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Call to Liberty Fall Encampment October 21-23, 2005

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       Travelers endured many hardships to reach their final destination.  The pioneers were isolated on their farms, which were often a distance of a few miles from any other families.  Thus, tired travelers were never turned away when they approached a pioneer’s cabin toward evening.  They always found a welcome, even though there may already be a guest for every puncheon or bedstead.  There was still “room for one more,” and a wider circle would be made for the newcomer at the large fire.  If the newcomer was in search of land, he was doubly welcome.  His host would volunteer to show him in all the “first-rate claims in this neck of the woods,” going with him for days, showing corners and advantages of every  “Congress tract” within a dozen miles of his cabin.

                To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal.  If a deer was killed, the choicest bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a half dozen miles away, perhaps.  When a “shoat” was butchered, the same custom prevailed.

                If a newcomer came in too late for “cropping,” the neighbors would supply his table with just the same luxuries they themselves enjoyed throughout the first winter, and in as liberal quantity, until a crop could be raised.  Once small communities were established, the residents would erect a large cabin near town to house new-comers until they could build a house of their own.  When a newcomer had located his claim, the neighbors for miles around would assemble at the site of his proposed cabin and aid him in “gittin” it up.  One group would cut down the trees with axes and hew (square up) the logs; another with teams would haul the logs to the ground; another party would “raise” the cabin; several of the old men would “rive the clapboards” for the roof (splitting off the thickness of logs).

                By night the little forest home would be built, mudded and ready for a “house-warming,” which was the dedication of the house.  Music, dancing and festivity would be enjoyed at full height.  The next day the new arrival would be as well prepared as his neighbors.

~Compiled by Rachel Meyer