For reservations to experience “nkwiluntàmën: I long for it; I am lonesome for it (such as the sound of a drum)” by Indigenous artist Nathan Young, please go to https://nkwiluntamen.com/
Back in May, we posted an article on the Joyner’s Trade. Now our intern Ray is exploring the blacksmithing tradition at Pennsbury and wants to share what he’s found!
"Blacksmith at His Forge," Le Nain Brothers,1640
A blacksmith in the time of William Penn was considered a highly skilled craftsman, someone who could provide a town or estate community with valuable tools and metal accoutrements. We know of a “smith” on the estate of Pennsbury Manor from a 1687 inventory and various letters that have survived. One list called for blacksmithing tools to be brought over by ship from England. Along with these tools, the shop was stocked with a bed, blankets, rugs, and two chests. This indicates that not only did a blacksmith work at Pennsbury, but also most likely lived above his shop. A worker with such skills would be essential on a working estate like Pennsbury, for he would be required to create, maintain or repair any object made of metal on the property. Along with his normal duties, we have reason to believe Penn’s “smith” also helped deliver mail. In a letter from local Quaker resident Phineas Pemberton to his wife Alice, he wrote that “this comes by the Govenor’s smith.”
During the excavation of the site in the 1930’s, many artifacts such as nails, latches, and hinges were found (on view in our exhibit!). Items such as these would have been manufactured by Penn’s “smith,” along with various tools and even shoes for horses. Today at Pennsbury, we have a reconstructed blacksmith shop with tools that would have been used in this pre-industrial setting. Every first Sunday from April-October, volunteer interpreters recreate the atmosphere of fire and clanging metal in their blacksmithing demonstrations for visitors.
“My cow is a commonwealth to me… for she allows myself, my wife and son for to banquet ourselves withal.” ~ Food in Early Modern England
A while back, we posted a Springtime Ode to the Milkmaid. Well it’s time to recognize the popularity of the product she was selling!
From early 17th century England, well into the mid 18th century, the uses for milk can best be described as abundant! However, in the early 1600’s it may have been hard to foresee the leaps in popularity this common resource would make. Although it was consumed, in one form or another, by all classes, it was most common among the poor until the mid 17th Century, especially in the form of cheeseand butter. It was only used amongst the upper classes for the occasional eccentricity, such as the Earl of Rutland in 1602 who was rumored as preferring to bathe in milk!
Medieval Depiction of Dairying; Joan Thisk's Food in Early Modern England
Nevertheless, the notion of the beneficial properties of milk consumption came about when it was noted of “the fair complexions and good health of those who drank milk…” In addition, it was thought to be the source of farmers’ and servants’ ability to complete hard labor day in and day out. Often consuming the leftovers such as whey(leftover liquid from cheese-making) or buttermilk(the byproduct of butter-making), the poor found ways of making even the lowest products of the dairying process ready for consumption with a few additions such as breadcrumbs, sugar, or spices. The availability of dairying changed, however; as milk climbed in popularity amongst the elite and dairy farmers took up commercial pig-keeping, the leftover dairy that once was disappeared. Another reason for the diminishing availability of milk was due to the enclosure of what was public grazing area during the late Tudor period (late 1500’s, early 1600’s).
Marcellus Laroon's "Merry Milk Maid" - late 17th century
Furthermore, as the city populations began to grow (specifically in England) and keeping a cow became more inconvenient, as previously described, dairy shops took the place of local farms and milkmaids hawking their product in the streets took the place of individual household cows (Clarification: Just so nobody asks the question… no, I am NOT referring to milkmaids as cows!). These maids would spend the day carrying pails of milk on yolks, and sometimes driving the cows themselves through the streets to be milked at your door. This option was to bring the milk in from the surrounding countryside, although the milk lost its warmth on the way into town, whereas on-the-spot milking ensured its warmth and freshness.
As a result of these “new” practices, cows became town animals kept in town dairies. Oftentimes the result equaled poor-tasting and poor-quality milk. This was the result of an improper diet; the feed given to town cows often consisted of bean shells, cabbage leaves and brewers’ grain, as opposed to the preferred natural pasture grass of the countryside. Moreover, the “town milk” was of poor quality due to the processing before it was sold. Usually diluted with water, it was skimmed of all cream before it made its way into any market. It was also guaranteed to be contaminated with whatever found its way into the pails as it was carried through the busy English streets. Thus, the safest, best quality milk came straight from the country-bred cow, and this was what was desired, not only to be enjoyed as a glass of milk, but also for the dairying processes to turn the drink into proper fare.
~ Written by Mary Barbagallo, Intern
Further Reading:
Food and Drink in Britain – C. Anne Wilson, the Anchor Press Ltd., 1973, Great Britain
Food in Early Modern England – Phases, Fads, Fashions 1500-1760 – Joan Thirsk, Continuum Books, 2007, New York, NY
Popular from 1600 to 1650, the Lantern Clock that is located in the Governor’s Parlor of the Manor House is just one example of many that were produced during that period of time. The design, English in origin, is characteristically known for its square, lantern shape, single hand face and ornate engravings. Lantern clocks were hung on the wall and were broader than the Gothic wall clocks that were previously popular.
Almost entirely constructed from brass and driven by weights, Lantern clocks were modern for their time and fulfilled all the important requirements of a clock, such as keeping a time standard, having a driving force, and having a counting and indicating system.
The lantern clocks would later be replaced by the Longcase Clock (seen right and below), which became popular in the 18th Century. This later design
would show off a woodworker’s skills by encasing the mechanical functions with intricately-designed panels.
About a month has passed since our 17th-Century Fashion Show, and we had such an amazing time! A HUGE thank-you goes out to our lovely volunteer models (L-R) Mike Thomforde, Maggie Brosz, Joe Long, Valerie Long, Steve Ringel, Melissa Dill, Ron Matlack, and Judith Kirby. Don’t they look great??
I finally have some time to begin sharing what was discussed during the program. We covered so much about the evolution of clothes in the 17th century, but what I want to highlight most is the diversity in society. I previously posted a teaser of these various styles, and it’s an important step in the evolution of our living history programs. Fashions changed not just for the aristocracy, but all the lower classes as well. A colorful range of people would have lived and worked in colonial Pennsylvania, and we strongly believe all those people should be represented at Pennsbury Manor. This includes showing the variations in their wardrobe!
So today we begin with the lower class of residents at Pennsbury: the Laborers. Whether you were plowing the field, tending the kitchen garden, or churning butter in the dairy, your clothes needed to be practical. Below you see Mike and Maggie modeling appropriate ensembles. Compare them with the 17th-century drawings by Marcellus Laroon, which depict the poor street cryers in late 17th-century London.
Outdoor laborers would have needed to dress for the weather and conditions required of their jobs. While they might have a better set of clothes for Sundays or special occasions, out in the fields their attire had to be sturdy and comfortable. Mike is modeling a shirt, coat, and breeches which are all linen and obviously too big to be made for him specifically. He could have received hand-me-downs or bought clothes secondhand from a street cryer or ready-made from a store. His monmouth cap was a universal style worn by land laborers and sailors alike for centuries. If performing a dirtier job, he would don an apron like the one seen below on the vinegar-seller.
Just like Mike, Maggie is dressed to tackle the hard jobs all laboring women would face depending on the season. She might spend her days washing clothes, tending the Kitchen Garden and animals, brewing beer, or preparing meals at the hearth. The older style of short gown, rather than the more recent mantua style (seen in a previous post), would have been safer for working around fires and less cumbersome when laboring in the garden or stable. Her apron is made of a spare piece of rough linen and kerchief tucked into her bodice and out of the way. The only sign of fashion is the striped linen petticoat.
**You might be wondering why our models don’t have any shoes on in these pictures? That’s because we haven’t been able to afford any. We are fundraising to purchase reproduction shoes, because an interpreter in sneakers ruins the whole atmosphere created by historical dress, am I right? To help out, you can visit our official website www.pennsburymanor.org and click the “Donate Now” button at the bottom.**
Although the Penn family did not reside at Pennsbury in the dead of winter, the estate was certainly not dead; the staff worked to ensure the smooth running of Penn’s summer home in all seasons. Colonial gardeners were no exception, cultivating techniques to battle the cold and prepare for spring. As colonials tired of pickled and salted foods during the winter months, they longed for fresh produce. The hot bed, an important part of the colonial kitchen garden, allowed colonists to begin growing vegetables before spring thawed the ground.
16th-century engraving of a gardener working on his raised garden beds (“The Gardener’s Labyrinth,” Thomas Hill). Raised bed allowed gardeners to adjust the composition of the soil, adding or lessening acidity depending on the plant being cultivated. Hot beds were a variation on the standard raised bed frame.
In Pennsbury’s garden, the hotbed is located opposite the riverside next to the cold frames. A brick and wood structure, the hotbed protects seedlings from the bitter cold and provides the perfect environment for out-of-season growth. Colonial gardeners would have layered soil over fresh manure from the barn to create the heat source. Once the manure cooled to about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, the bed was ready for seeds. Straw placed on top provided additional protection from the elements. If prepared properly, the hotbed could retain its heat for several weeks.
Although its main purpose was to jumpstart vegetables in the cold weather, colonial gardeners would have used the hotbed year round to grow a variety of plants. We still use the hotbed for this purpose at Pennsbury (see below). For example, last summer, the gardeners used the hotbed to provide a space for growing flax. The hotbed gave us the perfect place to monitor the young flax plants and ensure they would be mature enough for the fall harvest.
A hotbed at Pennsbury Manor, 2011
Colonists were not able to simply walk into the supermarket and pick up fruits and vegetables during the winter like we can, but they were not completely helpless. They wasted no resources, and that includes time. While they could not beat Mother Nature’s icy grip on their gardens, they could manipulate the temperature of their own growing environment, the hotbed.
**Come to Pennsbury Manor’s Gardening Sunday on May 27 and see what’s starting to sprout in the Kitchen Garden!**
This post was written by Steve Samuel, a new volunteer interpreter in the Pennsbury Manor Joyner’s Shop! He thought many people, like himself, wouldn’t know the difference between a Joyner and all the other woodworking trades, so he did some research…
THE WOODWORKING TRADES
Figure depicted in "The Joiner II," Denis Diderot, 1751
During Manor tours, it is not unusual for visitors as well as the occasional tour guide to stand in front of the Joyner’s Shop, and refer to the joyners as “carpenters”. Historically, however, professional joyners distinguished themselves from carpenters as matters of both business and pride.
Dating to the mid-1400s, furniture making was overseen by the Guild of Master Carpenters, who subcontracted work to joyners, inlayers, turners, etc. These specialists began forming their own companies (guilds) in the 16th and 17th centuries. Each specified its distinct form of woodworking to make sure that others were not infringing on their trades. They defined who could practice the trade, and who could not, not unlike our present-day labor unions. In 1563, the Great Statute of Artificers established that the apprenticeship for a joyner would be 7 years. The Faculty of Joyners and Ceilers or Carvers of London” received its charter in 1570. Members were expected to adhere to regulations and quality standards, and could be fined for substandard work.
The Joiner I, Denis Diderot, 1751
In general, carpenters were mainly responsible for structural work. They also made nailed, or “boarded” furniture. They tended to work on-site. Joyners, in contrast, joined pieces of wood together, using the mortise and tenon joint as the basis for construction of furniture, wainscoting and other fixed woodwork and paneling. Much of the joyner’s work was performed in his shop, alone or with 1-2 apprentices. In England and the early American colonies, the joyners were the true craftsmen of household furniture.
Come by Pennsbury Manor next Sunday, May 6 from 1:00-4:00 to see our Joyners working in their shop. Blacksmithing and Sheep-Shearing will also be happening around the site.
For Further Reading:
Chinnery, Victor Oak Furniture, The British Tradition (1979)
Fitzgerald, Oscar Four Centuries of American Furniture (1995)
Humphrey, Nick Furniture and woodwork in Tudor England: native practices, methods, materials and context Furniture, Textiles and Fashion Department, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
I really don’t like to milk cows. I can’t stand to churn butter. I know this is a shocking admission from a so-called history geek, but it’s true. So each spring I breathe a grateful sigh of relief that I can buy my milk and butter in containers at the grocery store!
I wonder how the milk-maids of Pennsbury Manor felt about these chores in the 1680s. We don’t know their names, but we know they were here and that they were making butter: in 1684, William Penn suggested that James Harrison’s wife, Ann, supervise the maids in the dairy; the 1687 inventory includes churns and other butter-making equipment as well as 6 cows; there is strong evidence that a cow pen existed near the stable. We also know, given the exhausting nature of their work, that dairy maids had to be strong and sturdy to pump away at that churn!
"The Merry Milk Maid," Marcellus Laroon, late 17th-century.
Dairy products were an important part of the diet of people in Penn’s time with butter in particular being used liberally in many recipes. Butter was also preserved in crocks for later use, and even used as a preservative itself as it could create an airtight seal on crocks. And of course it could be sold at market, usually by the women who made the butter. Although buttermilk (the liquid resulting from butter production) could be turned into curds and whey for the household, “the best use of buttermilk for the able housewife is charitably to bestow it on the poor neighbours, whose wants do daily cry out for sustenance.” (Gervase Markham, The English Housewife, 1615) Who wouldn’t want to do this after being promised that “she shall find the profit thereof in a divine place?” Heaven for buttermilk? What a deal!
May was the peak of butter production. Housewives were advised to breed their cows to calve between March and April when the grass is nearly or at its richest. The resulting milk made the best butter. Later on in the year as the grass passed its prime (July), butter production was replaced by cheese-making – another lucrative product for households.
engraved frontispiece of "Dictionarium Domesticum," Nathan Bailey, 1736
By 1701, the dairying equipment had disappeared from the inventory of Pennsbury Manor. William Penn’s account books have numerous entries for purchases of butter from local young women. Was butter not produced at Pennsbury any longer? Or did the demands of the Penn family and guests exceed production on the site? I am inclined to believe the latter as Penn still desired a dairy and a milk house. Making butter was an integral chore of an estate; it would be highly unlikely that there was no dairying at all taking place.
Pennsbury will have a milking cow demonstration on April 29, and a dairying demonstration on June 17. Both programs will take place between 1:00-4:00. Don’t look for me to be milking or churning!
By Mary Ellyn Kunz, Museum Educator and Former Milkmaid
In less than 3 weeks, we will have a very exciting event for all members of The Pennsbury Society: a 17th-Century Fashion Show!
One of the benefits of membership in The Pennsbury Society is access to exclusive programs here at Pennsbury Manor. On Sunday, April 22nd at 2:00pm, our second program of 2012 will take a look at 17th-Century Fashions in England and the Colonies. Staff member and residential costume historian, Hannah Howard, will be sharing all her knowledge on the styles of William Penn’s time, including original artifacts, paintings, and drawings of the era. The program will finish with a Fashion Show of Pennsbury’s clothing collection and discussion of how fashion changed depending on someone’s role in society, with outfits modeled by our very own volunteers!
Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Pennsbury Manor is a state historic site, but we owe a lot of our program funding to our not-for profit support group, The Pennsbury Society. The funds they raise go to support our educational and specialty programs, including our wonderful Period Clothing Collection! If you haven’t yet become a member of the Pennsbury Society, consider joining and taking advantage of our unique events and opportunities. For more information, please stop by the Visitor Center or see our website: https://www.pennsburymanor.org/support/membership-opportunities/
I wanted to share an article I just read on another popular blog site called Two Nerdy History Girls. Every so often, they post something related to late 17th-century culture. Their most recent article, More Fashions for the Gentlemen: 1700 vs. 1800, compares how men dressed and behaved fashionably in two different centuries.
The article, which you can visit at the link above, includes a wonderful engraving comparing men’s fashion trends in 1700 and 1800! In today’s culture, there is a widespread idea that fashion is inherently feminine, and that men generally do not want to follow or practice fashion (although this is completely untrue, as guys follow trends just as much as the ladies). This image illustrates several important fashion differences – the article discusses how their behavior, posture, attention to detail, and accessories change based on what was considered fashionable!
Click on the image to enlarge, and see if you can pick out what’s different! Feel free to share your observations in the comments. Thanks to the Two Nerdy History Girls and their interesting articles!
Last weekend, during our annual spring Interpreter training, I shared an amazing BBC mini-series on 17th-century farm life, and I wanted to make sure everyone else got to hear about it too!
(I’ve actually already shared it a couple of times on this blog, including a recent article about stuffing straw mattresses. But this is a tv series any history buff should not miss, so I couldn’t resist re-posting a link!!)
The series, called Tales From the Green Valley, follows 5 historians and archaeologists as they live on a real 17th-century Welsh farm and perform the daily activities required to survive. Unfortunately the series is not available on DVD in US-format, but luckily all 12 episodes are available onDaily Motion:*
These 12 episodes, one for every month of the year, offers a marvelous inside look at the daily lives of Stuart-era English farmers. They follow the agricultural year and show how much life was influenced by the seasons, in ways that modern society hardly notices anymore.
Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing more posts on seasonal activities, so stay tuned!
Hannah Howard, Volunteer Coordinator
*No copyright infringement intended, used for purely educational purposes
Back in May, we posted an article on the Joyner’s Trade. Now our intern Ray is exploring the blacksmithing tradition at Pennsbury and wants to share what he’s found!
1930’s, many artifacts such as nails, latches, and hinges were found (on view in our exhibit!). Items such as these would have been manufactured by Penn’s “smith,” along with various tools and even shoes for horses. Today at Pennsbury, we have a reconstructed blacksmith shop with tools that would have been used in this pre-industrial setting. Every first Sunday from April-October, volunteer interpreters recreate the atmosphere of fire and clanging metal in their blacksmithing demonstrations for visitors. 
