The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware  19735

Telephone: 302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         [unknown]                                          

Title:               Observations sur les moeurs &c des habitans de la district a Maine, Nouvelle Angleterre ecrit a New Glocester

Dates:             1797.

Call No.:         Doc. 1004

Acc. No.:        61x69

Quantity:        1 volume [46 pages]

Location:        31 G 2

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

The creator of this volume is unknown.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This diary was kept by an unidentified visitor to Maine in 1797.  The writer recorded observations on the farming lifestyle and political climate during the late 18th century, particularly noting the lack of interest on the part of the common people in politics.  The diarist predicted that the United States would split between North and South due to political differences in Congress.

 

The diarist devotes a great many pages to remarks on what he called religious reformation. After a description of a local "fire and brimstone" preacher, he dedicated five pages to a somewhat inaccurate description of the Shakers at Sabbathday Lake, Maine.  The writer comments on the Shakers' professed celibacy, their public meetings, their methods of educating children, and their hospitality towards strangers.

 

A discussion of the lumber industry and the ship building industry is presented, as well as the effects of these industries on the local economy.  Also included are several recipes and a list of local dialect phrases.

 

Title page and one other page are in French; the remainder is in English.  The volume is laminated.

         

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The volume is mostly in English, with the title and one page in French.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

 

Purchased from Howard S. Mott.

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

            Shakers - Maine - New Gloucester.

            Dialect, American.

Farm life - Maine - 18th century.

Farmers - Political activity - 18th century.

Logging.

            Lumber trade - Maine.

Recipes.

Religious thought - 18th century.      

                        Maine - Politics and government.

Maine - Social life and customs.

                       

 

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENT

 

 

Note: periods have been substituted for end-of-sentence dashes.  Some periods and commas have been added to make reading easier. 

 

Letters in parentheses are references, found on page [44].

 

[1]

As soon as the winter sets in the farmer kills his winter stock which is fatted in the fall for that purpose.  This is preserved fresh during the continuance of the cold by the following method.  They suffer the flesh to be slightly froze and then pack it in a Hogshead in some cool place with light drift snow.  When they want to use a piece they place it in the cellar overnight & the next morning it is sufficiently thawed for use.  Should any remain when the weather breaks up it is salted for the ensuing summer.

 

[2]

1797

Observations

sur les

Moeurs &c

des Habitans

de la district a Maine

Nouvelle Angleterre

ecrit a New Gloucester

 

[3]

The dishes which are peculiar to this part of the union are

I. Hasty Pudding which is made by boiling Indian meal sifted with salt sufficient to relish it until it becomes to the consistency of paste.  II. minute pudding prepared much in the same way with the addition of some slices of pork cut small.  III. Indian do[ditto. i.e. pudding] being meal baked with milk & fat.

IV. Pot pie resembling a pea[?] pie.  V. Liver pudding- Hogs liver chopped up fine mixed with bread or rye meal Herbs & spice & then stuffed into the innards & cooked the same as a blood pudding. VI. their toast is universally soused into a dish full of cream & melted butter which softens almost into a pulp and [illegible] it a different relish from that of Europe.

 

[4]

Les premier habitans de ce pays etaient pour la plu part des avanturiers et english de Massachusetts plus pauvres, plus superstitieux, etpeut etre plus industrieux entoures de bois & de forets ils eloisent obliges a seclairer une chemise pourpouvoir cultiver de quoi vivre en attendant leur baisures [?] leur fournifsouns [?]asseine [?] les necessares de la vie ce n'est que depuis quelques annees quils se sont appliqués a cultiver le grain orplutot le maize[?].

 

[5]

Parsimony is one of the leading traits of the farmers in the back towns accustomed to their native woods it cannot be expected that ideas of luxury should have entered their minds.  They raise produce sufficient to maintain them thru out the year and their looms furnish them with clothing.  Whatever they possess beyond their mere necessaries is carried to the market where a small part of their price is laid out in such articles as they really stand in need of.  The remainder is carried home and whence once chested[?] is rarely brought forth again unless

[6]

unless some gainful speculation should be in view.

A farmer in Glocester[sic] (a) of 60 years of age wore the other day the suit of cloaths which had been given him when the term of apprenticeship expired.  His wife has the greater part of a paper of pins presented her by her husband before their nuptials and a dozen of knifes and forks bought at that period yet remain in the family altho' half worn nearly worn as thin as a sixpence and abt 2/3 of an inch broad.

A neighbor having called on the family one winter evening

[7]

the good woman of the house insisted on taking her wa—[?] cloak in addition to her other cloathing.  This was accepted and but the guest having unfortunately left her pincushion at home she was under the necessity of borrowing a pin to secure it round her neck.  The next morning the cloak was sent back with thanks.  When in abt 1/2 an hour the little boy came running wth a message purporting that the pin was missing and if the person had forgot to return it she was desired to take the present opportunity to send

[8]

it back.  The pin which fortunately had been taken care of was produced wrapped up in a piece of

paper and remitted with a lengthy apology for the omission.

                        -----------------------------------

A warming pan is a luxury yet almost unknown.  Instances (b) have been known where a messenger has been dispatched 5 or 6 miles to borrow one for a sick person.  When no one can be obtained they take two pine boards and heat them before the fire and by keeping them alternately

[9]

heating and cooling they contrive to make a very good substitute.

                        ------------------------------

The pride of the majority consist in raising a large house and perhaps for the present finishing a lower room and an upper one.  In towns they generally shingle them but in the country they do not often so far at first but affix battens over the joints of the boards wch compose the roof.  Two or 3 years after the owner has good luck he proceeds to clapboarding the front and wings, another

[10]

year may complete the back part but the inside is finished very leisurely sometimes the house falls to decay before any of these improvements are adopted and sometimes the old part of the house is worn out before the habit new rooms are completed but the individual however has the satisfaction of being called the owner of a large house.

                        -----------------------------

The commonalty abstracted from news in the recesses of the country indulge an unbounded

[11]

curiosity which they imagine every one they meet especially strangers are bound to gratify.  Well Mister what's the news is their favorite phrase and is the signal of a string of inquiries being about to take place concerning the persons name, age, country and occupation, whence he came and whither he is going.  Foreigners who are aware of this ceremony scarcely ever fail to mislead them with some strange story which is generally circulated with large additions

[12]

the ensuing Sunday betwixt meetings.  Landlords are peculiarly troubled with this itching insomuch that Dr Franklin when he travelled thro’ the country found it indispensable to accost his host with "Landlord my name is Benjamin Franklin a printer by trade born at Boston from which place I left yesterday and am now going express for Philadelphia and wish to be left alone whilst I remain at your house.  This never failed of having the desired affect.

 

[13]

It appears that the first settlers altho' mighty religious tho't it no great crime to cheat the Indians.  This of course produced a recrimination and the latter now nearly equal them in finesse.  An American trader being in the woods met an Indian with his hunting accoutrements.  After a little conversation the Indian informed him that he had lately killed a fat moose which he had hid at some little distance and wch he would dispose of for a quart of Rum.  The trader overjoyed at the prospect of so good a

[14]

bargain told him he was so willing to give him his demand price provided he would point out exactly where the animal lay.  Dont you know a river about a mile off.  Yes.  A little to the northward of the river I suppose you know there is a large hemlock tree.  Very true.  Well about 4 or 5 rods from thence is a large white rock under which you will [find - omitted] the game.  The man perfectly satisfied gave him the rum with wch he departed, but on searching

[15]

for his equivalent he found he had been grossly imposed on for no recent track was to be found near the place.  Some time time [sic] after he met the same Indian again.  You rascal says he how came you to tell me such a lying story.   "Stop" says the savage.  Did not you find river.  Yes.  And the tree?  Yes.  The Rock.  Yes.  And the deer?  No.  Well then you find[sic] three fourths of my assertion true— whereas your white men's stories are more than

[16]

half lies and therefore I cannot think you have any kind of reason to complain.

                        ------------------------------------

The penal Laws are very seldom put in force.  Almost any crime in the country, Murder & Arson excepted, may be compromised with a sum of money.  Thefts, forgery, & rape have been settled without any criminal prosecution within my knowledge.

            --------------------------------------

 

[17]

Gain is so far the ruling principle that the very liberties of the people are in danger of being sacrificed to it.  The town [meetings – word omitted] are now generally very thinly attended.  The artisan rarely leaves his tools, the farmer his plough or the seaman his vessel for that end, unless some local affair that rouse their passions from a state of apathy.  Hence it is that the representation from New England is so very aristocratical that party making always

[18]

a point of straining every nerve in their own favor whereas the plebeians altho' republicans in their hearts frequently give up the contest without a struggle.

                        -------------------------------------

A spirit of discontent appears to pervade the officers of the Militia in the western parts of the district, probably occasioned by the shameful number of exempts who are excused from bearing arms.  The veterans drop off very fast and the new officers appear more ignorant of tactics than the men they command. 

[19]

If some governmental measure be not soon taken to remedy this growing evil this useful body of men are in danger of sinking into merited contempt.

                        -----------------------------------

The manner of courtship here is worthy of remark.  The Lover having intimated to his future mistress that he means to come and sit up wth her calls at the house on the appointed Evening where having waited till the old people have retired to bed his mistress repairs to [sic] him

[20]

the kitchen.  The fire is made up and the tender intercourse is kept up till day light when the gallant retires to his home and the girl begins her household occupations.  Sometimes after chatting an hour the gentleman proposes to bundle for the remainder of the night which is generally complied with, he turning in with his breeches on & the woman with her underpetticoat.  The last favor is very seldom granted before wedlock but that, &

[21]

that only is withheld among the lower classes.  Such a courtship commonly lasts a couple of years. 

                        ------------------------------------------

The use of the axe is carried to great perfection.  A man has been [known – word omitted] to go into the woods and fell and pile 7 cords of wood in 4 feet lengths.  A boy of 8 years will frequently cut timber much faster than a vigorous European.  Were it not for their dexterity with this weapon it would be impossible for an individual to pretend to

[22]

clear a farm with his own hands. 

                        ----------------------------------------

The difference between the Northern & Southern Americans is very perceptible.  It appears highly probable that a separation will soon take place on account of the political differences of opinion in Congress.  The Northern members being chiefly in favor of aristocracy which they dignify with the name of federalism whereas the Southern men are democrats or Republicans.  Should this ever happen it is most likely that an Union of Interests of New England and Great Britain will

[23]

take place and the Meridianal colonies will form an alliance with the Republic of France.

                        ------------------------------------

It is wonderful how far newspapers influence the judgment of people.  A certain printer (c) by having the command of a paper he thereby decided on the choice of the people especially in respect of elections in a most dictatorial manner.  But some other presses being established his interest now declines very rapidly and it is to be hoped that his very name may

[24]

be held in that contempt wch the malignity of his character so justly deserves.

                        -----------------------------

The farmers manufacture nearly all their cloathing from the raw materials either of woolen, cotton or flax, viz Coats, waistcoats & stockings & mittens.  The women their gowns & table cloths, Quilts Blankets & sheets, altho the extreme cheapness of the East India cotton has precluded the necessity of weaving the Cotton.  The men can generally sole a pair of shoes, are their own carpenters & sometimes masons.

            ---------------------------

 

[25]

The cattle here fare hard in the winter season, it being rare to house the young stock and sevl [several] of the horses even in the severest colds of winter they are suffered to lay on the snow.  They never allow them any kind of litter and their barns are generally very cold.  The oxen do eat all the stalks of the Indian corn and the greater part of the rye straw, food on which an European beast would nearly starve to death. 

 

[26] 

The Laws of Massachusetts having provided for the establishment of public schools in every township there are but very few even of the very poorest classes but that can read tolerably & write a legible hand.  Their reading is confined principally to the Bible & other religious books and sometimes to the perusal of the laws of the province, a supposed knowledge of which too

frequently leads them into miscalculations and ruinous law suits.

 

[27] 

An amazing quantity of provisions are devoured by this people and what their cooking wants in excellency wants in excellency [sic] is made up in the magnitude of the dishes.  New England may perhaps defy the world to produce an equal number of men in any part of the world who consume an equal qt [quantity] of animal fat.  Gravies, sauces &c are almost unknown & the deficiency is in some measure made up by the dripping of every kind

[28] 

even to goose fat, every ounce[?] of which is carefully preserved for the use of the table.  Even jacks & spits are very rare and a stew pan a non-descript.

                        ---------------------------------------

Winter vegetables are not raised.  Early in the spring the business of horticulture begins when cabbages, beets, potatoes, carrots, squashes &c are put in [illegible] but at the commencement of Winter the garden is entirely stripped & suffered to lay fallow until the spring and its produce removed to the cellars where it keeps good a great while.

 

[29]

If deference to the fair Sex be a mark of refinement in social life the peasantry are far from being completely civilized.  Young women are suffered to go home in the country quite alone at all times of the night without even the offer of accompanyment from those youths who may happen to be present.  An instance of this kind of conduct may serve to illustrate this assertion

 

[30]

A wedding (d) having been held in the neighborhood, the daughter of a respectable farmer (e) who lived abt 1/2 a mile from the spot was sent for abt half an hour after dark by a little boy with an invitation to the feast.  It may here be remarked that it snowed very fast and that several empty sleighs were standing at the door.  The girl accordingly dressed herself and made the best of her way thither through the snow

[31]

which was nearly knee deep.  After tarrying there till mid-night she was suffered to return home

alone and unattended in the storm & surrounded with impenetrable darkness!

                        -------------------------------

A candle is generally lighted in a house on the entrance of a stranger (altho this is not always the case), but at his departure it is immediately extinguished— a rare instance of frugality.

 

[32]

There have been several instances of reformations in New England particularly in the Towns of Plymouth & N Yarrno [Yarmouth].  The cause has generally been that some fanatic preacher having liberally dealt hout a lot damnation, brimstone, hell & the devil with great liberality has worked upon a number of weak minds who frightened and terrified have been led to put the care of their Souls into the hands of the pious man

[33]

who by virtue of this prerogative has governed the conduct of his flock with arbitrary sway, constraining them to attend Lectures 3 or 4 times a week and besides performing double duty on the Sabbath, but as this penance did not suit all constitutions it has happened that the majority have generally fallen off, leaving a few saints to brood over their superior sanctity in holy solitude.

                        ---------------------

 

[34]

The Masters, Mistresses and Servants generally eat at the same table, it generally happening that the latter are composed of neighbors children or relations who look upon themselves as fully equal to their employers and are always upon the footing of the children.  The girls are for the most part bro’t up as mere drudges having rarely but little benefit [sic] from the system of public education practis’d here.

 

[35]

The public schools are admirable institutions for the lower orders of the community but it rarely happens that boys of genius are turned out from a mere country public school.  Reading (which by the by is generally set off with the true nasal twang), writing a cramp’d hand and integral cyphering forming the ne plus ultra of the ability of the itinerant schoolmasters and ignorant collegians who are generally selected for that business.

 

[36]

There is in this country (f) a set of enthusiasts called Shakers or Shaking Quakers whose worship consist entirely in dancing to a set measure.  They are something on the plan of the Moravians except that they profess celibacy which custom they have been obliged to break thro’ in order to prevent the total annihilation of the society.  The supply which they expected from the worlds people having failed the propagaters as they are called being selected from the most vigorous of them who are permitted to impregnante all the women who are fit

[37]

for conception.  They however disclaim volition & make it an act of pure necessity.  They are under the absolute control of the elder or chief who appropriates the money rec’d for the Labor of the youth and artizans of the community.  At his supreme will and pleasure the females are kept distinct from the males and dance apart in a different part of the room.  As they consider ignorance as one of the greatest blessings they give the children which their proselytes bring into the community

[38]

no kind of education and confine their ideas as much as possible that they may be rendered totally unfit to live in the world should they take it into their heads to run away as has been the case with many who have afterwards sued them for wages during the whole time they lived with them.  To prevent a repetition of which they pass[?] receipts with every work — on every Saturday night — the inferior order live well and work hard.  At dawn they are summoned from their beds and dance violently for an hour in which exercise [sic]

[39]

is frequently introduced a whirl in which they sometimes turn 30 or 40 times in their heel without intermission.  They then go work till 9 and are allowed 20 Minutes to breakfast which is generally of milk.  They employ half an hour to dine and at dusk repair to the hall where they dance for a considerable time and retire to rest, the different sexes sleeping in separate houses.  On Sunday they dance nearly the whole day.

They are hospitable to strangers for one night but will not suffer them to have any intercourse

[40]

with the fraternity.  The women will not speak to you & instantly retire on the approach of a stranger.  Should such an one touch them they purify the garment or part with water.  In the beginning of the foundation wch happened 30 or 40 years ago the[y] used to dance naked and roll in the mire to shew their humility.

It may be supposed that they are composed of exceeding illiterate individuals, their practices being so repugnant to common sense and the laws of nature that the philanthropist must exclaim with the tear starting from his eye alas! alas! poor humanity. 

 

[41]

It won't suit

It wont answer

Gee aup Broad back Haw aup Bright ho Swan you old Indian you - an't you asham’d to - on your chain an’t ye

don't ye know the way to Ingram’s Wharf, ye old devil h’ant ye never been in town afore.  Ho Star mind what you are about you old san[?] pant[?] you.  What d’ye mean by it I'll tan your darn old leatheren hide you old cuss I will (f)

 

[42]

Yankeeisms

I expect he said so

I guess he never did

a considerable of a Goose

a grand pudding

He fought like a Sarpent

We had a proper pow-wow

It is proper good

They came cha hawing to me

'Tis dreadful good stuff

He is the bittersom’st man I know

You are entirely welcome

A very true man

[43]

A clever man

A honsome girl

Well Mister what may I call your name

I was thinking to myself in my own mind

A very pleasant parson

A tarnal rogue

I vow I won't

I swear I will

what the nation ails ye

You shan't 'pose on me

He has got grand larnin

He is nashun larned

 

[44]

References

a. Moses Tarbell

b. This pan was borrowed in New Glocester at the house of W. Widgery Esq

(c). T. B. Waite quondam Editor of the Eastern Herald

d. at one Lorings in the Lower district of Glocester

e. Mr Enoch Fogg

f. in the vicinity of Sabbath Day pond [i.e. Sabbathday Lake]

                        -------------------------

There have been cut in this Town (Glocester) many pine trees 200 feet long and at 120 feet from the ground measuring 24 Inches in diameter and at the base 5 1/2 feet. The low price

[45]

High crotch'd & will split

                        -------------------------

given by the English for masts and the difficulty that they make in rejecting some which have been brot down to the shore at the expence of 300 Dollars has been the occasion of their sawing up a vast number of valuable sticks into planks at the most certain profitable method.  Several immense masts have been refused in consequence of a trifling flaw or very small knot of no real consequence.  It is supposed that

[46]

the District of Maine abt 30 years since contained masts enough to have supplied all Europe for centuries but the impolicy before mentioned has caused such vast numbers to be destroyed for boards that they are now scarce and in a few years will be nearly [part of this word is torn] annihilated - the difficulty in felling the yards of a first rate is great, nine out of ten most commonly breaking in the falling, not being thick enough to endure the shock.