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Pennsylvania:
THE GERMAN INFLUENCE IN ITS SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT.
A narrative and Critical Distory.
PREPARED BY AUTHORITY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
PART VI.
THE DOMESTIC LIFE AND CHARACTER- ISTICS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA- GERMAN PIONEER.
F. J. F. SchanTZ V. 10, 11.6
SOCIETY
PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY.
THE 1596208
Domestic Life and Characteristics
OF THE
Pennsylvania=German Pioneer
PART VI. OF A NARRATIVE AND CRITICAL HISTORY PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY
BY
REV. F. J. F. SCHANTZ, D.D.
LANCASTER, PA. 1900
1
Publication Committee JULIUS F. SACHSE DANIEL W. NEAD, M.D. HENRY M. M. RICHARDS
COPYRIGHTED 1900 BY THE Pennsylvania=German Society
Illustrations by JULIUS F. SACHSE
٠
Blue Ten- $4.00
CONTENTS.
PREFATORY.
Pennsylvania-Primitive condition-Indians-Present popula- tion-First white settlers-Special interest in German and Swiss immigrants-Purpose of immigration-Domestic life and characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German pioneer- Regard for the institution of marriage-Varied condition of first settlers. 3-6
CHAPTER I.
THE FOUNDING OF A HOME.
Immigrants first occupied caves, huts, and tents-First log house-Subsequent log and stone buildings-Barns and other structures-Inventory of early dwellings .. 7-10
CHAPTER II.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
Early supplies-Primitive hardships-Subsequent abundance of food-Preparation of food-Limited conveniences-Trials of the housewife-The table and its ware-Varied dishes-No cook books-Pennsylvania-German mothers superior cooks- A Pennsylvania-German menu. II-16
CHAPTER III.
CULTIVATING THE SOIL.
Arduous labor-Garden and field-Preparation of the ground- Enclosure of fields-Seed time and harvest-Primitive im- plements-Luncheon on hay-making and harvest days- Gathering, of other crops-Fall and winter work-Enlarge- ment of farms-The mill and its service-Rich yield of gar- den, orchard and field for home use-Supplies for the mar- ket. 17-22
CHAPTER IV.
WEARING APPAREL OF GERMAN SETTLERS. Supplies brought from the Fatherland-Necessity of replenish- ment-Flax raising-The treatment of flax-Tow and flax --- iii
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Contents.
Spinning wheels and reels-The weaver's loom-Werg and linen-Sheep raising-Sheep shearing-Treatment of wool- The spinning and weaving of the same-Woolen goods for various uses-The making of garments-Hats and caps- Bonnets-Shoes, domestic goods and store goods-No speedy changes of fashion 23-30
CHAPTER V.
THE BARN-YARD AND ITS DENIZENS.
Domestic animals and fowl -The care of live stock-The horse and the ass-Horned cattle and Swine-Dogs and cats-Poul- try-Perquisites of a housewife-The widow's contribu- tion-Novel way of awakening guests-Early sounds at rural home. 31-35
CHAPTER VI.
DOMESTIC PIETY AND RELIGION.
The German immigrants generally Christian people-Bibles and other books brought from the Fatherland-Desire for church and school-Publication of German religious books in Pennsylvania-First century of German printing in Amer- ica-Supply of German books-Their use in the house, church and school-Influences of home religion-Mühlen- berg and Regina 36-50
CHAPTER VII.
CARE OF CHILDREN.
Many children in Pennsylvania-German homes-Supply of their bodily wants-Mental training-Supply of spiritual needs- Use of Solomon's rod-Taught to labor-Recreations-Penn-
. sylvania-Germans favor education 51-56
CHAPTER VIII.
SERVANTS.
Servants' labor necessary in many homes-Kind treatment by good masters-Story of a Redemptioner-The master's in- terest in the servant's welfare-Strong attachment between master and servant-Pennsylvania-Germans able to retain servants for long periods of time. 57-59
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Contents.
CHAPTER IX.
THE AGED AND INFIRM.
Attention given to parents and grandparents-Part of the house specially assigned to them-Special dwellings pro- vided -Comforting the aged-Blessed retreat - Precious memories. 60-61
HOSPITALITY. CHAPTER X.
Poor provided with food and shelter-Kind treatment of vis- itors-Invited guests generously entertained-Influence of genuine hospitality. 62-64
CHAPTER XI.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
Baptism of children-Marriages-Funerals-Excavations for the buildings-Log raising-Apple-butter-Corn-husking- Butchering days-Carpet-rag parties-Quilting bees-The public vendue-Change of residence-Moving days-Jour- ney to central or western counties-Family reunions .. 65-78
CHAPTER XII.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN PIONEERS. The influence of sin-Blessings of Christian religion-Not all Pennsylvania-German pioneers good Christian people-The great majority believers-The godly and ungodly at sea during a storm-Prayers before building-Inscriptions on date stone-Home worship-Observance of the Lord's Day- Sanctuary at home-Love of home-Regard for human life- Social purity-Honesty-Truthfulness-Honor of ancestry- Glory of Commonwealth-How attained-Prayers for house and home 79-84
APPENDIX.
CHRISTOPHER DOCK'S RULES FOR CHILDREN.
At and after getting up in the morning-In the evening at bed- time-Mealtime-School-On the street-In meeting or church-Under various circumstances. 85-95
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LIST OF PLATES.
Facing page
I. Frontispiece.
2. Primitive Pennsylvania (A Scene on the Lehigh) 7
3. "Der Alt Feuerherd " ( The Old Hearthstone) I4
4. Domestic Utensils (Bread Baskets, Tar Bucket, Skillet, etc. ) 18
5. Domestic Utensils (Spinning Wheels) 24
6. Der Alt Weberstuhl (A Colonial Loom Shop). 28
7. Characteristics of the Pennsylvania-Germans ( Piety and Industry). 36
8. Title page of Sauer Bible of 1743 .. 38
9. Domestic Industries (Candle Moulds, Flax Hackles, etc. ) . 57
10. Zinngeschirr (Pewter Tableware) 62
II. 'An Old Colonial House 80
12. Specimen of Early Penmanship. 85
vii
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Headpiece. 3
Title, New Testament, 1745. 41
Arms, Wm. Penn
3
Title, Martyr Book. 43
Tailpiece, Student. 6
Title, Wunderspiel 45
Headpiece. 7
Sconce 49
Arms.
7
Domestic Scene. 50
Tailpiece IO
Headpiece. 51
Headpiece, Cupid II
Arms, Krefeld
51
Arms, Marienwerder II
Sauer Almanac, Cover.
56
Indian Girl Grinding Corn. 12
Headpiece.
57
Primitive Well Curb. 13
Arms, Augsburg 57
Kitchen Utensils
14
Tailpiece
59
Headpiece. 60
60
Headpiece.
62
Ox Yoke and Flail 19
Harvest Scene 22
Door Lock
63
Headpiece. 23
Sauer Almanac, 1776.
64
Headpiece. 65
Arms, Pastorius. 65
Thread Reel. 25
Lard Lamp. 71
Upright Spinning Wheel 26
Kitchen Utensils
73
Wedding Gown 29
Pottery Vase. 74
Gourd Dipper 74
Travelling Outfit 75
Immigrants going West 76
Vignette, Skaters. 35
Lancaster Almanac. 78
Conestoga Wagon. 79
Seal of Germantown
79
Title, Arndt's Christianity 37
Ephrata Pilgrim 81
Old Oaken Bucket.
84
Title, Weyrauchs Hügel 38
Title, Catechism, 1744. 39
Vignette 62
Arms, Uri 23
Twisting Wheel. 24
Tailpiece. 30
Headpiece. 3I
Arms, Marburg 31
Headpiece, Cupid. 36 Arms, Glogau 36
Vignette
Arms, Bern .. 17
Vignette, School Boys 16
Headpiece 17
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PREFATORY.
C HERE is only one Pennsylvania in the
world. Its citizens have many reasons to be proud of the relation which it sustains to the great union of States. Before the beginning of Pennsylvania and its grad- ual expansion to its present limits, the territory which it embraces existed for thous- STICE ands of years and though the hunting ground of In- dians for a long time, it was before the settlements by white men, simply a wonderful expansion of territory, rich in natural resources, to become the dwelling place of a great population. Its rivers and lesser streams followed their respective courses, the great valleys with their rich soil were long waiting to be turned into fields and meadows. The extensive forests on lowlands, on ridges and on mountain side, rich in timber, constituted a vast supply, to be of use to those, whom God might in due time lead to settle here. The earth itself covered valuable deposits,
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which should in due time be of great service to men. The rich deposits of limestone, iron, zinc, slate, coal, coal oil and cement-making 'stone and other materials were all here. Truly a wonderful country with vast resources. Before white men came here the wigwam of the Indian and his trail along streams and through forests were the only impress of human beings on this vast territory. The rivers and lesser streams were full of fish, wild animals and birds of many names were abundant, uncultivated trees and vines yielded their fruit in season. How strangely white men must have been affected, when they first viewed this vast expanse of country-its rivers with no sign of human life, but the red man in his canoe, its solid ground without roads and the habitations of civilized human beings.
And yet this was the country to be named Pennsylvania and to be filled in the course of time by a population that now numbers millions, to be met in great cities, in inland towns, in rural districts, in farming regions, in mines and in industries of every variety, with happy homes, with schools and churches, with public buildings, with business houses, with improved methods of travel, of business ex- changes and of communication of thoughts to others.
White men came to Pennsylvania; Swedes settled on the Delaware as early as 1638, Hollanders located in the Minnisink region along the Delaware, north of the Blue Mountains at an early period, the settlements on the Dela- ware at and near Philadelphia in 1682, were followed by the arrival of Penn and German colonists. Immigrants came from different countries and occupied parts of the new colony. Germans who had first located along the Hud- son, the Mohawk and the Schoharie, made the memorable journeys and settled on the Tulpehocken, the Swatara and
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Prefatory.
the Quitapahilla. Thousands of immigrants came by the way of the port of Philadelphia and increased the num- ber of settlers.
' Whilst due credit is to be given to the English, the Welsh, the Scotch-Irish, the Hollander, and those of other nationalities for their part in the making of Pennsylvania, the German and Swiss immigrants are of special interest to us. We have been favored with full presentations of the life of the immigrant in the Fatherland, the journey down the Rhine and to England, the varied experiences of the long ocean journey, when months were required to reach the new world, the heroic move of Palatinates from the Schoharie to the Tulpehocken, and the arrival of the thousands of German immigrants through the port of Philadelphia and the varied conditions in which they reached this western shore.
They came to settle in the new world and in the con- sideration of their history in this country it is in order to present the first want of the settlers and how it was met. They came not like an army to be encamped for a season in one part of the country and then to remove to another and to be thus without a fixed habitation. Their first de- sire was to secure a home in this new country.
We turn then with pleasure to the consideration of the topic as announced :
The Domestic Life and Characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German Pioneer.
The German immigrant came from the fatherland in which the institution of marriage was held to be of divine appointment. The Catechism in the plain form in which it is to be taught by the head of the family, contains in the decalogue the divine commandment, " Honor thy Father
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and thy Mother," and presents the duties of children to- wards parents and superiors. The early records of con- gregations in this western world contain with the entries of other ministerial acts, the careful entries of marriages and of the baptism of children. Whilst some of those who settled in the new world formed communities with separate quarters for brethren and sisters-the great body of Ger- man immigrants settled as families.
The immigrants who came with larger means fared differently than those who came with limited funds. The man of means could soon secure a large tract of land and was able to erect a comfortable house. But the greater number of immigrants had but limited means and many were very poor and had become redemptioners.
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
.
PRIMITIVE PENNSYLVANIA. SCENE ON THE LEHIGH.
CHAPTER I.
THE FOUNDING OF A HOME.
HOUSE to dwell in and other buildings to meet existing necessities were the first wants of the German im- migrant. Whilst the man of means could erect a comfort- able dwelling, those of limited means and poverty were very glad when a log house could be erected. Before the erec- tion of the log dwelling some men dwelt in caves along the river's bank, others under the wide spreading branches of great trees, in hastily con- structed huts or under tents. The first log house was of very plain construction. The abundance of timber af- forded material for its erection. Its sides were of logs, the openings between logs were filled with clay often mixed with grass. Windows were of small dimensions. Doors were often of two parts, an upper and a lower, hung or fastened separately. The interior was frequently only one room, with hearth and chimney, with the floor of stone or
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hardened clay, with steps or a ladder leading to the attic, with roughly constructed tables and benches, plainly made bedsteads, shelving on the walls and wooden pegs driven into logs. In this plain structure the pioneer deposited the limited means brought from the fatherland or secured here upon his arrival. In such a building the pioneer and his family had their first home in the new world.
Not all log houses were of such limited dimensions, many were larger and with wooden floors, with the space within the four sides divided into rooms on the first floor and in the attic. The pioneer and his descendants had as their dwellings in successive periods of time, first the log house of plainest construction, secondly, the new log structure of enlarged dimensions, with a good cellar, with logs for sides of building carefully prepared and well joined, with windows and doors of better make, with the interior division of a wide central hall and with rooms . varying in number on the first floor, the attic also properly divided into rooms, and when a second story was added before the addition of the attic the inclosed space furnished additional rooms. The first log house often served only until a stone structure could be erected. In some localities houses were built of imported bricks. At a very early day bricks were made in this country. The abundance of stones furnished materials for the erection of substantial houses. These substantial stone buildings varied in size and style, often they were good solid structures of limited dimensions, but frequently they were larger buildings of two stories, with a large attic. The pioneer's house was not complete without the large hearth and chimney often in the center of the building and very often on one of the sides of the house with hearth and chimney erected outside of the building yet joining the same. Many of the buildings
II
The Founding of a Home.
erected by the pioneers and their descendants were ar- ranged to serve as forts in case of attacks by Indians, hence the very small, narrow windows in some of the buildings and the attic built in such manner as to extend considerably over the four sides of the building to allow openings from which the occupants of the house could repel attacks upon the building. The pioneer's house was seldom without a porch, at first of limited dimensions, but later of equal length with that of the house itself. Besides the dwelling house, other buildings were erected.
The barn and other structures for the shelter of live stock and the storing of the products of the field, the meadow and the orchard were erected as rapidly as the means of the pioneer increased. The spring house, the wood house and the large bake oven and smoke house under one roof were also added in good time.
It was not difficult to make an inventory of the contents of the dwelling house. The large hall had but little furni- ture besides a long, wooden chest, and a few benches or chairs. The best room of the house on one side of the hall contained a table, benches and later chairs, a desk with drawers, and the utensils used on the special hearth in heating the room. In the rear of the best room was the Kammer (bedroom) with its bed of plain make, also the trundel bed for younger children and the cradle for the youngest, a bench or a few chairs and the chest of drawers. The room on the other side of the hall was often not di- vided, but when divided the front room was called the liv- ing room (die Wohnstube) with table and benches or plain chairs, with closet for queensware and the storage of precious parcels, with the spinning wheel, with a clock as soon as the family could possess one, and with shelving for the books brought from the fatherland or secured in this country.
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The kitchen contained the large hearth, often very large, with rods fastened to a beam and later an iron bar, from which descended chains to hold large kettles and pots used in the preparation of food; the tripod also on the hearth to hold kettles and pans used daily by the faith- ful housewife; the large dining table with benches on two long sides and short benches or chairs at each end ; the large table for the use of those who prepared meals for the family; extensive shelving for holding tin and other ware; benches for water buckets and other vessels and the long and deep mantel shelf above the hearth on which many articles were placed. The second story of the house contained bed rooms and often a storage room. The bed rooms were furnished with beds, tables, large chests, and wooden pegs on the partitions. The attic was of great service for the storage of articles of the mechanism of man, and the preservation of fruits of the field, the garden, the orchard and the forest.
The cellar was an important part of the dwelling, with its provision for keeping food prepared from day to day and for the storage of abundant supplies gathered and kept in bins, tubs and barrels.
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CHAPTER II.
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.
HE pioneer's first want was a dwelling and the second was food for him- self and family. The first year was often one of many privations, and one in which the closest economy was necessary. The earliest set- tlers used provisions brought from foreign lands. By Mappen Don marienwerder. means of these and such as they found in this country their wants were supplied until they were able to secure from fields, gardens and forests their daily bread. Wild animals of the forest, fowls of various names and fish that abounded in rivers and smaller streams were a rich provision for the pioneer before domestic animals supplied animal food. The first great want was that of grain and vegetables. The first flour had often to be carried great distances. After the first clearing of land, preparation of soil, sowing of seed and
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harvest of crops, the pioneer experienced many hardships in carrying grain to the distant mill and returning to his home with the supply of flour secured for himself and family. The first gathering of the garden's yield was likewise of great benefit and importance. After the first years of hardship had passed, the pioneer family had an abundance of food. As fields were enlarged they yielded increased harvests, and gardens and parts of fields supplied vegetables. In the course of time fruit trees and vines added their contributions and domestic animals and fowls in great numbers made animal food abundant.
Indian girl grinding corn.
Some supplies brought from foreign lands could at first be secured only at places far dis- tant from the settler's home. In later years-new centers of supplies were opened in towns and villages in different locali- ties. The proper supply of food was a great blessing for the pioneer and family.
The preparation of food in those early years was an important work of the mother and daughters of the household. At first they had only the hearth and bake oven; later they were favored with stoves built of suitable material. Many years passed before stoves made of iron could be bought. The modern cook stove and ranges of wonderful construction brought a great change.
The early settler knew nothing of coal, coal oil and burning gas. His burning material was wood. He had no matches to ignite the same. The tinder box with flint, steel and punk was of great service. The sun glass could be used only on days when the sun shone brightly. The
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Domestic Economy.
flashing of powder in the pan of a gun was often neces- sary to secure fire. No wonder that at night, the burning log was carefully covered with ashes, that on the coming morning embers might be found to secure fire for the new day.
The pioneer had no hydrant, no turbine wheels and pipes, no tanks on the attic to supply the kitchen with water. It had to be carried from the spring - or first drawn from the well and then brought to the house- before pumps were secured. In the early days of settlers, men knew nothing of the modern refrigerator and dumb waiter. The cellar under the house and later the ground cellar with many. steps leading down to the arch of necessary dimen- sions, the spring house, the smoke house and the attic of the dwelling house had to be reached to secure the supplies for the three meals Primitive well curb, windlass and pulley. of each day.
The good housewife had her trials in the preparation of food. The tripod on the hearth held kettles and pans and other vessels ; the iron rod or chain fastened to the bar in the chimney held kettles over the burning wood on the floor of the hearth. The bake oven served not only for baking bread but also in the preparation of other food. The
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large iron pot placed over the fire had a special cover, with a heavy rim, to hold burning coal on the cover, and was thus of varied service. The preparation of food was no easy work-it had to be attended to regularly and with great care. A failure on baking-days affected the whole family. A lack of supplies for a single meal could not be met or amend- ed by a hasty visit of the baker, the butcher or the grocer.
The table of the pioneer and his descendants was for many years of plain but substantial make. Be- fore and long after a full supply of chairs could be secured benches afforded seats at the table. Table cloths were not always used. The first dishes were pewter and later of domestic earthenware and pottery. Platters, plates, bowls and other vessels held the prepared food. Individual plates, cups Küchen geschirr (kitchen utensils) -waffle iron, skimmers, ladles and pan- cake turner. and saucers, and knives and forks were not want- ing. Food was often con- veyed from a large dish directly to the mouth of the eater. When such was the custom, each person was required to
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Domestic Economy.
keep to his own place in the platter. The ordinary meal was plainly served. On special occasions the table bore abundant evidence of special preparation. Napkins and finger bowls were not always used. The basin and towel near the water bucket, well or spring were for such service.
With many preparations of cereals boiled or baked ; with soups of meat broth, milk, eggs, cereals, vegetables and spices ; with animal food smoked, roasted, broiled, fried or boiled ; with vegetables of numerous names ; with fruit stewed, preserved or boiled like applebutter; with bread, butter, cheese of various makes ; with pies of plain dough or raised dough and various contents ; with puddings of many names; with cakes baked in the oven, prepared in the pan or in heated lard ; with water, milk, coffee made of boiled, dried and roasted barley, rye or wheat, for or- dinary use and genuine coffee on special occasions ; tea made of herbs for common use, and imported tea for visit- ors and the household, when such were together at the table ; the early settlers and their descendants had good, substantial, wholesome food; they fared well and did not suffer from dyspepsia and other stomachical troubles.
The housewife and daughter of the first century had no opportunity to attend special cooking schools, nor had they the use of large cook books, now so common. Mothers taught their daughters to prepare food and it was consid- ered no disgrace for a daughter to serve with a family that needed help, where she could learn more of good house- keeping, including cooking. The Pennsylvania-German housewife has had through all the years dating from the settlement of this State the reputation of being a superior cook, and may her posterity never lose it! There seems at present no danger that she will change in this respect, for no one is more ready to make use of books and jour-
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