USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Bergen > Old Bergen: History and Reminiscences with Maps and Illustrations > Part 17
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Often in the early morning hour could be heard the deep bay of the fox hound echoing over the fields, as, urged by his revengeful master, he swiftly and unerr- ingly tracked the midnight marauder, through whose shrewd cunning the poultry yard had been depleted.
Chapter LVI.
CUSTOMS AND HABITS.
DURING the winter months the young people like- wise enjoyed candle making. In those early days as a rule, lard lamps and tallow dips were used for illu- minating purposes, but sometimes clam shells were filled with melted lard in which a piece of cotton cloth was inserted, and the oil being then allowed to harden, the shell lamps were laid aside for future use. When needed, the wick was lighted, and the heat from its flame kept sufficient of the surrounding lard melted to ensure a continuous feeding, thus furnishing a somewhat dim and flickering light.
The tallow dips, requiring no special expense, were in very general use, and were made as follows: Cotton wicks were cut in the required lengths, and hung in the middle over a rounded stick, which was sufficiently long to accommodate twelve or fifteen of them. When a number of these had been prepared, they were in turn plunged into a vessel of melted tallow, and when encrusted with the grease, were withdrawn and placed upon a frame to cool and harden. This pro- cess was repeated frequently, and as the candles grew larger with each dipping, they soon became the required size, when they were hung in the garrets for use as needed.
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" OLD BERGEN."
After the emancipation of the slaves, so attached had they become to their masters, that many of them absolutely refused to accept their freedom in the sense of self dependence, always regarding themselves as part and parcel of the old home. Some of them, addicted to the roving, careless life that seems to have been transmitted to them from some far-off ancestor, roamed with their descendants through the woods and swamps in search of blackberries, huckleberries, or the " snapping turtle," which, under proper manipula- tion, was considered a choice and dainty dish, rivalling in toothsomeness the terrapin of the South ; while others devoted their energies to the capture of the frost fish or " killies" that at certain seasons swarmed in the Hackensack River and the neighboring marshes. Mushrooms abounded in the fields, and were sought after during the early morning hours by others of the black folk, and the appearance of the " Rovers" with a full supply at the " back kitchen" door was hailed with delight. Others again engaged in business tran- sactions. The sonorous and melodious voice of " Old Yon" as he cried " fresh buttermilk," carried in the same churn from which the butter had been taken, was familiar to all, while "Lame Tomachy," with his solitary ox, warranted sound and kind in double or single harness, was an unique figure in the carly days. " Old Betty's " chickens and eggs possessed a pecu- liarly appetizing flavor, and her culinary accomplish- ments were especially appreciated by the younger generation when carried by their wanderings beyond the dinner hour of the home.
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"OLD BERGEN."
All throughout the territory bounded by the meadows, from Bergen Point to the northern limit, were to be found nut-bearing trees, their fruit being highly prized for household use. The cool, crisp air of early winter was eagerly longed for, and at the first indication of frost, expeditions were organized to gather the nuts that had been rudely shaken from their downy beds by the wintry blasts. Hickory nuts and chestnuts were the most abundant, the trees growing in groups; and many of these were regarded, by a sort of unwritten law, as the special property of different coteries of boys, usually of those living in their immediate neighborhood. Sometimes this cus- tom was infringed upon by the more lawless, and fierce fights resulted, during which the poles intended for knocking down the nuts were employed by the rival bands in knocking down their opponents. This was, however, only an occasional experience, as the right of " preemption " was generally recognized.
In various parts of the territory were scattered black walnut trees, many of which were left standing for ornament or shade, after the clearing away of all the others ; and their leafless branches studded with clusters of black balls tossing against the wintry sky, formed a unique feature of the landscape. These walnuts were, however, avoided by the more fastidi- ous, as their gathering imparted an almost indelible stain to the hands, that could be obliterated only after persistent effort.
A favorite custom of the boys during the fall months, was to gather on Saturdays in " The Cedars,"
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" OLD BERGEN."
where, with the combined plunder gathered through- out the week, in the shape of eggs, coffee, or whatever material in the culinary line that could be secured, they would imitate the feasts indulged in by Marion and his men. Sometimes, the rations thus collected being inadequate, surreptitious visits were made to the neighboring fields and their products confiscated. Tubers were so artistically separated from the sweet potato vines by burrowing under the side hills, that the sparseness of the crop at harvest time suggested to the owner the wisdom of discontinuing their cultiva- tion.
After these feasts, the cooking utensils were again secreted in their accustomed hiding places, and then hunting for hornets' nests was sometimes indulged in. When a nest was discovered, the boys' experience taught them to institute an elaborate and carefully considered plan of attack. Ammunition, in the shape of well selected stones, was gathered, branches of cedar trees suitable for defence were conveniently placed and the bearings of the nearest ditch carefully studied. This latter was a precautionary measure that was taken advantage of only in the direst ex- tremity. The common belief being that an angry hornet would dart toward the spot from which a stone was thrown, a simultaneous attack from different points, was usually determined on, so that the hornets' idea of locality might be somewhat confused, and thus afford an opportunity of escape to the attacking party. At a given signal the plan was carried out ; at the first jostling of the nest, out poured the enraged insects in
3II
"OLD BERGEN."
swarms, and away scampered the marauders in every direction in their endeavors to escape from the wrath to come. Sometimes an agonized shriek, accompanied by a frenzied waving of branches, would indicate that some infuriated insect had inserted his business end. under the coat collar of his victim, and was plying his art with all the vigor of which it was capable. At about this period of time the location of the ditch was eagerly sought after, and the fun was over.
Chapter LVII.
THE OLD HOMES.
THE houses of the olden times were low, one-story buildings, with peaked roof, facing and along the line of the street, with a wide hall running through the middle of the house and closed at the front with a divided door. This door was shaded by a small porch with side seats, a most convenient place for the assem- bling of neighbors, when making friendly calls or dis- cussing any matters of general interest. There are very few houses of the old type remaining, and these have been so changed and modernized that the old homes are not what they used to be.
The wide hall was in the summer time the living room of the family, and here could be found the busy housewife, with carding or spinning wheel, adding to her household stores, and ever and anon touching with her foot the great mahogany rocker that had soothed the restlessness of former generations, while the old grandmother sat nodding and dozing in her easy chair, or teaching the youngsters the mysteries of patchwork, or narrowing down the stocking heel, or perhaps guid- ing the clumsy fingers over the artistic and much- prized sampler.
The old patriarch of the family sat near-by, dandling
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" OLD BERGEN."
on his knee mayhap the great-grandchild, to the rhythmical cadence of :-
lite
4
OLD HOME,
" Trippe trop a tronches, Varkes in the vonches, Couches in the clawver, Pearches in the hawver, Calfes in the long a gras, Anches in the wasser plos, And the clina young-a, so groat wass."
Grandfather's clock ticked noisily in the corner, with Luna's fair face peeping over the dial and marking the quarters with a shameless irregularity, while the upper half-door stood hospitably open as if inviting the passer- by to join in the friendly chat or harmless gossip.
Opening into the hall were the sleeping rooms on the one side, and the parlor on the other, the latter seldom opened, except in case of marriage or death, or for the periodical cleaning, when after a thorough sweeping and dusting, it was again closed until some · special ceremony required its opening. Sometimes in
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"OLD BERGEN."
the rear of the parlor was the guest chamber, with its high-post bedstead, draped and festooned with highly colored valances, profusely fringed. The warming pan stood in the corner, and was a most welcome adjunct in those days of frigid rooms; for, filled with hot embers from the kitchen fire, it was passed between the icy sheets, imparting a delightful warmth that was most grateful to the half-frozen guest, as with acroba- tic feat, he plunged into the billowy feather bed and- disappeared.
But the glory of the old home was the kitchen, with its great fire-place, laughing with wide-open hospital- ity, extending across the entire width, with immense chimneys, in which the meats were sometimes smoked ; the great back-log sputtered with its pungent smoke curling lazily upward, flanked and overhung with pot- hooks and trammels, suspending over the fire the pots and kettles which simmered with the noon-day meal ; and on the side was the pot of supporn, with dish and spoon always ready for the hungry wayfarer, or who- ever chose to partake.
Near by the cavernous oven gaped yawningly, as if eager to swallow the luscious pies and cakes prepared by the good housewife as her weekly contributions towards the domestic economy. Sometimes the neigh- bors gathered with the family on some stormy after- noon, and plates of rosy-cheeked apples and toothsome nuts, washed down with copious draughts of cider, increased the comfort and good cheer. And then what an inviting place the kitchen was on winter even- ings for the family gathering, while oftentimes the
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"OLD BERGEN.'
wail of the Storm King about the wide chimney tops formed a weird accompaniment to the evening hymns so often sung ; or perhaps at nightfall the little ones were gathered about the mother's knee, and by the fitful blaze of the wood fire or flickering candle flame, the Bible stories from scenes depicted on the tiling about the fire place were told.
Nor must the great garret, extending over the whole house, with its nooks, and corners, peopled with the shadowy forms of long ago, be forgotten. This was indeed the store-house of the family. Piles of apples and nuts occupied the corners, and from the rafters were festooned strings of red peppers, clusters of seed corn, and bunches of dried herbs, filling the air with their spicy aroma, while tables bearing dozens of mince and pumpkin pies were overhung with strings of sausage.
At the end of the house was the home garden, usually superintended by the auntie, which was filled with a profusion of old-fashioned blumechas ; four o'clocks and tulips, ragged sailors and poppies, banked with the blooming peony and stately dahlia, with the sweet-smelling syringa and lilac in the back- ground, while the ever-present boxtree lent a sombre shade to the coloring. The fragrant mint and sweet marjoram, the savory sage, the pungent thyme, and the soothing lavender, mingled their odors in the air, the memory of which turns back the wheels of time and blots out all the intervening years.
The furniture was chosen and designed for its fit- ness and durability, the truth of which is proven by
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"OLD BERGEN."
the fact that although made more than two centuries ago, there are specimens of this furniture gracing the drawing-rooms of the present day in a better state of preservation than articles of much more modern man- ufacture. Everything was kept scrupulously clean, and the good housewife displayed with pride the shining array of pots and pans upon her kitchen dressers, while the well scrubbed floor, ornamented in the early days with the strip of bright-colored carpet, was an object of housewifely pride.
Chapter LVIII.
CUSTOMS.
THE lack of facilities for manufacture of clothing or household goods impelled the frugal and self-re- specting to habits of industry, and the whir of the spinning wheel was heard whenever a few minutes re- lief from housekeeping duties allowed. The girls were early taught the mysteries of spinning, weaving, and knitting, and the well stored chest of the youthful bride gave abundant evidence of her own industrious habits. Not only were the garments home spun ; but the warp and woof were made from the flax grown in the home field and the wool shorn from the well kept sheep; and in some old families, are still found blan- kets and bedding, the handiwork of the great grand- mothers in their early days.
Owing to the primitive condition of the times, many industries now unknown in household economy were then engaged in, and as a consequence actual labor necessary to be performed forbade idleness on the part of the enterprising householder. The spices for home use were often crushed by means of two stones, one being hollowed out to receive the whole berry, and the other, of suitable size and shape, being used for pounding. These were substituted in the homes of the well-to-do, by a mortar and pestle, made of metal,
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"OLD BERGEN."
specimens of which are still shown with pride by the descendants of the early settlers. Mustard seed was crushed by placing a quantity of it in a round bot- tomed iron pot, and on it, a medium sized cannon ball. This pot was taken on the lap, and by imparting to it a rotary motion, the seed was crushed, and the opera- tor bathed in copious tears from the effect of the pungent odor.
The churning was usually done by hand. In some cases large platform wheels were erected in the cellar at an incline, and by means of strips of wood nailed just within the rim, a circular walk was formed. On this dogs were placed, and as they proceeded on their endless journey, the wheel was made to revolve. This was connected with the dasher by means of pro- jecting arms, and the churning accomplished in a comparatively easy manner to all-except the dogs. Sometimes the old ram of the flock was utilized, but the futility of his efforts to reach the end of his jour- ney, seemingly soured his disposition to such a degree of pugnacity, that in a short time, he was subjected to the butcher's knife, and in the shape of nutritive mutton-the quality of which was strengthened by the unwonted exercise in which he was compelled to indulge-became the foundation for unexceptionable broth.
The Dutch language prevailed almost exclusively to within the last half century, especially in the inter- course of the inhabitants with each other ; and even after the church services were regularly held in Eng- lish, the occasional Sunday afternoon preaching in
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"OLD BERGEN."
319
Dutch was hailed with great satisfaction and rejoicing by the older people of the congregation.
But the old days with their conservative progress- iveness are gone never to return. We are facing a new era, and events crowd each other so rapidly that we scarce catch a glimpse of their departing shadows. New customs and associations environ us ; and yet, like the traveller, who at eventide standing on some eminence, looks back over the surrounding landscape, and catches only the sun-tipped peaks of the moun- tain heights, the while forgetting the shadowy nooks and rugged cliffs, the rills and dashing waterfalls, that lend completeness to the picture ; so as we indulge in retrospect, we are apt to recall only the gilded ex- periences of the past, forgetting the humdrum, every- day life that went so far to make up the days and years that have long passed away.
It is to be hoped that the historic importance of " Old Bergen " may in the near future be recognized, and that a " New Bergen " may spring up, and under that name not only gain the whole of its old posses- sions, but also include under its government the, to be one day, densely populated territory reaching out to and beyond the green hills of the Oranges.
Already its future prominence is foreshadowed, and financial and commercial interests are clustering here that will ere long rival in magnitude and importance even the enterprises of the great city of which it has so long been a neighbor.
THE END.
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