The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-22

Mr.. Goodrich (Peter Parley) in his Rocollec-
tions Of Lifetime" thus depicts the life of his
youth in New EnglNnd:
Money was scarce, wages being about fifty
cents day, though these were generally paid in
meat, vegetables and other articles OF use-sel-
dom in money. There was not factory OF any
kind in the place. There was butcher but he
only went from house to house to slaughter the
cattle and swine Of his neighbors. There was
tanner, but he only dressed other peoples akns
There was a clotbier but he generally fulled and
dressed other peoples CLOTH " Even dye
ing blue portion of the wool, so as to make lin
sey- woolsey for short gowns aprons, and blue-mx-
ed stockings-vital necessities in those days-waS
q domestic operation. During the autumn, dye
tub in the chimney corner-thus placed so as to
be cherished by the genial heat--was as familiar
in all thrifty houses, as the bible or back log. 1t
was covered with board, and formed a cozy seat
in the wids~mouthed fire place, especially oil chill
winters evening.
Our bread was of rye, tinged with Indian meal,
Wheat bread was reserved for the sacrament and
company. All the vegetables came
from our garden and farm. The fuel was supplied
by our own woodS-sweot-Scentod hickory, snap.
ping chestnut odorferous oak, aud reeking, liz
zng ash X Sugar was partially supplied
by cur maple trees. These were tapped in March,
the sap being collected and boiled down III the
woods This was wholly a domestic operation, and
one in which all the children rejoiced.
Rum was largely consumed but our distilleries
had scarcely begun. A half pint of it was given,
as q matter of course, to every day iaborer, more
particularly IN the summer season. In all families,
rich or poor, il was offered to male visitors an
essential point OF hospitality, or even good man
uers. Women--l beg pardon--lades, took their
schnapps then nancd "Hopkins Elixir" which
was the most delicious and seductive means OF get
ting tipaey that was ever invented. Crying babies
were soncel wi,l not toddy. then esteemed au in
fallible remedy for wind on the stomach Every
man imbibed his morning dram and was esteemed
Temperate There is story Of preacher about
those days who thus lectnrcd his parish: 7ay
nothing, my beloved brethren, against taking i
little btters before breakfast and after breakfast
especially If you are used to it. what | contend
against, is this drumming. dra nming dramming at
all hours of the day. " =
We raised our own fax, rot,ei it, hacked it,
dressed it, aud spunit. The little wheel turned by
the foot had its place. and was as familiar ii it
had been member of the family. X n The wool
was also spun in the family, partly by my sisters,
and. partly by Molly Gregory, daughter of our
neghbor the town carpenter | remembered her
well es she sung and span aloft in the attic. In
those days, church singing one Of the fine arts
the only one indeed which h0urished in Ridge
field, except the music of the drum and ffs. The
choir was divided into four parts, ranged on three
SUES OIL Tue hlSetUHs5-uO S"'iSigN
Twice year, that is, in the spring and autumn
the tailor came to the house aud fabricated the
semi annual stock of cothe. for the male members
this being called whipping the cat" Mantua-
makers ana mi!liners came IN their turn, to ht out
the female members of the family. There was a
similar process as to boots and shoes.
At the period Of my earliest recollection men
of oil classes were dressed in long broad tailed
coats with huge pockets, long waistcoats and
breeches Hats had low crowns with broad brmS
some so wide as to be supported with Cords
The stockings Of the parSon, and few Others, were
of silk in summer and worSted in winter; those of
the people Were generally of wool and of blue and
gray mixed. Women dressed in wide honnptS
sometimes Of straw and sometimes Of silk; the
gowns were of silk muslin, gingham, &c, geaer-
ally close and short wasted the, breast and shoud
ers being covered by full muslin kerchief Girls
'ornamented themselves with large white van
dyke.
Tavern haunting especially in winter when
there was little to do--was common, even with re-
spectacle farmers. Marriages were celebrated in
the evening, at the house of the bride, with gen
,era gathering of the neighborhood, and usually
wound off by darcng Everybody Went to pub
lie exhibition without an invitation. Funerals gen-
orally drew large professions, which proceeded to
the grave. Here the minister always made an ad-
dress, suited to the occasion. II there was any
thing remarkable in the history of the deceased it
was turned to religious account in the next Sun
days sermon. Singing meetings, to practice church
music, were o great resort for the young, in win
ter. = Balls at the taverns were requented
by the young; the children of deacons aud minis
ters attended, though the parents did not. The
winter brought seighing, skating, and the usual
round Of indoor sports"