Sturbridge+Village+MT08+(chores)

= Topic : Chores =


 * Example 1 : In the summer they had to milk the cows, strain the milk, build fires, and prepare breakfast. This family always had coffee or chocolate with meat or potatoes with this meal.**

//Pri Source evidence :// In those summer days, when my recollection first opens, mother and Aunt Sarah rose in the early dawn, and, taking the well-scoured wooden pails from the bench by the back door, repaired to the cow yard behind the barn. We owned six cows; my grandmother four. Having milked the ten cows, the milk was strained, the fires built, and breakfast prepared. Many families had milk for this meal, but we always had coffee or chocolate, with meat and potatoes


 * Example 2 : They had to prepare dinner which was always at twelve o'clock. It depended on the weather, whether it was a baking day or not, and wether there was linen whitening on the grass.**

//Pri source evidence :// Next came preparations for dinner, which was on the table punctually at twelve o’clock. In the hot weather we usually had boiled salted meat and vegetables, and, if it was baking day, a custard or pudding. If there was linen whitening* on the grass, as was usual at this season, that must be sprinkled*. After dinner the cheeses were turned and rubbed; then mother put me on a clean frock*, and dressed herself for the afternoon. Our gowns and aprons, unless upon some special occasion, when calico was worn, were usually of blue checked home-made gingham, starched and ironed to a nice gloss.


 * Example 3 : At the end of the day, the milk was strained and the day's labor ended. At 9 o'clock the family would rest.**

//Pri Source evidence :// In the sultry August afternoons mother and Aunt Sarah usually took their sewing to the cool back room. At five o’clock the men came from the field, and tea was served. The tea things washed, the vegetables were gathered for the morrow, the linen taken in, and other chores done. At sunset the cows came from the pasture. Milking finished and the milk strained, the day’s labor was ended. The last load pitched on the hay mow…my father and the hired man joined us in the cool back room, where bowls of bread and milk were ready for those who wished the refreshment. At nine o’clock the house was still, the tired hands gladly resting from the day’s toil.


 * Example 4 : The dishes had to be washed, and the curd was made ready for the cheese press**

//Pri source evidence :// The curd having been broken into the basket, the dishes were washed, and unless there was washing or other extra work, the house was righted. By the time this was done the curd* was ready for the [cheese] press.


 * curd- thickened part of milk that is formed into cheese.


 * I think that the chores in the 21st century are easier than the chores in the 19th century because even though in both centuries there are dishes to wash, we have a machine called dish washer now to do the job for us. Also, we can just go to the grocery store to buy our milk, so we do not need to go through the whole process that they did to get the milk okay to drink and cook with. Overall, we have a much easier life than those who lived in the 19th century because of our appliances now.**