Anonymous

“ The disappointed who have not sufficient fortitude, sink down in despair, having spent their little all to get here, and betake themselves to trifling in idleness and other bad practices. Many came here to get rid of so much hard work and pursue their determination so that they do no work, or very little and thus between the weak and the wicked we may easily convince how a nation of drunkards may be formed, and happy if no worse from such materials. ”

“ But one fact more I will venture to assert—that the same work will produce the means of subsistence for more people here then in New England, of which the following is a proof:—I hired men to till about five acres of land in corn, the whole expense of plowing, planting, hoeing, harvesting and board, did not exceed $15, and I had considerably more than 200 bushels, which were worth at the lowest calculations $50 when it was dry and cribbed, or $40 at the heap. ”

“ In almost every house there was a store of cider, brandy, rum or whiskey, but the men seldom overindulged except at weddings and funerals. It was not uncommon at such affairs for an argument to ensue and end in a fist fight.
Schools followed the establishment of churches in the township. The school building was a log cabin with a fireplace at one end, and it often was erected in a single day. ”

“ In the work of reconstruction, all of the stone used is the original stone except the floor, which formerly was of wood. The ceiling beams, attic flooring, rafters and most of the shingle laths are originals. The remaining woodwork which was in bad condition has been replaced but the original details of design and construction have been carefully reproduced.
The fireplace chimneys are a part of the end walls. This style of architecture shows the Moravian influence, the Moravians being a religious sect who came to Ohio mostly from North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. ”

“ The biggest social events of the day were the weddings. Often they occurred at noon, to be followed by an afternoon of merry-making, a big supper for the whole wedding party, and a dance in the evening. The most popular dances were jigs, four-handed reels, double shuffles, and scamper-downs.
The parents often helped their children start married life by giving them a cow, ewe, or sow, a saddle, spinning wheel, kitchen utensils, or a feather bed.
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A bride with an embroidered muslin gown for the wedding was considered fortunate, indeed. ”

“ To imagine that wilderness civilization—without telephones, electricity, bathrooms, furnaces, automobiles, trains, airplanes, radio, and television—is difficult. But it is even more difficult to comprehend that these improvements date back only a few short years to the lifetimes of our own grandparents. ”

“ A man might for one days work in the fall, get two bushels of corn, and often more, or one of wheat, or from 5 to 10 & 15 pounds or more of bacon or other wholesome meat, and a little work will feed a family at that rate. ”

“ It had been used as a bedroom, and imagination can conjure the image of a small, wide-eyed boy lying on a pallet of rustling corn husks, listening to the wind rattle the shingles and dodging an occasional drop of rain which seeped through. Perhaps it wasn’t always 4 imagination when he heard the howl of wolves or the yell of a passing Indian. A portion of the attic floor has been cut away so visitors may see the original rafters and shingle strips.
Fireplace
About the time the Pioneer Home was built, carpenter work was relatively expensive. ”

“ Because of the high prices of coffee and tea, many housewives served “flour chocolate,” a beverage made from corn, wheat and rye, or tea made from spices, sassafras or sage. The housewife had to pulverize her own spices, powder the salt, roast and grind the coffee, and make her own yeast and soap.
Although some of the non-essentials were high in price, no one lacked for food. Nearly every household had at least one cow, some chickens, and some pigs. In 1810, records show that beef could be bought for 3c a pound and pork for 31⁄2c. Chickens were worth 75c a dozen and potatoes 25c a bushel. ”

“ But amid the physical changes, one thing has not changed: the spirit that conquered the wilderness. Thanks to that spirit, even greater advancements, no doubt, are ahead.
And through those years to come, the Pioneer Home in Carillon Park will remain as a symbol of hardships overcome, of progress through work, of the strength of character that has built our America.
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The Ohio Watchman. ”

“ It was in this environment that babies were born and grew to healthy adulthood, although they entered this world without benefit of sanitary facilities and hospitals, and often even without the presence of a doctor or midwife. ”

“ They intend constantly to keep on hand a general assortment of
SADDLES, SADDLE-BAGS, BRIDLES, HARNESS, &c. &c.
of the newest fashions and made in the most neat and durable manner; all of which will be sold low for cash, or country produce, delivered at their shop at the market price.
Those who may be pleased to favor them with their custom, may depend upon their attending to their directions and orders with pleasure and promptitude.
Dayton, Nov. ”

“ He located three and a half miles northwest of the site of Centerville on a stream which he named Silver Creek. Because of his prominence in the community, the stream became 7 known as Hole’s Creek, and so it is named today. Dr. Hole erected a log cabin with a clapboard roof and a “cat and clay chimney,” made of sticks and clay. He later put up two sawmills. Being the only doctor in that part of the Valley, Dr. Hole served patients ten and twelve miles away.
Washington Township was organized in 1803, the same year Ohio became a state and two years before Dayton was incorporated. ”

“ For breakfast the man of the house might find on his table ham, eggs, corn pone and fried potatoes, in addition to the standard dish, mush and milk. For a variation, or if meats were not handy, hominy and mush might be cooked in sweetened water with bear oil or grease from fried meat added. ”

“ It was originally located in Washington Township about five miles southwest of Centerville on Social Row Road, about halfway between Sheehan Road and Yankee Street. In the spring of 1953 it was torn down and moved to Carillon Park, where it was rebuilt, using the original stones and timbers. ”