USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 14
USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Local sketches and legends pertaining to Bucks and Montgomery counties, Pennsylvania > Part 14
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Threshing with the Flail.
Threshing grain by machinery and horse power I am inclined to believe was not introduced much ear- lier into Bucks and Montgomery counties than about 1832, and was not in common use until some twelve or fifteen years later. The first threshing witnessed by me by machinery was in 1840, near Doylestown. The reason for this slow introduction is accounted for be- cause the first machines were cumbersome and required the power of from four to eight horses. Owing chiefly to this those that possessed small farms did not use them generally until some time later, when the tread-mill power was adopted. Previously the flail was chiefly resorted to for beating it out by hand. The other method was by treading with horses or oxen, which is mentioned in the Scriptures.
After the Indian corn had been husked and stored away in the autumn would follow threshing with the flail. This was about the last operation on the farm that required the labor of the larger boys, and it was a general rule that this work had to be finished before they could go to school for all the winter. How well do I remember in my carlier years hearing the loud and regular strokes of the flail from many a barn whilst
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going to school. It commenced, too, with the earliest dawn, and was a work that lazy men or boys could not well shirk. No matter whether it was one or two or three together, the strokes, or rather their cessation, could be readily noticed even in the innermost recesses of the house. The instrument itself was thus a com- plete tell-tale, and the straw would show how thor- oughly the work was done.
An early and intimate acquaintance, of a rather ec- centric and amusing turn, some twenty years my senior, I remember relating to me fully one-third of a century ago his experience with the "bread-pole," as he term- ed it. His father possessed a farm of only moderate size, and being nearly of age he was required from his seventeenth year to thresh out all the oats, rye and wheat before he could be expected to attend school. How often he said he beat and beat and beat on the spread-out grain on the threshing floor, and how des- perately tough on damp or rainy days it appeared to come from out its husky and bearded home in which it had been born, nurtured and protected unto mature age. How he would change his position this way and that, and contrive to do the work the easiest. . Blows, and blows alone, could only do it; the same monoto- nous beat from morning until night for five or six weeks, requiring perhaps before the task was fully completed not less than one hundred thousand strokes. If our present young men on farms were required to do this preparatory to getting their winter's schooling,
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they could perhaps the more readily realize how that recent phrase dead beat may have originated.
In the year 1845 there resided at the present village of Horsham several aged men, born in the vicinity, among whom may be mentioned Nathan Holt, then in his eighty-fourth year, and David Lloyd, in his sixty-seventh. Both were shrewd and observing men, who had wonderful stories to relate within their own knowledge or experience. There lived at that time in the immediate vicinity a young man who was also born there, and the descendant of an old family, who took an unusual interest in their conversations, which he has treasured in his memory and partly communicated to the writer. It is thus that I have secured the fol- lowing information from a highly esteemed friend, whose acquaintance I have enjoyed back almost to boyhood.
The time of the occurrence, as near as can now be reached, was in the year 1785, or but a few years after the close of the Revolution. There then resided in Horsham a day laborer by the name of Thomas Kelly, whose chief employment from autumn until spring was threshing among the neighboring farmers with a flail. In this respect his reputation stood high, and it was generally believed that his equal for threshing out a quantity of grain could not be found for miles around. At this time there resided in the same township a well- to-do farmer, somewhere between the old meeting- house and the Bucks county line. He was about thirty-five years of age, and considered one of the
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stoutest and most energetic men in that section. As he was strongly given to money-making, and pushed his work, it may well be imagined that those he em- ployed and worked with would be likely to earn their money.
Hearing of Kelly's renown as a thresher, and work- ing at the usual per diem wages, he concluded to en- gage him on trial at this employment. At early dawn on the designated day Kelly was on hand with his flail to thresh out a quantity of oats for market. Soon two dozen sheaves from the mow overhead were laid for a "flooring," and the threshing out commenced with alternate beating, as they respectively stood opposite each other. The farmer gave vigorous strokes that at times sent the grain flying in volleys of several yards around, while Kelly kept up a peculiar switching man- ner that made less noise.
After being engaged for an hour or so, the farmer , requested that he should lay on the harder and the grain would come out the faster and easier, as he might witness in his method., Thus the threshing continued until noon, the farmer endeavoring to in- fuse into Kelley by word and action that he should lay on heavier to facilitate the labor. The latter, however, was good natured and did not appear to take offence or mind his instructions, adhering to his accustomed manner which from experience he had practiced as best. The farmer all this while was busy thinking or devising how to improve the matter, and finally con- ceived a plan, when the grain was put to one side and
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the floor cleared, the parties going to dinner. When they returned the farmer said, "Kelley, you will now thresh your flooring at that end and I will mine here, and we will be likely to know the better how we get along." Seeing into the matter at once the latter good-humoredly replied, "That will be excellent; it is a wonder you did not think of it sooner."
In a short time Kelley had his flooring threshed, his straw bound up and the grain put aside, when he took the largest bundle and sat down on it, looking on the other at his work, being about half through. Though regarded as but a laborer he knew he had just as good a right to assert his proper dignity or independence as any other man, and for an example he would do it now in the face of an avaricious farmer, regarded too as one of the richest men in the town- ship. "I wish," shouted Kelley, "you would hurry and get done with that so we can commence another flooring."
Down heavier and quicker came the flail of the farmer, the grain flew higher and further around in showers, but no use. In spite of his robustness, with every flooring was the aforesaid repeated, and thus was he enabled through his skill to most provokingly taunt and worry his employer, as he sat nearly half that afternoon on the straw and giving him an in- structive lesson. There is no question the way he worked. On that night the farmer slept a more wear- ied man on what may have seemed to him one of the longest afternoons of his life. Kelley had now the
£
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satisfaction of having fully maintained his reputation, and of course never lacked in this kind of labor. Though over a century has passed away since this occurrence, yet the memory of it still lingers among a few of the old families of that vicinity, to be occasion- ally revived as an olden time story, long before the introduction of threshing by either horse-power or steam.
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The First of April.
In reverting to my earlier years, among the amus- ing incidents that turn up are those associated with All Fools' day, as the first of April has so long been called. This periodical attempt at wit promotes jocu- larity and tends to a change in what otherwise might prove a more monotonous existence. It has been said that without blossoms there could be no fruit, and without song or music no animation, the same as shadow follows substance or echo sound. Nature that has furnished us with wit, smiles, dimples and laughter, must have certainly thrown in merriment to make the measure good or rather our pleasure full. All things have their time; the child that cries, the adult that growls, contribute to no one's happiness or good, and the gloomy become misanthropic only too often to commit suicide and help fill our hospitals, asylums and prisons. Jesting and merriment I know like other things are liable to abuse, which I do not advocate, yet when harmless they afford infinite de- light and for the time tend to dispel the anxieties and troubles attending a fitful life.
The present blacksmith shop in the Willow Grove I know has stood there at least forty-five years, and
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in all that time for said purpose has been kept in con- stant use. About that long ago my first acquaintance with Isaac Rittenhouse commenced in it, who was so long its proprietor and therein carried on his trade. An excellent, energetic and industrious mechanic, a good neighbor, useful citizen, and as I shall show in the sequel relished a joke. I am pleased to say after having labored so diligently here with his hammer for nearly a quarter of a century he was enabled to retire and live for some time afterwards on a decent com- petency. He died near Germantown, the place of his nativity, somewhere about 1870. David Rittenhouse, the distinguished astronomer and mechanician, was a relative. While he carried on his trade here he did an extensive business, keeping constantly employed journeymen and apprentices. In those days before general railroading, there was much more work for the smith than now, owing to the much greater num- ber of teams on the road, to which must be added the several lines of stage coaches which made the Willow Grove their stopping and changing places.
Now among the employes of Isaac Rittenhouse there would likely to be occasionally found, as else- where, wags and jesters ready for any prank that would afford diversion. This was more likely the case from their being generally young men filled with the buoyant spirits of youth, and to relieve themselves would be ready to seize on anything for sport. How far this was promoted through the keen wit and jokes of their employer I will not take upon me to say, but
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of one thing I am sure, that Isaac Rittenhouse would never stoop to encourage or countenance anything dishonorable or unworthy a gentleman. I suspect that unknown to him, his journeymen and apprentices concluded to get up a bit of merriment for All Fools' day that should for this occasion come up to expect- ations.
Early one morning on the first of April, fully thirty- five years ago, I observed while standing on the piazza of my father's house, a wagon suddenly stop on the turnpike bridge that here spans Round Meadow run, and a man spring out and stoop as if he meant to take up something and then go on. In the course of a few minutes I noticed another do the same. At last by its repetition, I had my curiosity aroused as to the cause, and with this in view I went down the road to the bridge, about one hundred and sixty yards distant, and there I saw that a horse shoe nearly new had been securely nailed fast to one of the planks. It was ingeniously gotten up to impress the beholder that it had been lost, and by a number believed to bring to the finder good luck. So much for the magic shoe. The blacksmith shop spoken of was the only building near, and stood below it about fifty yards, which I entered. Here in the absence of Mr. Rittenhouse, I found a jovial party, journeymen and apprentices, in the highest glee on the general success of their April- fooling. From the aforesaid I would now draw this moral : For that which costs nothing, reader, be not too
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eager or covetous, for in most cases it is liable to de- ceive and bring disappointment.
I have spoken of Mr. Rittenhouse's relish for jokes. I will relate an instance that afforded him pleasure for some time. About the period I speak of there re- sided in the village a mechanic in leather, whom I shall call Jerry, noted for his self-esteem. Entering the smith shop one day a bill was paid him there by a neighbor for work done. Receiving the money he ascertained that he could not make the change. Turn- ing to Isaac beside his anvil, he said, "Please give me two halves for this," and handed him a dollar note. The latter, after taking it, reached in his pocket and drew therefrom two half cents, which he placed in the former's hand, saying, "I am happy to be thus enabled to accommodate you." Opening it in the presence of all, and seeing what was there, he found himself com- pletely taken in. The roars of laughter that followed this joke could have been heard at a square's distance, to the great discomfiture and mortification of Jerry so brought down. Mr. Rittenhouse carried in triumph that one dollar note in his pocket for several months before he gave it back, and in that time when he would meet his victim he would shout, "Jerry, do you want any more one dollar bills changed for halves?" The exceeding and well known vanity of the latter tended to give it the more notoriety.
A Farmer's Kitchen of a Century Ago.
Owing to the approaching centennial anniversary of our country's independence, the close of the year 1875 proved more than an ordinarily busy one to a majority of the people of Philadelphia. In consequence of the great preparations going on, business of all kinds was stimulated through the demands for labor. I have rea- sons to well remember it, for during this period I was closely engaged at the hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, chiefly in arranging manuscripts and performing the duties of assistant librarian. Amidst this bustle and excitement, though unknown to me, , Henry Peterson, so long one of the editors and pro- prietors of the Saturday Evening Post, was preparing from his novel of "Helen; or, One Hundred Years Ago," a play for the Chestnut Street Theatre, then un- der the management of Gemmell, Scott & Mackey. The main incidents of that play were founded on the battle of Germantown, which were thus to revive pa- triotic local associations. The whole was to be brought out in six splendid tableaux, the first representing Chew's house and grounds, the second a view on the Wissa- ·hickon, called the Devil's Pool, the third the Mechi- anza, the fourth the old Walnut street jail, the fifth a
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perfect fac-simile of a drawing-room, and the sixth a farmer's kitchen of that period.
All of the above had been decided upon, and more or less completed by Harley Merry, the scene painter, and his associates, excepting the last, respecting which Mr. Peterson was sent for to secure aid so as to have it historically correct. In this dilemma it was sug- gested that he should apply to the Historical Society for advice. In consequence of some delay experienced through the work he was unduly hurried by those having it in charge, and on his call there was imme- diately referred to me as one qualified to render the requisite assistance. Mr. Peterson was accordingly brought by one of the officers of the society to my room and introduced, when he proceeded to state his business. The matter, from its novelty, took me com- pletely by surprise, as I had no previous knowledge whatever respecting it. As I had never attempted anything of the kind I asked him whether he or any of those connected with the theatre had any sugges- tions to offer that might be of use to me preparatory to commencing the draft. As for the furniture and fixtures I apprehended no trouble, but the disposition of the room for scenic effect I thought the chief diffi- culty. Ile said he had nothing to offer, leaving it en- tirely to my judgment, while warmly entreating me to proceed and have it ready by ten o'clock next morn- ing. From the interest manifested on the subject sev- eral members of the society also joined in the request. As an author I must confess I felt for Mr. Peterson's
dI tos phown Lata
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success, and said he should come at the designated time and I would see what I could produce in the in- terval.
I may now explain that when Mr. Peterson left- it was nearly eleven o'clock in the morning, that my la- bors at the Historical Society engaged me till six in the evening, and that I was then free until next morn- ing at nine o'clock. It will be at once observed that the period allotted was short for so complex a matter, which would first require some time to think upon as to the general plan and details before I could venture on any design. However, from the moment I deter- mined upon it, my mind was kept busy as to the course I would pursue, without letting anything else interfere until I was done, for I had determined on an original drawing for which in no respect I should be any one's debtor, and by which merit it would have to stand or fall. I sought my boarding place, then near the north- east corner of Franklin Square, in good time, and after tea and a brief chat I proposed a walk alone of about one and a half hours in duration for exercise. At nine I went to bed, there to let my imagination have full play. As I expected, the scene appeared vividly be- fore me within an hour, and soon after I fell into a peaceful slumber.
An hour before dawn I arose, lighted my lamp, and proceeded to a table with my drawing materials, to work out on paper what I had conceived in my imagi- nation before I went to sleep. This is mentioned as no experiment, for I had practiced it in my writings hun-
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FARMER'S KITCHEN OF A CENTURY AGO.
dreds of times before when extra inventive powers were required. So diligent was I that by the summons of the first bell I had the general outline completed. I went to my breakfast at half-past seven, and immedi- ately after resumed work, so that within an hour I had the plan finished to my satisfaction excepting a spin- ning-wheel I had introduced, which seemed to defy my efforts at correctness. With my draft I proceeded to the rooms of the Historical Society, and before nine o'clock, or any one there was aware of it, I had made a sketch of this article of olden time economy from a specimen preserved among their collections. I now resumed my daily labors, and at the hour of ten Mr. Peterson was present. Unwilling to keep him in sus- pense I at once produced the drawing and handed it to him for any suggestions he had to offer before it left me. He appeared to be not only satisfied but delight- ed with it, and thought it would completely answer the purpose intended. I stated, however, that I was not yet willing to let it go out of my hands in its pres- ent condition, as it showed too much haste from the way I had been hurried. I proposed one night and morning more at it, and would endeavor not to dis- appoint him, besides bringing it around at a given hour to his office, No. 319 Walnut street. He said it would compel him to report the occasion of this delay at the theatre. When the time came around I pro- ceeded to copy my drawing with a more careful finish as to its lights and shadows and the introduction of a few accessories to give it harmony. This enabled me
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to retain a copy, which was indeed my chief object, the better to observe what changes might be made or how close the theatre would follow in its reproduction. According to appointment, on the following day, De- cember 2d, I gave Mr. Peterson the design, and a few days thereafter he reported to me that it had been ac- cepted and that the scene painters were at work there- on. As I desired no remuneration, several compli- mentary tickets were given me to attend the perform- ance. The intention was to produce the play January 1, 1876, but circumstances delayed it until the second week of February, when it was continued with con- siderable success to the close of the month. On the nights of the 14th and 21st I was present with several friends, and sought different positions to observe the better the resemblance to my draft. I was more than satisfied, for I felt a momentary triumph on my labors at the close adherence to the original. I hope the reader may pardon my vanity for this narration of a singular episode which I have occasion to long re- member.
I will now attempt a description of an interior view of a farmer's kitchen near Philadelphia, October 4, 1777, as produced in my drawing, for I had in mind some of those old substantial stone farm-houses that were still to be found occasionally in Moreland and Abington over forty years ago, transmitted from our colonial period. A large kitchen was selected, with an ample fire-place, within which a kettle was suspended from a trammel over a wood fire burning on andirons, with
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FARMER'S KITCHEN OF A CENTURY AGO.
shovel, tongs and bellows convenient. On the shelf of the mantle was a coffee-mill, a candle-stick, a stone pitcher supposed to contain cider, and several glasses waiting to be used. In the left-hand corner was a large cupboard displaying tiers of pewter plates and brown earthenware. From a peg in the wall a tin horn was suspended, and a high-backed splint-bottomed chair stood immediately beneath it. To the right of the hearth was a bench with a pail of water and several tin-cups, and above it a watering-pot used in sprinkling linen that was bleaching. Above the mantle and from the heavy joist hung several bunches of red peppers and ears of Indian corn that had been culled for seed. A spinning-wheel with flax stood at the side of the room, with a bench-table or settle near by. Above it was suspended a mahogany looking-glass with a huge ornamented top, several of Poor . Richard's almanacs, and a hat and a coat from nails in the wall. In one corner reposed a splint hickory broom and a stout basket of apples intended to be pared that evening. On a window stood several pots containing plants. For brevity's sake this will conclude the list of articles to be found' more than a century ago in a farmer's kitchen, thus showing that even there great changes have since taken place.
Concerning Henry Peterson, with whom I thus be- came acquainted, I have endeavored to secure a few additional particulars. ITe is from a literary family, and was born in Philadelphia in 1818, and consequently at the period I speak of was in his fifty-seventh year.
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He was for a short time assistant editor of Neal's Ga- zette, and since 1846 editor and part owner of that long established journal, the Saturday Evening Post. "The Twin Brothers; or, Lessons in Charity" was published in 1843 in Harper's District School Library. A vol- ume of his poems was issued in Philadelphia in 1864. As stated, "Helen; or, One Hundred Years Ago" had been dramatized from one of his novels published sev- eral years previously. As an editor he has followed a busy career, and many now on the stage of active life have received instruction from his pen. I saw him at the performance attentively observing every part of its progress, reminding me of the days of Goldsmith and Jonson when witnessing their plays subjected to the test of public opinion.
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Humor in the School-Room.
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It is probable with most persons that have arrived at middle age, on reviewing the past, they have found some green and pleasant spots flourishing like oases amid the sterile places of their lives-I mean more par- ticularly near its commencement. These, like fully expanded flowers, stand in pleasing contrast, and as the prospect is surveyed from this point what glorious reminiscences are revived of boyhood's golden days. And this retrospective effort makes us happier if not better men. While the infirmities of age are gradually but securely seizing hold of us, through our only re- source, the memory, we thus become as it were young again, to revel with eager delight amid the scenes of our infancy. It reminds me of a butterfly on a lovely May morning, flying hither and thither without any particular object among the blossoms, yet finding sweets and pleasures in each. O glorious illusion ! · that follows us wherever we go and time only renders more pleasing.
The object is to furnish a selection of humorous an- ecdotes from the school-room that happened within my knowledge or experience in the long past while I was but a school-boy, yet still possessing a clear re-
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collection of the same on account of their ludicrous associations. I have cause for their entire origi- nality from the circumstances or occasions that produced them, which was immediate or under the impulse of the moment. In consequence I have rea- son also to believe that boys generally, particularly the brightest, possess more wit or humor than is usually allowed them; hence the school-room is not always as dull as might be imagined. It is in fact the very place where stupid Jack can have his drowsiness re- moved-if its accomplishment is possible.
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