McDonough County IL Archives History - Books .....Home Life And Amusements, Chapter XI 1878
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 1, 2007, 1:20 am

Book Title: History Of McDonough County

CHAPTER XI.
HOME LIFE AND AMUSEMENTS.

  The manners and customs of our forefathers are always fraught with peculiar
interest, and read of with pleasure and profit by all. If we compare the places
of abode of our fathers with those of to-day, and the customs of those days with
our own, we are apt to regard those of the past in an unfavorable light. But by
outward appearance alone, things cannot safely be judged. Many things appear
outwardly beautiful which inwardly are the reverse—" without are fair, within
full of dead men's bones."

  "We have not yet given a description of the dwellings of- our fathers, so here
goes. Imagine a house about sixteen feet square, seven and a half feet high,
built up with large round or square logs, and covered with clapboards, held on
by huge weight poles, the( cracks in the walls filled with mud, which would
occasionally fall out, when the wind would whistle merrily through the door (for
there was but one) made of rough boards, with a wooden latch, the string of
which always hung out, a sign of welcome to the weary traveler and the kind
neighbor, and you have the exterior, except that upon one side there was a small
window, large enough for a sash containing six eight by ten lights, sometimes
with glass in them, but often covered with greased paper. In the interior you
will find upon one side the huge fire place, large enough to contain a back log
as heavy as any man would care to carry, and holding enough wood to supply an
ordinary stove a week; on either side are hung pots and kettles, and over all a
mantle, on which stands the tallow-dip, to "give light to all who are in the
house," but which will hardly compare with the gas jets of this day; the "little
brown jug," which was not so little, either, and generally well filled with a
liquid which teetotalers decline; in one corner the larger bed for the oldfolks,
under which the trundle bed for the younger members of the family; in another
corner stands the old-fashioned large spinning wheel, with a smaller one by its
side; in another the pine table, on which three times a day the food of the
family was placed, and which was rapidly taken therefrom by the individual
members thereof; in still another may be seen the cumbersome loom; over the door
hangs the ever-trustful rifle and powder horn, ready for instant use; while
around the room are scattered a few splint-bottomed chairs and three-legged
stools; a rude cupboard holding the glass and queensware completes the
furniture—everything of the simplest and rudest manufacture. And yet these
homes, simple and rude as they were, were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted
people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler seeking lodging
for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community, if willing
to accept the offerings of honest hearts, always found welcome. The people were
industrious from dire necessity. All who were old enough were usefully employed.
Children were inured to toil and labor—while the lot of the women was hard
indeed. Upon them devolved the preparation of the daily food, and from a very
scant larder; they were required to weave the linen and woolsey, prepare the
flax, cotton and wool with their own hands, making almost the entire wardrobe of
the family—some really doing it all. It was a life peculiarly trying and
wearying to them, yet borne with patience and thankfulness.

  The family bible was another article found in almost every home, and the
minister of the gospel appearing, the two served to turn the thoughts of the
people in the right direction. To these influences we ascribe in a great measure
the prosperity of the county, and the better moral sentiment that has usually
prevailed. Without such influence men would be barbarians; closely allied to
this influence is a desire for knowledge that must be appeased. We therefore
find the schoolteacher following closely in the wake of the minister, and
schools were established in every neighborhood where a sufficient number of
children could be brought together to warrant the services of an instructor.

  The cultivation of the flax was an important item with the early settlers;
cotton was raised to some extent, while sheep raising was never neglected. The
entire clothing of many families was manufactured from these staple sources into
cloth by the prudent and tireless housewife.

  The flax was often pulled by the women; and, after the seed had been thrashed
out, was spread on the grass to rot; and, when rotted sufficiently, was bound in
bundles and dressed; that is, the flax and tow were separated. Scarcely any
crop, while growing, was more beautiful than the flax. From one-half to two
bushels of seed was sown on an acre, and the crop amounted to about two hundred
pounds. Cotton was less extensively raised, especially after the big snow of
1830, though many families raised enough for their own use.

  Great trouble was experienced for many years in the raising of sheep, on
account of the great number of wolves that infested the country. But,
notwithstanding this, enough wool was secured for home use. One article largely
manufactured, was called "linsey-woolsey." It was made of equal parts of cotton
and wool, and colored according to the taste of the manufacturer. The exquisite
shades and delicate colors shown in the dress goods of to-day were not observed
in those times, our mothers being content with good, solid colors.

  There were few houses where the large and small spinning wheel and the
cumbersome loom were not found, together taking up more room than all the rest
of the furniture. Having all these implements and manufacturing so much of their
own clothing, our fathers and mothers were almost independent of the rest of the
world. To-day all this is changed. The buzz of the little spinning wheel, the
whirr of the larger ones, and the monotonous click of the loom are heard no
more. They are banished to the attic or given over to destruction.

  While our fathers and mothers toiled hard, they were not averse to a little
relaxation, and had their seasons for fun and enjoyment. If they did not receive
the oft-repeated visits of the theatrical or minstrel troupe, the wonderful
magician, or the man with the "intelligent ants," they yet contrived to do
something to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish them with a good
hearty laugh.

  Among the more general forms of amusements was the "quilting bee," the
corn-husking, or "corn-shucking," as generally called in this country, and the
"apple-paring." Our young readers will doubtless be interested in a description
of these forms of amusements, where labor was made to afford fun and enjoyment
to all participating. "Quilting-bee," as its name indicates, was where the
industrious qualities of that busy little insect that "improves each shining
hour" was exemplified in manufacturing quilts for the household. In the
afternoon the ladies for miles around gathered at the appointed place, and while
their tongues would not cease to play, their hands were busily employed in
making the quilt, and a desire was always manifested to get it out as quickly as
possible, for then the fun would begin. In the evening the gentlemen came, and
the hours would then pass swiftly by in playing some boisterous yet innocent
game, or in the dance. "Corn-husking" was where both sexes united in the
husking. They usually assembled in a large barn which was prepared for the
occasion, and when each gentleman had selected a lady partner the husking began.
When a lady found a red ear she was entitled to a kiss from every gentleman
present; if a gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present.
This feature of the general programme was particularly enjoyable, and a source
of unlimited fun and frolic. After the corn was all husked the floor was
cleared, the old violin brought out, tuned up, and the merry dance begun,
usually lasting until "broad day light in the morning."

  "Apple-paring" often called the young folks together when the apples were
pared for the winter's sauce. The same kind of sport was enjoyed after the
supply was obtained, as in the case of husking and quilting bees.

  "The little brown jug" spoken of as having a place upon the mantle, was often
brought into requisition, it affording a means of enjoyment that nothing else
could supply. No caller was permitted to leave the house without an invitation
to partake of its contents; not to so invite was a breach of hospitality not to
be thought of for a moment. It was brought out upon all conceivable occasions,
and freely dispensed to old and young alike, with no thought of danger. It was a
thing of prime importance in all the assemblages of men—at log rollings,
huskings, house raisings, Ac. It was essential at all births, and even at
funerals. It has often seemed a great wonder to us that the entire country was
not devoted to drunkenness, for in the early settlement of all its parts, the
same universal custom prevailed. No one then seemed to think there could be
danger; now and then a drunkard was made, but he was more pitied for his
misfortune than for his want of manhood or self-control; it was not the use but
only the abuse of it that seemed wrong. It was thought impossible to work
without it, and it was therefore always present, and the drunken broils
occasioned by its use were soon forgotten.

  Hunting was a favorite pastime of the men. Game was killed more, however, for
amusement than to supply the wants and necessities of their families.

  House-raisings furnished another occasion for assemblage and enjoyment.
Buildings were then made of such massive timbers that it required a large force
of men to erect them, which was was done solely by muscular power, all the
appliances of modern inventions for this purpose being entirely ignored if not
unknown. On these occasions liquor was always free to all present. These
raisings were usually important events in every neighborhood, and people from
far and near came to witness and enjoy them. Log-rolling was another mode of
useful recreation. When a man had felled the timber on a considerable space of
ground, covered as it was with a large growth, it was impossible for him,
without aid, to get the logs together so as to burn them. He therefore made a
log rolling and invited all his neighbors, who came, and with good will and
strong muscles, brought the logs together, the work ending with a good supper
and a social good time.

  Election days were observed as holidays. The men came to town, voted, drank
whiskey, smoked, swore, wrestled and fought, all for a little fun.

  Look as we may upon the questionable amusements of the early times, we know
that kind hearts, neighborly acts and universal good will for all mankind was a
genuine passion, and therefore we forbear all criticisms.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY ILLINOIS,
ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES, EARLY REMINISCENCES, PERSONAL INCIDENTS AND
ANECDOTES,

AND A COMPLETE BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF THE COUNTY.
By S. J. CLARKE.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL.:
D. W. LUSK, STATE PRINTER AND BINDER.
1878.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/history/1878/historyo/homelife166gms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 11.7 Kb