How They Lived

The early settlers lived a very simple life. They were peace loving and made the most of the materials available at home.

When they realized that corn could be grown successfully, it proved to be a blessing to their existence because it had such varies uses. It could be made into hominy grits and cornmeal. The corn shucks could be used to make dolls, mattresses, hats, and brooms, and could be burned to smoke out mosquitoes. Dampened corn shucks were braided into rope and used for chair seats and hats. Cobs were used for stoppers and as kindling for fires in the fireplace.

Cards were used to disentangle, cleanse, and collect fibers together. Spinning wheels were used to spin threads from fibers, and looms were used to weave it into cloth. The men wore homespun pants made of home-grown cotton. The cloth was dyed with indigo before being made into pants. The waist size could be adjusted by pulling strings at the waistline. Women wore dresses made of homespun cotton and often wore tea aprons over their nicer dresses. Hats, slippers, handbags, and baskets were woven from palmetto and corn shucks. Leather was tanned at home. Combs were made of cow horns. Feathers were used to make brushes, trimmings for hats, and fans. Indigo was used to make dye and ink.

Mattresses were made of moss, corn shucks, and feathers. After the green moss was picked, it was put to dry in beds. It was turned over every few weeks. When the moss turned black, it was ready to be sold for rope, mule harnesses, upholstery, mattresses, and insulation for packing. Every summer the mattresses were taken apart and the ticking and moss were washed separately. When the moss was dry, it was fluffed by being pulled apart, then put back into the ticking. The feather mattress was always placed on top in the winter because it was warmer, and the moss then placed on top during the summer. The corn shuck mattress was always used as the bottom mattress.

Their cleaning methods were very simple, and they ingeniously used the material most readily available. Ashes were used to clean spoons and forks. Clothes were cleansed by being pounded in the bayou with a stick or sort of paddle called a “battoire.” Soaked ashes were used to make lye, and then boiled with animal tallow to make soap. Powdered brick dust was used to scrub floors.

Candles were made at home. Tallow or beeswax was melted and poured into molds. A string was put in the center to form the wick. In order to loosen the candle after the wax had hardened, the mold was placed in hot water. Candles were later re placed by coal oil lamps.

It was custom for the family to get together on the front porch, or “la galerie.” On the porch there were rockers and usually a swing. The young girls were encouraged to keep busy although relaxing on the porch. They crocheted, embroidered, sewed, or plaited palmetto and corn shucks.

The coffee had to be parched in a pot, “griller le café,” then it was placed in a coffee mill where it was ground as coarse or as fine as one wished it. The coffee was ground just before dripping so it was always fresh. It was also brewed very strong. Gourds were grown in gardens, and their dried shells were used to make dippers from which they drank. These gourds were also used to make darning tools, candle holders, and soap dishes.

Drinking water was obtained from a well or a wooden cistern which was usually near the rear of the house. Sometimes barrels were placed outside to hold rain water.

These industrious people even made their own cottage cheese. The milk was put into a bowl, left overnight, allowed to sour. It was skimmed to remove the rich cream, which could be used either to make butter or as a topping for the cottage cheese, while the remaining substance was put into small cloth sacks and hung to drip. The residue was called clabber, which is now called cottage cheese.

Scraps of material were never discarded. They were woven to make rag rugs or bedspreads. Often they were sewn together to form certain patterns for patchwork quilts, which were quite beautiful. The making of a quilt provided an occasion for the neighbors to get together, usually following a certain pattern. These were the size of the desired quilt. A rectangular wooden frame was erected, one of these pieces of patchwork was stretched over it, the layers of cotton or wool were placed, and finally the second patchwork was put on top. These were basted together and then tacked to the frame. The proposed design for quilting was marked off with chalk, and the hand sewing began. These marked lines had to be sewn with very small stitches. (After the guests departed, the “quilting party” hostess often examined the stitches, and if she found that they were too large, she secretly ripped and sewed these over.) Tongues wagged in time with the needles. The coffee pot remained on the stove handy for frequent servings, and at noon dinner was served. The resulting masterpiece was certainly worth all the effort that had gone into the making of it.

We cannot help but admire our ancestors who so ingeniously made the most of the little they had. We, who live in an affluent society, should learn a lesson from them.

Early Homes ~ Furniture