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Ernest de Saisset

San Jose, 1864 – 1899

8 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

A life in time

  1. 1864

    Born in San Jose

  2. 1899

    Dies

Family

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Parents

During his lifetime

He lived through 4 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around San Jose.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1860s · Ernest is born in San Jose

Who governed

What people wore

Cage crinolines after 1857

Starting in 1857, cage crinolines made of sprung steel freed women from the weight of wearing multiple heavy petticoats to achieve a full skirt.

Getting around

Stagecoach travel was bumpy and slow

Stagecoaches pulled by four horses traveled at 6 to 10 miles per hour, often requiring passengers to ride for 12 to 14 hours a day. The ride was notoriously uncomfortable, with passengers often packed tightly together and bouncing violently as the carriage moved.

At the table

Whiskey and cider as everyday staples

Alcoholic drinks were a daily staple, with whiskey being so standard it was often used as a form of currency or barter in place of coins. Many families kept a barrel of hard cider on tap, serving it at every meal even to small children.

The American Civil War. North and South fought over slavery; 620,000 soldiers died, the Union won, and four million enslaved people were freed.In North America · 1861–1865

The American Civil War. North and South fought over slavery; 620,000 soldiers died, the Union won, and four million enslaved people were freed.

Nathaniel Currier and James Merritt Ives · public domain

In the news1862

Homestead Act Signed in 1862

The Homestead Act allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of free land if they lived on and improved it for five years.

Music

Popularity of parlor organs

Parlor organs, also known as reed or cabinet organs, became highly popular in homes following the Civil War as elegant pieces of furniture.

Daily life

Children used slates instead of paper

Because paper was expensive, schoolchildren used slates and slate pencils or chalk for their daily work instead of paper.