A Valuable Resource that Grows In Trees

Wood was the most readily accessible material to an 1800s South Carolina farmer. Many items now made from metal were originally made of wood, even locks and keys, because metal was expensive and wood was free. Due to its wide availability and relative softness, pine was used most often in crafting farm furniture and tools. Hardwoods such as hickory, walnut, and mahogany were more likely to be found in wealthier homes. On isolated farms, the need to be self-sufficient was far greater for ancestors than it is for many modern Americans, and basic woodworking was a survival skill for yeoman farmers.

South Carolina · United States