A Day in the Life of an
Irish Settler in Margaree
Years ago when the first Irish settlers came to
the Margaree's, times were very hard, quite different from today. The day
started very early since everyone owned a farm from which they obtained such
things as butter, milk, cheese, meat, eggs, wool and all their vegetables* The
first to get up usually was the father. He started the day by kindling a fire
in the huge wood stove or fireplace. Next he would bring in water from the
nearby well and put on a huge pot of coffee or tea. By this time the wife would
be up and would have begun to start the breakfast. Even though it might be as
early a five o'clock they could still eat a hardy breakfast. While the
breakfast was being made which might consist of hot cereal, eggs and bread or
pancakes, the father would go out and cut firewood and kindling with the boys
of the family.
After breakfast there was a great deal of work
for all the family to do. The men had to take care of the livestock and barn
work first of all while the women cleaned up after supper. After the milk was
brought in the women had to first separate it. This separated the cream from
the milk. Next the butter was churned into butter and cheese was also made. In
the spring of every year mother was at work with the making of wool* It had to
be carded, spun and made into yarn. With this she made clothing and blankets.
Mean while the men would be busy plowing and sowing the land. They cleared the
land and saved the timber to be brought to the lumber mill. In the summer there
was a great deal extra work. Hay and grain along with the regular vegetable
garden had to be harvested This was a very hard job because it had to be cut,
dried and stacked and brought in on horses. It usually had to cut and this
consumed unlimited time, Most days there was alot to be done such as repairing
fences, building barns or bridges or hoeing gardens Dinner and supper were both
big meals because the men worked up huge appetites. In the evening people sat
home and listened to father play an old violin and bedtime came very early.