Educating Freedman

Educating Freedmen
It's amazing how much research goes into a book. Even for backstory. For example, my heroine in Short-Straw Bride has a dream to teach, a dream that has been put on hold due to her father's illness and death. A dream that breathes new life once she finds herself a married woman. In order for me to understand Meredith's dream, however, I first had to understand the father who inspired her. This took me down a fascinating research trail.
Near the end of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln initiated the Freedmen's Bureau Bill, intending it to last for one year to help newly emancipated slaves adjust to life as free citizens. On March 3, 1865, Congress passed the bill and created the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. This soon became known as the Freedmen's Bureau. It was a key agency during Reconstruction, lending aid to former slaves in obtaining food, housing, education, health care, employment, and even worked to reunite families that had been separated. However, instead of lasting a single year as Lincoln had originally conceived, the Bureau operated for six years, not disbanding until 1871.

The most significant achievements of the Bureau occurred in the field of education. By the end of 1865, 90,000 former slaves were enrolled in public schools. They had a deep hunger for learning, having been denied the opportunity while they were slaves. Children and adults alike sought education and were willing to sacrifice much to obtain it. Some of the teachers were educated blacks, some were women, but the majority consisted of southern white men. Meredith's father, Theodore Hayes, was such a man.

Passionate about the power of education to change lives, Theodore Hayes dedicated his life to teaching freedmen. Even after the Bureau closed in 1871, he continued to run his small black school in Anderson County, Texas. His adult students scraped together what they could to pay his salary, and when an illness took his life, one of the women who had studied under him endeavored to keep the school going.


Meredith shared her father's passion and desired to follow in his footsteps. She trained to be a teacher, but never took her qualifying exams due to the sudden death of her parents. When she reunites with some of the students from her father's school, those dormant dreams surge back to life and give her a renewed sense of purpose and direction. And a point of contention with her new husband.
The Freedmen's Bureau did a lot of good for a lot of people following the Civil War, but I bet they never imagined that a 21st century writer would be so appreciative of their efforts.

SHORT-STRAW BRIDE
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk.
Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again.
Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

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Bio:
Two-time RITA® Finalist and CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

Wreckers

Some of you may know and others may not have but an occupation I stumbled upon while writing my second novel, A Time to Embrace, was that of Wrecking. An entire industry was built upon this occupation. It is not that same as those who demolish buildings. In fact, Florida seemed to have quite an industry going, especially on Key West. Wreckers were the ones who went out to sinking ships and pulled off as much of the cargo and resources they could before the ship sank. If they could save the ship they would. Now, here's a tidbit about maritime law at that time, if the Captain abandons the ship it was legal to put in a claim. In Key West the courts got involved and the first to register the claim on the ship had the rights to wreck it.

With that in mind I thought some of you might enjoy this book from Google Books The Young Wrecker of the Florida Reef. Florida wasn't the only state that had wreckers and in some places they were called pirates but most tended to seem piracy and wrecking as two different occupations. You can find in early Georgia censuses people listing their occupation as a pirate.

Apologies, I thought

Hi all,
My apologies I thought I had a post lined up for this morning. Give me an hour or so and I'll have a new post for today.
Lynn

1893 Chicago World's Fair

Today's post is a simple link to a fascinating pictorial book on the 1893 Chicago's World's Fair. The images are not only the exterior shots of the fair but also shows some of the exhibits. World's Fair through a camera:snap shots by an artist You can download this book or browse it from Google books. Enjoy!

Marriage

Ever wonder what folks in the 19th century thought about Marriage? I find the excerpt below interesting since it came from a book on manners.

MARRIAGE.
That union where all that In woman is kind,
With all that in man most ennoblingly towers,

Grow wreathed into one, like the column combined
Of the strength of the shaft and the capital's flowers.

Moore.
AS the first man and woman were made to be married, it seems to follow that married life was in
tended to be the perfect condition of humanity.

This idea is generally held, so far as regards the condition of woman, by all masculine writers. The axiom, as a self-evident truth, is never called in question, that all women are made to be married.
They believe, too, that woman's noblest virtues of conduct are called forth, and her highest excellences of character perfected, in domestic life; in short, thafr her destiny is marriage, and her place of honor and happiness is her home.

But, when the destiny of men is debated, they do not reckon marriage as essential to their own well-being, or home as the best place of their enjoyment and honor. Yet, if marriage is the best state for woman, it should bo the best for man; or the plan of creation would seem to be in fault.
"Be ye not unequally yoked" was the great apostle's command to Christians; if men are really losers by the union, then marriage is " unequal " for men.

In the history of creation, it seems that Adam was not perfect till Eve was made to be with him. All the works of the Creator were pronounced "good" till we come to man: then the word of God was —
"It is not good that the man should be alone : I will make a help-meet for him."— Gen. xi. 7-29.
The happiness and glory of Eden were then perfected. Not that man and woman were then identical or equal in all their faculties and gifts, but the differences were like the tones in music that make up the concord of sweet sounds.

The first married pair were not equals; they were one: one in flesh and bones; one in the harmony of their wills; one in the hope of earthly happiness; one in the favor of God. Thus perfect was their union in Eden whilst they were innocent. Yet, as in their corporeal forms woman was the most refined, delicate, and perfect, so her spirit (by the term I mean heart, soul, mind, including all the affections and passions) was purer and holier than man's.

He was formed of the earth, and had in the greatest development those powers of mind which are directed towards objects of sense; she, formed from his flesh and bones, had in greatest development those powers of mind which seek the affections. But these differences did not hinder their loving union ; such diversities only seemed to enhance the happiness of their home and enlarge the variety of their enjoyments.

It is not disparity of intellect, nor differences in the innocent enjoyments of life, which make the miseries of the married pair. It is disunion of hearts and hopes, the conflicts of passion and will: these mar or destroy domestic bliss. There was nothing to disturb the perfect enjoyment of Eden till sin entered. Then we learn how the sexes differ from each other. While studying the sad history of the fall, we find that the woman's nature never lost its faith in good ; and that to her was intrusted the promise of final triumph, by her seed, over the evils that sin would cause.

And even now, happy homes may be made, if the husband and wife would lovingly work for this sweet enjoyment. Why should all the responsibilities be laid on woman? Would it not be well to give men a lesson or two on their home-duties? Why should not the husband be advised to bring home " smiles and sunshine " for the wife, while she is admonished always to " have only smiles and sunshine for the husband when he comes home wearied with his day's labor "?

It is true that the inner life of home is for woman, and that the wife should reverence and obey her husband And it is also true that the hard work of life is laid on men; that, by the law of creation, which keeps the sexes equal in numbers, and by the Eden law, which made man's goodness (or perfection) depend on woman's as the "help-meet for him," it is the duty of every man to marry, if it be the duty of every woman to marry. Moreover, God has expressly laid on every man the duty of "providing for his own household;" of "training his children in the way they should go ;" of protecting and cherishing his own wife; he is to " love her as himself" — "honor her as the weaker vessel," which surely means the delicate, appreciating care such as he would take of fine porcelain, in distinction from a common clay vessel; and he is also taught to bear in mind that "the woman is the glory of the man."
Ought not Christian fathers to teach these lessons of tenderness and respect for women to their sons?
In the education of girls, it is thought to be all important that they should be so trained as to become good wives and devoted mothers. Is the lesson of making good husbands and fathers pressed on the minds of boys, or even hinted at in college-classes for young men?

These are important subjects in estimating the future of American homes. Opportunities of domestic happiness are around our people. Every young man who determines to make for his wife and himself a happy home should place her happiness first in the home (as she must pass her whole life in it, while he has duties that will keep him often abroad), and, working bravely for this noble idea, he will realize it. And the wife: there is in the Book of books one perfect picture of happy married life, limned by divine inspiration: it is proof of what the help-meet for man was by her Creator intended to be in her home, and with what exulting joy her husband and children praise her excellence and bless her care.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
"The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
"She shall do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
"She riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
"She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
"She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
"Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
"Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
"Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
"Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
This full-length likeness is the representative woman * whose married life should be the type and model for her sex.

Who does not see the sweet perfection of character, of manners, and of personal attractions blended in the description? We feel that if she were not gifted with remarkable beauty, still she did possess the natural attractiveness which goodness makes so lovely. All the appointments of her household show the lady of rank, wealth, and influence; and yet how careful is the inspired limner to represent the duties of daily life as under her personal superintendence. And this attention to " small things" does not hinder her mind from acquiring a large and spiritual development. She can "judge righteously;" her conversation is " wisdom :" are not these powors of a high order, proving that her intellectual gifts are suited to sustain the pure moral graces of her feminine nature?

Her husband knows that " his heart may safely trust in her."
the 31st chapter of Proverbs, from the 10th verse to the close.

He can go abroad where his duties as a man require his presence, nor feel any fear that his interest or honor, his happiness or the welfare of his family, will suffer detriment at home. "She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life." And even " while he sits in the gates among the elders of the land," he is proud — nay, better "— he is thankful that as her husband he is known; that he has the glory of being the protector of his wife, " whose value is far above rabies."
Do not these two seem one? And yet, although in mutual confidence, esteem, and love, their hearts and interests are perfectly in unison, they could not exchange duties as equals.

The husband could not be the preserver, inspirer, teacher, and exemplar in his household; the wife could not become the worker and provider, protector and lawgiver, which the man's will and strength, mechanical skill and mental power,"fitted to subdue the earth and rule over it," enable him to be in the outer world, while watching over the welfare and happiness of his own family.

And yet it is the wife in her tender love and hopeful piety, contented in the inner world of home, if her heart is satisfied in its affections, and her soul steadfast in its +,rust on God, who not only watches over, but makes the best happiness of her husband and children on earth, while leading them, by the aid of divine Grace, up to the bliss of heaven. No wonder her children " call her blessed," and her husband "praiseth her." Moral goodness is the same in all ages of the world and in all conditions of life. Moral happiness is eternal in its essence: it is the elixir of humanity. The happy home life, wherever found, arises from the same qualities of mind and virtues of heart which are illustrated in this beautiful picture, drawn nearly three thousand years ago.

The true marriage and the true obedience to duty which made this Hebrew household so blessed and glorious must now be found in our American homes, if these are happy in love and radiant with the honor which entire goodness and true faithfulness in all the relations of life require. In such a home one influence always predominates; one presence is always felt; one light must be visible: "a woman that feareth the Lord " makes the true home.

"Manners: Happy Homes and Good Society all the year round." by Sarah Josepha Buell Hale.©1889

Nineteenth Century Entertainment

Today we have a guest blogger Debbie Lynne Costello She hosts The Sword & Spirit A blog that interviews many historical fiction authors. She has kindly stepped in for me after I've had a very busy week caring for my in-laws during some very severe health issues. Thanks Debbie Lynne.

Nineteenth Century Entertainment
The nineteenth century was no different from today’s society when it comes to enjoying entertainment. What’s interesting is that even though we have television, computers, smart phones and video games, many of the amusements used in the 1800’s we still enjoy today.

Dancing: A favorite thing for the young especially during the courtship years. Just a few places where dancing was enjoyed were weddings, balls and barn raisings and they were done by all classes. Types of dances included, Waltz, Quadrille, Polka Schottische, Galop, Virginia Reel, two-step and late 19th century saw ragtime music which brought forth Cakewalk.

Cards: It wasn’t always cowboys sitting around a table and one accusing the other of cheating. Types of card games are Faro, poker, monte. Gambling Halls were popular in larger cities and roulette, faro, poker and keno were played in them. The gambling halls came in all tastes, from lavishly decorated to filthy buildings.

Dime Novels: these were books that cost a dime. The first dime novel was published in 1860.
Hot Air Balloons: When the owner of a hot air balloon set up his balloon he drew large crowds. People were amazed at watching the contraption ascend into the air. Many owner charged for the opportunity of just watching them ascend. Other owners of balloons charged large sums of money for the privilege of riding up in a tethered balloon.

Sports: basketball (late 19th century), baseball, bowling, boxing (bare-fisted), football (late 19th century), golf (late 19th century), foot races, tennis (1875)

Horse racing: A popular sport from north to south.

Games: Chess, Checkers, Chuck-a-luck (tossing of dice where the players bet on the numbers that would come up), Craps (gambling dice game)
Circus: Circuses were enjoyed from early in the 19th century. In 1872 P.T. Barnum would coin the phrase, “The Greatest Show on Earth.”

Musical Instruments: Pianos were owned more by the wealthy, but a few middle class also owned this musical instrument. Young ladies were taught to play. Violins and fiddles were the musical instrument usually used at dances. There were street musicians who played for pennies, brass bands were used for special occasions and large cities had classical music.

Roller Skating: Men and women both enjoyed putting on a pair of skates and by the 1880’s almost every large city had a roller skating rink.

Sleighing: A favorite in the north, sleighing was a source of enjoyment. The sleigh was less expensive than a carriage so many middle class families owned them.

Theater: Plays were preformed and a source of entertainment throughout the century. Churches, taverns, halls, barns, etc. were some of the places used.

NOTE of the following entertainment: I decided to only mention two of the many types of barbaric entertainment I have read about in the 19th century. Torturing animals seemed to be something that was readily enjoyed. If you have a squeamish stomach you may not want to read the discriptions.
Cockfights: The south held cockfights publically while the North kept theirs quiet. Though some states had laws against them they were not enforced. The cockfights could take place anywhere but many times were held on plantations. The spectators bet on the bird they believed would win. The roosters fought to the death.

Gander-pulling: In this sport they hung a duck or goose upside down by its feet and men riding horseback would take turns riding under it and trying to twist off its head. This was a rural sport.

Ladies' Dress Goods 1854

Below is an advertisement in Missouri newspaper. What I find most interesting is the list of items.

Silks & Mourning goods, no problem they are easy to understand. But Challies? Ok so the definition is:a soft fabric of plain weave in wool, cotton, rayon, or other staple fiber, either in a solid color or, more often, a small print.
Found here. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/challis
A good description of Barege Delaines can be found here http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Dictionary-of-Dry-Goods/index.html

I couldn't find any meaning for the term "lawns" that relate to clothing.

I also like the fact that this advertisement comes from Strouse the same company that currently makes some of our favorite jeans.

Irish Recipes

How about some Irish dishes to enhance our characters and their lives.

IRISH PUFFS. Add to five wellbeaten yolks and two whites of eggs, a large table-spoonful of flour, no! quite an ounce ot melted butter, and half a tea-spoonful of salt; beat it all well for ten minutes, and add half a pint of cream; bake it in buttered teacups; turn them out, and serve them with a sweet sauce.

IRISH ROCK. Blanch a pound of sweet and an ounce of bitter almonds, pick out a few of the sweet almonds, and cut them like straws, and blanch them in rose water; pound the rest in a mortar with a table-spoonful of brandy, four ounces of pounded and silted loaf sugar, and half a pound of salt butter well washed; pound them till the mass looks very1 white, and set it in a cool place to stiffen; then dip two table-spoons into cold water, and with them form the paste, as much like an egg as possible; place in the bottom of a glass dish, a small plate or saucer turned, and lay the rock high up; stick over it the cut almonds with green sweetmeats, and ornament with a sprig of myrtle.

IRISH STEW, OR HUNTER'S Pie. Take part of a neck of mutton, cut it into chops, season it well, put it into a stewpan, let it brase for half an hour, take two dozen of potatoes, boil them, mash them, and season them, butter your mould, and line it with the potatoes, put in the mutton, bake it for half an hour, then it will be done, cut a hole in the top, and add some good gravy to it.

IRISH STEW. Take five thick mutton chops, or two pounds off the neck or loins, two pounds of potatoes; peel them, and cut them in halves; six onions, or half a pound of onions; peel and slice them also: first put a layer of potatoes at the bottom of your stewpan, then a couple of chops and some of the onions; then again- potatoes, and so on, till the pan is quite lull; a small spoonful of white pepper, and about one and a half of salt, and three gills of broth or gravy, and two tea-spoonfuls of mushroom ketchup; cover all very close in, so as to prevent the steam from getting out, and let them stew for an hour and a half. on a very slow fire. A small slice of bam is a great addition to this dish. The cook will be the best judge when it is done, as a great deal depends on the fire you have. Great care must be taken not to let it burn, and that it does not do too fast.

Accelerated Movement on Canals 1834

Canals were the primary mode of transportation for many years. Below is an article written in 1834 in the Farmer's Register.

ACCELERATED MOVEMENT UPON CANALS.
On, Saturday afternoon a trial was made upon the Paddington canal, of the new canal-boat.— The object of the trial was, to show that a boat built in a different form, and constructed of other materials than the ordinary canal-boat, might, byusing superior horses, be drawn along the water at the rate of ten miles or more in an hour, instead of two miles an hour, the pace of the boats now in use. The day was remarkably (inc. The portion of the canal more particularly appropriated to the experiment was from the third to the seventh mile from Paddington. The boat was constructed of sheet-iron, riveted hot. It was 70 feet long by 5^ feet wide ; and painted green and white. The boat was provided with an awning made of white twilled cotton cloth, which had been rendered semi-transparent with oil. The awning was so set up that the top was extended over light wooden arches, which rested upon a thin upright frame of rod iron; and the sides, in the form of curtains, were made to slide at pleasure upon parallel rods placed at the upper and lower ends of the curtains. The rudder was of a single sheet of iron, of about a yard in length, and it was moved by a tiller made of about two yards of stout rod iron. Two steady hunting horses, each mounted by a lad, and the two harnessed to a towing rope of about 150 feet in length, constituted the moving power. The number of persons on board (he boat was 48, including the crew, the gentleman making the experiment, some of the principal members of the Grand Junction Company, and the visiters, among whom were Mr. Telford, Mr. Babbage, Captain Basil Hall, Mr. Hellyer, and Mr. Gill; a lady also made one of the party on this interesting occasion. Certain distances were measured on the canal bank, and marks set up at the ends of them. At each of these places also, a man was stationed, with a guaged rod in his hand, which he so held, as that, upon the boat's passing, he might instantly read off the height of the wave caused by the disturbance of the water. When all things were ready on the shore, and the party had embarked, the boat was put in motion. The speed from one station to another, taken by seconds watches, showed, for some time, a progress at the rate of thirteen miles an hour. The horses, however, soon began to tire, and the speed fell to eleven, and ultimately, in returning for the third time, to ten and quarter miles in the hour.

The experiment, as far as it goes, was attended witli complete success. The motion is the easiest imaginable. The boat glides along the water so smoothly and noiselessly, that its progress is all but imperceptible to those on board, whose attention is not extended to external objects. A relay of horses will be required at the end of every four or five miles. The banks of the canal will have to be edged for nine or ten inches above the ordinary level of the water with hard materials, and the towing path to be slightly sloped outwards.— Improvements, no doubt, will also be made to facilitate the passing of locks, and in the mode of attaching the horses to the boat, so that the animals may exert their power upon the boat, disembarrassed of the awkwardness of the direction in which, in the present form of towing, they are made to put forth their strength.—London

Ants

In keeping with last week's summertime meals post I thought how appropriate it would be to cover ants, the bane of any picnic. Not exactly the same kind of meal we talked about yesterday but something we often think about today with regard to picnics. In any case, I found this tidbit in Practical Guide for Husbandman and Housewife ©1831

ANTS.
When you find ants in quantities near home pour hot water on them. The farmer ,when he manures his land, if he uses ashes, lime, salt or sand, will not be troubled with those insects. Dr. Rees' Cyclopcedia recommends boiling rain water with black soap and sulphur, and saturating the ground with it, which is infested with those insects.

Additional tidbit: One source said that Black soap is made with lots of pepper. Another source (the most common) said it was made with black ash or chimney soot.

1854 Dinners for Autumn

PLAIN DINNERS FOR AUTUMN.
Fresh pork, stewed with sweet potatoes; lima beans; tomatoes; corn —Plum pie.

Roast ducks; stewed egg-plant; tomatoes ; lima beans; squashes; turnips—Peach pie.

Ochra soup ; beef-steaks; tomatoes ; lima beans ; sweet potatoes—Sweet potatoe pudding.

Roast leg of pork, with apple sauce; sweet potatoes; lima beans—Custard.

Rabbit soup; boiled ham; cauliflower; lima beans; tomatoes—Peach pie.

Ham pie; veal cutlets; salsify; sweet potatoes; lima beans—Peach pudding.

Rabbit pot-pie; broiled ham with eggs; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Baked bread pudding.

Pigeon soup; beef-steaks; onions; tomatoes; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Apple pie.

Stewed beef; tomatoes; turnips; salsify; sweet potatoes; turnips—Bread and butter pudding.

Ox-tail soup; fried rabbits; lima beans; beets; sweet potatoes—Peach pie.

Roast leg- of mutton; stewed onions; russian turnips; beets—Apple rice pudding.

Mutton harico; fried chickens; turnips; salsify ; lima beans—Eastern pudding.

Pork and beans; stewed rabbits; tomatoes; sweet potatoes; russian turnips—Boiled indian pudding.

Oyster soup; roast goose with apple sauce; turnips; sweet potatoes—Sweet potatoe pudding.

Boiled fowls with celery sauce; oyster fritters; turnips; sweet potatoes; winter-squash—Apple pie.

Roast pork with apple sauce; turnips; salsify; tomatoes; sweet potatoes—Baked batter pudding.

Roast beef with horse-radish ; sweet potatoes; turnips; tomatoes; cold-slaw—Baked apple pudding.

Mutton soup; the meat that was boiled in it; hashed beef; turnips; beets; tomatoes—Baked rice pudding.

Fresh pork stewed with parsnips; turnips; wintersquash or cashaw—Apple dumplings.

Beefbouilli; oyster fritters; turnips; stewed onions; winter-squash—Apple pie.

Stewed leg of mutton ; russian turnips ; sweet potatoes; salsify—Baked bread pudding.

Hashed mutton; fried ham with eggs; turnips; tomatoes; winter-squash—Apple pudding, boiled.

Beef-steak pot-pie; turnips; tomatoes; stewed pumpkin—Fritters or pancakes.

Boiled corned pork; cabbage; winter-squash; turnips —Bread and butter pudding.

Roast mutton; turnips; cold-slaw; beets; tomatoes— Boiled rice pudding.

Bean soup; cassarole of mutton; turnips ; beets ; coldslaw—Apple pie.

Pork pie with apples in it; veal cutlets; turnips; beets , tomatoes—Boiled indian pudding.

Corned beef; cale cannon; tomatoes; beets ; turnips; carrots—Indian fritters.

Cold corned beef; tripe and oysters; stewed onions; coid-slaw—Pumpkin pudding.

Fresh beef stewed with parsnips; tomatoes; turnips; beets—Baked rice pudding.

Boiled ham; cabbage; tomatoes; stewed pumpkin; turnips—Apple pie.

Stewed beef's-heart; cold ham; winter-squash; beets —Eastern pudding.

Pigeon pie; smoked tongue; winter-squash; turnips —Apple rice pudding.

Ox-tail soup; veal cutlets; turnips; tomatoes ; winter squash—Dried peach pudding.

VERY NICE AUTUMN DINNERS FOR FAMILIES.
Autumn soup; Roast fowls; smoked tongue; lima beans; squashes; sweet potatoes—Sweet potatoe pudding; apple pie.

Italian pork; roast ducks with apple sauce ; squashes; egg-plant; lima beans—Peach pie; gelatine custard.

Oyster soup; roast beef; sweet potatoes; squashes; egg-plant; lima beans—Quince pudding; bread fritters.

Sea-bass with tomatoes ; boiled ham ; pigeon pie ; sweet potatoes; stewed red cabbage ; lima beans—Squash
pudding; preserved peaches.

Ham pie; sweetbreads with oysters ; sweet potatoes; lima beans; egg-plant—Boiled lemon pudding ; preserved quinces.

Rabbit soup; roast beef; cold-slaw; lima beans; tomatoes; sweet potatoes—Sago pudding; preserved tomatoes.

Roast pork with apple sauce; sweet potatoes; lima beans; egg-plant—Sweet potatoe pudding; fritters.

Boiled ham ; roast fowls ; stewed red cabbage ; turnips; sweet potatoes; lima beans—Squash pudding; apple pie.;

Roast fillet of veal; cold ham; broccoli; turnips; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Baked rice pudding preserved peaches.

Stewed pork with sweet potatoes; fried rabbits; onions; turnips; lima beans—Peach pudding ; custards.

Roast goose with apple sauce ; smoked tongue ; onions; turnips; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Eve's pudding; floating island. £

Oyster soup; chicken pie; beef-steaks; onion sauce; tomatoes; turnips; sweet potatoes—Sweet potatoe pudding; preserved peaches.

Roast fowls; corned beef; stewed red cabbage; turnips; tomatoes—Apple custard; preserved tomatoes.

Boiled rock-fish; roast pork with apple sauce; sweet potatoes; turnips; tomatoes—Baked apple pudding; fritters.

Oyster soup; venison steaks; tomato sweetbreads; turnips; sweet potatoes—Pumpkin pudding; preserved tomatoes.

Venison pie; smoked tongue; broccoli; sweet potatoes; turnips; winter-squash—Eve's pudding; fritters.

Roast venison; oyster fritters; turnips; sweet potatoes; winter-squash—Apple pie; boiled custard.

Ochra soup; roast fowls; smoked tongue; turnips; sweet potatoes; broccoli—Pumpkin pudding; baked pears.

COMPANY DINNERS—AUTUMN.
1. Mock turtle soup; stewed rock-fish; roasted ham; boiled fowls; stewed ducks; fried rabbits; stuffed egg-plant; broccoli and eggs; fried artichokes; stewed mushrooms; potaloe snow; sweet potatoes—Chocolate pudding; meringued apples; cake syllabub; peach ice-cream.

2. Venison soup; baked salmon-trout; boiled ham; French chicken pie; roast ducks with cranberry sauce; veal olives; sweetbread omelet; stewed red cabbage; turnips; onion custard; sweet potatoes—Boiled almond pudding; orange tarts; sweetmeat fritters; vanilla irecream.

3. Rich brown soup; sea-bass with tomatoes; ham pie; fricasseed chickens; roast goose with apple sauce; oyster omelet; birds with mushrooms; scolloped tomatoes; cold-slaw; sweet potatoes; broccoli and eggs; fried artichokes; onion custard—Lady's pudding; sweetmeat tarts; lemon custards; almond ice-cream.

Normandy soup; stewed rock-fish; tongue pie; roast fowls; partridges in pears; stewed ducks; oyster loaves; lima beans; tomatoes broiled; stewed mushrooms; cold-slaw; sweet potatoes—Orleans pudding; orange custards; Spanish blanc-mange; vanilla ice-cream.

4. Soupe a la Julienne; cream trout; roasted ham; stewed wild ducks; tomato sweetbreads; French oyster pie; white fricassee; mushroom omelet; stewed red cabbage; lima beans; winter squash; sweet potatoes; turnips—Marrow pudding; lemon custards; meringued apples; peach ice-cream.

5. The best oyster soup; stewed rock-fish; boiled ham; roast wild ducks with currant jelly; chicken rice pudding; birds in a grove; terrapin veal; svsetbread croquettes; turnips; sweet potatoes; onion custard; broiled tomatoes—Vanilla flummery; omelet souffle; sweetmeat tarts; lemon ice-cream.

6. Meg Merrilies soup; boiled rock-fish; roasted ham; stewed wild ducks; French oyster pie; roasted pheasants; Columbus eggs; mushroom omelet; lima beans; sweet potatoes; turnips; winter-squash; beets—Orange flummery; sweet potatoe pudding; calves' feet jelly; lemon ice-cream.

7. Rich white soup; sea-bass with tomatoes; baked tongue; roast goose with apple sauce; fricasseed fowls; venison steaks with currant-jelly; oyster omelet; brorled mushrooms; turnips; sweet potatoes; winter-squash; lima beans—Cocoa-nut pudding; sweetmeat tarts ; lemon custards; chocolate ice-cream.

8. Hare or rabbit soup; stewed rock-fish; boiled ham; pigeon pie; roast fowls; brown fricassee; partridges in pears; woodcocks; oyster loaves; turnips; sweet potatoes; winter-squash; beets; cold-slaw—Sweet potatoe pudding; orange tarts; whipped cream; Spanish blancmange.

Winter Meals

Since fellow author, Cheryl St. John requested the winter list, I thought I'd post it for all of you as well. I've also included the list for family meals as well.

WINTER DINNERS FOR FAMILIES—VERY NICE.
Winter soup; roast beef; stewed onions; coldslaw; turnips—Apple pie; custards.
Boiled ham; oyster pie; turnips; parsnips; stewed pumpkin—Baked rice pudding; preserved tomatoes.

Chicken pot-pie; oyster fritters; turnips; parsnips; beets—Pumpkin pudding; preserved peaches.

Boiled turkey with oyster sauce; smoked tongue; turnips; salsify; beets—Cranberry pie; custards. Roast fowls with cranberry sauce; oyster fritters;
turnips; beets; winter-squash—Potatoe pudding; preserved quinces.

Bean soup; roast pork with apple sauce; turnips; pumpkin; beets—Pumpkin pudding; preserved tomatoes.

Roast beef; scolloped oysters; turnips; parsnips; stewed beets; winter-squash—Cranberry pie; boiled custard.

Pease soup; roast fowls; turnips; beets; cold-slaw; hominy; winter-squash—Squash pudding; baked apples.

Roast turkey with cranberry sauce; boiled ham; winier-squash; turnips; salsify—Mince pudding; lemon custards.

Ham pie; oyster fritters; turnips; winter-squash; salsify; stewed beets—Raisin pudding; baked pears.

Venison soup; roast fowls; stewed beets; turnips; winter-squash—Sago pudding ; baked apples.

Roast venison with currant jelly; chicken curry; turnips; winter-squash; salsify—Cranberry pie; custards.

Roast fowls; boiled corned beef; cabbage; carrots; parsnips; turnips—Apple pie; boiled custard.

Roast beef; stewed fowls; cold-slaw; stewed beets; turnips; hominy; salsify—Plum pudding; cranberry pie.

Soup a la Julienne; roast goose with apple sauce; scolloped oysters; turnips; stewed onions; stewed beets —Pumpkin pudding; preserved pears.
Roast mutton; chicken curry; cold-slaw; beets; turnips; stewed pumpkin—Eve's pudding; baked apples.

Venison pasty; fricasseed chickens; turnips; salsify; winter-squash—Plum pudding; preserved tomatoes.

Roast beef; fricasseed fowls; cold-slaw; beets; turnips; winter-squash—Mince pie; custards.

Boiled turkey with oyster sauce; boiled ham; stewed beets; turnips; cold-slaw—Pumpkin pudding; baked apples.

Bean soup; cold ham; roast fillet of veal; stewed beets; turnips; winter-squash—Mince pie; boiled custard.

A-la-mode beef; scolloped oysters; turnips; carrots; beets; cold-slaw—Carrot pudding; preserved pears.

Christmas and New Years dinners.—Boiled turkey with oyster sauce; two roast geese with apple sauce; roasted ham; chicken pie; stewed beets; cold-slaw; turnips; salsify; winter-squash—Plum pudding; mince pie; lemon custards; cranberry pie.

Roast turkey with cranberry sauce; boiled fowls with celery sauce; boiled ham; goose pie; turnips; wintersquash; salsify; cold-slaw; beets—Mince pudding boiled; lemon pudding baked; pumpkin pudding.

COMPANY DINNERS—WINTER.
1. Mulligatawny soup; fresh cod-fish fried; boiled ham; roast turkey with cranberry sauce; fowls stewed whole; oyster pie; potatoe snow; turnips; parsnips; wintersquash—Cocoa-nut pudding; lemon pudding; mincepie; calves' feet jelly.

2. Clear gravy soup; stewed rock-fish; roasted ham; boiled turkey with oyster sauce; venison pie; brown fricassee; sweet potatoes; turnips; parsnips; beets— Orange pudding; almond pudding; meringued apples; chocolate cream.

3. Venison soup; fresh cod-fish boiled; smoked tongue; pair of roast geese with apple sauce; oyster pie; French stew of rabbits; turnips; potatoe snow; parsnips; onion custard; beets—Transparent pudding; orange tarts; mince-pie; floating island.

4. Mock turtle soup; boiled rock-fish; ham pie; smoked tongue; roast turkey with cranberry sauce; boiled fowls with celery sauce; oyster loaves; sweetbread croquettes; turnips ; parsnips; beets; maccaroni—Charlotte russe; mince-pie; calves' feet jelly; blanc-mange.

5. Rich brown soup; fresh cod-fish stewed; boiled ham; venison roasted; red-head ducks with currant jelly; oyster patties; veal rissoles; turnips; parsnips; beets; winter-squash; cold-slaw—Mince-pudding; omelet souffle; orange flummery; vanilla ice-cream.

6. Rich white soup; fresh cod-fish fried; roasted ham; venison pie; boiled turkey with oyster sauce; partridges in pears; chicken rice pudding; potatoe snow; beets; turnips; winter-squash; stewed red cabbage—Plum pudding; chocolate blanc-mange; cocoa-nut cream; apple-jelly.

7. Meg Merrilies soup; stewed rock-fish; boiled ham; canvas-back ducks roasted; French oyster pie; fricasseed chickens; veal olives; winter-squash; potatoe snow; beets; turnips; maccaroni—Orange pudding; cocoa-nut pudding; cake syllabub; chocolate ice-cream.

8. Maccaroni soup; fresh cod-fish stewed; smoked tongue; canvas-back ducks stewed; partridge pie; fricasseed fowls; stewed sweetbreads with oysters; turnips; potatoe snow; parsnips; beets; cold-slaw—Orleans pudding; Italian charlotte; apple compote; orange-jelly.

Christmas dinners.—Mock turtle soup; stewed rockfish; roasted ham; roasted venison with currant-jelly; boiled turkey with oyster sauce; roast geese with apple sauce; French oyster pie; fricasseed chickens; potatoe snow; parsnips; beets; winter-squash; cold-slaw — Plum pudding; mince-pies; orange tarts; cream cocoanut pudding; Spanish blanc-mange; apple-jelly; vanilla ice-cream.

New Year's dinner.—Venison soup; stewed fresh sod; boiled ham; roasted turkey with cranberry sauce; roast goose with apple sauce; partridge pie; wintersquash; beets; potatoe snow; cold-slaw—Columbian pudding; lemon tarts; charlotte polonaise; vanilla blanc-mange; trifle.

Dinners for Spring 1854

Continuing with the dinner menus here are the options for the Spring.


COMPANY DINNERS—SPRING.
1. Oyster soup; boiled sheep's-head fish; roasted ham; white fricassee; chickens stewed whole; terrapin veal; sweetbread croquettes; asparagus ; stewed peas ; stewed spinach; fried celery; maccaroni—Lemon pudding; almond pudding; calves'-feet jelly; vanilla ice-cream.

2. Maccaroni soup; stewed rock-fish; boiled ham, brown fricassee; veal rissoles; chicken rice pudding, larded sweetbreads; asparagus loaves; asparagus omelet; French spinach; French peas ; stewed beets—Rhubarb cups; transparent pudding; charlotte russe; lemon ice-cream.

3. French white soup; baked sheep's-head fish; boiled ham; lamb cutlets, the French way; roasted sweetbreads; beef's tongue stewed; French chicken pie; maccaroni; stewed peas; stewed beans; asparagus; stewed spinach—Omelet souffle; Orleans pudding; blanc-mange; orange ice-cream.

4. Fine clam soup; halibut cutlets; roasted ham; brown fricassee; broiled sweetbreads; pigeon pie; lobster rissoles; asparajus omelet; maccaroni; lettuce peas; asparagus; French spinach; potatoe snow—Boiled almond pudding; sweetmeat fritters; vanilla flummery; cake syllabub.

5. Green pea soup; stewed sea-bass; French ham pie; baked tongue; cutlets a la Maintenon; fricasseed chickens; maccaroni; asparagus; stewed peas; stewed beans—Marietta pudding; Spanish blanc-mange; calves'feet jellv; lemon ice-cream.

6. Asparagus soup; stewed halibut; roasted ham; chicken curry; fricasseed sweetbreads; terrapin veal; chicken patties; maccaroni; lettuce peas; potatoe snow; stewed beans; stewed beets—Lady's pudding; green custard; wine fritters; gooseberry water-ice.

7. Friar's chicken; halibut cutlets; boiled ham; French chicken pie; sweetbread croquettes; lamb cutlets, French way; lobster patties; Columbus eggs; French peas; stewed beans; stewed beets; potatoe snow—Orleans pudding; orange tarts ; pistachio cream; iced jelly.

8. Rich veal soup; stewed carp; boiled ham; sweetbreads stewed with oysters; roast ducks; soft crabs; chicken rice pudding; stewed peas; stewed beans; stewed beets: potatoe snow—Maccaroni pudding; red custard; chocolate cream; almond ice-cream.


And for the family alone:
VERY NICE FAMILY DINNERS FOR SPRING. —Spring soup; roast fillet of veal; (potatoes always;) peas; stewed spinach—Rhubarb pie; custards-.

Stewed rock-fish: roast lamb with mint sauce; peas; asparagus; poke—Gooseberry pie; boiled custard.

Clam soup; roast loin of veal; stewed peas; spinach; asparagus—Tapioca pudding; gooseberry fool.

Stewed sea-bass; roast beef; stewed spinach; stewed peas; asparagus; beets—Currant pie; custards.

Stewed halibut; chicken pie; stewed peas; stewed beans; asparagus—Boiled lemon pudding; gooseberry pie.

Green pea soup; roast fillet of veal; beans; peas; asparagus—Gooseberry pudding; boiled custard.

Boiled ham; roast ducks with apple sauce; stewed peas; beans; asparagus—Currant pie; green custard.

Cat-fish soup; roast lamb with mint sauce; peas; asparagus; spinach—Ground rice pudding; gooseberry fool.

Clam pie ; roast loin of veal ; stewed peas ; asparagus; 6tewcd spinach—Currant pudding; red custard.

Maccaroni soup; roast ducks with apple sauce; peas; asparagus; spinach—Currant pie ; gelatine custard.

Baked shad; stewed fillet of veal; peas; asparagus; spinach—Souffle pudding; gooseberry pie.

Roast lamb with mint sauce; clam-sweetbreads; peas; beans; asparagus—Ground rice pudding; currant pie.

Corned fillet of veal; clam pie; stewed peas; spinach; beans; asparagus—Gooseberry pudding; green fritters.

Boast beef; stewed sweetbreads with oysters; beans; peas; asparagus—Gelatine blanc-mange; gooseberry fool.

Halibut cutlets; stewed lamb; peas; beans; asparagus; beets—Maccaroni pudding; currant pie.

Boiled ham; fowl and oysters; asparagus; spinach; peas—Gooseberry pie; custards.
Green pea soup; chicken pie; broiled ham; peas; aspargus; beans—Biscuit pudding; gooseberry fool.

Summertime Dinner Meals with Guests

Summertime BBQ's are a norm for my household while entertaining friends and family. Today's post is quite an eye opener about entertaining in the mid 19th century. Below are some dinner menus while entertaining from New Receipts for Cooking by Eliza Leslie ©1854 These dinners take you back to a far more elaborate type of hosting dinner parties.

Add on: Since people have been enjoying this post so much today, I've added on at the bottom of the list the dinners for the family. Still a huge menu imho.

COMPANY DINNERS—SUMMER.
1. Duck soup; fresh salmon stewed; roasted ham; French chicken pie; veal olives; sweetbreads with cauliflowers; baked clams; stewed lobster; fried artichokes; scolloped tomatoes; lettuce peas; stewed beans; lettuce chicken salad—Pine-apple pudding; currant ice; iced jelly; strawberries and cream.

2. Pigeon soup; cream trout; baked tongue ; terrapin veal; clam sweetbreads; chicken curry; roast ducks; fried cauliflower; French peas; stewed beans; lobster salad—Lady's pudding; pine-apple tarts; raspberry charlotte; strawberry ice-cream.

3. The best clam soup; roasted salmon; boiled ham; rice pie; tomato chickens; sweetbread croquettes; veal olives; lobster patties; cauliflower maccaroni; lima beans; stuffed egg-plant; sweet potatoes—Charlotte russe; cherry water-ice; vanilla blanc-mange; iced jelly.

4. Lobster soup; baked salmon-trout; tongue pie; roast ducks; fricasseed chickens; sweetbreads with cauliflowers; reed-birds; lettuce peas; stewed beans; stewed beets; Sydney Smith's salad—Almond pudding; orange pudding; vanilla ice-cream; Spanish blancmange.

5. Maccaroni soup; salmon steaks; French ham pie; chickens stewed whole; white fricassee; lobster rissoles; tomato sweetbreads; lima beans ; sweet potatoes; young corn omelet; potatoe snow; fried cauliflower; saladFrench charlotte; vanilla blanc-mange; lemon custards; raspberry ice-cream.

6. Rich white soup; boiled salmon; roasted ham; stewed ducks; boiled fowls; plovers; scolloped tomatoes' lima beans; sweet potatoes; cauliflower omelet; lobster salad—Marietta pudding; raspberry charlotte; iced jelly; pistachio cream.

7. Normandy soup; roasted salmon; boiled ham; French chicken pie; brown fricassee; sweetbreads with cauliflowers; lobster patties; birds with mushrooms; lima beans ; scolloped tomatoes ; sweet potatoes ; turnips; stewed egg-plant; salad—Orleans pudding; maccaroni pudding; Spanish blanc-mange; peach ice-cream.

8. Mock turtle soup; baked salmon; roasted ham; tongue pie; fricasseed chickens ; stewed ducks; plovers; clam sweet breads; broccoli and eggs; sweet potatoes; onion custard; lima beans; salad—Orange tarts; charlotte russe; maccaroni blanc-mange; Marlborough pudding; lemon ice-crean.

9. Sea-shore dinner.—Clam soup; roast salmon; boiled ham; sea-coast pie; stewed oysters; fried oysters; stewed lobster; crabs; baked clams; mashed potatoes—. Biscuit pudding; sweetmeat fritters; cake syllabub; orange flummery.


FAMILY DINNERS FOR SUMMER—VERY NICE.
Fresh salmon stewed; roast ducks with stewed currant sauce; beans; peas; turnips—Cherry pie ; custards.

Clam soup; roast fowls; peas; turnips; beans— Raspberry charlotte; green fritters.
Boiled ham; sweetbreads with cauliflowers; lima beans; tomatoes; baked egg-plant—Sunderlands ; strawberries and cream.

Roast fillet of veal; smoked tongue; lima beans; tomatoes; stewed egg-plant—Sweet potatoe pudding ; flavoured curds and whey.

Baked salmon; terrapin veal; chicken pie; sweet potatoes; lima beans; tomatoes—Charlotte pudding, strawberries and cream.

Chickens stewed whole; boiled ham; summer cabbage; beans; sweet potatoes—Maccaroni pudding; raspberries and cream.

Roast beef; fried chickens; cauliflowers; tomatoes; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Cherry pie; custards.

Roast ducks with currant sauce; smoked tongue; stewed onions; lobster salad; stewed beans; peasBoiled lemon pudding; strawberries and cream.

Boiled ham; tomato chickens; beans; turnips; egg plant; sweet potatoes—Sweet potatoe pudding; raspberries and cream.

Clam pie; stewed wild ducks; sweet potatoes; turnips; squashes; egg-plant—Peach pie; custards.

Salmon cutlets; chicken pie; smoked tongue; lima beans; sweet potatoes; squashes—Sweet potatoe pudding; floating island.

Chicken gumbo; boiled ham; young corn omelet; lima beans; sweet potatoes—Peach pie; flavoured curds and whey.

Roast pig with apple sauce ; chicken pie ; lima beans; tomatoes; young corn omelet—Charlotte pudding; custard.

Ochra soup; roast beef; tomatoes; lima beans; sqi^hes; turnips—Squash pudding; fritters.
Stewed sea-bass; boiled ham; clam fritters; sweet potatoes; tomatoes; lima beans—Peach pie; boiled custard.

Baked salmon-trout; pigeon pie; tomatoes; lima beans; sweet potatoes; cucumbers—Sweet potatoe pudding; peachcsSfcnd cream.

Sea-shore dinner.—Oyster soup; clam pie; stewed rock-fish; crabs; mashed potatoes—Boiled lemon pudding.

Drayman & Telephone 1882

As I was searching for something else I stumbled on this advertisement in the Daily Bulletin (Honolulu, Hawaii).

Drayman, I'll get back to but first I'd like to draw your attention to the ad where it states the Telephone Number. Notice that it is only two digits. The other curiosity was that it was only 1882, which is only five years after the forming of the Bell Telephone Company in 1877. Here's a link to some Telephone history

As for a Drayman, he's a fellow who drove a dray (flat wagon) carrying freight from one place to another. Drayman were more common in port cities. When I say port I'm not speaking of only seaports, railroad cities, any location that became an area for transporting goods from only location to another.