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We arrived on Friday morning and got our living space arranged. We were staying in the room above the carpenter’s shop. It was wonderful to have a house to live in that was period attired and we could use the fireplaces and candles! Friday evening there was a gathering in the Carpenter’s shop of some of the younger and more adventurous of Boonesfield’s residents. There were several gentlemen that played the banjo, bones, and sang different period medleys. The room was gorgeous, complete with a roaring fire and a candle chandelier. A very pleasant evening was spent. After awhile, Miss. Miles and I retired to the upstairs room, which we shared with two of our pupils and Mr. Miles retired to the schoolhouse.
On Saturday morning, Miss. Miles and I awoke, got dressed and ate our meager breakfasts. Afterwards we went to visit the general store, run by Mrs.Bronton. The store had so many nice things! A counter full of different candies and medicinal, as well as fabrics, dishes, bottles, sewing goods, knitted goods, winter hoods, stockings, hair pins, and so much more! Miss. Miles and I opened up accounts on the store ledger, now that we were established as Boonesfields’ schoolteachers. After leaving the store, we went to our school, where Mr. Miles was busy starting our fire. Soon, school commenced. We had 6 students that day. One of our younger students had to be brought in tears by his father, but was a good sport once he got there. After our penmanship lesson, a guest teacher came to instruct the students in the basics of landscape sketch, Mrs. Hasenmueller. The students took their paper and pencils out onto the hill in order to sketch a view of the town. Some had more natural talent than others. After that lesson, we resumed with mathematics and reading before a short recess where the children played Blind Man’s Bluff. Afterwards, they were released for an hour for lunch and went scampering back to their homes. Meanwhile, Mr. Miles helped some of the other men gather firewood for the winter, and clean lanterns at the boarding house.
Miss Miles and I took our lunch on a hill between the schoolhouse and the dressmakers shop. Some of our student’s youngest brother came to join us and partook of an apple. After the lunch break was over, the children returned for lessons in spelling, history, and the sciences. Then they went out to play more games, I believe Puss in the Corner. Then, the students who wish to learn French returned. We even had an older student for the French lesson, Mr. Miles! After our French lesson, there was a dance lesson courtesy of Mr. Miles, and school was released for the day. Miss Miles, Mr. Miles and I cleaned the school and turned out our fire.
That evening, the Boonesfield residents were gathering at the boarding house for a fall fest of Thanksgiving. After cleaning up, Miss. Miles, Mr. Miles and I made our way to the festivities with our offerings of breads, wine and coffee. The meal was beautiful, with two turkeys, squash, cranberries, beets, macaroni, applesauce, biscuits and bread and butter, delicious popcorn balls, various types of potatoes, yams, and so many other delicious things! The Smiths and Mrs. Murphy are to thank for such lovely things as they spent the day cooking and preparing the feast.
After the meal, the community gathered and talked on the porch. Some began to play music and some of the ladies, including Miss. Miles and myself decided to dance. We decided to move the party to the Carpenter’s shop to not keep the boarding house lodgers up. For a while, music was played and sung and a number of ladies danced. After all were tired, the most entertaining minstrel show was performed, full of songs and humorous skits. Everyone was in stitches they were so funny!
Sunday morning we had church. Before church, we went to visit the dressmakers in their cute little shop and see such lovely things we could never afford. Miss. Miles and I felt very sorry for our poor condition as schoolteachers when so many ladies had such lovely silks on that morning for church. However, the beauty of the service was lovelier than any dress. The very ringing of the church bell and the sound of the organ sent shivers down my spine. And the service was done with such accuracy and at the same time dignity for the people of 1861, that it was moving.
After church, a light rainstorm appeared and we made a dash for the general store, to settle our account for the week. Miss. Miles and I were then glad we did not have on a silk to be spotted! Soon after, the event closed. The event was easily one of the most period moments of my life, and I look forward to being able to work with Silvana Siddali in the future, as she hosts a magical event!