Maddie James
Candles in colonial times were made from animal fats, such as tallow, or beeswax, and were prized as a source of light. They were so important that colonial homes often featured candle boxes high up on the wall to keep them safe from mice. Colonial women played a key role in candlemaking, discovering that boiling the berries of the bayberry bush produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly, although the tedious process meant that bayberry candles soon fell out of popularity. Candles were also made from whale fat, with the growth of the whaling industry in the 18th century bringing about a major change in candlemaking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time Period | Colonial times (1600s to 1700s) |
| Location | America |
| Common Household Candles | Tallow candles |
| Raw Materials | Animal fat, beeswax, whale fat, cinnamon wax, plant materials |
| Wick Material | Cotton |
| Candle Production Method | Dipping wicks in wax or tallow, shaping by hand, pouring wax onto a wick |
| Number of Candles Produced Annually | 300-400 |
| Usage | Lighting, religious ceremonies, birthday cakes |
| Limitations | Smoky, weak light, unpleasant smell, low melting point |
| Improvements | Bayberry wax, beeswax, candle moulds |
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What You'll Learn
Colonial women's contribution to candlemaking
Candles have been used as a source of light for thousands of years, with the earliest use attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. However, it was colonial women who made significant contributions to candlemaking by introducing new techniques and materials.
In Colonial America, women played a crucial role in providing their families with candles, which served as the primary source of illumination during long winter nights. Every housewife in colonial times would make a supply of candles in autumn, a tedious and time-consuming process. The process involved setting up two large kettles over the fire, filling them with water and tallow, and then repeatedly dipping candle rods with wicks into the heated mixture. As the wicks became coated, they were dried and then re-dipped until they reached the desired size. This task required women to endure the heat of the fire, the unpleasant smell of tallow, and the physical demands of the process, making it a challenging and arduous duty.
Colonial women also made important contributions to the types of candles being produced. They discovered that boiling the berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. However, extracting this wax was a tedious process, requiring a large number of berries, and the resulting candles softened at high temperatures, making them unsuitable for summertime use. Despite these challenges, bayberry candles were valued by some colonists for their pleasant scent and clean burn.
In addition to tallow and bayberry wax, beeswax was also used in candlemaking during colonial times. Beeswax was a byproduct of honey collection and was purified by boiling it in seawater. It burned more cleanly and emitted a sweeter smell compared to tallow. While beeswax candles were introduced in Europe during the Middle Ages, they may have been adopted later in Colonial America, providing a longer-lasting and less foul-smelling alternative to tallow candles.
The contributions of colonial women to candlemaking were significant, not only in terms of the labour they undertook but also in their resourcefulness and innovation. Their efforts ensured that their families had access to light during dark winters, and their experimentation with different materials contributed to the development of new types of candles. While the introduction of other lighting sources, such as oil lamps and later light bulbs, reduced the reliance on candles, the legacy of colonial women's candlemaking skills and their pursuit of better-quality candles continue to influence candlemaking today.
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The use of bayberry bushes
The use of candles dates back to ancient civilizations, with the Ancient Egyptians using rushlights or torches by soaking reed cores in melted animal fat. The Romans and early Chinese civilizations also developed wicked candles using beeswax and plant materials, respectively. In colonial times, candles were primarily made from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax, but colonial women in America discovered the potential of bayberry bushes to produce sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly.
The bayberry bush, also known as the candleberry or waxberry bush, grew abundantly along the Atlantic coast. Colonial women found that the grayish-green berries of these bushes could be boiled to extract a waxy substance that could be used for candle-making. This process was tedious and labor-intensive, but the resulting bayberry wax was a significant improvement over tallow. It had a pleasant scent, burned slowly and evenly, and did not melt easily in the summer heat.
The creation of bayberry candles was a communal effort, with children sent out to pick the berries and women boiling them to extract the wax. These candles were a source of income for colonial families, as they could be exported back to England. They were also a luxury item, used for special occasions and celebrations. The legend of the bayberry candle includes a Christmas tradition where lighting a new bayberry candle on Christmas Eve is said to bring wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
Today, bayberry candles are still valued for their natural fragrance and artisanal creation process. They are often exchanged between friends, accompanied by a poem, as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. The bayberry candle's significance extends beyond its functional use, weaving together folklore, nostalgia, and a sense of shared heritage and cultural identity.
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The whaling industry's impact
The whaling industry had a significant impact on candlemaking in colonial times, bringing about the first major change in the craft since the Middle Ages. The growth of the whaling industry in the late 18th century led to the availability of spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil. This new source of wax revolutionized candlemaking, as spermaceti candles became a premium lighting product due to their bright flame, long burn time, and low smoke production.
The whaling industry also contributed to the international presence of the American colonies. Nantucket whalers, in particular, played a significant role in establishing the colonies' independence from the English colonial system. By engaging in direct international trade, Nantucket whalers fostered economic and diplomatic relationships in Europe even before American independence. This international presence and the value of whale oil contributed to the preeminence of the United States as the world's leading whaling nation by the 1830s.
Additionally, the whaling industry influenced the pricing and trade dynamics of candle commodities. While the candles and strained oil produced at the spermaceti works were valuable, they did not surpass the exports of unrefined oil in terms of economic worth. The term "candlepower," still in use today, originated from the lighting capacity of a single spermaceti candle, highlighting the impact of whaling on candle-related terminology.
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The development of wicked candles
However, the Romans were not the only civilisation to play a part in the history of wicked candles. Historians have discovered that numerous early societies developed their own versions of wicked candles using locally sourced materials. For instance, the Chinese moulded candles within paper tubes and utilised rice paper as wicks, while incorporating wax derived from indigenous insects. In Japan, candle wax was extracted from tree nuts, and the Indians boiled the fruit of the cinnamon tree to create candle wax. These diverse approaches to candle-making demonstrate the ingenuity of ancient cultures in utilising available resources to meet their lighting needs.
The Middle Ages, which spanned from around 500 AD to 1500 AD, witnessed a notable improvement in candle quality with the introduction of beeswax candles in Europe. Beeswax offered significant advantages over animal-based tallow, as it burned cleanly, emitted a sweet fragrance, and produced less smoke. However, beeswax candles were relatively expensive, typically found in churches and the residences of the wealthy.
The 18th century brought another advancement in candle-making with the growth of the whaling industry. Spermaceti, a substance derived from sperm whales, was discovered to crystallise into a wax suitable for candle-making. The abundance of whaling led to a plentiful supply of spermaceti, making it a preferred alternative to tallow and beeswax due to its harder texture, bright flame, and absence of unpleasant odour.
The evolution of wicked candles continued into the 19th century with the emergence of large-scale industrial manufacturing techniques for candle mass production. This period saw the utilisation of purified animal fats (stearin) and paraffin wax, marking a shift towards modern candle-making processes. The development of wicked candles has spanned centuries, reflecting the ongoing quest for improved lighting solutions using available resources, ultimately shaping the candle industry as we know it today.
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Candles as a necessity
Candles were a necessity in Colonial America. They were the primary source of light for thousands of isolated homesteads, illuminating the way along rutted roads and lighting up rooms in homes. In the early 1600s, European settlers arriving in America could only bring a few candles with them, and it would be years before they could make more. The soft light of candles was relied upon, and sometimes stronger light was desired for tasks such as sewing. Candles were also used in religious ceremonies, such as the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, which dates back to 165 B.C.
Colonial women played a significant role in candlemaking in America. They discovered that boiling the berries of bayberry bushes produced a sweet-smelling wax that burned cleanly. However, extracting this wax was tedious, and so bayberry candles eventually fell out of popularity. Instead, candles were often made from animal fats, which produced a foul odour and threw off soot, blackening walls and ceilings. Beeswax candles, which burned cleaner and emitted a pleasant aroma, were often too expensive for most Americans and remained a rarity in the country for much of its first two centuries.
Candlemaking was a laborious process. To make larger candles, wicks were repeatedly dipped and dried in molten fat or wax until they reached the desired size. This process could take all day, and it was estimated that colonial women produced about 300 to 400 candles annually. The candles were then stored in candle boxes high on the wall to keep them safe from mice attracted to the scent of the fat.
The whaling industry in the late 18th century brought about a significant change in candlemaking. Spermaceti, a wax obtained by crystallizing sperm whale oil, became available in large quantities. This marked the first major shift in candlemaking since the Middle Ages.
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Frequently asked questions
Colonial candles were made from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax.
Colonial women would make candles by dipping wicks in molten fat or wax repeatedly until they reached the right size. This was a tedious process and candles were used sparingly.
Colonial candles gave off a weak, sputtering light and their wicks required trimming several times an hour. They were greasy and had a strong, unpleasant smell. Their melting point was low, causing them to bend and slump on warm nights or when placed near a hearth.
No, candles were used only for lighting. Incense and other aromatics were used to make rooms smell nice.
