True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-03-17
SELECT MIScELLANK
How People Lived Only a Generation

MI. IoOurlcn (feter FarIey) vi MS
"Recollections Of a Lifetime" thus de-
picts the life of his youth in New Eng
land: .
"Money was scarce, wages bring about
fifty cents a day, though these were
generally paid in meat, vegetables, and
other articles OF use-ssldom in money.
There was not factory Of any kind in
the place. There was butcher, but he
only went from house 10 house 10 slaugh.
ter the cattle and swine Of his neighbors.
There was tanner, but he only dressed
other peoples skins; there was clothier,
but he generally fullec and dressed other
peoples cloth. = Even dyeing blue
portion of the wool, so as 10 make linsey
woolsey fol- short gowns, aprons. and
blue mixed stocking-vital necessities in
those days-was domestic operation. -
During The autumn, a dye tub in the
chimney corner-lhus placed so as to be
cherished by the genial heat-was as
familiar in all the thrifty houses, as the
Bible or the back log. 1, was covered
with board and cosy seat in the wide
mouthed fire plce, especially of a chill
evening. \ Our bread was OF
rye, Hinged with Indian meal. Wheat
bread was reserved for the sacrament ant
company. n All the vegetable.
came from our farm. The fuel was sup
piled by our own woods-sweet scented
hickory, swapping chestnut, oderiferou'
oak and reeking fizzling ash. \ y Sugar
was partially supplied by our maple trees
These were tapped in March, the saE
being collected and boiled down in thu
woods This was wholly a domestic
operation, and one in which all the chill
dren rejoiced. Rum was large
ly consumed, but our distilleries hat
scarcely begun. A half pint of it wa
given as matter of course, TO every day
laborers, more particularly in the summer
season. In all families, rich and poor i
was offered 10 male visitors as an essen
tial point of hospitality, or even good
manners. Womeu-I beg pardon ladies
took their schnapps, then named "Hop
kins' Elixir which was the most deliciou
and seductive means of getting tipsey
that has been invented. Crying babies
were silenced with hot toddy, then es
teemed an infallibe remedy for wind OF
the stomach. Every man imbibed hi
morning dram, and this was esteemed
temperance. There is story of a preach
er about those days, who thus lecture,
his parish: 81 say nothing my beloved
brethren, against taking little bitter
before breakfast, and after breakfast espe
cially if you are used TO it. What con
tend against is the dramming. dramming
drumming, at all hours of the day."
We raised our own fax, rotted it, hackle'
it, dressed it, and spun it. The it'll
wheel turned by the foot, had its place
and was as familiar as if it had been on
of the family. The wool was ais
spun in the family, partially by my sis
lers, and partially by Molly Gregory
daughter Of our neighbor, the town car
penter. In those days, church singin
was one Of the fine arts-the only one
indeed, which fourished in Sidgefeld
except the music of the drum and fife.-
The choir was divided into four parts
ranged on three sides Of the meetln
house gallery. = Twice year, ths
is in the Spring and Autumn, the tailc
came TO the house and fabricated th
semi-annual stock of clothes for the NAL
+ members-this being called whipping th
cat. Mantua-mAkers and milliners cam
in their turn, 10 fit out the female mem
bers of the family. There was a simila
process as to boots and shoes.
"At the period Of my earliest recollec
lion men of all classes were dressed i
long broad tailed coats, with huge pockets
long waistcoals and breeches. Hats ha
low crowns, with broad rims--some s
wide as to be supported at the sides wit
, cords. The stockings Of the parson, an
{ a few others, were Of silk in Summer an
worsted in Winter; those Of the peopl
were generally Of wool, and Of blue an
gray mixed. Women dressed in wid
bonnets-sometimes Of straw and som,
times of silk; the gowns were of sill
| muslin, gingham, elc.-generally clos
and short-waisted, the breast and shou
ders being covered by full muslin ke
chief. Girls ornamenled themselves vii
a large white vandyke. Tavel
hunting, especially in Winter, wbe
there was little to do--was common, eve
with respectable farmers. Marriage
were celebrated in the evening. at tn
house Of the bride, with general gatl
/: ering of the neighborhood, and usual
) wound off by dancing. Everybody wei
) as to public exhibition, without inviti
! ton. Funerals generally drew large prt
4 cessions, which proceeded 10 the gray,
Here the minister always made an addre,
suited to the occasion. II there was an,
\ thing remarkable in the history Of ii
!, deceased, it was turned to religious a
! count in the next Sundays sermon.-
! Singing meetings to practise churc
music, were great resort for The your
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