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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Laundry Advice to a 1912 Bride from her Grandmother

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception


I adore this note from a grandmother to her granddaughter in 1912 as she was about to enter marriage. I love that there are multiple misspelled words, and I love the very last note especially!
 

1920s Wedding Party Photo
 
Laundry Advice to a 1912 Bride from her Grandmother

1.] Bild fire in back yard to heet kettle of rainwater.

2.] Set tubs so smoke won’t blow in eyes if wind is pert.

3.] Shave one hole cake lie soap in boilin water.

4.] Sort things, make three piles. 1 pile white. 1 pile cullord. 1 pile work britches and rags.

5.] To make starch stur flour in cold water to smooth then thin down with boilin water.

6.] Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then boil. Rub cullord but don’t boil — just rench and starch.

7.] Take white things out of kettle with broom stick handle then rench, blew and starch.

8.] Spred tee towels on grass.

9.] Hang old rags on fence.

10.] Pour rench water in flower bed.

11.] Scrub porch with hot soapy water.

12.] Turn tubs upside down.

13.] Go put on cleen dress, smooth hair with side combs, brew cup of tee — set and rest a spell and count your blessins.

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