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, March 28, 2010

Free Graphics!!


I just love this bunny! He is free! and there are more free gtreat graphics at http://bannerhaus.blogspot.com
While you are there follow the link to her Etsy shop she has great Vintage earrings!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Rush Lights


In the 1800's many people could not afford candles so burned what was known as rush lights- here is an article I found that tells more about them.

In small cottages there were people who could not afford any kind of candle. For them a cheap alternative was a rushlight made from a rush dipped in grease, or a burning splinter of wood. These were held pinched in a nip, also called nippers or a pair of nips, like pliers or tongs on a stand. (See photograph of a modern re-creation left. Older rushlights might be thinner.) Nips could be combined with a candle-holder for people who used both kinds of light, depending on their needs and budget at different times.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My G G Grandparents Wedding Picture ca. 1856

Benjamin Franklin Dow and Sarah Ellen Jones were married 11/25/1856.
I am thrilled to have this photo! ( click on the picture to enlarge it)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I Found another Relative of my 6th Great Grandmother

and I am doing the happy dance! I am waiting for him to send info on his line of the Robert Adams/ Mourning Lewis family. It is amazing to me that someone born so very long ago in the 1600's has so many descendents and I am so greatful for the ability to find them through the internet! If you have not done any geanealogy research you really should- it is wonderful to know who you really are!!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Connecting with my Ancestral Gandmothers!!


As many of you know I have done a lot of family history research. I have been lucky enough to find ancestors back to the early 1600's.

My grandmother's had to do many tasks necessary for survival- such as amking soap and making tallow candles. I have always wanted to try doing both but really was not excited about working with tallow so a few days ago I decided to make dipped candles using conventional wax.

They turned out just the way I wanted them to irregular and somewhat lumpy just like my realtives long ago would have used.

In fact I dipped al ot of them- you can purcahse them on my other blog

Wednesday, March 3, 2010


These vintage blue/green quart size mason jars with black prim lids are the perfect storage solution for your primitive or country home.


They can be used to store pasta, cereal, sugar, flour, or other food items.


They can be filled with cotton balls, qtips, soap balls, melting tarts or rosehips. The possibilites are endless!
10.00 set of three plus traveling fee
Order by email prairieprim@comcast.net

Monday, March 1, 2010

My Ancestors ca. 1888


I had to post the bottom picture again because my Aunt sent them to me as a set. The top photo was taken in 1888 ( click on the photo to enlarge)- 7 years after they emmigrated from Sweden. The young boy on the right is the man I knew as my grandfather- he was actually my great uncle- his brother( my real grandfather) passed away at the age of 32- 4 years later my grandmother married his brother- the young boy in the right of the photo. William is on the left on my great grandfather's lap- note the shoes he has on! Wish I had them today!!

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