- Title:
- The homespun economy: persistence of handweaving in New Brunswick in the nineteenth century
- Creator:
- Rygiel, Judith Anne
- Date Created:
- 2004
- Degree Awarded:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Subjects:
- textiles craft Acadia industrialization economy
- Geographical Focus:
- Canada New Brunswick
- Supporting Materials:
- n/a
- Description:
- Hand made textiles played an important role in both the rural economy of colonial British North America and in the family. Offering more than a means to earn supplemental income, these textiles were often crucial to survival, especially in localities where harsh winter conditions were the norm and supplies uncertain. Handweaving was not, however, ubiquitous in colonial North American households. Weaver's account books, general store ledgers, and memoirs all show that most households often purchased textiles from other sources. This thesis explores some of the complex and multi-linked reasons for handweaving’s popularity and persistence in New Brunswick into the third quarter of the nineteenth century. Tradition was one common factor among French-speaking Acadian households, while other weavers responded to family economics, or market conditions. A case study of weavers and their neighbours in Northumberland County dispels the myth that poverty was the prime reason for persistence in this county. Instead, a niche market of outdoor workers and a cold climate fuelled the “homespun economy”. Both tradition and markets were conditioned by two other rarely studied influences. Some residents thought industrialization would soon relieve women from the drudgery of cloth making and allow them more leisure time to “cultivate their minds” and look after their families. For this to happen, politicians, entrepreneurs and lobbyists had to promote industrialized textile manufacturing. Neither government nor entrepreneurs were much interested in doing this since imported textiles generated important revenues in both imposts and commissions. Handweavers were thus able to continue supplying their niche market since there was little local competition. New ideas about women'’s work could also influence textile production. “Cultivating their minds” led women to spend more time embroidering cushions, doing fancy knitting, and decorating their homes. Tracking these trends through agricultural society reports, provincial exhibitions, poems and articles in the press gives valuable insights into this little explored aspect of home textiles. Women did not give up handweaving for more genteel activities but integrated them with their market activity.
Source
- Preferred Citation:
- Rygiel, Judith Anne. 2004. "The homespun economy: persistence of handweaving in New Brunswick in the nineteenth century", Department of History, Carleton University
- Link to this page:
- https://cuhistory.github.io/grads/items/hist_156.html
Rights
- Rights:
- Copyright the author, all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.