The Olden Time Series: Vol. 2: The Days of the Spinning-Wheel in New England / Gleanings Chiefly from old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22405

Title

The Olden Time Series: Vol. 2: The Days of the Spinning-Wheel in New England / Gleanings Chiefly from old Newspapers of Boston and Salem, Massachusetts

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume collects quaint reminiscences and advertisements from 18th-century Boston and Salem newspapers. It explores the era's frugal economy, the popularity of spinning-wheel gatherings, and social customs, offering a humorous and instructive look at daily life before the Revolution.

Summary up to 500 words

Henry M. Brooks compiles a vivid historical portrait of New England life prior to the American Revolution in *The Days of the Spinning-Wheel in New England*. Gleaned chiefly from old newspapers of Boston and Salem, the text contrasts the frugality and industry of the past with the extravagance of the modern era. In the mid-18th century, spinning-wheels were ubiquitous household items, having replaced the piano as the central domestic instrument. The economy was characterized by scarcity; gold and silver were rare, and provisions like beef and fowl were significantly more expensive than today. The narrative highlights a society deeply concerned with thrift and moral character. This is exemplified by a letter from Timothy Pickering to King George III in 1769, where the writer urges economic reform, simplicity, and the reduction of public debt and luxury. The text also documents the cultural fascination with spiritual phenomena, noting advertisements for books describing the appearance of 'angels' in Medford and England. However, these spiritual accounts stand alongside the stark historical reality of slavery, evidenced by numerous advertisements for runaway enslaved people and notices for the sale of enslaved individuals, who were described by their labor skills and physical traits. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to 'spinning bees,' social gatherings where groups of young ladies assembled to spin yarn. These events were viewed as essential for cultivating beauty, health, and patriotism. Participants believed that industry was the source of all pleasure and that a virtuous woman, who worked with her hands, possessed a value far above rubies. The text further illustrates the community's commitment to economy through strict funeral regulations. Before the Revolution, towns like Boston and Salem enforced laws banning gloves, rings, wine, and new mourning clothes at funerals to prevent excessive expense. Brooks presents these gleanings to show how a society once valued traditional crafts and domestic industry against the encroachment of industrialization. While the spinning-wheel eventually gave way to power-looms and factories, Brooks notes a lingering regret for the loss of these domestic arts, which once kept daughters within the security of the paternal roof. Through these excerpts, the book offers an amusing yet instructive look at a world where simplicity was a virtue, and where the 'olden time' was remembered with a sense of lost enchantment.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Social Life and Customs