Modern Conveniences (Perry: house, buy, school)

[MaineMathTCHER]

Today Husband and I were up working on -our little changed since the day it was built 1799 era cape in Perry- and it really struck me that the people who lived in this simple, humble, and small home all those years ago were something. They did not have a market down the road for quick groceries, oil delivered right to the door, indoor plumbing, electric service, or many of the things we take for granted today. Somehow they made it through harder winters than Maine has recently been getting. So much complaining is seen everywhere (even on this chat board at times), and while there is truth to the hard facts facing many of us this coming winter-we still have it better than those who came before us. Just like those brave souls who built and lived out their lives in my 209 year old cottage with few comforts, for some of us who are year-round Mainers(born and of "got here as soon as I could type") we will make it all work, 'cause living here is the brass ring--at least for me and mine.

[elston]

You are so right! My grandmother lived out her 80 some years in a house in portland that never had central heating and the bed had ropes instead of springs or box springs. She kept t he fireplace going and used a soap stone and a bed warmer to warm t he bed.

My great great aunts diary is filled with descriptions of normal day to day life....that involved more labor than any of us are used to....or could imagine. Milking the cow, making fires (even in the summer) to cook; washing by hand, washing and carrying out the rugs to air, baking bread, churning the butter; entertaining and going to church services that lasted all morning and then again for the afternoon....etc etc etc. They were a hardy stock.

[peachie_in_maine]

Exactly,
If our great great great grandparents could pull it off and didn't have the things we have today... here in Maine we surely can do it with our resources and clever neighbors to be of support to one another.

Traveling into town for supplies, is no different then it was 100 years ago here. We are blessed with power, running water and better insulation to keep our homes warmer too.

People with Large home can close up parts of them and keep things warmer that way. People with smaller homes can turn the heat back and pile the blankets on.

I enjoyed this post MaineMathCHER.... it made me reflex on life.
Thanks
Tami~peachie

[RANGER.101ST]

i remember when i was 12 we got running water in the house.it was like we were livin larg.but we still had to carry the water for the animals.and i was out on my owne befor my parents had a bathroom put in.my dad allways said he had better things to spend his money on.like 12 kids 5 of us went to college.some times i miss those days then i look in the bathroom and remember those realy cold aroostook winters and the out house and the missin part go's away.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

My house was built in 1885. When I bought it in 1983 there was no insulation in the building. That first winter was a surprise. It's insulated now.

A guy in town named Bill Green lost a leg in the Civil War. He laid on the battlefield for a day and a half until the burying crew came by and found he was alive. He said he would buy a place back home on a lake where he could take a drink of clean water any time he wanted. Bill Green Pond is named for him. Fred Dingley had the first automobile in town. He used to offer Bill Green a ride to town, but Fred knew to stay on the other side of the road from Bill.

"Why I'll never get in one of those infernal machines and you shouldn't either" Bill would say. Bill would then try to hit the Model T with his crutch. I sat In Fred Dingley's living room as he told me that story. Some of us are not so far removed from the Civil War era. Bill told Fred who told me.

I know how Bill lived. I know how Fred lived before he had that first car. I could live that way if I had to. I regret that few today could if they had to, but my sons know what I know. That's important. I hope the older folks here pass what they know down to their children and grandchildren. How many here have put up ice from the lake and could do it next year if they had to? Maine used to ship ice to New Orleans. The old timers knew how.

[starwalker]

Originally Posted by elston

You are so right! My grandmother lived out her 80 some years in a house in portland that never had central heating and the bed had ropes instead of springs or box springs. She kept t he fireplace going and used a soap stone and a bed warmer to warm t he bed.

My great great aunts diary is filled with descriptions of normal day to day life....that involved more labor than any of us are used to....or could imagine. Milking the cow, making fires (even in the summer) to cook; washing by hand, washing and carrying out the rugs to air, baking bread, churning the butter; entertaining and going to church services that lasted all morning and then again for the afternoon....etc etc etc. They were a hardy stock.

Elston, I want to just jump in and say that I have loved the excerpts you have posted from your aunt's diary. I have only a very few documents from my ancestors, but suspect from what I have read from their days that there is much in common here.

[elston]

Originally Posted by starwalker

Elston, I want to just jump in and say that I have loved the excerpts you have posted from your aunt's diary. I have only a very few documents from my ancestors, but suspect from what I have read from their days that there is much in common here.

Thnk you Star, that motivates me to go look at some of her writings and I will post something.

Ok I was able to get back and add this using the "edit" button. In these entries she is reflecting on the loss of her husband and the responsibilities of raising her two daughters. There were endless chores--so she really didnt have the oppurtunity of grieving sucessfully. This was written in May or June 1860.

"Rained pouring all day. Emeline has not been to school. She and Flora have helped me clean both closets. They washed all the dishes, polished the spoons and helped me churn. I had four small balls of butter, enough to last us four days. Emma Rich has been over this afternoon. This evening at ten the rain fell in torrents. I have sewed on May’s apron. This is the first Saturday since I was married that has passed without having cooking done for the Sabbath. I happened to have enough on hand, therefore I engaged myself otherwise. We are alone. Myself and my children.
22
A very rainy day as was yesterday. There has been two meetings but I did not get out to either. I have read the Scriptures, the Banner, Rural and Life. It has truly been to me a day of rest. A season of reflection and I love such seasons, I think much of Levi but my thoughts of him are so pleasant—only when I think of the seperation.

All in the house have retired and I hear not a sound save the ticking of the clock and a little interlude by a frog now and then. These sounds are not unpleasant--meloncholy and mournful to be sure, in keeping with my feelings. Now I must retire though I would write more but the morrow is a day of many duties and I must be awake."

[RANGER.101ST]

Northern Maine Land Man;4535251]My house was built in 1885. When I bought it in 1983 there was no insulation in the building. That first winter was a surprise. It's insulated now.

A guy in town named Bill Green lost a leg in the Civil War. He laid on the battlefield for a day and a half until the burying crew came by and found he was alive. He said he would buy a place back home on a lake where he could take a drink of clean water any time he wanted. Bill Green Pond is named for him. Fred Dingley had the first automobile in town. He used to offer Bill Green a ride to town, but Fred knew to stay on the other side of the road from Bill.

"Why I'll never get in one of those infernal machines and you shouldn't either" Bill would say. Bill would then try to hit the Model T with his crutch. I sat In Fred Dingley's living room as he told me that story. Some of us are not so far removed from the Civil War era. Bill told Fred who told me.

I know how Bill lived. I know how Fred lived before he had that first car. I could live that way if I had to. I regret that few today could if they had to, but my sons know what I know. That's important. I hope the older folks here pass what they know down to their children and grandchildren.

How many here have put up ice from the lake and could do it next year if they had to? Maine used to ship ice to New Orleans. The old timers knew how

.ice saw?chek,saw dust?chek,boots?chek,yup we use to do it and i hated it.my dad was born in feb 1919 he told me when he was a boy they did ice cutting every winter.they use to sneak down to the ice house on hot days and just sit there.he told me some years in late fall as the ice started to freez they would have to go down and take last years ice out for this years ice.them old guys new what they were doing to get ice to last all summer and have extra to throw out in the fall.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by Northern Maine Land Man

My house was built in 1885. When I bought it in 1983 there was no insulation in the building. That first winter was a surprise. It's insulated now.

A guy in town named Bill Green lost a leg in the Civil War. He laid on the battlefield for a day and a half until the burying crew came by and found he was alive. He said he would buy a place back home on a lake where he could take a drink of clean water any time he wanted. Bill Green Pond is named for him. Fred Dingley had the first automobile in town. He used to offer Bill Green a ride to town, but Fred knew to stay on the other side of the road from Bill.

"Why I'll never get in one of those infernal machines and you shouldn't either" Bill would say. Bill would then try to hit the Model T with his crutch. I sat In Fred Dingley's living room as he told me that story. Some of us are not so far removed from the Civil War era. Bill told Fred who told me.

I know how Bill lived. I know how Fred lived before he had that first car. I could live that way if I had to. I regret that few today could if they had to, but my sons know what I know. That's important. I hope the older folks here pass what they know down to their children and grandchildren. How many here have put up ice from the lake and could do it next year if they had to? Maine used to ship ice to New Orleans. The old timers knew how.

I'd like to go back in time for 2 hours to see as much as I could and meet the people then. I loveeeeeee to sit and listen to stories of long ago. It amazes me how interesting I find life long ago. I know sometimes I feel, I wasn't born in the right era.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by RANGER.101ST

i remember when i was 12 we got running water in the house.it was like we were livin larg.but we still had to carry the water for the animals.and i was out on my owne befor my parents had a bathroom put in.my dad allways said he had better things to spend his money on.like 12 kids 5 of us went to college.some times i miss those days then i look in the bathroom and remember those realy cold aroostook winters and the out house and the missin part go's away.

vivid in my mind would be when the "MicroWave Oven" was bought and brought home. We all stood in the kitchen in aw. We cooked hotdogs in seconds and were amazed for the whole week.