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Most people today believe the early colonists lived in log cabins, but actually the Swedish settlers of Delaware introduced log cabins to the colonists. The early settlers at Jamestown and Plymouth constructed several different types of shelters, including one quite similar to an Indian wigwam. It consisted of saplings bent in a U-shape with both ends stuck in the ground and covered with thatch or bark. Other houses were built by using rugged logs split lengthways and set upright in the ground, then crammed with clay between them.
How a log cabin was built:
In the early years the settlers were quite simple, but there were so many things to do in order to establish the New World that houses were thrown up as quickly as possible. Better building structures came after the colonists overcame the early hardships and problems they encountered. The sound log cabins became popular, especially on the frontier and were built from uniform sturdy trees, doing away with the irregular shape of the logs. The logs were notched on the ends, making them interlock therefore a frame was not needed to support them. Several cut out holes were made for shooting at attackers. They would peep through the hole, insert their rifle and shoot. When done they put the log plug back inside the hole.
Many of the houses in Plymouth had frames made of heavy oak and their walls were either clapboards or broad planks. The roofs of the early houses were thatched in which they laid clumped grass, straw, or reeds on top. The thatched roof was popular in England because they had damp weather all year. But, because of the long dry summers the American thatched roofs would catch fire. Later the colonists had to do away with the thatched roof completely.
Inside the log cabin:
The early houses usually had one room, roughly fifteen by twenty feet in size. Most of them had a loft in the top with a small stepping ladder attached to the floor. Several children could sleep in the loft and often it was necessary to store supplies there. The main attraction of the log cabin home was the family area around the fireplace and hearthstone. The early colonial fireplaces were built much bigger than they are today. The fireplace was used for cooking and warmth and in the cold weather it was kept burning all day to warm up the cabin. They had to keep a constant check on their fire to make sure it did not go out because it was much harder to start a fire in colonial days than it is now. They did not have the luxury of matches or lighters that we have today.
The early colonial homes had few windows and they were quite small, sometimes covered with oiled paper, which kept out much of the needed sunlight. Because of this the early cabins were rather smoky and dark inside. By having few windows they could also keep their homes warmer by keeping out the wintry air. When night came they used candles whenever they had them. Sometimes they would have to stick a wick into a pot of grease and light it if candles were not available. The burning wicks and the grease pots gave off such a dreadful smell that sweet herbs were burned to kill the stench. It's no wonder the early colonist had such respiratory problems.
It is difficult for us to imagine today what is must have been like for the early settlers who would have an entire family living in one room for many years. The room would be cluttered with pots, pans, furniture, fireplace equipment, beds, clothing and usually a spinning wheel. But, they managed to fit everything in by hanging things either on the walls or from them, using the loft for storage and even hanging some things on the outside of the cabin. Many items were built to perform more that one function, and could be folded up and stuck under a bed or piece of furniture.
The colonial families:
The fact that the families were so large made the cabin even smaller. It was common for a married couple to have seven or more children. This made it difficult for most families to have any privacy. When a disease struck one member of the house it often ran through the entire family. It can be said that the close-knit family of the early settlers is due to the union of the restricted lodging they lived in. Today houses are much larger with usually each member of the family having their own room.
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