Florida crackers are self reliant, pioneer men. They were usually white settlers from Georgia and Alabama. They built log cabins to live in. They would herd cattle and establish villages.
The crackers got their name from when they cracked their whips and the sound went "CRACK!".
What did each family member do?
The Mother
The mother made sure the household ran smoothly. She was responsible for the daily household chores and other daily necessities. A Florida pioneer mother didn't have the time to be bored. Her typical day included activities such as cooking for her family, preserving fruit and vegetables, making soap and candles, and sewing clothing for her husband and her children. It was the mother's job to spin yarn, weave cloth, take care of the vegetable garden, and tend to the chickens. If necessary, the mother would even take on the role of teacher to her children. She was also responsible for passing down folk rhymes, stories and songs to them.
The Father
When the family first settled, it was the father's job to clear the land and build the home. After the home was built, the father's job of providing for and protecting his family was endless. Typical chores of the father consisted of plowing and planting the farmland and hunting and fishing for food.
The father spent much of his time performing the essential outdoor chores and teaching his sons the skills required to care for a family in early rural Florida. Skills such as loading a gun, using an axe, saw or knife, and caring for livestock, were all necessary for survival.
Children
Florida's pioneer children did not have as much free time as children today. They would often spend their days performing chores around the home in aid of their mothers and fathers. Boys would spend time with their fathers learning how to hunt, fish and trap wild animals. Girls would spend time with their mothers learning how to cook, sew and clean. During the day, the older children would also attend school.
The mother made sure the household ran smoothly. She was responsible for the daily household chores and other daily necessities. A Florida pioneer mother didn't have the time to be bored. Her typical day included activities such as cooking for her family, preserving fruit and vegetables, making soap and candles, and sewing clothing for her husband and her children. It was the mother's job to spin yarn, weave cloth, take care of the vegetable garden, and tend to the chickens. If necessary, the mother would even take on the role of teacher to her children. She was also responsible for passing down folk rhymes, stories and songs to them.
The Father
When the family first settled, it was the father's job to clear the land and build the home. After the home was built, the father's job of providing for and protecting his family was endless. Typical chores of the father consisted of plowing and planting the farmland and hunting and fishing for food.
The father spent much of his time performing the essential outdoor chores and teaching his sons the skills required to care for a family in early rural Florida. Skills such as loading a gun, using an axe, saw or knife, and caring for livestock, were all necessary for survival.
Children
Florida's pioneer children did not have as much free time as children today. They would often spend their days performing chores around the home in aid of their mothers and fathers. Boys would spend time with their fathers learning how to hunt, fish and trap wild animals. Girls would spend time with their mothers learning how to cook, sew and clean. During the day, the older children would also attend school.