Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-08-24
The Contrast in Southern Homes

Prom woman 9 -horlo-
The Contrast in Southern Homes
In ante-belIum days the rich southern
planter lived on his plantation He built
n fine house, large enough TO accommo-
date his own family. and provide COM
Portable apartments for his children and
all his grandchildren when they came TO-
a visit This big house" as II was
usually termed. was located at some dis
lance from the quarter" where the
field hands lived.
Even the kitchen was separated from
the planters dwelling because there was
an abundance Of help, and IL was not con-
Eidered announcement, when the food could
be 50 easily transported by the flock Of
waiting servants which flock was also fed
from the same kitchen, and eager for the
service.
No cooking smells were desired around
the big house. and kitchens, were built
Tar enough away to prevent the annoy
ance OF any odors that would arise I'm
cooking. such as cabbage or onions might
emit
The capacious meat house was placed
also at a considerable distance, and the
dairy was located at the spring, perhaps
loo yards or more away. Distance, space
large yards. plenty OF room, everywhere,
was the order OF the day.
The gin house was located far from the
dwelling stables. barns, cribs. wheat
Eranaries, everything was scattered
around so that In case Of fire much might
be saved from a general confiagration.
Such a settlement resembled a small town
In appearance. Where there were more
than 100 slaves IL was a small village set
Element. and ii was always subject TO
. rules and regulations for the government
OF the same. laid down y the master.
- N4.wHWw e.
the quarter unless he was single
man. then he had q room in the big house
and ate with the family
The rising hour was well understood
a horn or plantation bell brought the field
hands TO dinner, and sun down closed the
aay's work. when horses and mules were
fed and stabbed for the night, and the
dusky workers sought their cabins and
their suppers.
The barnyard. like every other place
about the plantation. was spacious. and
10 its ample shelters were driven the
sheep. colts and dry cattle in the gloam-
ing An immense open-air fodder rack
and long troughs were filled, and by
moonlights rays one might see the ground
fell covered with these domestic ami
mails, in contented Tepose. chewing the
cud OF pleasant fancies IN a home of
plenty.
Every thrifty planter renewed his orch
ards with system and regularity; because
droves OF hogs were 'fattened from the
wasting fruit. very largely. and the meat
supply was one Of the principal features
In plantation life In the south. II was a
safe rule 20 plan for a porker TO every
adult in the family. black and white. and
then the supply sometimes ran short.
Meal. meat and syrup were everyday ra-
tons. with unlimited vegetables in their
season and buttermilk in abundance.
Each negro family at the quarter had
various Individual perquisites and many
had bit OF garden for their own Sun
day dinners and general satisfaction.
Spinning wheels and looms were kept
busy the year round. and the storeroom
was generally filed with uncut bolts Of
cloth. AS soon as the clothing supply for
one season had been distributed. the prep,
RratiOn for the next succeeding supply
began During the first 3 or % years OF
the 18th century leather was tanned at
home from the homegrown hides Later
on. leather was purchased In bulk from
tanneries and merchants, and the cobbIer
az home made shoes from spring until
fall. or perhaps one was hired by the
day or week for shoemaking purposes.
After awhile. manufactured shoes were
bought In bulk. with due regard 10 num-
bers and variety in weight, for men and
women
Sugar. salt and bar iron were purchased
at wholesale, for every large plantation
had its blacksmith and carpenter. as well
as butler and carriage driver. Soap marS-
Ing. fTurt 6rSlng md syrup boiling were
active industries n plantation life. In
laying-by time.
Hospitality had scarcely a limit The
latch string hung literally on the outside
There was much neighborly dealing and
neighborly feeling. There ives also great
ambition 70 excel in courtesy and gener-
osity. 49,.
The great man helped the poor. -'--.
And the poor man loved the great
II was upon thousands OF these self
supporting and self-sustaining homes that
the war cloud OF 1851 settled down. II was
largely from these homes that army sup
lies were furnished as well as soldiers
for the service Tax in kind was demand
Cd and the Confederate cOmmissary and
quartermaster gave receipts for a certain
part OF everything grown on these plan
tationS with a sworn statement from the
owner. as to quantity
Time and space and adherence 10 the
subject under review forbids a furthe
notice Of the civil war. per Sc and In
AA4A-ns ~ tAS AAolAle WHICH tlle souNn now
Affects and prefers. II Is well 20 say that
the old plantation homes are still notable
and Impressive from the historic houses
IN Virginia. on the James and Rappahan-
mock. the Raritan and Pamunkey rivers
down to the sugar plantations. in Louis
lana. whore hospitality was royal in its
scope and expenditure, before the war.
For a number OF years after the cessa-
ton OF hostllities the owners OF these
plantation homes endeavored with patriot,
&c fidelity to restore the waste places and
q