Lighting Back in Colonial Times

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Lighting Back in Colonial Times
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Here are some pictures of candles made by
colonial women and their children (mostly girls).
It took time to make these candles and also a lot
of hard work.
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This picture shows the materials used to make
candles. You would use tallow (animal fat), a tin
coffee can that was deep and narrow, a pot, a
taper wick, a metal washer, a metal hanger, and a
small clip.
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Why Candles?
Candle making wasnt a hobby or a luxury, it was
a need in a house of a colonist. Without candles,
the would be no light at night for sewing,
reading the Bible, or the obvious, being able to
see your hand in front of your face. It sometimes
is just used to calm the people down because they
were stressed.
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History of Candles

• Candles And TimeCandles have been a part of our
  culture for many, many years. Candles were used
  as lights for a very long time now.  They have
  made it in our History books time and time
  again.  Candles have been a part of religious
  beliefs for generations and in every part of the
  world for centuries. It brought out the
  Spirits.  Candle burning is a form of therapy
  and brings us peace. Candles are used in
  ceremonies, spell casting and in the spirit world
  as well.  Candles were used as part of healing
  and continue to be even now. They help soothe our
  senses and brings us happiness.

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How to Make Candles
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First

• Gather all your materials (look at the 2 slides
  back).

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Second

• Chop your wax into small chunks and place it on a
  kitchen scale to measure its weight. When
  finished, place it in the coffee can.

The coffee can
The knife to chop the wax
The candle wax
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Third
Put the can into the pot and fill water half
way. Do not allow the can to float.
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Fourth

• Put the pot over the fire and wait for the wax to
  melt.

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Fifth

• Find a place in your kitchen where you can clip
  the metal clip so you can hang the candle by
  their wicks to dry.

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Sixth

• Stir your wax and add some more wax to add the
  thickness.

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Seventh

• Dip the wick into the pot of melted wax and dry.
  Repeat several times (every 10 minutes) in order
  to make it thicker.

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Results
This is what you can do with candles nowlook how
pretty this is! Yay!
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Facts About Candles

• Fun Candle Facts
• Prior to the mid 19th century, the majority of
  candles were tallow. The fuel now is nearly
  always some form of wax, with paraffin wax being
  the most common. Soy and vegetable-based candles
  are also available.
• The Egyptians and Cretans made candles from
  beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. Early candles were
  made from various forms of natural fat, tallow,
  and wax.
• In the 18th century, spermaceti, an oil produced
  by the sperm whale, was used to produce superior
  candles. Late in the 18th century, colza oil and
  rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper
  substitutes.
• Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and
  revolutionized candle-making, as it was an
  inexpensive material which produced high-quality,
  odorless candles that burned reasonably cleanly
  and were used during the colonial days.
• In Christianity, candles are commonly used in
  worship both for decoration and ambiance, and as
  symbols that represent the light of God, or
  specifically the light of Christ. Candles are
  often placed on the altar. Votive candles may be
  lit as an accompaniment to prayer.
• Candles were traditionally used to light up
  Christmas trees before the advent of electric
  lights.

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The End
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Sources

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