Welcome To Pilgrims and Pioneers!

After many years of researching my family geneaology I have been lucky enough to discover actual information about my relatives that lived in the Pilgrim Era and the Pioneer Era- while many people also have realtives from those eras- many do not know their names or where they lived- actually seeing the proof in print makes you much more aware of who they really were.
After discovering these relatives it of course made me curious to learn more about the eras that they lived in and what their lives were like as, the history I learned in grade school had long since been forgotten.
I decided to start this blog for others who are also interested in these eras.
Some of the information here will be actual facts about my realtives and some will be information about the eras in general that I have found on the web.
I hope you will enjoy traveling back in time with me!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

The Quiltmakers


This counted cross stitch picture was done by my husband 17 years ago- time goes so fast!

It is all solid stitching( no blank open areas) and took awhile to do. I have a wood sign that says "quiltmaker" that goes underneath but my little Basset Hound Molly could reach it and kept taking it down to chew on!

The people in the picture are done in a folkart style- similar to Charles Wysoki.

I truly treasure this picture and made sure he initialed and dated it as it may become a family heirloom some day.

I am not the best photographer so the picture turned out a little crooked and the orange spot at the bottom is not on the stitching. I think it was a refelection when I took the photo.
Even though it is not the primitive style I have come to love I can not bear not to display it.
Note- clicking on the photo will enlarge it.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Christmas in September!


I know it's early but tonight I was going to pour some Applejack & Peel tarts and... accidently grabbed the wrong bottle of oil!

I now have 12 tarts in Christmas Splendor- a great scent- ornage,apple,cinnamon & clove.

I am selling these on my website at the reduced price of 1.50 per 3/pk of tarts.

get a jump on your Holiday scents!
Picture shows color of tarts.
Look for them in the Overstock section.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

My Other RAOK!


My Aunt is just too good to me. Last Fall she gave me this wonderful flannel pumpkin throw she made. I have kept it on my quilt rack but this year I decided to take it off the rack & use it.

The colors are darker than the appear in the picture.

It is definitely one of my treasures!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

This Is The Life!

This is spoiled little Miss Molly our Basset Hound snuggling down in to the quilts & comforters! If only all dogs could have it this good!

The Comforter- Sweet Memories


About 6 years ago my aunt gave me many precut 2"X6" rectangles of flannel fabric- not sure what I was going to do with them I finally decided to make a comforter for my mom. Not being talented enough to do difficult quilts I arranged them in a staggered row pattern. Once I had them sewn together my aunt added the batting & the backing and then hand tied it.
My mom was thrilled with her new comforter! It was sooo soft & warm!.
About 6 months later she fell & broke her hip. Her osteoporosis was so bad that her hip never comppletely healed and she was reluctant to walk due to the pain it caused.
Most days were spent on her couch under this comforter especially the last 8 months of her life.
After she died I brought the comforter home and now that the weather is cooler I have been using it on my bed- many times as I am going to bed I see a mental picture of her with this comforter- I hope it last a long time!

Monday, September 22, 2008

What a great RAOK!


My aunt is an avid quilter- while I am still thinking about making one she has two done!

For a few years now this quilt has been hanging in her spare bedroom. A few months ago she said if you want that quilt take it home with you, the colors are too dark for me. Now she already knew that I loved the colors in that quilt and that I love stars! So you know that I was thrilled!

Now I think I need to paint my bedroom to go with the quilt!

I love you Aunt Janice!

Wow! Is That Really Burl Ives?.....


No it's my husband!
If you are old enough to remember Burl Ives you will certainly see the resemblance.
Every where we go people are always saying" Did you know that you look like Burl Ives?"
Being a pretty quiet man he does not say much about it- not sure if he is flattered or not- but if I had to guess I would say he is!
BTW he would have a fit if he knew I put this on here!LOL

P & P Favorite Scent Contest Winner!

After supper rounded up hubby and had him draw out a name- and the winner is....... Rondell!
Congrats Rondell!
Thanks to all of you that entered! If you did not win this time stay tuned to the blog as there will be more giveaways to come this year. Also I do a once a month mailing list give away on my website so if you join the mailing list you could win that way also.
www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Old Railroad Lantern


When I brought this home from my mom's house I sat it on my pie safe. Only a few days ago did I read the writing on the base of the lantern.

It says No2 Cold Blast C. T. Ham Manufacturing Co. Rochester, NY

I decided to see if I could tell how old the lantern was. I have not yet discovered it actual age but did find out that C.T Ham sold it's lantern company in 1915 making this a lantern that could be close to 100 years old! I am excited!

Civil War Tools


These tools were on display at the re-enactment.
The three cylinders in the back row are cannon artillery. The shiny gold object near the center is a device used for measuring the diameter of the artillery to make sure it woild fit inside the cannon as all cannons were not the same size- it was also able to be opened up and extended to be a 12 inch ruler.

Civil War- Traveling Forge


This is another photo from the re-enactment. A traveling forge was used to shoe horses and repair wagons and artillery equipment for both the North and South.

An American Civil War era traveling forge contained 1200 pound of tools, coal and supplies. These tools and supplies included a bellows attached to a fireplace, a four-inch wide vise, 100 pound anvil, a box containing 250 pounds of coal, 200 pounds of horse shoes, four foot long bundled bars of iron, and on the limber was a box containing the smith's hand tools. [3] A battery wagon accompanied each traveling forge carrying additional blacksmith, wheelwright, and carriage repair supplies.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

A Sure Sign That life is Too Busy!

Today while I was at work my hubby spent the day running our errands and taking care of our two dogs- when I got off work we took our candles and homemade dog treats to our local Farmer's market. We came home and had supper and my husband called his sister as it was her birthday today. We then had to make a 35 mile round trip to pick up my son's girlfriend from work as she had gotten sick & did not have anyway home.
I sat down at my computer for a little me time and it dawned on me that there was another important day besides my sister-in-laws birthday- but I could not remember for sure what it was.
So I said to my hubby " is today our wedding anniversary? "
It got quiet for a moment and he said" I think it is but I am not sure."
We were both too tired to look for the marriage certificate to find out for sure so we are just going to say it is until we look it up tomorrow.
I think it is time to build that little cabin on the prairie and return to a slower, more simple way of life !

Civil War Re-enactment- period costumes




This was not a big Civil War re-enactment but there were a few period costumes. The one photo shows a woman and her son together. I talked to her and she said the basic dress is sewn by someone for her and that she then adds the ebellishments herself- this cuts down on the cost of the purchased dress- her son was dressed in wool trousers and shirt and it was very hot that day-but in the war that is the way it really was.


The other photos shows a woman in a blouse and prairie style skirt with a "snood" head covering.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Oh So Cute!


This little girl was at the Civil War re encatment with her mom & dad. Her Mom said she is 3 years old and that her grandma sews the clothes for them.

Don't you just love the little pantaloons?

I think she is very used to having her picture taken at these events as when she saw the camera she sat right up and started smiling!

Madder, Minerals ,& Indigo- more about early fabric dyeing

This a link to a very interesting article about dyeing cotton in the 18th & 19th century.
Enjoy!
http://www.fabrics.net/joan1002.asp

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Plain & Simple Stoneware Pitcher


This is another one of my Mom's things I brought home- my mama definitely was not someone that decorated in the Primitive style but I think this will fit into my plain & primitive decor!

A Priceless Gift!

A few days ago a fellow blogger gave me a gift that was priceless and I am so greatful!
Chrissy found some documents for Lodowic Underhill- my ggg grandmother Anne Dickerson's 3rd and last husband. Without Chrissy help I never would have found them!
Thank You Chrissy!
You can visit Chrissy blog at http://theprimitivecornishhovel.blogspot.com/

Old Oil Lamp


This lamp sat in my mother's house as long as I can remember in my adult life.

When she passed away I brought it home- complete with the soot in the chimney!

There was still a partial bottle of oil!

As the weather is now cooler and the nights longer I am going to fill this lamp and light it- in memory of mama.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

P & P Blog Contest!


I am so glad that Fall is here I am having a contest! Simply post a comment telling me what your favotire Fall candle/tart scent is and you will be entered to win a 3/pk of tarts in the scent Cloves- a really great Fall homey type scent!

Winner will be drawn on September on Monday September 22nd at 7:00 pm.

Make sure you post your email address or your blogsite address so I can notify the winner.
For a chance to win a 3/pk of Applejack & Peel tarts join our mailing list on our website!

Good Luck!!

Recipe for Hardtack

In the Civil War the main staple in the soldier's diet was hardtack- it was usually made small enough to fit in the soldier's pocket.
I have found a recipe for hardtack that is used by Civil War reenactment participants.
I have not had time to try it yet but if you would like to try your hand at it here is the recipe:
4 cups flour
2 cups water
4 teaspoons salt
Combine water, with the 4 cups of flour and 4 teaspoons of salt. Gradually adding the water will keep the mixture from becoming too sticky. Knead thoroughly. It should feel elastic-like when complete. If too sticky, add more flour.
Flour a surface for rolling out the mixture. Roll out into a rectangular shape until roughly 1/2 inch in thickness.
Cut the hardtack dough into squares. A pizza cutter works well for this. Hardtack came in various sizes, depending on the company that manufactured it, but it typically was small enough to fit into one's pockets.
Take a fork and make holes in the dough, creating a look similar to today's saltines. Flip each hardtack over and make holes on the other side as well.
Put the dough on a cookie sheet. Do not grease the cookie sheet. Bake the hardtack for 30 minutes, flip and cook for another half an hour.
I am sure that either white or whole wheat flour will work equally as well.
It does not sound like you can make a mistake with these!
P. S. With any luck I will have some pics from the Civil War re-enactment posted on the blog with in the next few days!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Our Sweet Annie is Ready!


Our Sweet Annie is setting seed and is ready to ship! For ordering details visit our website

Pumpkin Cornbread Recipe

After getting this in our newest candle scent I was curious about actually trying to make some of this.
I found a recipe on line- I have not tried this yet but it sounds good!
Pumpkin Cornbread

1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup canned pure pumpkin
1 1/2 cups milk

Sift dry ingredients.

Beat the egg.

Stir egg, oil, pumpkin and milk into dry ingredients quickly, leaving a few lumps.

Pour into a greased 8-inch square pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Cut into squares.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Our Newest Fall Scents- Pumpkin Cornbread & Southern Pecan Pie!!


MMM- MMM- MMMM! We have just added two new yummy ( and I do mean yummy!) to our fall scent lineup! Southern Pecan Pie- a wonderful cinnamon and pecan blend- you will think that Aunt Mabel is baking one of her famous Southern treats!

Pumpkin Cornbread- this is such a wonderful Fall scent! Truly my new favorite- let the rich scent of spiced pumpkin and sweet cornbread fill your home much as it did in the Pilgrims & Pioneer days. It will take you back to a time when the prairie women baked this treat in their fireplaces and the smell would engulf their cabin's keeping room!
Oue best seller continues to be Applejack & Peel! First introduced by Clare Burke as a simmering potpourri at upscale department store back in the 1980's. Our version is an exact duplicate of this scent and the rich warmth & coziness of apples, oranges, cinnamnon & cloves makes it my customer's favorite year after year.

http://www.brandyannescandlesandprims.com/

Johnny Appleseed- Myth or Legend

Many of us have heard of Johnny Appleseed many times as we were growing up. I know that I did. A few days back I decided to research and see if Johnny Appleseed was a real person.
Before I could do this I found an article in our local paper tonight which does prove that indeed Johnny Appleseed was a real person.
Here is his story:
Johnny Appleseed in real life was one John Chapman, born on September 26,1774 near Leominster, Massachusetts. Little is known of his early life, but he apparently received a good education which helped him in his later years. By the time he was 25 years old, he had become a nursery man and had planted apple trees in the western portions of New York and Pennsylvania. Some of the orchards in those areas were said to have originated with his apple trees.
When the rich and fertile lands lying south of the Great Lakes and west of the Ohio river were opened for settlement in the early 1800's, John Chapman was among the very first to explore the new territory. This was the Northwest Territory from which the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois were later formed. For nearly half a century Johnny Appleseed roamed his territory. When settlers arrived, they found John Chapman's young apple trees ready for sale. In the years that followed, he became known as the Apple Tree Man, or Johnny Appleseed.
His manner of operation was simple. He went into the wildreness with a bag of apple seeds on his back until he found a likely spot for planting. There he would clear the land by chopping out weeds and brush by hand. Then he planted his apple seeds in neat rows and built a brush fence around the area to keep out straying animals. His nurseries varied in size. Some were only an acre or so, others covered many acres.
He did all of the work himself, living alone for weeks at a time with only the Indians and wild animals for companionship. He never carried a gun or weapon of any kind. He was a deeply religious man who lived by the Golden Rule and had no fear of man or beast. Indians accepted him as a friend, and he is reputed to have talked at times to the wild animals who watched him as he worked in his nurseries. Undoubtedly, they sensed his kind and gentle nature. Once, it is reported, he was caught in a snow storm and crept into a hollow fallen tree for shelter. He found it occupied by a hibernating bear and her cubs, but spent the night there nonetheless. There is no report, however, of how much space he kept between them and himself.
John Chapman was a practical businessman as well as a sincere Christian. Somewhere, somehow, he had caught a vision of the wilderness blossoming with apple trees, orchard after orchard of carefully nurtured trees, whose fragrant blossoms gave promise of a fruitful harvest for the settlers. Willingly he endured the hardships of his wilderness life as he worked to make his dream come true. His sturdy young trees lightened the hearts and lifted the spirits of many settlers, for there is a suggestion of a permanent and loving home when one plants fruit trees around a cabin.
He sold his trees for a few pennies each, accepting any of the coins current on the frontier. Some had no cash, and from those he accepted a simple promise to pay at a later date. Few failed to keep their word. He sometimes accepted payment in used clothing.
Like many of the settlers, he went barefooted a great deal because shoes were hard to come by and seldom fit his tough gnarled feet. As he ate no meat, he he carried a stewpot or kettle with him. In this he could gather nuts or berries in season, carry water, get milk from a settler's cow, boil potatoes, or drop a handful of coarse-ground meal into the boiling water to make an unpalatable but nourishing meal. He has been pictured wearing such a pot on his head, but more likely he kept it tied to his pack rather than let it bounce on his head.



He preferred to walk, carrying his precious apple seeds and the simplest of camping gear on his back. He also used a boat, canoe, or raft to transfer larger loads of seeds along the many waterways. Customarily, he obtained his apple seeds every fall. At first, he went back to the cider presses in western Pennsylvania where he selected good seeds from the discarded apple pressings. He washed the seeds carefully and packed them in bags for planting the following spring. In later years, as cider presses were located in the new territory, he gathered his seeds closer to home.
There is no way to estimate how many millions of seeds he planted in the hundreds of nurseries he created in the territory lying south of the Great Lakes and between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This was his service to mankind.
John Chapman never married, but he loved people and especially children. As the settlers moved into the wilderness, his lonely nights were fewer because he was a welcomed guest at every cabin. Many a night after the simple meal, he would hold them all enthralled with his stories or read to them from the Bible or from some of the religious material he carried.

It was with such friends that he spent his last night. He had been living near Fort Wayne, Indiana, when word came one March day that cattle had broken through the brush fence around one of his nurseries some twenty miles away. Although it was a raw spring day, he set forth immediately to repair the damage. On his return trip he was stricken with a disease known as the winter plague. He found shelter with friendly settlers but failed to survive the attack. A newspaper account gives the date as March 18, 1845, but other dates have been given. Such confusion is not at all surprising when one remembers that this kind and gentle man was known by the name of Johnny Appleseed to almost everyone, and only a few knew that his true name was John Chapman. Many of his young seedlings may have crossed the plains in covered wagons to produce their bountiful fruit in the western states. Certainly, his fame did, for the name of Johnny Appleseed is known throughout all of the United States and elsewhere in much of the world. People continue to improve their environment in Johnny Appleseed's manner whenever they plant a new seedling!
The last known apple tree to still be alive is on a farm in Nova, Ohio owned by the Algeo family. Though it is cracked and splintered and held together by chains this tree is now 170 years old and still produces a good crop of apples each Fall.
Thank You John Chapman for such a wonderful gift to society!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Marriage Records Of Edward Bump & Maraih Benson

I have been lucky enough to find the marriage records for my great grandparents on line.
The book that contains these records is at Wareham , Massachusetts. There are two entries- one that contains the date they filed their intent to marry and the other the date they actually married and who married them- what a find! I am ecstatic!
1:270 Bump, Edward Wareham Benson, Maria Middleborough m. 24-Nov 1748 Israel Fearing Esq.1:272
Bump, Edward Wareham Benson, Meriah Middleborough int. 09-Apr 1748
Note the differences in the spelling of her name- I have seen it spelled Mariah on more than one document- so I am assuming that the correct way is Mariah. Such a pretty name- if onlyI could travel time back in time to meet them!

Monday, September 1, 2008

I have gotten an Award



I have been given this award from Patty at http://tailsfromthedogpatch.blogspot.com/
Patty is a wonderfully talented artist- if you have not seen her wonderful creations you MUST do so.
While there read about her efforts to save some of our unfortunate four legged friends!
I am passing this award to:
If you receive this award you need to post a link to the blog that gave it to you, then pass it on to 7 other blogs and notify the blog owners that they have it.
The blogs I have awarded really have some great things to see & read so make sure you visit them!

Prairie Wild Morning Glory

Prairie  Wild Morning Glory

Prairie Phlox

Prairie Phlox

Prairie Sundrops

Prairie Sundrops

The Famous Rock!

The Famous Rock!
Plymouth Rock dated 1620

Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation
The Village

Plimoth Plantation

Plimoth Plantation
A Keeping Room