|
INTRODUCTION The pioneers were hard working people. They grew or hunted what they ate. They built their own homes and made their own clothing. The pioneers were familiar with all things in their homes. They had made them.
These pioneers had chosen some of the oldest mountains, for their new homes. These Appalachian pioneers had many children - six to ten. The children grew up, married and moved a few miles deeper into the wilderness to build their homes.
The mountain people believed in the rights of individuals. Settlers of this area now known as West Virginia helped to start the new government in America. Many of these mountain men fought in the Revolutionary War. They showed their courage and love for America. They helped build the early towns of this area. The life of a pioneer settler was often a life of discipline and religion was an important part. Religion gave them a purpose and a comfort. In most areas, religion was practiced within each home with the family Bible, psalm books and sermon books. Log churches were built. Prayer meetings were held.
 The pioneer family was largely concerned with existing. Each day was filled with struggles of survival. Each family member had chores to do. They would help each other. Meeting the needs for shelter, food and clothing was an endless task.
Introduction
||
Shelter
||
Food
|| Clothing
Special Thanks and Overview by Dr. Hartley ©1990-2001 Richard S. Hartley, All Rights Reserved.
|
The life of early settlers was not easy. The men and women had to
be strong. At times, they lived in fear of Indians. Each day they worked
hard. The clothes got washed. The cows got milked. The children were
taught. The fields got cleared and the barns were built. From sunup to
sundown, each family member did the daily tasks to survive.
Many pioneer settlers had little or no schooling. But they had
the skills and help of their parents and grandparents. They came from
different backgrounds. Some were English, Scottish, Irish or German.
These pioneers were proud people. They wanted to be free.
Mountain people really liked to sing. They sang to feel good about themselves.
While they worked, they would sing.
These songs tell us about their feelings of hope, happiness, sadness
and fear. Music was not written down. One learned a song from someone
else. The music did not belong to one person. It belonged to all of the
people. Some musical instruments of mountain people were the fiddle and
the dulcimer.
