Conecuh County AlArchives History .....History of Conecuh County, Alabama 1881
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 23, 2004, 3:45 pm

CHAPTER IX.
An Early Home and Its Surroundings-Mode of Transportation
Adopted by the Early Fathers.

   The marvelous changes which have been wrought in our habits and customs, in 
private and public life, within little more than half a century, deserve some 
notice at our hands. The prosperity which has been enjoyed almost 
uninterruptedly by the people of Conecuh is, in large measure, due to the 
assiduity of the early founders of the society of the county. The fatigue 
endured, the self abnegation, the perils braved, and the obstructions 
overcome, deserve favorable notice in this work. Never did an ancestry deserve 
more that their heroism be sacredly enshrined in the memory of a posterity. 
The homes of comfort, nestled amid natural delights; the extensive and fertile 
districts of land; the numberless facilities of an advanced civilization ; the 
wealth gathered through years of toil-all this has been secured to the 
posterity of a heroic ancestry. Starting from their remote homes in the 
Carolinas or Georgia, and even from Virginia, these early heroes and heroines 
were aware of the vast distance that lay between them and their future places 
of residence in the far South. A wagon or two, drawn by horses, or mules, or 
oxen, were the sole means of transportation enjoyed by an early emigrant for 
the removal of his family and chattels. Stopping at night, the family would 
rest beneath the sheltering folds of a huge tent. This served as a residence, 
even after the arrival of the family at their final abiding place, until a 
more substantial home could be established. With very many families, the 
method of transportation was inferior, even, to that above referred to. Some 
regarded themselves peculiarly fortunate in being able to secure a huge 
waterproof hogshead, into which were tightly packed the effects of the family, 
after that a long rod had been inserted lengthwise. There was sufficient 
projection of the rod at either end to enable it to serve as a sort of axle. 
To these points was fitted a pair of rude shafts, to which was hitched an ox. 
The movement of the animal gave revolution to the great receptacle, and over 
long leagues, reaching across the broad areas of States, the faithful ox would 
draw the unique car, even to the final destination of his master. This 
reached, the first care was to clear off as large a plot of ground as 
possible, preparatory to the erection of a temporary dwelling. This was 
constructed after the following model: Four corner posts were fixed upright in 
the ground, near the tops of which were fastened two small poles, facing each 
other, and extending around the four sides of the square. Between these 
opposite pieces was left sufficient space to insert small saplings, which were 
driven securely into the ground. Over the top of this clumsy abode were thrown 
the curtains of the tent, which had served the family in its migration, 
besides the skins of animals. No care was given, the first year, to a floor 
for the temporary home. The heroic settler had to content himself with 
pounding into firmness the surface of the ground within this rude enclosure. 
Even the erection of such a rude domicile as this made a heavy draught upon 
his time. That which most concerned every one was the production of the first 
crop. But the second year gave the earnest settler more leisure for the 
erection of a comfortable house. This was built of hewn logs, which rested 
upon sills, which in turn were supported by four corner blocks of wood. The 
roofing was of boards, or rather slabs, riven from split timber. To hold them 
in position, weight poles were used, which were held at equal distances apart 
by means of knee pieces. The flooring was constructed of logs cloven into two 
parts, with the flat surface turned upward. Within this enclosure might have 
been seen, at the end opposite the family fire-place, a rude bedstead, which 
was erected in a corner of the room. A single fork, driven through the 
flooring, served as the support of two beams, which formed the side and foot 
pieces of this uncomely couch. Meeting in the fork, these pieces of timber 
were inserted, respectively, into the end and side of the dwelling,-and thus 
the frame of the bed was erected. Upon this rough contrivance were placed the 
pieces of timber having the flattest surface. Oftentimes another frame of 
similar make would be seen in the opposite corner. Some of the family would 
occupy these beds, while others would lie upon pallets spread on the hard 
floor.

   If emergency demanded the existence of more apartments than one, this was 
speedily effected by means of' curtains and counterpanes, so swung in 
conjunction with the walls of the corner, as to form a separate room. Cooking 
was usually done without doors, over a blazing fire, unless the harshness of 
the weather forbade it. From the centre of the chimney within the dwelling 
there were suspended the antique "pot-hooks and hangers." One could rarely 
enter a home of the olden time without finding a huge gobbler, or a leg of 
venison, swung on either side of the fire-place. During the day the father and 
sons would till the soil, while the good mother and sisters would serve the 
cooking, and wake the forest echoes with the live hum of the spinning-wheel, 
which was usually blended with the spirited songs of these industrious women. 
The early night was spent around the hearth, made bright and cheerful by 
blazing pine-knots; and if any member of the circle could read with 
satisfaction, he was usually assigned this work, while the others joined in 
the customary labor of carding, spinning, or sewing. And seated thus upon 
their rough blocks of wood or rude stools, there was enjoyed much of that 
domestic happiness which has been lost to generations later, even amid the 
glitter of an advanced civilization.



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Chapter IX

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