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 4
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Parents also cared for the spiritual wants of their chil- dren. They presented them for baptism at an early day, as is evident from the old church records and pastors' pri- vate journals. Parents read God's Word, prayed and praised God not only for their own growth in grace, but also for the spiritual blessing of their children. Children were early taught God's word and were also taught to pray. The Catechism was taught by the head of the fam- ily and at a proper age children received further instruction in the parochial school and in due time were instructed by the pastor and learned the Catechism, Bible History, prayers and hymns to be prepared for confirmation. Par- ents encouraged them at home in learning the lessons as-
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signed them. Parents encouraged their children to attend church services and were not ashamed to have; them ac- company them to and from God's House. The writer re- calls the fact that nearly sixty years ago he sat by the side of his father in an old church, the floor of which was of bricks, and in which there were movable plain benches with backs. Home care for the spiritual welfare of chil- dren led them early to think of God, of sin, of Christ the blessed Savior, of the forgiveness of sin, of the Holy Ghost-the new heart and holy life-of hell and the pun- ishment of sin-of Heaven and eternal glory. Children thus trained were given to the fear, love and service of God.
Parents also cared for their children by the right use of Solomon's rod. Because they loved their children and de- sired them to grow up to be godly men and women, they were faithful in instructing them and did what they could by word and prayer for their improvement. But when children would be disobedient or were guilty of wicked deeds, parents did not hesitate to use the rod, and its proper application resulted in saving many a child from continuance in wickedness and brought them to earnest thought and a change of life. Lasting impressions were made upon some who are still living, by the use of a mother's slipper and rod. The writer heard the Rev. Dr. Christlieb state in an address at the meeting of the Evan- gelical Alliance in New York in 1873, that he missed two things in America that he still found in Germany : the one was the poor by the side of the rich in the churches, and the second was Solomon's rod in the home. He said that in Germany the rod was still used and that their youth became Kräftige Bengel. Dr. Christlieb visited the great cities along and not far from the Atlantic Coast. Had he
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Care of Children.
come to Falkner Swamp in Montgomery County, to the Bushkill and Monocacy in Northampton, to the Jordan and Cedar Creek in Lehigh, to the Moselem and Tulpe- hocken in Berks, to the Swatara and Quitopahilla in Lebanon, to the Cocalico and the Conestoga in Lancaster, the Conewago and the Kreutz Krick in York and the Conococheague in Adams and Franklin Counties, he would have found the rich and the poor together in the churches and that Solomon's rod was still in active use in many homes.
The children of our ancestors were taught early in life to work. Parents assigned such labors as their children could perform. Thus boys and girls had their daily duties, and they were expected to discharge them faithfully and properly. As they grew up to be men and women they were fitted for life's work. The sons and daughters were prepared to take the places of their parents. No one thought it a disgrace to work on a farm or to learn a trade. They were proud of their ability to labor.
The young were allowed proper recreations. They had their games in the house, in the yard, at the barn, on the field, in the meadow and in the forest. Happy days were spent by the young people of neighbors meeting succes- sively at their respective homes. Aged parents witnessed with pleasure the young in their various games, and cheer- fully furnished refreshments on such occasions. Homes were made attractive by proper privileges granted by par- ents. The homes where the young were permitted to have enjoyments suited to their age are ever remembered with pleasure.
That Pennsylvania-Germans favor education is evident from the existence of the parochial schoolhouse soon after the first settlements, the schoolhouse in more limited dis-
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tricts, the private schools established in still more limited sections, the academy, the seminary, the public school, the normal schools, and colleges and universities of the pres- ent century and the large number of German names on the rolls of schools and in the catalogues of the many institu- tions of our State.
gtamerline Britan.
1776.
Cover of Sauer Almanac for 1776, Troublous Times, one-half size.
THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
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J. F. SACHSE, PHOTO.
DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES.
(A) TALLOW CANDLE MOULDS.
(B) FLAX HACKLES AND OTHER IMPLEMENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
SERVANTS.
NOTHER important fea- ture of the domestic life of our ancestors and their de- scendants was the attention that was shown to servants. Penn- sylvania at a very early day opposed slavery. Servant la- bor was necessary in many homes. Servants were usually well cared for. Their treat- ment depended on the charac- ter of the masters and also on the conduct of the servants. Arms of Augsburg. There were cruel masters and there were unfaithful servants. There were many kind- hearted masters and mistresses who took a deep interest in the welfare of those employed by them. Such was the case even with the redemptioners,1 who had German mas- ters. Many have heard the story of the redemptioner, whose request that the contract with his master should con- tain the provision that he was to have meat twice in each week, was cheerfully granted. Upon arrival at the mas-
1 A class of indentured servants confined chiefly to Pennsylvania.
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ter's home, the redemptioner had meat at supper, his first meal. When meat was given also at breakfast on the fol- lowing morning, his face was filled with sadness. The master asked why he looked so sad, the answer was that it was true that the contract stated that he should have meat twice in each week, but he did not expect to receive meats at two meals so near together. So great was his surprise when told that he had no reason to be sad for he would have meat served him at three meals on each day that he exclaimed that he wished that his back were also a stomach !
Servants were allowed on ordinary occasions to be seated at the table with the family at meals. Their wants were as abundantly supplied as those of the children of the home. They had comfortable beds and were allowed sufficient time for proper rest after the labors of the day. They were expected to work, for they were not employed simply to be witnesses of the diligence of the master and the mistress. When they labored faithfully they were commended, and when they were indolent they were re- proved. The faithful servant was loved by the master and well cared for in times of sickness. In a home where God was feared and religion was a saving power, servants were also blest by its influence. The God-fearing master and mistress by word and deed made lasting impressions on those whom they employed. A strong mutual attach- ment was often formed by masters and servants. The ser- vant frequently showed the love of a son or daughter and the master and mistress the love of parents. Those who served whilst young were fitted like children of the family for life's earnest duties. Separations were often marked by mutual regrets and friendship cherished throughout life by those who were once related as masters and servants.
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Servants.
The question has often been asked why Pennsylvania- Germans are able to retain servants for a much longer period of time than others. It is entirely owing to the treatment which masters and mistresses give their servants. The latter have bodies and souls as well as the former. When this fact is duly recognized, those who employ ser- vants will treat servants as those who with them may be ultimately heirs and joint heirs with Him who declared that the greatest is he who serves. The writer's paternal an- cestor was a redemptioner, and a recent examination of an old church record shows the friendly relation that existed a hundred years ago between the family of the writer's an- cestor and the family of the one in whose service the re- demptioner had been for many years.
G
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From Sauer almanac.
CHAPTER IX.
THE AGED AND INFIRM.
O the history of the domestic life of ancestors belongs also the attention that was given aged and infirm parents and grandparents. Memory ever recalls with pleasure the love that was shown to those who could no longer labor as in earlier years. A part of the home was spe- cially assigned to aged parents or grandparents in which they could spend their declining years in peace. Their bodily wants were faithfully supplied. After the labors of the day were ended by those who could toil, it was considered a great privilege to cheer the aged. Sometimes a separate dwelling was erected for the aged and their home was eagerly sought by their descendants. Often a faithful un- married daughter considered it a duty to remain with the aged father or mother to the end of their life. The home of the aged had limited but sufficient dimensions to make them comfortable. The plain furniture of the living room included stove, wood-chest, tables, chairs, corner cupboard, clock, shelving for the Bible, prayer-book, hymn-book and book of sermons. The bedroom contained bed with
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The Aged and Infirm.
canopy and vallence, wash-stand, looking-glass, desk, high chest of drawers, wardrobe, large arm chair or rock- ing chair, and a few quaint pictures on the wall.
Blessed hours were spent with the aged, who loved to recall events of their earlier years but also loved to hear their offspring tell of their daily experiences. Valuable lessons were taught by the aged. Their counsel was al- ways for the welfare of the young, whose future course in life was often determined by the influence exerted in the home of the aged. What a blessed retreat for those who experienced many of life's trials and sorrows. Here they could unburden their minds and hearts without fear of abuse, here they found sincere sympathy and heard words of genuine comfort, here they received good counsel to correct errors in life, to restore peace between those who needed reconciliation, to prevent entrance upon engage- ments that would bring nothing but ruin.
No man or woman has ever had occasion to regret the attention shown to the aged and infirm. A mother's prayer and a father's blessing are rich legacies, that cheer men in life's arduous duties, that make better men and women here and help in directing their thoughts to and fitting them for the eternal home in the kingdom of glory on high, in the Father's home of many mansions. God's commandment : " Honor thy Father and Mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee "-contains not only a commandment but also a promise. Wise are they who profit by heeding the ex- planation given by the great reformer, " We should so fear and love God as not to despise and displease our parents and superiors, but honor, serve, obey, love and esteem them."
وايت ٦
CHAPTER X.
HOSPITALITY.
OSPITALITY was ever shown in the genuine Penn- sylvania-German home. The man who had occasion to ask for food and shelter was kindly received and his wants were cheerfully sup- plied. " God reward you for your kindness" was the expression of the gratitude of many whose hunger had been supplied and who had peaceful slumbers when they were permitted to rest without fear of harm.
Unexpected visitors were not permitted to think that they were not welcome. Their arrival was cheered by hearty greetings. The horse was speedily stabled and the host and guests were soon in the best room in the house and engaged in pleasant and profitable conversation. The good housewife and her aids attended to the preparation of the meals to be served. Nothing was too good to be given to visitors. Whilst an apology might be offered that for the want of time the preparation was not as ample as it would have been if the coming of the visitors had been
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THE PENNSYLVANIA-GERMAN SOCIETY.
pia 74 +
....... ... ...... .. . .. ......
ZINNGESCHIRR (PEWTER TABLE WARE).
USED BY THE GERMANS IN PENNSYLVANIA DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD
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Hospitality.
known, there was always an abundance of good food. Intervals between meals were hours of most delightful en- tertainment. Visitors were pressed to remain during the night and when they consented to do so, the evening was spent in a cheerful and profitable manner.
When, however, visitors had previously announced their coming or had accepted an invitation to visit, extensive preparations were made for their reception and entertain-
Wrought-iron door lock and latch.
ment. The house, the porches, the walks in the yard ad- joining the house, the barn and its yard received special attention. The day preceding the arrival of visitors was a very busy day for the housewife and her aids. An abun- dance of food was made ready for the occasion. All of the family arose early on the appointed day. The house was set in order, children were neatly dressed and adults also wore better clothing than on working days. The ar- rival of guests was anxiously awaited and their coming was speedily announced by the one who first saw their ap- proach. All special work had been declared off during the stay of the visitors and the time was given to their best entertainment. They were kindly greeted upon their ar-
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rival and their entire stay was made as agreeable as possi- ble. Conversation seldom flagged and for a change the garden, the orchard, the meadow, the fields under cultiva- tion, the spring house, the barn, the sheds and often even the different rooms in the house were shown to visitors. At the table there was the best evidence of special prepa- ration by the good mother and her helps, and after grace was said, there was the special word to the visitors to feel at home, to help themselves and eat heartily. The hos- pitality that was shown was genuine. It strengthened the bonds of friendship and added to the happiness of those who had many experiences in life of a different nature. By such entertainment they were cheered to labor with greater diligence and patience, knowing that human life has also a bright side.
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Title page of Sauer Almanac for 1776, one-half size.
CHAPTER XI.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
HE domestic life of the pioneer was fre- quently brightened by spe- cial occasions which were not alone of interest to the family but to neighbors and friends as well.
The baptism of children took place in churches as soon as such were erected. Old records of pastors and of congregations often Arms of Pastorius family. give the reason for bap- tism in private houses. The records give not only the names of the parents, the name of the child, the date of birth and the date of baptism, but also the names of the sponsors, the number of which varied from one to six or even more.
After the baptism of a child the friends gathered in the home of the parents and partook of a rich provision for
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the festive occasion. Certificates of baptism were care- fully preserved. The relation of the sponsor to the child baptized was often very close. The character of the spon- sor was often effective in determining that of the child.
ARRIAGES took place, after the bans had been called thrice in the church, in the church build- ing itself or at the pastor's residence, at the home of the bride and occasionally at the office of the magistrate in cases where a license was first procured from the Gov- ernor. Wedding feasts were usually well attended. Rich provisions had been made for the same. Whilst for the aged they were days of pleasant reunions, for the young they were days of great merriment and at times of excesses that were not to be commended. Wedding trips to distant places were not then in fashion. At times when the conve- niences of travel were very limited, the wedding party, for the want of suitable conveyances, proceeded to the church or pastor's residence on horseback.
HE death of a member of the family brought a sad ex- perience to all the members of the same. Prompt at- tention was given to the preparation of the body for burial. Frequently the body was laid on a strip of sod. Watchers spent the nights preceding the burial in the house of mourn- ing. Due notice of the date of burial and invitations to the funeral were given by sending out a number of messen- gers, who requested those whom they met to extend the no- tice and invitation to others. Extensive preparations were made for the entertainment of attendants at the funeral, who often came from distant places. Funerals were gener-
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Special Occasions.
ally numerously attended. Before the beginning of the ser- vice at the house, refreshments were offered to attendants. The custom was to hand cake and wine to all. The ser- vice at the house was frequently held outside of the house after the coffin had been brought from the house and placed on chairs and the mourners gathered around the same. The service included a hymn, a short address and a prayer. After this service the coffin was placed on a wagon or sled (before the regular hearse was used), and the procession was formed to accompany the remains to " God's acre " near the church, and in the days when car- riages and other conveyances were not over abundant and many rode on horses, frequently the wife was seated on a pillion in the rear of the rider. On arrival at the burial ground the coffin was placed on a bier, the lid of the coffin was removed and the remains viewed for the last time. As soon as the coffin lid was replaced and fastened, a hymn was begun and frequently the pastor and cantor at once moved and led the procession towards the grave, singing until the grave was reached. After the coffin was de- posited in the grave the regular burial service was con- ducted by the pastor, and frequently all remained until the pall-bearers, who in early days also made the grave, had filled the grave with ground. The minister was always expected to preach a funeral sermon whether the burial took place in God's acre near the church, or in a private burial ground near the home of the deceased. When the burial took place in God's acre near the church, the ser- vice including sermon was held in the church. When the burial was on a private burial ground the sermon was often preached in a barn. Frequently the text of the funeral sermon had been selected by the deceased long be- fore his or her death. The funeral sermon was of great
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importance in the early days when there was not as fre- quent preaching as in later periods. Then the minister's service was not simply to comfort the sorrowing, but also to benefit all others by a faithful presentation of the divine word. After the service in church or other place and burial the mourners and other attendants returned to the house of mourning to partake of the funeral feast. This custom was regularly observed.
There were, however, many abuses connected with serv- ing cake and drinks before the service at the house and the funeral feast after the burial. No one wished to be charged with a miserly spirit or a lack of consideration for the wants of those who came great distances to attend the funeral service.
The writer knew in his childhood a minister, who put an end to the first custom in his parish in a heroic way. When the bottle containing drink was handed to him he took the bottle and dashed it to the ground. After the pastor's most decided disapproval the custom was no longer observed by his people. ` Another minister who had oc- casion to bury a person who had been supported by a township, embraced the opportunity of expressing his dis- approval of the funeral feast by announcing, after he had read the sketch of the life of the deceased, " Die Zubereit- ung ist nicht grosz, die Zubereitung ist nicht grosz, doch können die Grabmacher und das Gefress mit nach Haus gehen."
MONG other special occasions that brought changes into the experience of families, we may mention the erection of buildings. The necessary excavation was often made with the help of neighbors, who gathered on an ap- pointed day or days and by their combined labors not
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Special Occasions.
only executed the work in a short time, but also by their kindness placed their neighbor under obligations to them and strengthened the bond of union between them. The family that was able to give proper refreshments to those who thus favored it, was sure to secure for itself an un- enviable reputation by neglecting to provide abundantly for such an occasion. In one of our eastern counties a village bore for a long time and may bear yet the name of Crackersport-a name given to it, it is said, to com- memorate the fact that one of its inhabitants, who had been kindly served by his neighbors by making the necessary excavation for a building, served refreshments in the form of crackers.
After the necessary preparation of timber, another day of kind neighborly service was that of log raising. The framing of a house or barn was hard and dangerous work, but was accomplished by the combined services of men who had willing hearts and strong arms. Such occasions were often days of merriment as well as labor for the par- ticipants. The best of food and the best of drinks were freely furnished by those who appreciated the aid rendered by neighbors.
N occasion of light work and much merriment was that of apple paring and cutting and boiling applebutter. The family itself was expected to attend to cider-making and apple-gathering before the day on which neighbors assembled to assist in special work. Apple paring and cutting were marked by much merriment. Old and new stories were told-and popular songs were heartily ren- dered. The boiling of cider, the addition of divided ap- ples and the necessary stirring required careful attention. But as the number of persons assembled was always much
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larger than the number at work during the boiling of the cider and the apples-those, who awaited their turn at work, found time to engage in games that were common in those days and thus the night was spent in merrymak- ing as well as work. A member of the Lebanon County Historical Society, who is also a member of the Pennsyl- vania-German Society, some time ago read a paper upon " The Cider Press and Applebutter Making," before the County Society, a most valuable addition to the domestic history of our ancestors.
C ORN-HUSKING was regularly attended to by fami- lies, who were kindly aided by their neighbors. It was often a night work on the floor of a barn or another building. The dimly lighted place was not only the scene of faithful work, but also of much merriment. When the work was ended games of various kinds were indulged in and an abundance of refreshments partaken of.
N butchering days families were also assisted by their neighbors. The killing and dressing of the cattle took place on the preceding day. On butchering day fires were started early and breakfast served before sunrise. The killing of swine was promptly followed by the scalding, scraping, cleansing, dressing and quartering of the same. The cleaning of entrails, the preparation of hams and shoulders, the rendering of lard and tallow, the chopping of meats and the making of sausage, the boiling of meats and the making of liver sausage, the preparation of meats for the brining tubs and the smoke-house kept all busy to the approach of evening and often to a late hour in the
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