Ben Carter
Candles were among the most important items in a colonial home. They were used for lighting, warmth, and religious ceremonies. The first European settlers in America could only bring a few candles with them, so they had to rely on other sources of light such as pine knots, small fish-oil lamps, and torches. Over time, settlers began to make their own candles from animal fat, boiling bayberry berries, or beeswax. Candles were displayed in candlesticks on tabletops, chambersticks carried from room to room, and tin lanterns in barns, ships, and stagecoaches. At weddings and other special occasions, candles were used to create elaborate displays, sometimes even incorporating fireworks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Placement | Placed in candlesticks on tabletops, in chambersticks carried from room to room, and in tin lanterns in barns, ships, and stagecoaches |
| Candle Type | Tallow candles, pine knots (candlewood), fish-oil lamps, and torches |
| Display | Elaborate displays for special occasions, such as wedding receptions with fireworks |
| Storage | Stored in candle boxes on walls to protect them from mice |
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What You'll Learn
Colonial candles were displayed in candlesticks on tabletops
Colonial candles were typically made from tallow, which was produced by boiling animal fat. This process was time-consuming and tedious, and the resulting candles gave off a weak, sputtering light, with an unpleasant smell. They were also greasy and produced a lot of smoke, often leaving a residue of soot on walls and ceilings. As a result, candles were used sparingly, and only when necessary.
The first candles in Colonial America were made from pine knots, also known as candlewood. These were chunks of wood from fat pitch pine trees, which produced a wonderful light, but also a lot of smoke and messy tar residue. They were usually placed in the corner of the hearth on a flat stone. As cattle numbers increased, colonists began to use tallow, a combination of sheep and beef fat, to make their candles.
Bayberry candles were also popular, made from the waxy substance produced by boiling the berries of bayberry bushes. These candles burned longer than tallow candles and were often saved for special occasions, such as Christmas or New Year's Eve. They were also given as gifts to bring blessings of abundance in the coming year.
Candles were displayed in candlesticks on tabletops, as well as in chambersticks carried from room to room, and in tin lanterns in barns, ships, and stagecoaches. They were a necessity in Colonial times, providing much-needed light after the sun went down.
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They were also carried from room to room in chambersticks
Colonial candles were displayed in a variety of ways, including on candelabras and in wall-mounted candle boxes to keep mice away. Chambersticks were another popular way to display candles in colonial times. Chambersticks were designed to be easily carried from room to room, with a flat circular base to collect wax drips, a central socket for the candle, and a side handle. They were often placed in entryways at night, and chambermaids would collect and clean them each morning. The name "chamberstick" refers to their intended use: helping individuals find their way to and within their chambers without creating a mess from wax spills.
Chambersticks were a mainstay in 18th-century homes, where they were used to navigate one's home after dark. They were typically crafted from materials such as silver, brass, pewter, or porcelain. While standard household candlesticks used beeswax to provide brighter light, chambersticks usually accommodated tallow candles since their primary function was to illuminate pathways rather than entire rooms.
The use of chambersticks was not just practical but also decorative. They were often placed near mirrors or on mantels to amplify the light and create a soft glow that played with the shadows. In addition to their functional purpose, chambersticks added elegance to the colonial home, with intricate designs and details such as heart-shaped cut-outs in the handle.
Today, chambersticks are still used on special occasions, such as dinner parties, where they serve as elegant décor even without candles. The original purpose of chambersticks may have been to provide light, but their design and aesthetic appeal have endured, making them a timeless addition to the home.
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Tin lanterns in barns, ships and stagecoaches held candles
Colonial candles were made from pine knots, also known as candlewood, or animal fat, also known as tallow. The process of making candles was tedious and time-consuming, so the candles were used sparingly. They were often placed in candle boxes high up on walls to keep mice away.
Tin lanterns were used in barns, ships, and stagecoaches to hold candles. They were inexpensive, lightweight, and protected the candle flame from the wind and rain. They also protected the user's hands and clothes from the open flame. Tin lanterns were used as a portable light source and were commonly used by watchmen patrolling the streets at night. They were also used for signalling, such as in naval operations and Paul Revere's midnight ride.
Tin lanterns typically had a metal frame with four to eight sides and a hook or hoop of metal on top. The sides had holes punched into them to let light pass through, or windows made of thin sheets of animal horn or translucent materials like glass or plastic. Antique lanterns may have only had a metal grid to protect the candle during transportation and prevent excess heat.
Lanterns were an essential source of lighting in barns, ships, and stagecoaches, as they provided a protected candle flame that was less likely to cause a fire. Below deck on ships, the use of lanterns instead of unprotected flames was obligatory to prevent fires on wooden ships.
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Candles were hung on walls, high up to deter mice
In early American homes, candles were often hung on walls, high up, to illuminate the room and deter mice. This practice was common in colonial times, when candles were a vital source of light and had to be used wisely to conserve resources. By hanging candles on walls, early Americans could make the most of the light they provided while also keeping them out of reach of curious mice and other pests.
There were a few different methods used to hang candles on walls. One common approach was to use a candle box, also known as a sconce. These were wooden boxes with an open front that were mounted to the wall. The box held the candle and often had a small shelf or ledge to catch any dripping wax. Candle boxes could be plain and functional or elaborately decorated with carvings or paintings. Some even had mirrors at the back to reflect more light into the room.
Another way to hang candles on walls was by using a type of holder called a "candlestick." These were usually made of metal and consisted of a flat base that attached to the wall and a vertical shaft that held the candle. Candlesticks often had a spike or point at the top to hold the candle in place and a dish or tray at the bottom to catch any wax drips. They could be simple and utilitarian or decorative, featuring intricate designs and even family crests.
To ensure the candles burned safely and efficiently, those that were hung on walls were typically made of beeswax or tallow. Beeswax candles were preferred for their bright, clean flame and pleasant scent, but they were more expensive. Tallow candles, made from animal fat, were more affordable and provided a less smoky flame when compared to candles made from other materials available at the time.
Hanging candles on walls required careful consideration of placement. Candles were usually hung at a height that provided adequate illumination for the room while being out of reach of children and pets. They were often placed near mirrors or in areas where the light could be reflected to maximise their brightness. In doing so, early Americans were able to effectively light their homes and create a warm and inviting atmosphere, even in the absence of modern electrical lighting.
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Colonial candles were sometimes placed on flat stones in the hearth
Pine knots, also known as candlewood, were commonly used to light colonial homes. These were chunks of wood from fat pitch pine that produced a wonderful light, but also a messy tar residue and a lot of smoke. To avoid having smoke in the room, the candle-wood was usually lit in a corner of the fireplace, on flat stones.
Pine knots were also used by the indigenous people of North America, who showed the early settlers how to use them for light. The use of pine knots was so widespread that homes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont were still using pine knots up until the early 20th century.
Colonial candles were also made from tallow, a combination of sheep and beef fat. These candles were often hung in candle boxes high up on the wall to keep mice out.
Colonials regarded candlelight as a necessity, and at times wished it was brighter for tasks such as sewing. Candles were also saved for special occasions, such as Christmas or New Year's Eve, when it was traditional to burn bayberry candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Colonial candles were displayed in candlesticks on tabletops, in chambersticks carried from room to room, and in tin lanterns in barns, ships and stagecoaches.
Colonial candles were often made from animal tallow, the byproduct of butchering livestock.
Yes, some colonial candles were made from beeswax, though these were rare and expensive. Other materials used include pine knots (also called candlewood), fish oil, and bayberry wax.
Colonists would save the tallow residue from animal fat to make candles. They would also collect pine knots from the surrounding forests, and some would buy candles or candle-making materials from merchants.
Candles were among the most important items for early American families, who relied on them for light during the long winter nights. They were also used in religious ceremonies and to bring blessings of abundance during the Christian holiday season.
