The Quill and Well » Colonial America

Ben Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette

admins — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:56:12 +0000

January 2, 1750

The January 2, 1750 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette published by Benjamin Franklin. Look for Franklin’s name as Post-Master at the bottom of the page.

The Declaration of Independence

admins — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:42:26 +0000

Church bells rang in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776…. announcing the Declaration of Independence was officially accepted by the Continental Congress. A month prior, Congress had appointed a Committee of five to draft a statement outlining the colonies’ case for independence. The committee consisted of John Adams (Massachusetts), Roger Sherman (Connecticut) Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania), Robert R. Livingston (New York) and Thomas Jefferson (Virginia). Jefferson was given task of writing the original document.

The Declaration was adopted without significant change and Jefferson was its primary author. The Declaration of Independence made Jefferson famous. Jefferson wrote: “Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind.”

One of the Philadelphia at the time was The Pennsylvania Packet. It was published by John Dunlap who ws an officer in the Revolution. The paper was known for its engraving of a ship in the center.

Here is the Declaration of Independence as it originally appeared in the Pennsylvania Packet in its issue of Monday, July 8, 1776. This portion of The Packet is from a reprint of the original by J.V. Vondersmith of Philadelphia on the centennial observance of the Declaration in 1876.

: The 13 Colonies

The original thirteen colonies were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

Provisions List from An Account of Two Voyages to New-England

admins — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:34:21 +0000

by John Josselyn

2d edition, London, 1675

The common proportion of victuals for the Sea to a Mess, being 4 men, is as followeth;

Two pieces of Beef, of 3 pound and 1/4 per piece.
Four pounds of Bread.
One pint 1/2 of Pease.
Four Gallons of Beer, with Mustard and Vinegar for three flesh dayes in the week.For four fish dayes, to each mess per day.
Two pieces of Codd or Habberdine, making three pieces of a fish.
One quarter of a pound of Butter.
Four pound of Bread.
Three quarters of a pound of cheese.
Beer as before.

Oatmeal per day, for 50 men, Gallon I. and so proportionable for more or fewer.

Thus you see the Ships provision, is Beef or Porke, Fish, Butter, Cheese, Pease, Pottage, Water-gruel, Bisket, and six shilling Beea.

For private fresh provision, you may carry with you (in case you, or any of yours should be sick at Sea) conserves of Roses, Clove-Gilliflowers, Wormwood, Green-Ginger, Burnt-Wine [brandy], English Spirits, Prunes to stew, Raisons of the Sun, Currence, Sugar, Nutmeg, Mace, Cinnamon, Pepper and Ginger, White Bisket, or Spanish rusk, Eggs, Rice, juice of Lemmons well put up to cure, or prevent the Scurvy. Small Skillets, Pipkins, Porrengers, and small Frying pans…

Apparel for one man, and after the rate for more
	l	s	d
One Hatt	0	3	0
One Monmouth Cap	1	10	0
Three falling bands	0	1	3
Three Shirts	0	7	6
One Wastcoat	0	2	6
One suit of Frize	0	19	0
One suit of Cloth	0	15	0
One suit of Canvas	0	7	6
Three pair of Irish Stockins	0	5	0
Four pair of Shoos	0	8	0
One pair of Canvas Sheets	0	8	0
Seven ells of course Canvas to make a bed at Sea for two men, to be filled with straw	0	5	0
One coarse Rug at Sea for two men	0	6	0
Sum total	4	0	0

Victuals for a whole year to be carried out of England for one man, and so for more after the rate
	l	s	d
Eight bushels of Meal	2	0	0
Two bushels of Pease at three shillings a bushel	0	6	0
Two bushels of Oatmeal, at four and six pence the bushel	0	9	0
One Gallon of Aqua vitae	0	2	6
One Gallon of Oyl	0	3	6
Two Gallons of Vinegar	0	2	0

Note. Of Sugar and Spice… your best way is to buy your Sugar there, for it is cheapest, but for Spice you must carry it over with you.

Prizes of Iron Ware
Arms for one man, but if half of your men have Armour it is sufficient, so that all have pieces and swords
	l	s	d
One Armour compleat, light	0	17	0
One long piece five foot, or five and a half near Musket bore	1	2

Mayflower Provisions

admins — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:30:22 +0000

Most items brought on the Mayflower were practical. The Pilgrims probably relied on the advise in “Provisions lists” written by earlier settlers to Virginia. These lists gave the amount of clothing, tools, household implements and food that each colonist needed to survive for a year in America. Ironware, such as the Standish pot, is mentioned, as are swords and muskets. A sturdy chest, like the Brewster chest, would be a practical means of storage.

“Bring good store of clothes and bedding with you. Bring every man a musket… Bring paper and linseed oil for your windows, with cotton yard for your lamps.”

Edward Winslow

Mayflower passengers had little space for purely personal possessions. They had to make hard choices. The Peregrine White cradle, the Brown tankard, the Allerton-Cushman cup, the Warren napkin – these are among the very few, but highly prized, private belongings that came on the Mayflower.

A Catalog of such needefull things as every Planter doth or ought to provide to go to New-England

Victuals for a whole yeere for a man…

8 Bushels of meale	2 Bushels of Otemeale.	1 Gallon of Aquavitae	1 Firkin of Butter
2 Bushels of pease.	1 Gallon of Oyle.	2 Gallons of Vinegar.

Apparell.

1 Monmouth Cap.	1 Wast-coat.	1 Suit of Frize.	2 Paire of Sheets.
3 Falling Bands.	1 Suit of Canvas.	3 Paire of Stockings.	1 Paire of Blankets.
3 Shirts.	1 Suit of Cloth.	4 Paire of Shooes.	1 Course Rug.

7 Ells of Canvase to make a bed and boulster.

Armes.

1 Armor compleat.	1 Sword.	1 Bandilier.	60 Pound of Lead.
1 Long peece.	1 Belt.	20 Pound of Powder.	1 Pistoll and Goose shot.

Tooles.

1 Broad Howe.	1 Shovell.	1 Felling Axe.	1 Grindstone.
1 Narrow Howe.	1 Spade.	1 Gimblet.	1 Pickaxe.
1 Steele Handsawe.	2 Augers.	1 Hatchet.	Nayles of all sorts
1 Whipsawe.	4 Chissels.	2 Frowes.

1 Hammer.

1 Broad Axe.

1 Hand-Bill.

Household Implements.

1 Iron Pot.	1 Gridiron.	Trenchers.	Dishes.
1 Kettel.	2 Skellets.	Wooden Platters.	Spoons.
1 Frying pan	1 Spit.

Spices

Sugar.	Cloves.	Mace.	Fruit.
Pepper.	Cinnamon.	Nutmegs.

Also there are divers other things necessary to bee taken over to this Plantation,
as Bookes, Nets, Hookes and Lines, Cheese, Bacon, Kine, Goats, &c.

From: New England’s Plantation, or, A short and True Description of the Commodities and Discommodities of that Country. by Reverend Francis Higginson, London, 1630.

What Young People Should Know:Olde Farmer’s Almanac of 1867

admins — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 19:02:30 +0000

Far more was expected of young people in the agrarian culture of 1800s America than is expected today. Children were needed on the farm. They were entrusted with important responsibilities. They contributed to the family economy. This was not a bad thing by any means.

The following excerpt from the “Old Farmer’s Almanac” of 1867 is titled What Young People Should Know and it provides some perspective on the expectations of rural youngsters in that day and age.

The best inheritance that parents can leave their children, is the ability to help and take care of themselves. This is better than a hundred thousand dollars apiece. In any trouble or difficulty, they will have two excellent servants ready, in the shape of their two hands. Those who can do nothing, and have to be waited on, are helpless, and easily disheartened at the misfortunes of life. Those who are active and handy, meet troubles with a cheerful face, and soon surmount them. Let young people, therefore, learn to do as many different useful things as possible.

EVERY FARMER’S BOY should know how, sooner or later,

1. To dress himself, black his own shoes, cut his brother’s hair, wind a watch, sew on a button, make a bed, and keep all his clothes in perfect order, and neatly in place.

2. To harness a horse, grease a wagon, and drive a team.

3. To carve, and wait on table.

4. To milk the cows, shear the sheep, and dress a veal or mutton.

5. To reckon money and keep accounts accurately, and according to good book-keeping rules.

6. To write a neat, appropriate, briefly expressed business letter, in a good hand, and fold and superscribe it properly; and write contracts.

7. To plough, sow grain and grass seed, drive a mowing machine, swing a scythe, build a neat stack, and pitch hay.

8. To put up a package, build a fire, whitewash a wall, mend broken tools, and regulate a clock.

There are many other things that would render boys more useful to themselves and to others—these are merely a specimen. But the young man who can do all these things well, and who is ready at all times to assist others, and be useful to his mother and sisters, will command far more respect and esteem, than if he knew merely how to drive fast horses, smoke cigars, play cards, and talk nonsense to foolish young ladies at parties.

EVERY GIRL should know how,

1. To sew and knit.

2. To mend clothes neatly.

3. To make beds.

4. To dress her own hair.

5. To wash dishes and sweep carpets.

6. To trim lamps.

7. To make good bread, and perform all plain cooking.

8. To keep her room, closets, and drawers, neatly in order.

9. To work a sewing machine.

10. To make good butter and good cheese.

11. To make a dress, and children’s clothes.

12. To keep accounts, and calculate interest.

13. To write, fold, and superscribe letters properly.

14. To nurse the sick efficiently, and not faint at the sight of a drop of blood.

15. To be ready to render efficient aid and comfort to those in trouble, in an unostentatious way.

16. To receive and entertain visitors when her mother is sick or absent.

A young lady who can do all these things well, and who is always ready to render aid to the afflicted, and to mitigate the perplexities of those about her, will bring more comfort to others and more happiness to herself, and be more esteemed, than if she only knew how to dance, simper, sing, and play on the piano.

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admins — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:37:18 +0000