The Dickinson Press

Housekeeping of Revolutionary Times.

Some years ago, in examining certain other matters, I was obliged to look up a number of marriages of the revolutionary period. Much was then expected from a woman at the head of a house. Not only was the country more sparsely settled, and the means of transportation wretched, but most of the modern conveniences for housekeeping had not then been invented. Canned meat and vegetables were, of course, unknown up to a very few years ago, and many things had to be done at home that are now done for us. There were no sewing machines; there were no ranges and no furnaces; there was no gas and no running water: the light was from home made candles, and the water was brought from well, spring or stream. Bakers were few, and butchers known only in the large cities. Cotton, linen and woolen goods were all much dearer than now, and much was made at home. Doctors were sent for only in grave cases, and a family medicine chest, together with a certain knowledge of drugs, were expected from all women at the head of establishments.

In the face of these difficulties, and of the far greater strain and responsibility that at once fell upon the bride's shoulders, I was surprised to find that the average age at which the girls were married was 15. The next most common ages were 14 and 16, many of the reigning belles and toasts being barely 13, the age that Shakespeare gives his passionate and loving Juliet. I think most of the 13 and 15-year-old girls of to-day, if put at the head of households, especially under such difficult circumstances, would sit down and cry for their mammas and some candy. Certainly the house management would be slightly erratic. E. J. Biddle in Globe-Democrat.