Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines

Daily life of our ancestors
by
                  Dolorès Robillard Benoit

En français

Daily life of our ancestors

It is because of their resourcefulness that our ancestors were successful in surviving in a land that was at times hostile, and thanks to the constant efforts, to the endless energy, to their love of life and to their funloving spirit that they have been able to brave the rough winter climates on Québecois soil.

If one reflects on the purely material implements and the meager resources, our ancestors were able to accomplish a necessary ease in their daily pace of living. We should be astonished at these people who have had no pretentions nor instruction, to brave the rigors of their welcome land to afford a comfort which we would judge today as very rudimentary.

Let us take a look at some of their inventions:

The shed or the hangar:
This building built not too distant if not attached to the house, was used to store dry wood for heating during the winter and furniture not longer needed, harnesses to be repaired, worn-out tools. These items were kept with the hope that someday one or another would prouve to be useful.

This building was the uncontested prefered place of children where they hoped to find interesting old-fashioned stuff in old trunks. Today, these old trunks would really give joy to antique dealers and collectors of antiques.

The summer kitchen:
There awas another building called "summer kitchen". The difference between this one and the hangar was that this one lived up to its name as being used only in the summer. The mistress of the home arranged this room to be a welcoming one since it was used for all the household meals. This room was decorated like the house; there were large windows against which were hung beautiful plants. Judged according to today's standards, this room was an addition to the house. If there were a large group of invited guests, the adults gathered in the house kitchen while the children could amuse themselves in the "summer kitchen". Closed during the cold season, because there was no heat, this room was opened only when the warm rays of the springtime sun.

The well:
Now, one of the vital tools of our ancestors: the well. At the beginning, the well was dug more or less within the immediate vicinity of the house because this was to serve later on as the main well. Most wells were built along the coping or rim of the well with a raised frame built of wood or stone. The well was covered at times completely with a heavy wooden cover in order to protect the children as well as to keep the well clean.

Water was taken from the well by a bucket attached to a rope which was lowered to the water and then raised by hand. The more ingenious wasy of raising the water was to attach a long pole which served as a lever and made it easier to raise up the backet filled with water.

These wells also served on many occasions for the preservation of certain foods, such as milk, butter, cream other foods which needed to be kept fresh for eating.

The baking oven:
Constructed of stones from the fields, the bread or baking over was square, with a two sided pitched roof which was covered with sheet metal or pieces of wood in order to protect the stones placed more or less solidely one on top of each other. There were two openings one on top of the other; the dough to be baked was placed in the top opening while the bottom served as the fire pit in which logs were placed to cook the dough into bread.

Since the baking oven needed an intense heat, it was never built too close to the house. This manner of baking produced an excellent product. It was a royal treat to spread, on this thick slice of bread, maple syrup, roasted lard or molasses.

The black cast-iron kettle:
Adding to the list of outside objects, the large black cast-iron pot was suspened permanently in the vicinity of the house and had a double use. First of all, the immense kettle was use to make the household soap. Then it was used to wash all the family clothing, in a rudimentary way.

The auction:
From time to time, there was an auction usually held on the doorstep of the church which attracted curious onlookers of the village at the end of the high mass. This auction was carried out by the auctioneer or towncrier from which the word "criée" was derived. Everything was for sale: furniture, tools and even animals. The auctioneer usually stood on a small platform in full sight of his audience and with a strong voice put up for bid all the things and animals for sale. It was not unusual to see someone returning from having attended mass, with a piglet in their wagon or with a armoire on the back seat of their buggy.

The Town Beggar:
Each village had its appointed . This person was always very welcomed in all homes he visited. He was offered shelter and food, and contrary to what one might think, his visit was always welcomed. He brought the latest news from the neighboring villages. The news might have been embellished but who would not allow this man to distract them and inform them of marriages, births and deaths that happened in the neighboring villages.

Refer to my article on the Town Crier of St-Aimé in the June 2003 issue of Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines. (NAL)

Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines
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Created 1 Feb 2003