Early Settlers of the Shawangunk Region
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Sheep were a necessity, as their wool was the chief reliance of the settlers for winter clothing; but it was impossible to keep them unless they were put into a safe enclosure every night. A single wolf would destroy a whole flock in a few minutes, its instinct leading it to rush from one victim to another, giving each a snap in the throat, which was always fatal.
The bedsteads were made in the most primitive way, with but a single post-let all who believe that four posts are essential take notice-holes bored into the logs of the apartment serving the purpose of the missing legs. A bit of clapboard, riven from the red oak, supported on wooden pins driven into the wall, contained the pewter dishes and spoons. The spinning wheel was an essential adjunct to the family outfit, while a few chairs, some pots and kettles, and an eight-by-ten looking glass completed the furniture.
A majority of the inhabitants of this period were of upright characters, bold, energetic, and generous-hearted. Although subject to privations, their lot in life, as a whole, was not an unhappy one. Said one of them: “When I look back upon the first few years of our residence in the wilderness, I am led to exclaim, Oh, happy days of primitive simplicity! What little aristocratic feeling one brought with him was soon quelled, for we soon found ourselves equally dependent on one another; and we enjoyed our winter evenings around our blazing hearths in our log huts cracking nuts much better than has fallen to our lots since the distinctions and animosities consequent upon the accumulation of wealth have crept in among us.” The following is said to have been an actual occurrence:
In one of the back-woods settlements a visit was arranged by some of the ladies, by way of paying their respects to a neighboring family who lived a little out of the way. The lady of the house was very much pleased to see them, and soon commenced preparing the usual treat on such state occasions-a cup of tea and accompaniments. As the good woman had but one fire-proof vessel in the house-an old broken bake-kettle-some time would be consumed in the preparation of the repast. In the first place, some pork was tried up in the kettle to get lard; secondly, some doughnuts were made and fried in it; thirdly, some short cakes were baked in it; fourthly, it was used as a bucket to draw water; fifthly, the water was boiled in it; and sixthly the tea was put into it, and an excellent beverage made. Thus with the old cracked bake-kettle a delicious meal was prepared, and a very agreeable "social tea" was the result.
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