Do you know of any of your family members who were true homesteaders?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-01-2003, 02:23 PM

My great grannie was. She lived on an actual homestead, in an old delapitated house, with an old cookstove and only 3 rooms in the house, kitchen/living room, bedroom and a pantry in the back that stocked pantry items along with wood.

The old house is still standing, although it hasn't been kept up.

My grandparents on my dad's side also had a homestead (the full legal size) and I'm just starting to find out more information on that. I did find out the homestead area (the plot number) and I remember the old home where a water pump was right at the kitchen sink.

How about you, share the homestead history in your family.

**MJsLady** · 10-01-2003, 02:57 PM

CJ I am sure I have some, but my folks kept the family history like it was some huge deep dark secret, so I have no first or 2nd hand knowledge!
I wish I did and I am hoping that through genealogy I will find the information they refused to pass on.

**mylittle4** · 10-01-2003, 06:16 PM

My dad's parents did. First off they had 13 children and lived on a small anount of acreage in Arkansas. The had a chicken coup and a garden that went on for forever. They almost always had a horse in case someone needed to go to town. They did have a car but only used it when absolutly necessary. Like to go very far or to doctors appt. and to church on Sundays. There was a flushing toilet and a bath tub but no running water in the kitchen. I remember filling that bucket from the spring on their property, and a huge bowl with a ladle in it sat on the counter to get a drink. Grandma never threw anything away. All old clothing and things either went to the rag pile or was made into a quilt. I remember as a kid I thought they only bought coffee creamer from the store because it was the only thing in store packaging. She would quilt by hand in the evenings while grandpa watched the news. Which is the only time you would see the tv on. The radio was always on in the background and grandmas house always smelt like wood burning and cornbread. During the winter she cooked on the wood stove that heated the house. Her hair was always in a bun. I have the fondest memories of walks with my grandmother. At their house we played the best games, there are so many cousins and most were within a mile of their house. There were never toys at their house but always something to do.
Oh she never owned a washing machine, dryer, or a vacuum. They both passed away when I was 21. I miss them dearly. Thank you C.J. for letting me tell you about them.

**duckduckgoose007** · 10-01-2003, 07:59 PM

I am not sure if my Grandparents on my Dad's side were homesteaders or not...will have to ask about that. My Dad was born & raised in Luchute, Quebec, Canada. They lived on a farm & I know that the old homestead is still there & French people live in the house. There was a reunion about 2 years ago in Lachute, but unfortunately I did not get to go. My Mom came from Derby, England. She was seven when she & my Grandparents & Uncle came from England to Montreal, Canada. They resided there until after my Mom & Dad married & had my eldest Brother. That would have been in 1922. My Grandparents & Mom & Dad & Brother then came to the States to live. Well better stop talking now

**PrairieRose** · 10-02-2003, 10:18 AM

Yep. Both sets of my grandparents were. My ddad's parents lived in their homestead home (without running water and insulation) until the last 8 years of their lives. They were never happy after they moved to town (into a MUCH nicer/warmer/cooler house). They had 8 kids and granny made beans everyday to go with any meat that they had. They grew chickens, cotton and cattle. (and kids I reckon!) Granny had a root cellar and they drew their water from a sistern. We loved to go there as kids....we thought that outhouse was cool