The
The Joseph
Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
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.