Articles and Products of History
Life in the 1700's for a farming family was nothing more than a test of stamina and patience mixed in with a whole lot of hope and faith. The days of the tractor and other modern farm machinery were merely over the horizon, but it was still an unlit spark in someone’s mind in the 18th century.
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Farmers made up 90% of the working population in America. The struggle of the early farmer was not unique to individual family’s. If someone was struck by drought, or pestilence, you can be assured that the whole community would be afflicted, as well. Neighbors could be found helping each other out in a pinch. This was the only way to make a profit. The days of barn raising, harvesting weekends, and preserving parties, were born. No one complained, or resented helping out a neighbor. One never knew when they would be on the list next in need of some neighbors help to bring in a crop, or get seed sown before the season turned.
The only power that was generated on these farms in the 18th century was by horse, or oxen. If a farmer had grown 50 acres of grain that was 50 acres of grain that would have to be cut down with a sickle by hand. Farming was not for the faint hearted, or the weak. It tested the character and strength of all of those who took their hand to it. The most common product raised on an early American farm were tobacco, rice, indigo, and grain. Meat products ranked up in the top, as well. The American farmer was known to have a strong dislike for large plantation owners who used slave labor on their land. These large plantation owners could run a small farmer out of business very quickly.
Thomas Jefferson’s invention of the wooden plow in the 1790's was first looked upon warily. Those that were superstitious thought the iron piece would contaminate the soil. However this plow, and the other farm machinery inventions that would soon follow, were welcomed by the farmer as they were seen to ease the burden of the working man.
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