Maddie James
Candles were a necessity in colonial times, providing soft light during the night-time hours. They were primarily made from tallow and beeswax in Europe from the Roman period until the modern era, when spermaceti (from sperm whales) was used in the 18th and 19th centuries. Colonial women in America made their first contribution to candlemaking by using the wax from boiled bayberries to produce sweet-smelling, clean-burning candles. In other parts of the world, candles were made from a variety of materials, including tree nuts in Japan and boiled cinnamon in India. Early candles were produced by dipping wicks in molten wax or fat, shaping them by hand, or pouring wax over a wick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | Colonial times (1750s) |
| Candle Type | Tallow candles |
| Raw Material | Animal fat |
| Wick Type | Braided cotton strands |
| Candle Colour | White |
| Scent | Sweet |
| Burn Quality | Clean burn |
| Manufacturing Technique | Dipping wick in molten fat |
| Moulds | Used later in history |
| Mass Production | Introduced in the 19th century |
| Usage | Nighttime lighting |
| Consumption | 500-700 candles/year for middle-class homes |
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What You'll Learn
- Colonial candles were made sparingly, due to the lengthy process of making them
- They were made from tallow, beeswax, or bayberry bushes
- The process involved dipping wicks in molten wax or tallow, shaping by hand, or pouring wax over the wick
- Colonial women contributed to candlemaking by discovering the wax of bayberry bushes
- The whaling industry in the 18th century changed candle-making with the introduction of spermaceti
Colonial candles were made sparingly, due to the lengthy process of making them
Colonial candles were made sparingly due to the lengthy process of making them. In colonial times, people were accustomed to working by daylight while indoors, so candles were rarely lit during the daytime. Generally, candles were lit only during the nighttime hours, and sparingly so. According to a chandler at Colonial Williamsburg, a typical middle-class home in the 1750s could go through nearly 500 to 700 candles a year, but this number would be lower for those living in cabins, as they only had one room, and could also use their hearth for lighting.
The process of making candles was time-consuming and laborious. In Europe, candles were primarily made from tallow and beeswax from the Roman period until the modern era. Tallow candles were made from animal fat, while beeswax was a byproduct of honey collection. To make candles, wick would be repeatedly dipped or drawn in molten fat or wax until the desired size was reached, or soft wax would be rolled by hand around a wick. Alternatively, molten fat or wax could be poured onto a wick to build up the candle. In the 14th century, moulds were introduced, making the process slightly easier.
In colonial America, bayberry candles were popular for their sweet scent and clean burn. However, the process of extracting wax from bayberries was extremely tedious, requiring about 15 pounds of berries to produce just one pound of wax. As a result, the popularity of bayberry candles soon diminished.
The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought about a major change in candlemaking. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities. This new source of wax made the production of candles more efficient, reducing the need for the laborious process of extracting wax from other sources.
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They were made from tallow, beeswax, or bayberry bushes
Colonial candles were typically made from tallow, beeswax, or the wax of bayberry bushes. Tallow candles, made from animal fats, were the most common type of candle used in Europe and Colonial America. They were inexpensive and readily available, but they produced a smoky flame and an acrid odour. Beeswax candles, on the other hand, were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages and offered a cleaner, purer burn with a sweet-smelling fragrance. However, they were more expensive than tallow candles.
Colonial women made an important contribution to candlemaking by discovering that boiling the berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. However, extracting the wax from bayberries was a tedious process, requiring approximately 15 pounds of berries to make just one pound of wax. As a result, bayberry candles eventually declined in popularity.
The process of making candles in colonial times involved dipping wicks in molten fat or wax repeatedly until the desired thickness was achieved. Alternatively, soft wax could be rolled or shaped by hand around a wick, or molten wax or fat could be poured onto a wick to build up the candle. In the 14th century, the use of moulds was introduced, providing another method for shaping candles.
The whaling industry in the 18th century brought about a significant change in candlemaking. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities, offering a new source of wax for candle makers. This was followed by the development of purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax in the 19th century, further expanding the options for candle wax.
The use of candles in colonial times was not just for illumination but also held cultural and religious significance. Candles were used in religious ceremonies and played a role in traditions such as putting candles on birthday cakes, which originated from the Ancient Greeks offering moon-shaped honey cakes to the moon goddess Artemis.
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The process involved dipping wicks in molten wax or tallow, shaping by hand, or pouring wax over the wick
Colonial Americans relied on candles for lighting, especially at night. The process of making candles was lengthy and laborious, so they were used sparingly.
Candles were made from various materials, including animal fat, beeswax, and plant materials. The most common type of candle was made by dipping wicks into molten wax or tallow. This process, known as "dipping or drawing", involved repeatedly dipping or drawing the wick into the molten substance until the desired thickness was achieved. The wick was typically made from tightly braided strands of cotton, which curled over as they burned, maintaining the height of the wick and, therefore, the flame. This type of wick was known as "self-trimming" or "self-consuming".
Another method of candle-making involved shaping the candle by hand. This was done by rolling soft wax around a wick. The wax could be made from a variety of substances, including animal fat, beeswax, or plant materials. This technique allowed for more control over the shape and size of the candle but was likely more time-consuming than dipping or drawing.
Finally, candles could also be made by pouring wax or tallow over the wick. This method, known as "building the candle", involved pouring the molten substance onto the wick and allowing it to cool and harden. This process could be repeated as needed to build up the candle to the desired thickness.
The use of moulds for candle-making was a later development, first appearing in the 14th century. In the 19th century, large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques were introduced, allowing for the mass production of candles. However, even with these advancements, candle-making remained a time-consuming process, and candles were valued as a necessity in colonial times.
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Colonial women contributed to candlemaking by discovering the wax of bayberry bushes
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with the Ancient Egyptians making torches by soaking reed cores in melted animal fat. The Romans developed wicked candles by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. Candles were also used in early religious ceremonies, with references to their use in the Bible and by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century. By the Middle Ages, beeswax candles were introduced in Europe, offering a cleaner burn and a sweet smell compared to animal-based tallow.
In the context of colonial America, women made a significant contribution to candlemaking by discovering the potential of bayberry bushes. Wild bayberry bushes grew abundantly along the Atlantic coast, and colonial women found that boiling the grayish-green berries of these bushes yielded a waxy substance that could be skimmed off the top. This bayberry wax produced a sweet-smelling, clean-burning candle, marking America's first unique contribution to candlemaking.
The process of extracting bayberry wax was tedious and required a large number of berries—approximately 15 pounds of berries to produce 1 pound of wax. Despite the effort involved, colonial women established a profitable business exporting bayberry candles back to England. The legend of the bayberry candle reflects the value placed on these candles: "A bayberry candle burnt to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket."
However, the popularity of bayberry candles was short-lived. The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century brought about a significant change in candlemaking. Spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whale oil, became widely available and offered a bright, clean-burning alternative to bayberry wax, similar to beeswax. Spermaceti did not produce an unpleasant odor when burned and marked the first "standard candle."
While bayberry candles may have fallen out of favor, the contribution of colonial women to candlemaking through their discovery of bayberry wax remains significant. It showcased their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, leaving a lasting impact on the history of candlemaking.
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The whaling industry in the 18th century changed candle-making with the introduction of spermaceti
The whaling industry in the 18th century brought about a significant shift in candle-making with the introduction of spermaceti as a key ingredient. Spermaceti is a waxy substance found in the head cavities of sperm whales, with smaller amounts present in the oils of other whale species. The whaling industry, particularly in the American colonies, flourished in the late 18th century, and spermaceti became readily available. This development marked the first major change in candlemaking since the Middle Ages.
Spermaceti candles offered several advantages over traditional tallow or beeswax candles. They burned cleanly, producing minimal smoke, and their odourless nature made them preferable to the foul-smelling tallow candles. Spermaceti candles also provided a brighter and steadier flame, enhancing their popularity among consumers. The process of making these candles involved first purifying the spermaceti and then mixing it with a small amount of oil and beeswax to create the desired wax consistency.
The extraction of spermaceti from sperm whales was a gruesome task. Whalers would kill the whale, haul the carcass alongside their ship, and then remove its head. They would cut open the head cavity to extract the raw spermaceti, which was then stored in casks to be processed back on land. Theories suggest that the spermaceti organ in the whale's head may serve multiple biological functions, including controlling buoyancy and aiding in the whale's sense of echolocation.
Spermaceti candles were widely used in homes, churches, and public spaces during the 18th and 19th centuries. They were also essential in lighthouses, as their bright light improved visibility for ships at sea. However, the popularity of spermaceti candles began to wane with the introduction of kerosene lamps and gas lighting in the mid-19th century. Additionally, the whaling industry faced increasing scrutiny due to ethical and environmental concerns, and conservation measures further limited the availability of spermaceti.
While the introduction of spermaceti revolutionized candle-making in the 18th century, the decline of the whaling industry and the emergence of alternative lighting technologies ultimately led to the decrease in the use of spermaceti candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Candles in colonial times were made from tallow (animal fat), beeswax, or spermaceti (whale oil).
They would make candles by dipping wicks in molten fat or wax repeatedly until they reached the desired size, or by pouring wax or fat onto a wick to build up the candle.
Wicks were made from plant fibres like oakum, or from tightly braided cotton.
Candles were generally only lit during the nighttime hours and sparingly due to the lengthy candle-making process.
A typical tallow candle would burn for around two hours, while a beeswax candle could burn for up to ten hours.
