Early Settlers: Winters in Kentucky

As we sit in our homes these cold winter days and nights, it’s hard to imagine life of the early settlers during this time of the year.

Most homes in those early days of Kentucky were roughly built log cabins with one main room, maybe a smaller sleeping area off the side, and a loft for the children to sleep.

Large stone hearths were constructed inside the homes for heating and cooking purposes. Most all of the cabins had mud or clay filled in between the logs to provide some shield from the cold, but that only did so much during the coldest of Winter’s months.

Windows were usually mere animal skin or wool coverings with wooden shutters and the doors were roughly made from the same wood as the cabin’s walls.

John Richards wrote an excerpt in his Illustrated History of Bath County book that the boys in those early days were usually barefoot during the warm summer months and were given one pair of shoes to last the entire winter. These shoes were made of tanned leather with very little insulation. If the sole wore out, the boys’ mother would patch it the best she could, but if the patch still didn’t hold, the boys would have to endure the cold ground.

The older children of the era slept in the upper loft; usually huddled up into the same beds. The temperature during this time of year would have been very brisk, but the heavy wool blankets that were sometimes filled with down or horse hair provided some relief.

The babies and smaller children slept near the open fire in their cribs, but according to early Bath County news papers from 1897 until around 1910, there were several instances where small children were burned or killed by embers catching their clothing on fire as they slept.

Winter clothing was made from sheep’s wool. During the spring, the sheep were sheared of their winter coats, cleaned and picked by the whole family until it was ready to be made into clothing. Since there were no markets those days, the men and older boys went on hunting parties to gather food. Sometimes, they could trade furs for items, and most always the threat of an attack by Natives was a concern on these hunts.

Times were difficult for the early settlers during the winter. The harsh cold and snows made for treacherous travel either by foot or wagon. The threat of influenza and other illnesses associated with the season always lurked and could run rampant in a household. Doctors weren’t readily available those days, and most families relied on herbal remedies passed down from generations to cure ailments.

Aside from the hardships, settlers led a humble and happy life. Christmas was always a festive time where neighbors gathered and great dinners were held. There was dancing and games played during the week of Christmas and even though gifts were scarce, the fellowship was the greatest gift and reward of all.

It was, by all means, a simpler time those early winters. Families spent time together and worked hard to get through the cold days and nights. The customs and ways of the early Kentucky settlers were far different and more primitive than today. There were no televisions or other electronic devices to distract people away from what mattered the most. If I could interject a bit of personal opinion into this look back in history, I’d suggest we take a note or three from our ancestors this Christmas season and remember what it is all about; fellowship, giving to others, family and goodwill to all.

May you and your families have a Merry Christmas.