Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BARNSTABLE FAMILIES. 499
horn was used. The pilgrims all wore round hats, but in after
times they adopted the cocked hat of the cavaliers. They wore long
blue woolen stockings that extended above the knee, and were kept
in place by a buckle and strap on the lower part of the breeches.
Shoes fastened with large buckles completed their dress. Boys and
men wore short clothes and long stockings. In summer stockings
and shoes were dispensed with, and trowsers took the place of small
clothes, the leg of which extended below the knee.
At the evening meal, in addition to "spoon victuals," they usu-
ally had "short cakes" baked before the fire on a pan or in a spider.
In the evening the women were employed in knitting or sewing,
and occasionally in making a kind of bobinet lace, on board frames,
a few of which have been preserved. Farmers in those days selected
a small portion of their best flax ground, on which they sowed
a double portion of seed, that the product might be of a fine and
soft texture, fit to manufacture into lace. Goodman Hallett kept a
good fire, and as his beer barrels were never empty, he rarely was
without company. Capt. Gorham and Mr. Thacher often spent an
evening at his house, and though the use of tobacco was prohibited
by the "honorable Court," yet smoke from the pipe often curled up
the chimney on the long winter evenings.
Our ancestors were systematic in their domestic arrangements.
Monday was washing-day, a custom which has survived to this day.
On Tuesday the clothes were ironed. Wednesday in summer was
baking-day, but not in the winter. Thursday and Friday were devoted
to spinning and weaving, and Saturday was baking-day the
year round. For dinner on that day the Pilgrims eat fish, perhaps
because the Catholics, all of whose customs they abjured, dined
thereon Fridays. Baked beans, and Indian puddings were always
found on their tables on the Sabbath, a custom yet continued in many
families.
Saturday at 4 o'clock in the afternoon all servile labor for the
week had ended. Preparations for the Sabbath had been made—the
wood cut and brought in—the Sunday meal had been prepared, and
preparations made to keep the day holy to the end thereof. In the
evening the children were instructed in their catechisms. They retired
early. The Sabbath was a day of rest—all went to church
morning and evening. They never allowed the weather to interfere
with their religious duties, it was never too wet, never too hot, never
too cold to go to meeting.
In summer the male portion of the family were employed in out
of door labors from sunrise till the shades of evening began to fall.
Toil, hard and unremitting was their portion, but it was cheerfully
performed. At hay time and harvest the girls assisted their fathers
and brothers in the field. Their wants were few, and by industry
and economy were easily supplied. Goodman Hallett acquired
vuealth, and every young man may do the same, if he will practice