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The Season of Light
By Roz Rea, Trustee
Winter in early nineteenth century Maine was challenging. December ushered in bone chilling cold and the shortest days of the year. Reduced daylight limited what could be accomplished inside and outside of the home. A family’s comfort depended on their resources— food, adequate shelter, access to wood for cooking and heating, and candles and lamps for lighting.
When John Black and his family moved into Woodlawn on November 7, 1827, winter was closing in. Their new brick home was solidly built and furnished for comfort. There were fireplaces in every room including the bedrooms. The family had as much wood for heating as they could possibly need and they had plenty of food. Even the lighting in their new home was superior to anything found in other Ellsworth homes of the time. During the darkest season of the year, when most families had to be frugal with candles and lamps, Woodlawn’s office, parlor and dining room glowed with luxurious lighting.
Evidence for this is found in Woodlawn’s archives and collections. In September 1827, John and Mary Black went on a shopping trip to Boston to outfit their new home with the most fashionable furniture, tableware, linens, carpeting and lamps available. At John B. Jones, silver merchant, they spent an impressive $181 on silver flatware, tea and coffee pots, and various silver, gilt and bronze lighting devices.
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