COUNTRY LIFE IN NEW ENGLAND 7 



much, as it gave an enlightening touch to the question which to 

 all housekeepers is a most vivid one the food problem. 



In 1823, Hezekiah Patterson, who lived in the eastern part 

 of Shirley, being old and tired of the responsibility of farming, 

 sold his forty-eight acres of land and his house to Thomas 

 Hazen Clark, in exchange for the support of himself and his 

 wife, Jane, for the rest of their lives. They reserved room 

 enough for their horse and its hay in the barn, and room enough 

 in the house for themselves, and then gave an itemized account 

 of what they called " support" for one year. 



"6 bushels of rye 



6 bushels of indian Corn 



1 bbl. white flour 

 200 Ibs. Shoat pork 

 100 Ibs. beef. 



1/2 quintal of Cod-fish 

 60 Ibs. of butter 

 60 Ibs. of cheese 



2 Ibs. of SouChong tea 

 2 Ibs. chocolate 



1 Ib. Coffee 



5 Ibs. loaf sugar 



30 Ibs. of brown sugar 



10 gals. New England Rum 



1 gal. West Indian Rum 



6 gal. Molasses 



2 bushels of Salt 



1/2 bushel of white beans 



15 bushels potatoes 



1/2 of all the cider and enough wood for the fire." 



This yearly menu hardly suggests variety, but it was at least 

 sweet and substantial. 



While the men worked in the fields and tended the cattle, the 

 women had their many duties, too. Their energies were de- 

 manded for so many things that a housekeeper in those days 

 need be an expert along many linos. Men in those days ate 

 simple things, and simple cooking, like very simple clothes, must 



