As the season changes (we hope) to cooler temps, many people have the urge to reminisce about “old times.” The old folks at home come to mind – a way of life that seemed serene and peaceful. Well, I have such an inkling, and tomorrow I shall travel to Jackson to catch a glimpse of those sweeter times.

I will tell stories for children. I am thrilled to portray Mrs. Eliza Ellis Boyd (1823-1902), the builder and proprietress of the Boyd Home, known today as Oaks Museum House. She, and her husband, James H. Boyd, moved into the Greek-Revival style cottage, which is one of Jackson’s oldest dwellings, in 1853.

What a life she led. It will be hard to sum it all up in a mere 45 minutes. In that house she and James raised six healthy children to adulthood, which was unusual for the time. Many parents lost children to rampant diseases such as yellow fever and diphtheria.

The Boyd family lived a simple life. They had a four acre farm located just one mile from the center of Jackson, Mississippi, then as now, the capitol of the state. They had a cow, hogs, a mule and horses, also chickens, plus a vegetable and herb garden located near the kitchen door. The kitchen was unattached to the main house which was the custom. The stove and fireplace hearth cooked the food by open fire.

There was a creamery, smokehouse, cistern and deep well – all of the necessities of family life at the time. The home was admired by the community as modern and lovely. It was said the Boyd family lived as upper-middle class.

Today we think about all of the work that would be needed each day just to live there without modern conveniences, especially without electricity, running water and an inside bathroom. The Boyd family worked together without hiring help too often. This was the usual mode of the day. No one thought of being overworked.

Also, Mr. James Boyd was mayor of Jackson for four years. That meant he was away many days taking care of Jackson City business, which left Eliza with the farm to run. From what I have read, she ran a tight ship, such as farm families were expected to do.

Tomorrow, when I portray Mrs. Eliza Boyd, I plan to feature the year 1860 when Jackson was in great economic condition and the social lifestyle was interesting, even exciting. The city had settled down from its 1821 founding. Commerce was good, the railroads were busy, houses were being built and the Boyd family thrived. I will tell of a normal week in the Boyd life, just the usual things, which I think will make the little ears of my listeners pop.

Monday – Wash day with big black pots and boiling water, plus homemade lye soap made there on the homestead from the grease of a hog and ashes from the fireplace and water from the well. The clothes were beat with a big stick then placed to dry across bushes or shrubs and the nicer things placed on the clothesline. It was an all day job, each Monday.

Tuesday – Cleaning day. The entire house was cleaned; bedding taken outside to be beat with a stick and stayed out all day depending upon the weather. The floors scrubbed with lye soap, the furniture polished and all knick-knacks or collectibles hand-washed and the entire house dusted from top to bottom.

Wednesday – Outside work, included the vegetable garden, cleaning the barn and washing down the outside of the house and front gallery.

Thursday – Sewing, quilting, mending day.

Friday – Visiting day to relatives, church friends, not to visit only but to help with special needs.

Saturday – Cooking day – preparing the Sunday meal for the family and guests.

Sunday – Church day at the Presbyterian Church.

Plus each day there was made time for the children’s schoolwork, reading of the Bible, family prayer time, dinner conversation, letter writing and enjoying life. It wasn’t hard to know what the next day would bring. It was a good life.

I hope you will visit this piece of history located in Jackson, 823 North Jefferson St.m www.theoakshousemuseum.org, 601-353-9339.

Anne McKee is a Mississippi historian, writer and storyteller. She is listed on the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau and Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster. See her website: www.annemckeestoryteller.com.