USA > Pennsylvania > The domestic life and characteristics of the Pennsylvania-German pioneer : a narrative and critical history ; prepared at the request of the Pennsylvania-German Society > Part 2
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nals to condemn what is faulty and to approve what is to be commended, in the light of what she has been taught by her mother and grandmother.
Some people are disposed to become merry at the men- tion of the following : " Grumbire Supp und Mehl Supp," " Sauer Kraut und Speck," " Schnitz und Knopf," " Ge- füllter Säumage und Zitterle," " Brotwürscht und Lewer- würscht," " Wälschhahne und Gänz," " Ente und Hinkel," " Rindsflesch und Kalbflesch," " Aepfelküchelcher und Drechter Kuche," "Fett Kuche und Fastnacht Kuche," " Schnitz-boi und Zucker Kuche," "Leb Kuche und Weck," "Essig-Punsch und Heemgemacht Beer" and " Zuckersach und Nüsse " 1-and yet these names would have appeared in the menu of the ancestors if such had been printed in their day.
1 " Potato Soup and Meal Soup," " Sour Kraut and Fat Pork," " Dried Apples and Dough Buttons," "Filled Pig Stomach and Souse," "Sausage and Liver Pudding," " Turkey and Goose," " Duck and Chicken," " Beef and Veal," "Apple Fritters and Funnel Cakes," " Fat Cakes and Shrove Tide Cakes," " Dried-apple Pies and Sugar Cakes," "Gingerbread and Rusks," and " Vinegar Punch and Home-made Beer."
Vignette from an old schoolbook.
CHAPTER III.
CULTIVATING THE SOIL.
T was a stupendous work that the pioneer had to perform. The log house was built where all of mother earth was in its primitive con- dition. Gardens, orchards, grain-yielding fields, and ex- tensive fields and clean mead- ows with only grass cover- ing the same were wanting. Mappen von Bern. Where the earth was without scrub oak and great forest trees, weeds, briars and stones were in abundance. Even the making of a garden required days of arduous labor in the removal of weeds, briars and stones and in picking, digging and raking the ground before the deposit of seeds. The first harvest could only be expected after the preparation of a tract of land. This work embraced the removal of all that would prevent the raising of a crop, hence the removal of lighter growths by use of the axe, the saw, the pick and fire. The fell-
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ing of trees, the removal of timber or its destruction by fire and the removal of stones were no light work. In the preparation of the ground the poorer settler had often only the use of pick, shovel and rake. Those who were fortunate enough to have a plough and harrow of the most primitive make, drawn by cattle, when horses were still wanting, were considered to be better prepared for the necessary work. The preparation of the ground was followed by the sowing of seed by hand. The enclosure of ground under cultivation required wearisome labor. The felling of trees, the cutting and sawing of the same in proper lengths, the splitting into rails, required much time and hard labor. The removal of all incumbrances from land and the opening of water courses for irrigation to secure good meadows were also necessary. Whilst waiting for the growth of the seed sown and the ripening of the harvest, the pioneer was busy in extending the bor- ders of land to be cultivated. Hence the further felling of trees and the removal of wood to be used for a variety of purposes, as well as the transfer of wood to be burned on the hearth, added to the pioneer's work.
When the time for cutting grass and gathering the har- vest arrived, all of the household were busy from early dawn to the close of day. The dengel stock, the hammer and the whetstone were of service in the preparation of the scythe and sickle. Grass was mowed by the use of the former. The wooden fork was used in turning the mowed grass, and the hand rake in gathering the hay on heaps before its removal to the primitive barn or stable, or the formation of stacks in the open air.
Grain was cut by the use of the sickle before the cradle came into use. Rakers and binders followed to make sheaves and shocks. The removal of the gathered harvest
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
J. F. SACHSE, PHOTO.
DOMESTIC UTENSILS.
(A) BREAD BASKETS, DOUGH-TROUGH SCRAPERS AND COPPEE-MILL.
(B) TAR-BUCKET, TEA-KETTLE, CAULDRON. SKILLET AND SCHAUM-LOFFELL.
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Cultivating the Soil.
to barn or stables, or to places where it was stacked, fol- lowed in due time.
During hay-making and harvesting the laborers had, be- sides breakfast, dinner and supper, luncheon in the morn- ing and in the afternoon, served under a tree by the good mother and her aids. An abundance of cold meats, bread, butter, cheese, applebutter, pickles, radishes, cakes, pies and varied beverages were freely served.
The gathering of corn and other products of the field followed later in each year and kept the husbandman busy. New attention had to be given to the soil for new sowing of seed and the expectation of a harvest in another year and required the new use of the plough and harrow.
Ox yoke and threshing flail.
When fall arrived and winter came men were busy in separating grain from straw and ear. The use of the flail was common. Animals were used in treading out grain. The separation of grain from refuse was trying work, but it was necessary to secure grain for food.
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But this work did not end the labors of the pioneer. In order to have grain turned into flour and other forms for man and beasts, it was necessary to take grain to the mill, which was often at a great distance from the home of the husbandman. Those who had no beast of burden were obliged to carry grain on their backs to the mill and re- turn home with the flour they had secured. Such as had horses or oxen made use of the same in carrying grain to the mill and bringing home flour and other products. Later when wagons, often with a very primitive kind of wheels, made of sections of sawed logs, were secured, the ox team was of great service in carrying grain to the mill. Winter did not allow the pioneer to be idle. The daily duties at home, the preparation of wood for the hearth, the care of domestic animals, the hunting of wild animals for food and valuable skins, kept him busy. New attacks had to be made on the trees of the forest, that new soil might be made ready for enlarged harvests. When spring came the ground had to be put in order for spring sowing and planting.
In the course of years when orchards yielded their abun- dant crops new labors were necessary. When the yield of the fields, the orchard, the meadow and forest became more than what was necessary for the pioneer's home wants, he had supplies to take to the distant market. The long journey to the markets gave those who visited the same the most varied experiences. In the earliest years Philadelphia was the nearest market. So for the pioneer's son, who for the first time accompanied his father to the city, the trip afforded an opportunity to see many things that were entirely new to him.
Those who see Pennsylvania today in its advanced state of cultivation and observe what has been accom-
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Cultivating the Soil.
plished by the introduction of agricultural and other imple- ments used in the cultivation of the soil, the sowing of seed, the reaping of the harvest, must ever remember the arduous work of the pioneer and his descendants, who, be- fore the introduction of modern, implements, brought a great portion of Pennsylvania under productive cultivation.
Whilst every pioneer needed a home and food and all were engaged in labor, not all were exclusively husband- men. Nearly every home had its garden and tract of land to be cultivated. Even in towns and villages residents had gardens and often orchards near their dwellings and fre- quently lots at no great distance, which were carefully cultivated. The miller, the sawmiller, the carpenter, the cabinet-maker, the blacksmith, the tinsmith, the potter, the weaver, the fuller, the tanner, the tailor, the shoe- maker, the clock-maker, the gunsmith, the paper-maker, the printer, the bookbinder, the merchant, the distiller, the innkeeper, the officers of the colony, the lawyer, the doctor of medicine and the minister of the Gospel were all engaged in work. There was an abundance of work and no necessity for the life of the tramp, who would eat and yet not toil.
The pioneer was a true expansionist. Where once only the log house and the simple structure for the protection of animals and the storing of field and meadow products and the enclosed small garden, and the limited number of acres under cultivation were to be seen, there appeared in the course of years, the large, well-built dwelling house, the immense barn and many other buildings for various uses, the large garden, the beautiful shade and fruit trees and vines near the dwelling, the extensive orchard, the beauti- ful meadows, the many large fields bearing a variety of crops, the carefully made roads and lanes and the long
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lines of fences enclosing the different parts of the farm. Whilst the dwelling sheltered the family, the buildings of the farmyard sheltered horses, cattle, sheep, swine and many of the feathered tribes. The products of the farm were so abundant that no one had occasion to suffer hunger, and the supplies for the market became so great that other means of transportation than the farm wagon were hailed with joy by those who appreciated the advantages extended by the same.
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Harvest scene, from an old reader.
CHAPTER IV.
WEARING APPAREL OF THE GERMAN SETTLERS.
E now come to the consideration of the wearing apparel of the pio-
neer. The immigrants wore at first garments brought from the fatherland. The quantity brought depended on the abil- ity to procure the same. The immigrants were often de- prived of their supply of Wappen : Don Uri. clothing by the heartless sea captains and their associates who, in view of exorbitant extra charges during the sea voyage, compelled the immi- grant, who had not sufficient money to pay, to surrender garments to meet their demands. To replenish the supply- whilst no doubt those, who were able to do so, secured imported goods for new garments-the great body of set- tlers found it necessary to meet this want by raising flax and later by raising sheep for furnishing a supply of wool, so that materials for clothing and other uses could be secured in this new world.
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From the sowing of the flax seed to the completion of the tow or linen garment there was work for men and women. Men prepared the soil and selected the best part of a field for sowing flax seed. It was sown at the time oats were
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" Woll-rad " or " Zwirn-rad," " Wheel for Spinning Wool " or " Twist- ing-Wheel."
sown-and usually in the same field. It was gathered a few weeks before oats harvest. It was drawn with the roots in bunches, which were tied separately and shocked. Ten to twelve bunches formed a shock. It was allowed to stand on the field until the tops became dry and brown. Straw-binders were laid on the ground, the flax placed on the same, and larger bundles formed, which were taken to the barn floor. Here the seed end of the flax was beaten on an elevated plank or on a barrel, to remove the seed, which was separated from the chaff by means of a fan
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THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
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J. F. SACHSE, PHOTO, 1
DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES.
TYPICAL PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SPINNING WHEELS.
ORIGINALS IN DANNER COLLECTION, MANHEIM, PA.
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Wearing Apparel of the German Settlers.
(worfschaufel) and at a later period by a wind mill. The flax seed was carefully stored, as it was a valuable product to supply an oil which commanded a high price. The flax was rebound and taken to a clean part of the field, where it was spread on the ground and allowed to remain a few weeks until rain and sunshine had made the inner part of the flax brittle and the outer part tough. It was rebound and removed to the barn or other building where it could be kept. Then followed the breaking of the flax. The first requirement was a fireplace and a fire, over which, on elevated bars or rails, the flax was laid and dried to become more brittle. The flax breakers, often four or five in number, surrounded the fireplace and broke the flax as best they could and in time on a flax break. When this process was ended, the flax was rebound in bundles containing twenty-five handfuls and again tak- en to the barn. Then followed the first hack- ling to separate the boll of the flax. This was done on a coarse hackle. The flax was then swingled on a board or plank by means of a Faden-haspel (Thread reel) on which strands were stretched and then wound into a ball. wand or wooden knife, and in later years on a break wheel. After the swingling followed hackling on a hackle screwed to the top of a bench. The hackle con- sisted of a board about ten inches long and three or four
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inches wide, into which wrought-iron nails about five inches long had been driven. The hackling separated the tow from the fine flax and thus yielded tow and flax. The tow was placed in boxes or barrels and the flax was formed into switches, the ends of which were joined, and a number of such switches were united by a cord and kept in bundles.
Upright spinning wheel.
The spinning of tow and flax, the work of mothers and daughters, who rose early and often retired late, required much time and labor. The spinning wheel and reel were not wanting. The spinning of tow was first in' order.
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Wearing Apparel of the German Settlers.
The tow was placed on the fork of the wheel and spun. The spinning of flax, which was wound on a specially made holder, was done on the same wheel on which tow was spun. The reel (haspel) was used for winding the spun tow and flax. One hundred and forty-four revolutions of the reel marked by the indicator were required for a cut. These were formed into skeins, a skein of tow containing four cuts and one of flax six cuts. The skeins of spun tow and flax were boiled in a mixture of ash and water-to make the same soft and tender, and were subsequently laid on grass or hung on bars to dry and to be bleached.
In weaving the same loom was used for making tow cloth and linen with different gearing for each. The woven material was usually one yard wide. After the web had been made ready a part of it was glued (ge- schlicht). Whilst time was given for drying the weaver was busy in spooling, and thus there was a constant change from weaving to spooling. Tow cloth was often of differ- ent stripes. The woof for the same was colored yellow by means of the bark of hickory trees or peach leaves and blue with indigo. After weaving, plain tow cloth and linen were washed, spread on grass, sprinkled regularly and given time to bleach. The proper bleaching often re- quired several weeks of time. The materials thus obtained and linen thread of various thicknesses, also spun at home, were now ready for use.
The tow cloth was used for clothing, bedding, table cloths, towels, bags, coverings and other articles. Linen cloth of various degrees of fineness was used for shirts, summer clothing, bedding, table cloths, towels and many other purposes.
Linen goods were often checked goods-made of linen colored differently.
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In the course of years the pioneer and his descendants raised sheep. A husbandman would have from ten to twelve-but frequently also from twenty to twenty-five or more sheep. Sheep shearing was in order in May of each . year. The wool secured was washed and then dried on grass. It was then carefully cleaned and picked so that no impurities might remain. It was taken to the carding mill, where it was first carded on rollers, on which there were strips of leather filled with fine wires and fine nails and then passed between rollers on which there were ribs which formed the rolls of wool, which dropped from the cylinders. The wool, after being thus formed into rolls, was taken home, where it was spun on the large and small spinning wheels. The weaving of wool was the same as that of tow and flax. When the supply of wool was yet limited, in weaving the webb was often the product of flax and the woof of wool. The material obtained was known as the linsey-woolsey. It was a much better material for winter clothing than tow cloth and linen cloth, and exten- sively used for such purposes. Cloth woven entirely of wool was for best clothing for wear on Sunday and special occasions. The woolen cloth was taken to the fulling- mill (walk mühle). Here it was placed in large recep- tacles, in which soap and water were used. The material was beaten and turned and when it was removed from the receptacles to be washed it was found narrower and thicker than before. It was then colored black, brown, gray, deep yellow or red. After being dried, trimmed and rolled it was ready to be taken to the owner's home and was ready for use. Flannels were of different colors and were used for dresses and undergarments.
In those primitive years and in many years that followed garments were made at home without any directions given
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
COPYRIGHT, J. F. SACHSE, 1900,
AN OLD PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN LOOM SHOP. "DER ALT WEBER-STUHL."
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by fashion books and without the aid of sewing machines. In later years tailors were engaged to come to the homes of families to make garments for men. The primitive mothers and daughters had an abundance of work in mak- ing garments for members of the household. They were also frequently engaged in knitting to supply the family with stockings, socks, mittens, scarfs and caps. They likewise spent much time in making from tow, linen and woolen materials a variety of articles for use and orna- ment in the home.
Shoes were not constantly worn. In summer many persons wore no shoes. In winter they were worn by all. During the summer they were, however, worn on special oc- casions. Tradition informs us that shoes were carried by hand by church-goers until the vi- cinity of the church was reach- ed, when they were put on and removed again soon after the worshippers had left the church building. Shoemakers traveled and did not only mend shoes, but often also remained with a family to make shoes for all its members.
Hats and caps worn by men were made in this country at a very early period. An abund- Wedding gown worn by a grand- ance of materials for making mother and a granddaughter. the same was found here. Mothers and daughters made hoods at home. A bonnet of large dimensions was a de- sirable acquisition, to be made only by purchase in towns.
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With the increase of wealth and opportunities to secure wearing apparel from the country store, the ancestors were also able to purchase other materials for various uses. There was a marked difference between clothing made of domestic materials and clothing made of store goods. People in the country began to follow the customs of the people dwelling in towns, and in the course of years people in the country also had fine clothing for their ap- pearance on special occasions.
In earlier periods there was no constant change of fash- ions as in our day. The good clothing worn by parents was handed down to their children, who were not ashamed to wear the same. Garments were worn for a much longer time than in our day. The writer knew two men, who lived within the last fifty years, the one, the senior in years, remarked that whilst he wore a coat two years, the younger man was not satisfied without two new coats in each year. When journeys were made great care was taken of extra apparel, if made on foot the knapsack was carefully packed, if made on horseback then saddle bags were of great service, when made later on in wagons and coaches the requisites for the journey were placed in wallets, in strong paper and leathern boxes of varied style and in trunks covered with skins of animals.
CHAPTER V.
THE BARNYARD AND ITS DENIZENS.
NOTHER important branch of the domes- tic life of the pioneer was the raising and care of domestic animals and fowls. The horse, ass, horned cattle, sheep, swine, dogs and cats were regarded as necessary. The peacock, turkey, goose, duck, chicken and pigeons Mappen von . marburg. supplied numerous wants. Whilst the log houses and stone structures were the dwellings of families, the barns, stables, sheds, cotes, kennels, hen-houses and dove cotes served for the protec- tion of animals and fowls. The Pennsylvania-German has ever been known for his careful provision for the care of his live stock.
The horse and ass were of great service in farm work, in ploughing and harrowing the soil to be seeded, in the removal of hay and grain to the barn and to places where
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the same were stacked, in the threshing of grain, in carry- ing grain to the mills, in hauling stones from the fields, in supplying the field with manure and lime, in hauling wood for home use and timber to be sawed, and in carrying farm products to market places. They were also of service in the visitation of families, in the transaction of business at distant places, in attending church services and public gatherings and in extended journeys. No wonder that early settlers cared so well for their horses and were in favor of hanging horse thieves.
Horned cattle were also of great service. They often supplied the place of the horse and ass in farm work and in transportation. The cow supplied milk, from which cream, butter and cheese were obtained. The flesh of cattle furnished as a food, an abundance of veal and beef and of salted and smoked meats. Tallow served in mak- ing candles. The skins of animals, when tanned, fur- nished leather for shoes, harness and other purposes. Whole skins were of great service as covers. The excess of horned cattle not needed for domestic use formed a sup- ply of the markets. The pioneer was engaged in stock raising, for pasture was abundant. Young stock was often driven in spring to distant places for pasturage and brought home in fall in good condition.
Swine served also for many purposes. Their raising in early days was not difficult. They were allowed to roam on commons and in forests in which they found an abund- ance of acorns and other nuts. The swine, when killed, supplied fresh pork, salt meats, sausages, hams and shoulders and also an abundance of lard for home use and the market. The lard lamp would have been of no use without a supply of lard. Butchering days were im- portant days in the life of the pioneer.
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The Barnyard and its Denizens.
Dogs and cats were prized by the pioneer. No picture of the early home would be complete without the dog and the cat. The dog was often the companion of his master in his work on the field and in the forest. He aided him in herding his cattle. He was his aid in capturing or driving off wild animals. He was the playmate of children in the home, but also the faithful guard of the homestead at night, promptly signaling the presence of the red man of the forest, and the approach of thieves and wild animals. No wonder that the faithfulness of the dog has often been the theme of writers.
The cat also rendered good service as the enemy of rats and mice and kept the house and other buildings as clear of these destructive creatures as it could. The cat's play often amused the inmates of the house. Its doleful cry at night often disturbed the slumbers of many. But no one would allow its banishment from the home.
Whilst the peacock, with its tail of long feathers of rich and elegant colors, was the pride of the barnyard, the turkey, goose, duck and chicken were raised not only for a supply of eggs, but also to be served on the table on special occasions. The feathers of some of them were used in filling pillow cases and ticks for the comfortable rest of the head and body of the weary and the cover of all sleepers in winter. The quill obtained from the goose afforded the pen for writing the love letter, the note of indebtedness, the receipt of money paid and the death warrant.
The surplus yield of feathers constituted one of the per- quisites of the good housewife, and the money received for the same enabled her to purchase many articles of value, for personal use and gifts to others.
The mother of the household has always taken an inter-
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est in the raising of fowls, and the sale of the same fur- nished her money for many uses. The writer remembers that in the year 1867 he was collecting money for an im- portant church work. He called at the houses of the dif- ferent parishioners of a charge which he was visiting. At one of these homes the mother met him with a cheerful face and, as soon as he had stated the object of his call, said : "Yes, I have two dollars and a-half to give you," and added : " And I wish to tell you how it is that I have this money for you. I set a hen with turkey eggs and had a lot of fine little turkeys, which however a heavy rain killed for me. I felt very sorry. I said to the Lord that I would set another hen with turkey eggs, and that if turkeys would be hatched and I would be allowed to raise them and sell them I would give Him the one-tenth of the proceeds of the sale. The turkeys were hatched ; I was successful in raising them, and sold them on the market for twenty-five dollars, and now I will keep the promise I made to the Lord." She handed the two dollars and a-half to the writer, and they are today a part of the endowment of a fine institu- tion of learning.
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