from the milk. Lots of great memories.
I love reading history and The Return will be a book to read for sure! I would be blessed to win a print copy of it. Thank you for the giveaway.
Easter blessings.
marilynridgway78 [at] gmail [dot[ com
Wow, I love that you grew up with so many different animals and all the things you learned to do, Marilyn! Kids who don't grow up on a farm really miss out. Thanks for sharing! Got you in the drawing, and good luck!
DeleteI'm reminded of this only when I camp. Boiling water for dishes...then it's time to start prepping for the next meal! I'd like to be in the drawing also . Debraemarvin at yahoo. Thank you! Super post!
ReplyDeleteFinish cleaning up after one meal and then start fixing the next one. lol! I remember that, Debra! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteI grew up in a city, but I did have chores growing up. Started washing dishes at about 8 or 9 years old along with quite a few others. I probably hated them as a kid, but it taught me about how to take care of things in my adult years :-) I can't say whether I had a favorite or not, lol! Today's kids have it way too easy! I think chores and responsibilities helps teach them lessons they will need when they get out on their own. I told my kids "I'm not coming to clean or cook for you when you get your own place"...lol!
ReplyDeleteI certainly am thankful for our modern conveniences! I don't mind hard work, but in the olden days it was much more so. I don't think I'd like to time travel :-)
Thanks for the chance to win! I'd love to have a paperback, nothing like holding the real thing in your hands.
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Trixi, I totally agree with you about the value of chores. Glad to hear you got to do them too. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
Deletei grew up in the city, and lived out in the suburbs. my mom though loved animals, and our little rectangle yard had a chicken coop and a rabbit pen. we had to learn to clip the chickens wings, as they would fly over the fence into the neighbors yard, lol. when we ended up with too many noisy roosters, they were slaughtered in our back yard. i remember the chicken getting it's head cut off, and it running around the yard with no head, that's when my brother and sister ran for the house! i remember dunking them in the hot water, and pulling out the feathers. my mom and step-dad did the rest. my brother and sister were upset their 'friends' had died, but had no problem at dinner, lol. me, i couldn't eat one bite. (some kids were watching over the fence, i asked him what was he going to do with the insides/guts, he said loudly 'i guess i will save these for halloween, will make a great trick'. forward to Oct. 31st, went trick or treating with my brother and sister, came home, and a bunch of kids were in the yard. 'don't go up to this house!' 'why not?' 'they give chicken guts here!' LOL i had to go ring the door and show them there was candy in there!
ReplyDeletedue to lack of space, i would love an ebook copy if i win. debihis@gmail.com
DeleteLove hearing about your experiences in the suburbs, Debi! That's super cool! Yep, I sure remember my mom cutting off the chicken's heads and tossing them out to flop around the yard. I never did have the um...guts...to do it myself. That's really funny about the trick or treating--oh, my!! Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteI grew up in the city. I am the oldest so I had lots of chores. My least favorite was pulling weeds in the yard. I pulled up more flowers than weeds. My favorite thing to do was cook.
ReplyDeleteJan, I've pulled up a few flowers in my day too. lol! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
DeleteI grew up in a small town and even though I didn't have outdoor chores other than sweeping our porch and sidewalk, I was expected to make my bed, dust our furniture on weekends and during the summer and I was expected to wash dishes. When I was a teenager I also ironed during summer vacation.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this interesting post and I would love to be entered in your book drawing.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds like you had some good chores for learning responsibility, Connie. I'm glad you stopped by, and good luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteTa da! The winners of the drawing are: Marilyn Ridgeway for the print copy and Debi Brown for the ebook copy! Congratulations, ladies! I'll be contacting you right away for your contact information. Thank you so much, everyone, for stopping by and entering. Those of you who didn't win this time have another chance to get a copy on Debbie Lynn Costello's blog, so come on over: http://www.debbielynnecostello.com/
ReplyDelete