From history and traditions handed down by our grandmother we learn much of the primitive way the pioneers had to live for many years. Salt, flour, dishes, etc., had to be brought to Pittsburgh from the East on pack horses, and brought down the Ohio on barges.
There were shops in the fort wherein were forges, anvil and bellows, here almost everything was made and repaired as the account books from 1796 down many years, show us. Mexican dollars were used in making teaspoons, tablespoons and ladies' thimbles, also gold beads (for our vain grandmothers). The swedges in which all of these were finished up are still in existence. Spoons made in that period and beads are still held sacred by late descendants today. Nails, door latches, tools, benches, tables, chests, etc., were made in these shops.
We read in account books of R. J. Meigs and Blennerhassett having knee buckles made or repaired. The dishes in common use were called wooden trenches, but for gala days, birthdays, Christmas and weddings, the families put their pewter dishes (brought from the East) together to make a spread. These pewter dishes shone like silver. One pewter turkey platter can be seen at this time (much corroded) on which a wild turkey has reposed many times on grandmother's table.
To roast these turkeys they were suspended in front of a log fire, a pan underneath, then the fowl was frequently turned and basted until entirely done. Other wild meats were cooked in the same way. Rye and "Ingin" bread was baked in the iron bake ovens before the fire.
White hickory ashes were made into pearlash to use with buttermilk. The tables and benches in common use were made of puncheon boards (logs sawed lengthwise with bark off) with crude legs underneath.
Torches were the main lights at night within the fort. For individual use a saucer of lard with a wick was often used until tallow could be obtained years later, then dip candles were made to lighten their homes.
Cows were driven over the mountains or brought down in barges. In these also sheep and pigs were brought. To milk a cow, our grandmothers were sheltered and protected by the father or sons with a musket in hand and eyes on the hills for the hidden Indians.
Home-made cloth, woolen and flaxen supplied the pioneers for nearly ten years, for winter and summer use. Calico would have been considered a luxury.
Thus thirty families and over a hundred children did their best during the Indian war and afterward to create this new settlement which we enjoy today.
The Sundays of these Puritan pioneers were kept sacredly and adhering almost to the old Bible command not to pick up sticks on the Sabbath day. It was considered wrong at that time to write letters on this day.
The noted Mary Lake, seeing all the restless children on the Sabbath, thought to gather them together and teach them, thus organizing the first Sunday School in the Northwest Territory. We imagine all these little folks sitting on the puncheon benches listening to the Christ story and being taught the Lord's Prayer, the ten commandments and Scripture verses. Mary Lake likes in Rainbow cemetery honored by a monument to her memory, erected by the Sabbath schools of Washington County.
There were some deprivations in the Civil War almost equal to those of our forefathers. Browned bran and molasses was the coffee; flour, beans and sugar were scarce; calico from 45 cents to a dollar per yard. Pork was the main meat of those at home, and in the warfare. People are anticipating some such conditions now. Time will tell.
S. M. M.
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