In colonial America, before the widespread use of candles or oil lamps, one common method of lighting homes was through pine knots from pitch pines. These naturally fatty branches were easily accessible and abundant throughout the vast forests of both northern and southern colonies, providing a simple yet effective source of light.
Beyond its literal meaning, this quote highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of early American settlers who made use of readily available natural resources to meet their everyday needs. It also underscores the close relationship between colonists and the environment they inhabited; instead of relying on manufactured goods imported from Europe, they utilized local materials to solve practical problems such as lighting homes in the evenings. This practice reflects a more sustainable approach to living that was common during this period before industrialization.
Alice Morse Earle, who wrote this quote, was an American historian and author born in 1851. She specialized in colonial New England history and wrote numerous books and articles about early American life, customs, and artifacts. Her work often focused on revealing the daily lives of ordinary people in colonial times, bringing historical insights into domestic and cultural aspects that are sometimes overlooked in broader historical narratives.
