Day 2 brought us into the world of a rural craftsman. Taking Samuel Lane of Stratham, New Hampshire, as a representative example, we focused on two themes in his life: economics and religion.
First, we were fortunate to have Bob Neily of The Collector’s Eye lead a tour of the Samuel and Jabez Lane homestead. For those interested in the challenge of making a living—a “competency”—in early America, consider the Lane homestead. What does the arrangement of the site tell us about the strategies a household needed to employ in order to survive and succeed?
Second, we were fortunate to visit the site of Deacon Lane’s First Church of Stratham. Although the original buildings no longer survive, we were able to develop some sense of what we called “meetinghouse culture.”
For those interested in “matters spiritual,” consider the epitaphs (below) we found of the tombstones of Samuel and first wife Mary Lane. What do these statements suggest to us about the function of religion in the Lane household?
Deacon Samuel Lane
departed this life,
Dec. 29th 1806 in the
89th year of his age,
Endowed with a Superior
capacity of mind, he cultivated it with
unremitted industry. His knowledge
was extensive. The sacred Scriptures
were his study and delight.
By his example he was an
ornament to the Christian profession,
and came to the grave in peace
in a good old age.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Mrs. Mary Lane
Consort of
Deacon Samuel Lane
She departed this life in the
Certain hope of a glorious
Immortality through the
Merits of Christ the redeemer.
Jan. 30th 1769 Æt. 47
Seeing the Lane homestead was very exciting today and it gave a great perspective on what their daily activities would be around the house and the conditions that they were living in. The house was certainly set up in a practical manner with the largest fireplaces being in the kitchen for cooking and in the basement to work on other important projects. The fireplace was also set up to dry herbs while heating the home. The tannery and other shops were located away from the main house which we determined were to keep the smell away from the house and I would assume to keep any chemicals or potential fire hazards at bay too. There was also plenty of land for gardens to grow vegetables for the family as well.
ReplyDeleteReading these epitaphs shows how deeply religious the Lane family was. The best line is when it says the sacred Scriptures were his study and delight. He was someone who delighted in reading the scriptures, which can be not the most exciting to read at times, but he delighted in them. It also points out that he by example was an “ornament to the Christian profession”, which showed that he not only read the scriptures, but he lived them out and was an example of a Christian to his family and those he came in contact with. Both of their epitaphs speak of those who are believers spending eternal life with Christ the redeemer which showed that they felt like there was something beyond this world to believe in.
There was so much to see at the Lane Homestead, it's difficult to catalog it all after such a short time there! The tannery on-site stood out the most, so leather-working was of great import. Having both the tannery and cobblehouse as part of the homestead showed how there was little time for transportation to an independent business site. When your office is on the same parcel of land as your house, it's difficult to separate your work and personal life.
ReplyDeleteAs for the epitaphs, clearly religion (specifically the worship of Christ and holding steadfast to Christian values) was of the utmost importance. Given the prominence of mentioning the Lord and mentioning Lane's "delight" in studying the scriptures, religion came first.
I agree with Phil and Chris on their reflections on the Lane estate. I was so intrigued and impressed at how the estate was laid out and all the reasons why life during the era of Samuel Lane was structured around the family.
ReplyDeleteThe elements of life that we take for granted such as elements of pleasure and trying to balance work with "play" are something Samuel Lane and his family would not have even thought of. Samuel Lane had to be a multi-talented person in order to provide for his family in many ways and also for the long term. He had to think about his family long after he was no longer there. We in this generation don't really like to think like that because we have been brought up that life is precious and must be protected. Samuel Lane and his era, life could end at any time and all one could do was to try to get their family prepared to carry on without them.
This brings me to the epitaphs of Samuel and Mary. As Christopher stated, religion and the idea of being one with God as a reward for doing God's work on earth was perpetuated for all to see even in death just by reading the tombstones of those who had gone to be with the Lord. From the text we also clearly see that Lane believed in what he preached and lived his life as one with the Lord, so it does not surprise me that his beliefs would be etched into his tombstone.
The Lane homestead was magnificent. What I took special notice of was the multiple fireplaces inside of the home. It seemed that almost every room had a fireplace in it. In addition, I took notice of the fine craftsmanship throughout the home. The two foot pine plank floors were grand, and the crown molding around the ceiling throughout the home was second to none. The stenciling in the floor was a true work of art. As others have mentioned, the property was definitely spread out and the some of Lane’s trades were readily accessible on his property. I agree with Chris in his statement about the difficulty for Sam Lane to separate his business and personal life seeing that they were so intertwined. Sam Lane’s diversification in work and the hundred plus acres he owned made him recession proof.
ReplyDeleteIt was also intriguing to learn information on the church. I previously did not know that red was the cheapest color back in the colonial days. Samuel Lane’s epitaph reveals that religion was a central part of his life. He delighted in the study of scripture so much so that he became a deacon in the church. Mary Lane’s epitaph reveals her staunch belief in the existence of an afterlife.
In regards to the two epitaphs, it was clear that both Samuel and Mary placed their hope of eternity in Christ. Sam lived a long life that was both intellectual, Christ-centered, and industrious. He applied his intellectual knowledge and Biblical knowledge in ways that were honoring to God and seen as a positive example of Christianity. He turned to scripture for meditation and joyous fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteHe "cultivated" his mind with "unremitted industry" is the line that reflected farmer and tradesman. When I think of the word "cultivate," I immediately think of turning the soil over and over; weeding out the choking plants, adding natural fertilizer, planting new seed, and encouraging new growth. What an appropriate way to describe how Samuel refined his mind. He exercised his learning by studying scripture, being industrious and learning a trade; writing and reflecting on his work and attitude, expanding his trade and knowledge, "planting" new information, and using his intellect and actions to be a productive, well educated, member in his community. He never ceased "cultivating" and refining his body, mind, and spirit.
The Lane homestead was a delight to see today. It was fun to explore all the nooks and crannies around every corner of the house and how they used certain spaces for their practical convenience (drying herbs, four fireplaces). What stuck out the most for me at the homestead was the door in what was the kitchen that lead you into another house (I think it was Jabez's house). It reinforced the functionality of family over the individual. The convenience of having multiple families as well as your workplace all on the same land shows how important is was to have these things close to you at all times. It is funny to think today that most people do not hesitate to commute to work or travel long distance to visit relatives. The Lanes and other families of this time could of never functioned that way.
ReplyDeleteThese epitaphs suggest that religion was the most prominent of all practices in the Lane house. Of all the things that Samuel Lane was (surveyor, proprietor, etc.) his epitaph labels him as what appears to be Samuel's most valued occupation of all: Deacon. Although it mentions cultivated mind of industry, his study of the Scriptures is what is highlighted and if no one knew him as a surveyor or committeeman, they would only know him to be a religious man by looking at his tomb. Mary's epitaph not only mentions her strong faith but her association with her husband who is again addressed at Deacon even on her tombstone. It seems that being a wife of a deacon was regarded to be very valuable and important to be marked on a tombstone.
To jump off from Ryan’s mention of Samuel Lane planning for his children and their inheritance, it is a stark contrast to what now happens in current American families. Parents hope that their children will not neglect them, and possibly provide them with proper care when the children cannot do so; however, the mindset that the parent needs to script out the future holdings for their children isn’t as dire of a concern for parents nowadays. When I think of how Samuel working, planning and carrying out his life’s work to nurture and provide for his progeny, I think of the tree in Shel Silverstein’s [u]The Giving Tree[/u]. Samuel gave his children what they asked for – given, he did make Jabez wait some time, and this state of giving all he had earned for his children, the future he labored so long for, makes me think that Samuel was in a way selfless for giving so much up; yet, I can see how he saw this natural progression of transferring life skills, myriad belongings and property allowed him to gain an immortality in this world, through his children.
ReplyDeleteWhat Natalie mentioned harkens me back a quote from the last few pages of Volitaire’s [u]Candide[/u]: “we must tend our own garden.” I’m not sure if that novel was within Samuel Lane’s personal library, but his actions were the embodiment of a man constantly explored, attempted to understand, and better the world surround him.
Looking at Samuel’s epitaph, I notice the word “Superior” was capitalized, similarly to “Scripture”, which makes me think this [i]Superior[/i] intellect was endowed to Samuel from a higher power. The epitaph notes that Samuel took these mental raw talents that were God given, and furthered them through study and used them in worldly pursuits. Still, those phrases come before the most important statement that Samuel incorporated reading and comprehending the Bible in his everyday life. It is interesting to me that neither Samuel nor Mary’s tombstone inscriptions mentions anything about their children. Perhaps it was a given that people who had lived for that long period of time had had children?
The arrangement of the site reinforced the belief in family and community over individuality. The fact that Jabez' house was actually connected to his father's really helped to stress this point. I also found the intricate wood work over the fireplace especially interesting. It reminded me of the detail over the fireplace in the Chase house and made me realize just how well off the Lane family was. As others have already pointed out the homestead also helped to illustrate the interconnectedness between his home life and his work. This idea of living at your place of work didn't really sink in until I was able to get the visual from today.
ReplyDeleteThese epitaphs suggest that religion was at the center of the Lane family's life. It also suggests that although he worked in a lot of fields his true joy was religion. Samuel Lane "delighted" in reading scriptures and because of this the people of Lane's time period believed that he was blessed. I also find it interesting that Mary Lane's epitaph is much shorter than Samuel's... I'm not sure exactly what this would signify, but I found it interesting nonetheless.
I find meeting House culture fascinating mainly b/c my grandparents were Congregationalist in Kittery Point, Me. Even in the 1940s, 50s & 60s Sunday service was an all day affair. My mother tells of a full day on Sunday of church activities and services until she graduated from High School. A day filled with Sunday school, morning service, choir practice, children and young adult meetings and finally an afternoon service. I remember my grandmother being horrified when my sister and I as kids asked for a deck of cards on a rainy Sunday afternoon. And my grandparents never ever danced. It was not considered proper. She still says something when I do laundry on Sunday, especially if I have to hang it on her clothesline. She doesn’t want anyone thinking she is doing laundry (working) on Sunday. In my grandmother’s old age she was only getting to church sporadically. The situation that ended her Sunday routine was an incident over a pew. Although they didn’t pay for pews at this late date (2002), my grandmother tithed and made a huge donation to the church for cushions for the pews and they had a family pew. One day when she arrived at church someone was sitting in her pew. Not one of the younger families who may not have known the tradition, but an older woman who should have known that pew was my grandmother’s family pew. She was forced to sit somewhere else. This happened 2 more times. She was so upset about this incident I thought it would take a toll on her health. This combined with a dislike of the minister and a shift away from the scriptures during service (too many stories) she finally decided she was too old to attend Sunday service.
ReplyDeleteI am curious about these cultural holdovers that most people cannot appreciate. The cultural holdover that one hears most is New Englanders “Puritan work ethic.” Samuel Lane’s epitaph reflects this appreciation for hard work; “he cultivated it [mind] with unremitted industry.” and “Christian profession.” People’s work ethic was intimately intertwined with the community’s sense of religion. Mary’s epitaph reveals what is waiting for us if one is not only pious but hard working. “She departed this life in the Certain hope of a glorious Immortality.” Our puritan past is shaping us without us even realizing.
What a treat, to be able to go into a house that I had only been able to picture from reading Sameul Lane's diary! The house itself made me realize just how well off the Lanes were, through Samuel's industry and planning. All the fireplaces are a good example: to actually use them all requires an expenditure of time and energy to aquire sufficient wood for them! The interpreters at the House of Seven Gables explain the origin of the saying "Money to burn" as a commentary on the wealthy, who had multiple fireplaces and higher ceilinged-rooms (which require more heat than the very low ceilings) In addition to all his industrial activities - his tanning and cobbling - there was the cutting and stacking of wood and the growing of food. No wonder children, as soon as they were able, were put to work in the family's industries!
ReplyDeleteCompared to what many of us experience today, Samuel's world was very small - the meeting house and its graveyard were within walking distance of his home. Samuel was more cosmopolitant than his neighbers because of his regular trips to Portsmouth and the Isles of Shoals. These trips brought him, not only into a different geographical place, but exposed him to other social and cultural worlds. It says much about his core beliefs - teh centrality of the meeting house in his own world, the habits of industry, the responsibilities he willingly bore - that he not only always returned home after these trips, but doesn't seem to have even thought about moving to some other place.
One reaction I had to the epitaphs was that Samuel and his wife Mary earned the words that would introduce them to those, far in the future, who would see those stones. And again, I have a send of the solidness of the Lanes. Their wealth was not showy, but the family could afford to pay for all the carving for the epitaphs and decoration.
I enjoyed seeing the Lane Homestead and it gave me idea of what life was like then. The house was set up that it was very functional with the large hearth. The medicinal herb gardens house was set up near the outside the house and the garden the family used for cooking was near the house. Bob told us why the tanner shop was set up away from the house so it would not affect the family and also when Mrs. Lane would go in delivery having ten children and it was not healthy for the family. I enjoyed Bob telling us about his carpenter story about the wall that had so many cracks it was Murphy Browns carpenter the job kept going and going. I think the house is very beautiful and was a pleasure to see.
ReplyDeleteThe epitaphs helped me to understand the religious beliefs of the Lane family. I think reading “By his example he was an ornament to the Christian profession, and came to the grave in peace in a good old age.” I thought he was a good Deacon understand his religion found his faith and god. He lived a good long life and had no regret was truly a man of god. He was a friend to his neighbors and understood the scriptures.
The Samuel Lane home was a treat to visit. The current owners have done a fantastic job maintaining the site, and preserving the charm of Samuel Lanes world, while giving themselves the modern pleasures of our time. The exterior of the grounds, now surrounded by modern structures and roads, was a great example of how self-sufficient people, especially family units had to be during pre-industrial times. Having multiple sources of income was something that provided security to a family, as is evident with the tannery and sawmill onsite for example. Traditionally, in Europe during the preceding centuries, tanneries and dyers would be located on the outskirts of town, due to the horrid smell associated with such professions. So, I'm curious to know if the inclusion of the tannery and other similar structures on the family property was something that began with the colonists out of a need for efficiency, or whether it was a practice that was beginning to be accepted within the community elsewhere as well.
ReplyDeleteThe epitaphs spoke volumes about how important spirituality was to people in the American colonies. For Samuel Lane, a renaissance man of his time, his religion was not only essential for his eventual salvation, but was a source of enjoyment as is evidenced by the phrase on his tombstone. Apparently, his worldly achievements, while completely necessary, are trumped in favor of his devotion to the study of scripture. This shows you how different of a world we live in now.
The Lane homestead's use of space speaks to the unremitting industry of their daily lives. There is no wasted space in the Lane home. Every piece of the house and property has its use, which is a testament to lives filled with productive activity. The built-in cabinets and drawers, racks above the fireplace for drying herbs and cubbyholes for storage indicate a purposeful well-ordered life. Yet, in the midst of the bustle that must have pervaded this large household, there is space for quiet reflection. The birthing room is set apart from the rest of the house giving it a sense of peace that a busy mother must have needed, especially if the woman had difficult pregnancies, as the diaries suggest Mary did.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't surprise me that the physically challenging and noisy culinary tasks were placed in the basement, which would have been cooler on hot summer days and set apart from the rest of the home. The heat from the fire would have risen on cold winter days, helping to warm the whole house, and the noise of kitchen work would have been contained in the cellar. That each room has a fireplace speaks to the family's relative wealth in both finances and sons. The time that must have been spent putting up enough wood for all those fires is impressive.
The barn for livestock and putting up hay, the tannery for generating cash flow, and the gardens for general provisions each had a role to play in the Lane's family's daily survival. It is fascinating to note in the diaries that Samuel began work on his tannery before constructing his house, demonstrating his committment to providing for his family. This focus on work as central to one's life has certainly been passed down through the years to modern Americans, leaving us with a work ethic that borders on obsession.
As I read the epithets on Mary and Samuel's gravestones I was struck by the brevity of Mary's stone in comparison to Samuel's. What sort of person was Mary, that her life merits so little commentary? In death, her life is summed up in terms of her husband's accomplishments (note the reference to him as a Deacon) and her hope for eternal rest, which will be provided by her belif in a male Savior, with no real reference to her merits or contributions. The book mentioned the financial benefits her talents and work brought to the family, and her role in her children's growth and development must have been substantial, yet none of this is reflected in her epitaph. I find that to be rather sad.
Katie....
ReplyDeleteThe past two days have been a spectacular opportunity. The first day i was blown away by the aspect of the "Green Initiative" Strawbery Banke is taking. I never thought that was a possibility for a historical site. The second day was even better. I love going into old houses and looking at the details. Every room in the Sam Lane House had a story and the story was being told through the details in each room. Whether it was through the windows, the floors, the fireplaces, each room had a meaning.
The epitaphs show a great belief in a higher power. The Deacon is descried as a man of Superiority for his profession. He is said to be a man who took great pride in his readings and teachings.The detailing the tombstone is enscribed with shows that he had great meaning to the town of Stratham and its people. The writings on Mrs. Lane describes her as just that, Mrs. Lane the wife of Sam Lane. This differencial shows the power that men had over women, if not to be called "their women".
The idea of a 'homestead' was brought up during our tour of the Lane property and I think the importance of that was evident. The family was conceived as an unit, economic as well as social. Every member was in some way dependent on the other for support and survival. To be sure, many of the burdens fell to Samuel Lane as head of the household. But he in turn was dependent on the labor and companionship of his wife and children. The layout of the site (and buildings) was in an effort to maximize efficiency. And yet it also reflected the social order with Lane's tannery and shop taking precedence over other structures.
ReplyDelete*******
These two epitaphs remind me of the hymn 'rock of ages'. For Samuel Lane and many others of his time the belief of Christ as your saviour, and a belief in the afterlife was what kept you going. Lane's strong faith is evident in the library he kept where a majority of the books were on religion. In fact Brown writes about one book in particular that Lane felt so strongly about that he wanted it to circulate among his children.
In some ways Samuel's epitaph reminds me of his 'Thanksgiving prayer'. His epitaph reiterates his belief that all blessing come from God: "Endowed with a Superior
capacity of mind".
zanzibar33090@yahoo.com wrote:
ReplyDeleteThe writings on the Lane’s graves were incredibly interesting. They emphasize that though Samuel Lane did study the bible, and devoted at least a part of himself to religion, he was a tremendous business man. He was a good leader in the religious community because he worked hard to get ahead, and planned. A good Christian value is to work hard, and the phrase is “god helps those that help themselves.” Samuel Lane was an excellent model for that phrase. He was able to provide for his own family, and still hold to Christian values. It seems only natural that for the time they would emphasize that he was a good business man. For Mary Lane it fits that her epitaph would depict her being a good Christian in regards to following her husband. A woman was suppose to follow her husbands lead and especially in a household that would be unified, a woman’s following her husband only encouraged this unity. I find the epitaphs interesting, but not surprising. I also think they compliment the time period emphasizing unity and regard for christianity through hard work and family.
rtreggiari.s08@live.com wrote:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the Lane Homestead and it gave me idea of what life was like then. The house was set up that it was very functional with the large hearth. The medicinal herb gardens house was set up near the outside the house and the garden the family used for cooking was near the house. Bob told us why the tanner shop was set up away from the house so it would not affect the family and also when Mrs. Lane would go in delivery having ten children and it was not healthy for the family. I enjoyed Bob telling us about his carpenter story about the wall that had so many cracks it was Murphy Browns carpenter the job kept going and going. I think the house is very beautiful and was a pleasure to see.
The epitaphs helped me to understand the religious beliefs of the Lane family. I think reading “By his example he was an ornament to the Christian profession, and came to the grave in peace in a good old age.” I thought he was a good Deacon understand his religion found his faith and god. He lived a good long life and had no regret was truly a man of god. He was a friend to his neighbors and understood the scriptures.
Living and surviving in early America was indeed a challenge. The site arrangement of the Lane homestead tells us that a family needed to be involved in many different trades and ventures in order to survive. A "competency" as it was called was almost what we refer to today as a "jack of all trades" or a "renaissance man". This was one of the few ways to try to ensure the the family's survival. From the tannery to the cobbler's shop; everything was in close proximity, almost like a compound.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the epitaphs on the tombstones of Samuel and Mary Lane suggest that religion played a major role in their household. Death and dying were all around the people of this time, so they took solace in religion and immortality in the afterlife. The writings on the gravestones suggest the Lanes beleive deeply that those who do not live with the Lord, cannot possibly die with him.
The lane homestead was amazing. It survived so many years. With a construction background I tend to look at the lay out logistically. The barn and shop wear relatively close to the house. I think of the smells from the shop. They had plenty of land to put the father from the house and still divide the land for his sons but logistically they needed the boys close to the house to protect the woman in an attack. The home has its original “Indian shutters” still intact. Lane writes of attacks. The trees going towards the river are younger than 100 years old. Lane would have kept the area clear. The house was on a hill above the river with a clear view. They were able to see if anyone was coming down the river.
ReplyDeleteThe Lanes needed to keep the farm, chop wood for fires and run the shop everyday. A farm doesn’t wait because you have a large shoe order. Having the farm layout this way the lanes could farm the fields in the morning before the heat of day, go to the house for lunch and work in the shop in the afternoon with out any wasted valuable time. Keep in mind the children were working the farm and tending the animals at very young ages. The parents could keep an eye on them while everyone worked.
Reflecting on the cemetery “The sacred Scriptures were his study and delight” says it all. They lived for their death when they would rest with God. Lane being an educated man would want to know everything about God before he met him. Society was set up around going to church. Lane was an honest hard workingman who was active in his worship so he was praised.
His wife’s stone is typical of the time. A woman does not have her own identity. She is either the wife of or daughter of some man. She also hopes to rest with the savior.
cashman5@msn.com wrote:
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed touring the Samuel Lane home. (I grew up in Winthrop where almost all of the homes are over 100 years old.) I love the detail in the woodwork, probably made by a sea captain, while home for a bit. All the usefully little cabinets built into every bit of spare wall space is very practical. I love the kitchen fireplace in the Lane home, it has a place where you can remove a brick in the lower fireplace to heat an upper open oven area. It's amazing how everything was designed for practical reasons, not for show in these old homes. I especially love how Samuel Lane's number one concern was taking care of his family. I agree with him, family is the most important thing to me too. I like the addition that was added to keep the family living together. I think Samuel Lane taught his children to feel the same way about family, that's why the addition was added instead of building a separate home. There was so much to notice with the detail in the house, and no matter where I looked there was something amazing to see. I'm grateful that the new owners care enough about sharing the history of the home, to allow us to all tour their home. It was truly a treat.