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.
1869 – 1929
5 facts1 source
1869
Born
19 Jun 1896
A daughter is born
1929
Dies
She lived through 7 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
Who governed
President of the United States, 1865–1869 · United States
President of the United States, 1869–1877 · United States
What people wore
Long men's shirts
In the mid-nineteenth century, men's shirts were cut long enough to reach almost to the knees, making optional drawers unnecessary.
Getting around
Long-distance overland mail delivery times
In the 1850s, the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoaches were contracted to carry mail nearly 2,800 miles from Missouri to San Francisco in 25 days. By 1859, efficiency had improved, with the average trip time decreasing to about 21 and a half days.
At the table
The monotonous diet of pork and corn
For many ordinary families, especially in the South and on the frontier, the diet was monotonous, often centering on the three M's: meat (pork), meal (cornmeal), and molasses. This daily fare was typically cooked in lard and served as simple, one-pot stews or cornbread.
In North America · 1861–1865The American Civil War. North and South fought over slavery; 620,000 soldiers died, the Union won, and four million enslaved people were freed.
In the news1862
The Homestead Act allowed individuals to claim 160 acres of free land if they lived on and improved it for five years.
Music
Etiquette at dance halls
Etiquette books of the time strictly forbade spitting tobacco on the floor during dances, as it was considered nauseous to ladies and damaging to their dresses.
Daily life
Homes lacked running water and indoor toilets
Houses lacked modern plumbing; most families fetched water from distant sources, and indoor bathrooms were nonexistent, requiring the use of chamber pots and outdoor outhouses.