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American Frugal Housewife: Dedicated to Those Who Are Not Ashamed of Economy
Includes interesting recipes, remedies, advice on parenting, and tips for housekeepers. From 1832-1845, this popular book went through thirty-two editions. 90084
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1829
About the author
Lydia Maria Child
400 books43 followersLydia Maria Child (1802-1880) was an activist and writer of novels, pamphlets, and works for children. She often used her writing to advocate for slaves, women, and Native Americans. Lydia Maria Child was born in Medford, Massachusetts, where her grandfather’s house, which she celebrates in her poem, still stands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
November 11, 2015
How did housewives clean and cook in the early 1800s? I picked up this book to find out. However, I didn’t learn as much as I wanted because it’s almost written in a different language. Lost to us is having ashes to make lye, having bear or goose grease, finding whortleberries or having loaf sugar on hand.
While I found several good tips about cleaning and cooking, I would really like to see a “translation” of this book published. What is the equivalent to whortleberries today? Burnt alum? Oil of Cajput? There is a treasure trove of information in this book, but it’s locked away in terms we no longer use.
Her advice on frugal living is still applicable – live within your means and save for what you want. Don’t waste anything you could use. Find ways to use substitutions for expensive food items. Develop useful skills.
“The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of time, as well as materials.” This is the book’s opening quote.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the old-style of living and homesteading. Perhaps one day, someone will bring this up-to-date so it could be a very useful reference.
While I found several good tips about cleaning and cooking, I would really like to see a “translation” of this book published. What is the equivalent to whortleberries today? Burnt alum? Oil of Cajput? There is a treasure trove of information in this book, but it’s locked away in terms we no longer use.
Her advice on frugal living is still applicable – live within your means and save for what you want. Don’t waste anything you could use. Find ways to use substitutions for expensive food items. Develop useful skills.
“The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of time, as well as materials.” This is the book’s opening quote.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the old-style of living and homesteading. Perhaps one day, someone will bring this up-to-date so it could be a very useful reference.
February 3, 2015
An intriguing bit of Americana that is actually quite timely. The author of this popular early-19th century cookbook and household instruction manual focuses on thrift. Writing in the midst of a depression, she seeks to convey the dignity of frugality and contentment. She warns against waste and extravagance and extols her vision of an ideal man or woman -- well-educated, devout, hard-working, thrifty, and content in all circumstances. These virtues, she believes, lead to true happiness. As for girls, they should not be taught to exaggerate the importance of getting married, or to place undue importance on male attention. Reading a book like this from another time really makes one re-evaluate the materialism and restlessness that is considered normal in our modern era.
March 27, 2016
This book was just okay. Not great but not bad either. Descriptions of daily life in the early 1800s. Hard to say whether I would recommend or not. I guess everyone will just have to judge for themselves.
January 25, 2014
This provided a wonderful glimpse into early- to mid-19th Century life. The book is a collection of wisdom and practical advice to help the American housewife of the time make the most of all resources. Economical use of time, money, and material was the prime virtue promoted in this manuscript.
Of particular interest to me were the numerous recipes. Some seem rather ordinary, such as pancakes or pickles, but others, such as carrot pie or calf's foot jelly, are rather unusual in out time. There were remedies various ailments, such as sage tea for headaches and several suggestions to deal with molding or stale foods, many involving pearlash. I enjoyed the insight into life at the time. We make our chicken salad by pulling a jar of mayo out of the fridge, but Mrs. Child took eggs, lemon, and a couple other items and made her own dressing!
We would all profit from her general advice regarding contentment and waste, even though the outer forms of economy look very different now than Mrs. Child's day. This was an unexpectedly fun book to read.
Of particular interest to me were the numerous recipes. Some seem rather ordinary, such as pancakes or pickles, but others, such as carrot pie or calf's foot jelly, are rather unusual in out time. There were remedies various ailments, such as sage tea for headaches and several suggestions to deal with molding or stale foods, many involving pearlash. I enjoyed the insight into life at the time. We make our chicken salad by pulling a jar of mayo out of the fridge, but Mrs. Child took eggs, lemon, and a couple other items and made her own dressing!
We would all profit from her general advice regarding contentment and waste, even though the outer forms of economy look very different now than Mrs. Child's day. This was an unexpectedly fun book to read.
January 31, 2020
How do you rate something that was written over 200 years ago? Obviously, there's a lot lost in translation just via language changes and lifestyle changes. But I still think this work has value for 1) historians and historical fiction writers and 2) people who are interested in domestic parts. Even though some things were confusing to me, I'm amazed that a woman who lived over two centuries ago could still make me chuckle.
January 4, 2024
I stumbled onto this book while visiting Mystic, Connecticut, and I found myself intrigued enough to buy it and read from cover to cover. It is a mix of solid, timeless wisdom (“No false pride, or foolish ambition to appear as well as others, should ever induce a person to live one cent beyond the income of which he is certain”) and downright shocking/entertaining glimpses into the practices and thought processes of people living 200 years ago. Here are some goodies:
“An ointment made from common groundworms, which boys dig to bait fishes, rubbed on with the hand, is said to be excellent, when the sinews are drawn up by any disease or accident.”
Rattlesnake bite? “Cut the flesh out, around the bite, instantly; fill the wound with salt.”
Bonus: lots of recipes to try (no, seriously—tomato pie similar in concept to pumpkin sounds kinda good).
I was honestly surprised by how much fun it was to read this book!
“An ointment made from common groundworms, which boys dig to bait fishes, rubbed on with the hand, is said to be excellent, when the sinews are drawn up by any disease or accident.”
Rattlesnake bite? “Cut the flesh out, around the bite, instantly; fill the wound with salt.”
Bonus: lots of recipes to try (no, seriously—tomato pie similar in concept to pumpkin sounds kinda good).
I was honestly surprised by how much fun it was to read this book!
October 4, 2022
✔️Published in 1832.
This handbook is filled with many ways a housewife can run a successful household.
Let us start with making coffee:
“A bit of fish-skin as big as a ninepence, thrown into coffee while it is boiling, tends to make it clear. If you use it just as it comes from the salt-fish, it will be apt to give an unpleasant taste to the coffee: it should be washed clean as a bit of cloth, and hung up till perfectly dry. The white of eggs, and even egg shells are good to settle coffee. Rind of salt pork is excellent.”
Hungry?
“Pigs' feet, ears, &c., should be cleaned after being soaked in water not very hot; the hoofs will then come off easily with a sharp knife; the hard, rough places should be cut off; they should be thoroughly singed, and then boiled as much as four or five hours, until they are too tender to be taken out with a fork.”
Here is a little something special for dessert:
“WHORTLEBERRY PUDDING. Whortleberries are good both in flour and Indian puddings. A pint of milk, with a little salt and a little molasses, stirred quite stiff with Indian meal, and a quart of berries stirred in gradually with a spoon, makes a good-sized pudding. Leave room for it to swell; and let it boil three hours. When you put them into flour, make your pudding just like batter puddings; but considerably thicker, or the berries will sink. Two hours is plenty long enough to boil No pudding should be put in till the water boils. Leave room to swell.”
How about Carrot Pie?
“CARROT PIE. Carrot pies are made like squash pies. The carrots should be boiled very tender, skinned and sifted. Both carrot pies and squash pies should be baked without an upper crust, in deep plates. To be baked an hour, in quite a warm oven.”
For dyeing material:
Use “balm blossoms, steeped in water, color a pretty rose-color. This answers very well for the linings of children's bonnets, for ribbons, &c. It fades in the course of one season; but it is very little trouble to recolor with it. It merely requires to be steeped and strained. Perhaps a small piece of alum might serve to set the color, in some degree. In earthen or tin. . . . Saffron, steeped in earthen and strained, colors a fine straw color. It makes a delicate or deep shade according to the strength of the tea.”
The writing style in the early 1900s is a bit stilted and awkward. For example,
“Wear shoes that are large enough. It not only produces corns, but makes the feet misshapen, to cramp them.”
Some sage advice:
“People who have little to spend, should partake sparingly of useless amusements; those who are in debt should deny themselves entirely.”
This is more of an educational book for my purposes and will come in handy for my future books I am in the process of writing.
🟣Kindle version.
This handbook is filled with many ways a housewife can run a successful household.
Let us start with making coffee:
“A bit of fish-skin as big as a ninepence, thrown into coffee while it is boiling, tends to make it clear. If you use it just as it comes from the salt-fish, it will be apt to give an unpleasant taste to the coffee: it should be washed clean as a bit of cloth, and hung up till perfectly dry. The white of eggs, and even egg shells are good to settle coffee. Rind of salt pork is excellent.”
Hungry?
“Pigs' feet, ears, &c., should be cleaned after being soaked in water not very hot; the hoofs will then come off easily with a sharp knife; the hard, rough places should be cut off; they should be thoroughly singed, and then boiled as much as four or five hours, until they are too tender to be taken out with a fork.”
Here is a little something special for dessert:
“WHORTLEBERRY PUDDING. Whortleberries are good both in flour and Indian puddings. A pint of milk, with a little salt and a little molasses, stirred quite stiff with Indian meal, and a quart of berries stirred in gradually with a spoon, makes a good-sized pudding. Leave room for it to swell; and let it boil three hours. When you put them into flour, make your pudding just like batter puddings; but considerably thicker, or the berries will sink. Two hours is plenty long enough to boil No pudding should be put in till the water boils. Leave room to swell.”
How about Carrot Pie?
“CARROT PIE. Carrot pies are made like squash pies. The carrots should be boiled very tender, skinned and sifted. Both carrot pies and squash pies should be baked without an upper crust, in deep plates. To be baked an hour, in quite a warm oven.”
For dyeing material:
Use “balm blossoms, steeped in water, color a pretty rose-color. This answers very well for the linings of children's bonnets, for ribbons, &c. It fades in the course of one season; but it is very little trouble to recolor with it. It merely requires to be steeped and strained. Perhaps a small piece of alum might serve to set the color, in some degree. In earthen or tin. . . . Saffron, steeped in earthen and strained, colors a fine straw color. It makes a delicate or deep shade according to the strength of the tea.”
The writing style in the early 1900s is a bit stilted and awkward. For example,
“Wear shoes that are large enough. It not only produces corns, but makes the feet misshapen, to cramp them.”
Some sage advice:
“People who have little to spend, should partake sparingly of useless amusements; those who are in debt should deny themselves entirely.”
This is more of an educational book for my purposes and will come in handy for my future books I am in the process of writing.
🟣Kindle version.
January 2, 2020
I actually really enjoyed this, and if you're wondering, yes I'm exactly the kind of person who prefers a historical documentary over a romantic comedy.
As a modern housewife, I don't know that I truly learned anything I'll put into usage today. (At least not anything I wasn't already aware of.) It was however, a fun read. I think it's also worth mentioning that this book introduced me to Lydia Maria Child, who I can't wait to read more about!
As a modern housewife, I don't know that I truly learned anything I'll put into usage today. (At least not anything I wasn't already aware of.) It was however, a fun read. I think it's also worth mentioning that this book introduced me to Lydia Maria Child, who I can't wait to read more about!
February 12, 2020
Very interesting and I loved the old terms that I had to research to understand better. We don’t use some of these things now-a-days but neat to understand the historical solutions.
January 12, 2021
THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE by Lydia Maria Francis Child; published in 1833 is now a public domain book meaning there is no copyright protections on it. I downloaded this ebook for 99 cents from Amazon because I am interested in how our ancestors lived, particularly women.
I am interested in how women managed money, how women dressed, how they maintained the household and so forth. Not many women today care how they did it back then because, in their eyes, women did not have equal rights- I beg to differ. If you study Scripture and you think about the contents written in this book the reader will understand how very equal women were- equal but with different task to perform.
THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE contains tips for the young wife on how to manage her household, particularly if you were not wealthy.
In the 1800’s there was a need to properly preserve foods. This book would have been an asset to the young lady whose mother had not taught her the ins and outs of running a household.
The book contains such recipes as: Egg gruel, Gruel, and Calf’s foot Jelly! None of these things seem appealing to me but it is clear that the theme of the book is: let nothing go to waste! And as you read you will discover this is a true assessment.
In the introduction the author presents her no nonsense approach to running a household, many mothers and fathers today would object to her writings:
“Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be; and whatever be the size of the family, every member should be employed either in earning or saving money.”
Continuing in the introduction Lydia Maria Francis Child writes: “A child of six years old can be made useful; and should be taught to consider every day lost in which some little thing has not been done to assist others.”
I could go on and on about this book. Many people would read it from a historical perspective, I think people should read it from a now perspective. One of the last two chapters are: HOW TO ENDURE HARD TIMES and there is also HOW TO ENDURE POVERTY I want a hard copy. Once upon a time in America people did not have the government to help them I believe we were better because of it.
THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE by Lydia Maria Francis Child is both a historical look at the life of a woman in the 1800’s and the transfer of wisdom as many of us try to return to our GOD designed attributes.
You will not appreciate this book if you are in pursuit of breaking the glass ceiling. You will love this book if you appreciate all things female. - written by Marsha L F Randolph
I am interested in how women managed money, how women dressed, how they maintained the household and so forth. Not many women today care how they did it back then because, in their eyes, women did not have equal rights- I beg to differ. If you study Scripture and you think about the contents written in this book the reader will understand how very equal women were- equal but with different task to perform.
THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE contains tips for the young wife on how to manage her household, particularly if you were not wealthy.
In the 1800’s there was a need to properly preserve foods. This book would have been an asset to the young lady whose mother had not taught her the ins and outs of running a household.
The book contains such recipes as: Egg gruel, Gruel, and Calf’s foot Jelly! None of these things seem appealing to me but it is clear that the theme of the book is: let nothing go to waste! And as you read you will discover this is a true assessment.
In the introduction the author presents her no nonsense approach to running a household, many mothers and fathers today would object to her writings:
“Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be; and whatever be the size of the family, every member should be employed either in earning or saving money.”
Continuing in the introduction Lydia Maria Francis Child writes: “A child of six years old can be made useful; and should be taught to consider every day lost in which some little thing has not been done to assist others.”
I could go on and on about this book. Many people would read it from a historical perspective, I think people should read it from a now perspective. One of the last two chapters are: HOW TO ENDURE HARD TIMES and there is also HOW TO ENDURE POVERTY I want a hard copy. Once upon a time in America people did not have the government to help them I believe we were better because of it.
THE AMERICAN FRUGAL HOUSEWIFE by Lydia Maria Francis Child is both a historical look at the life of a woman in the 1800’s and the transfer of wisdom as many of us try to return to our GOD designed attributes.
You will not appreciate this book if you are in pursuit of breaking the glass ceiling. You will love this book if you appreciate all things female. - written by Marsha L F Randolph
January 16, 2018
An "old time" book that talks a great deal about cooking, home remedies, soap making, and general tips for caring for though home, though many of these are quite outdated. For instance, the author speaks of taking apart a mattress to freshen it, but mattresses are certainly no longer made the way they were back then.
More than half of the book, however, talks about cooking and other associated topics, which is one of the reasons I liked it so much. If you enjoy cooking from scratch or baking, you'll really enjoy this book.
More than half of the book, however, talks about cooking and other associated topics, which is one of the reasons I liked it so much. If you enjoy cooking from scratch or baking, you'll really enjoy this book.
May 5, 2017
Vintage but interesting
The philosophy of it is fascinating and surprisingly relevant. The recipes and home remedies perhaps less so. I enjoyed it for its historical value as well ad its practical ideas.
The philosophy of it is fascinating and surprisingly relevant. The recipes and home remedies perhaps less so. I enjoyed it for its historical value as well ad its practical ideas.
June 10, 2018
Neat book that brings a reader back to the past when House Wife skills were basic and simple. The information is still good for the modern housewife as it is filled with little tricks to keep a person aware of various conditions and surroundings which affect the common American home.
September 1, 2019
I thought this would have a greater scope, but it’s all about cooking. Mostly meat, mostly meat you wouldn’t ever cook. Unless you get the hankering to cook a calf’s head.
I suppose I was looking for old-fashioned cleaning tips as well.
I suppose I was looking for old-fashioned cleaning tips as well.
July 30, 2020
Interesting read, although a lot of the details are outdated like many other readers have noted. The concept of conserving and living within your means in a world of increasing excess is definitely still relevant today. I would love to see an updated version with modern equivalents.
October 18, 2023
What an interesting book. Originally written in the mid-1800s, it gives practical advice for housewives of the time. My favorite was a recipe for roasting a whole hog: When the eyes fall out, you know it's half way done. Yikes!
November 22, 2018
Another good reason to thank my lucky stars for indoor plumbing and electricity, not to mention my ignorance of what getting "the piles" or "the chops" entails.
January 8, 2019
Interesting read
May 22, 2019
It was written in 1852. I imagined it being written for those newly married heading out by covered wagon. Lots of recipes, treatment and storage of meats and vegetables, home remedies.
September 12, 2019
My favorite part of this book is where the author recommended using earwax to treat small wounds and as chapstick. Eww!
September 17, 2019
11 pages
11 pages of words in poetry??? Nonsensical ............ ............. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .. . .... ...
11 pages of words in poetry??? Nonsensical ............ ............. ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .. . .... ...
May 10, 2020
Interesting history
There are many recipes but there is a lot of value in the second part of the book. Wise words.
There are many recipes but there is a lot of value in the second part of the book. Wise words.
November 2, 2020
Unintentionally hilarious reading this with 21st century eyes.....my favorite was the way to tell if your roasted pig is cooking along as expected: “when the eyes pop out, it’s halfway done”
August 4, 2021
Put earwax on chapped lips and beware the injurious effects of cucumbers. True gold.
November 16, 2022
Most are obsolete in this modern times. I would recommend The Tightwad Gazette instead, for those wanting tips on frugality.
March 26, 2023
Whew. And we think we work hard. Mrs. Lydia Child can be a scold at times but her description of a woman's life in the early 1800s made me tired. And grateful.
March 27, 2023
for incorporating ideas into the Household Book
March 30, 2024
not in love but definitely an exciting read if you are fascinated by the housewife phenomenon
November 22, 2013
This book gives an interesting insight into life in the 1830's. It is a tough read however due to different vocabulary and terms that are no longer used. It's also a difficult read because so much information is thrown at you all at once, all the ways of helping with lockjaw for example, that you find yourself beginning to drown a bit.
Some people have complained about the section on "Educating daughter" and how it basically tells women they should be good little wives and stay home. Honestly, I didn't have a problem with this section. If you read it in the cultural context it makes sense, the author is telling people that their education should include practical skills, not just drawing and painting and music so that they would be able to run a household well, which is what they were expected to do in the 1830s.
All in all it was interesting to go through this little volume, but it's not one I'd really recommend.
Some people have complained about the section on "Educating daughter" and how it basically tells women they should be good little wives and stay home. Honestly, I didn't have a problem with this section. If you read it in the cultural context it makes sense, the author is telling people that their education should include practical skills, not just drawing and painting and music so that they would be able to run a household well, which is what they were expected to do in the 1830s.
All in all it was interesting to go through this little volume, but it's not one I'd really recommend.
October 25, 2011
This book, written in 1832, was a freebie on Kindle. is collection of household hints, recipes and advice on being thrifty. It was an interesting read, from a historical aspect. Some of the ideas are outdated now, such as her advice on how to raise daughters (which is basically training them how to be wives and mothers) but it was an interesting look into how ordinary people lived their day to day lives back then.
The home remedies were also interesting to read about; a few we still use today, but some sound a little dangerous to me, makes me wonder how some people lived through those times!
It really makes one appreciate the modern world we live in today, where if we run out of food, or things such as soap, we simply go to the store and buy them, and not spend a half a day or more having to make them ourselves.
The home remedies were also interesting to read about; a few we still use today, but some sound a little dangerous to me, makes me wonder how some people lived through those times!
It really makes one appreciate the modern world we live in today, where if we run out of food, or things such as soap, we simply go to the store and buy them, and not spend a half a day or more having to make them ourselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews