Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

498 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BAKN8TABLE FAMILIES.
every meal "spoon victuals" of some kind formed a part ot the re-
past. Beer, which was regularly brewed every week, was used as a
substitute for tea or coflfee, and by the workmen, in the place of
strong drink.
It was a saying of Goody Hallett, that "the girl who did not
know that the dish-water should be heating during meal-time, was
unfit to be married." Abigail was in her teens, and remembered
this saying. "When the dinner was finished the water was hot, and
the table was soon cleared, the dishes washed and put in their places
on the "trencher" or in the cup-board.
By three o'clock the tasks of the day were finished. Goody
Hallett had woven her five yards, Abigail had spun six skeins of
woolen yarn, and Dorcas four of flax. The wheels were put away,
the parlor swept and dusted, and clean sand was "lumped" on the
floor or the old "herren boned," an act in which the women of those
days displayed their good taste. The girls had a small looking-glass,
an article of luxury which few families in those days possessed, be-
fore which they arranged their toilet. The Hallett's were never extravagant
; but they always dressed neatly. The petticoat was the
principal article of dress, on which the most labor was expended.
It was made of cloth of domestic manufacture, sometimes colored,
of two thicknesses, and quilted throughout. On the lower border
and on the front, there was some ornamental needle work. Over
this a "loose gown" was worn. This was of also domestic manufacture,
sometimes white ; but usually checked or colored. It was
open in front, and did not extend so low as the under garment. The
sleeves extended about half way from the elbow to the wrist. They
had long knit gloves or "sleeves," which they wore when they went
out. The neck and breast were covered with a handkerchief ordina-.
rily ; on great occasions, with a bodice or a stomacher. White
worsted stockings and Indian moccasins completed the winter apparel.
This was the common dress of the woman. For the Sabbath
and great occasions, the wealthy had gayer and more costly
garments of foreign manufacture. These were carefully preserved,
and handed down from generation to generation. Dresses are yet
preserved in which mother, daughter and grand-daughter were successively
married. All had checked aprons which they wore when
employed in household duties, and often a clean nice starched one
was put on the afternoon and evening.
When they went out they had bonnets, and cloaks of thick cloth
with a hood or covering for the head attached. For many years a
bright red or scarlet was the fashionable color for these garments.
The common dresses of the men were short clothes or breeches,
a long vest, with lappets covering the hips, a round about coat or
jacket for every day, and for the Sabbath a long coat, cut a little
crossway, not "straight down" in front, with a standing collar. The
wealthy indulged large in silver buttons ; but for every day wear