Litchfield enquirer., 1853-02-17
The Oldsn Times in New Hampsh;re.

We are glad to observe the attention.
which is being given in parts Of New
England to the preservation and writing
of local history. The history Of New
Ipswich, N. H. has been followed BY
that Of Antrim. prepared BY kev. Dr..
Wilton, an old Congregat ional minister
in the latter town. Dr.. w. thus de>
;scribes the simple manners of the peo-
pie in that region fifty and a hundred
years ago. faa
10 many Of the conveniences and
comforts Of life, the hardy generation
then on the stage we're strangers. Their
dwellings were log houses without glass
i'll fitted to exclude the cold Had It not
been for the roaring fires kept up in,wi n.t
ter in the huge 6replaces, fed continual-
ly by great logs, which they were glad
TO be ridaof, the inmates. must have suf-
feredl Wood and timber were 80 album.
dant that the faster they would. consume
them the better. Their farming uteasils
we've clumsy their clothing homespun
and coarse, but durable: the men wore
tow shirts, striped wooden frocks, and
leather aprons. The best suit Of coarse
woollen cloth was reserved for Sabbaths
and special occasions, and lasted year
after year. In winter they wore shoes,
excluding the snow by pair Of woollen
leggins, fastened over the mouth Of the
shoe by strings. Boots were rare great
coats and surtouts rarer still. A pair
of boots would last man many years.
In summer. neither men nor women wore
shoes at home; on the Sabbath, the wo>
men often carried the shoes in their hand
to save wear, till they came near the
meeting house. when they would put
them on. They were glad, when they
engaged in their work. in q short gown
and petticoat of some coarser material,
with q striped apron. calicoes being
thought quite dressy article. The
household furniture was rude and coarse:
carpets, sofas. pianos, were unheard Of;
instead Of them was the spinning. wheel,
both small and great, and the loom--ar>
tioles it less ornamental, certainly more
indispensable. Tea and coffee were al.
most unknown; broths Of various kinds,
corn, bean, barley, broth, were in con-
slant use. In many families, hasty pud.
ding with milk. If milk could be had.
was almost the standing suppsr.a For
lunch in the intermission of public wor>
ship. on. the Sabbath, instances were not
wanting Of men carrying 10. their peck,
cts. Q few cold boiled potatoes, and moth,
ing else. Sometimes, in winter, families
were conveyed connecting, through deep
snow, on an ox-sled /; in summer, the
man. il he were the owner Of a horse,
rode TO meeting with his wife seated on
pillow behind him. and child seated on
pillow before him; and sometimes ans
other and a smaller child in the mothers
lap. eAcircled by one of her arms. A
party OF the smart young people once as
sembled at neighbours ia early times,
for a social interview. The SUPPER
what was it :? Not q modern supper Of
boned turkey. and oysters. but hasty
pudding and milk! There being but
three spoons, one division Of three
guests SAL down to the table. and anoth-
er division, and so on ill all were served.
All went off well. and it was considered
fashionable and well managed affair.
That age has been called the age OF
homespun.' It was an age of ha'd work
and simple fare. interspersed on the part
OF the men with trainings, musters. rails
ings, huskings. wrestling !matches. chops
ping bees. and piling bees ; and in the
female world with qnillings. apple par.
'ings.. and. carding bees. II the rude
dwellings were not often animated with
the faces Of visitants they were daily en-
|slivened. with. the bu2zing Of wheels aud
the clatter Of looms. II the inmates had
fewer means Of high wrought excitement.
they were net destitute of the sources
of contentment and tranquil enjoy ment.
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NEW Era IN PhrNTrEo. -Guita Per.