4 RURAL SOCIOLOGY 



3rd. I hcw'd timber, Abiier helpt me. I dug some 



potatoes. 



4th. I kiled my Bull. Abner helpt me. 

 5th. I and Ruthy went to meeting 1/2 went to Mr. 



Ilarkness's. 

 6th. I helpt my father 1/2 the day made cider at 



Capt. Hazen's. 1/2 dug Potatoes at the 



Pond. 



7th. I and Ruthy went to Lancaster. I went to 

 muster." 



A little later, after frost had set in, more animals were killed 

 cattle, sheep, and pigs and frozen. The creatures were hung 

 whole in the attic or in some convenient shed, and represented 

 the winter's supply. Apples were dried or turned into cider, 

 for few were kept in barrels for the winter's use, as we now 

 keep them. 



Most towns had cider mills in which the neighbors had rights. 

 The mills were usually stone-walled and sometimes were cut into 

 a hillside, like a cellar open in front. Inside was the great press, 

 which was worked by a horse going round and round, harnessed 

 to a great bar overhead. The size of the press is evidence of 

 the universal use of cider. 



There is one note which is dominant throughout the diary, and 

 that is one of mutual helpfulness. When haying time came, it 

 was not each man for himself, but all the men of a small neigh- 

 borhood worked together, and harvested the hay from each farm 

 until it was all well housed. Even then the harvest was slow 

 in comparison with what our modern machinery will accom- 

 plish. If any were in trouble, help was immediate and prac- 

 tical. If a man were sick and the burden fell on the 

 woman alone, the cattle were tended and the work done by the 

 neighbors. 



Throughout December Captain Parker sledded wood for him- 

 self and for others with his pair of oxen, and doubtless got some 

 of the ready money which all men like to have. One entry on 

 Christmas Day, less than ten years later, shows how much our 

 forefathers lacked appreciation of the joys of a holiday. Cap- 

 tain James writes: 



