Lighting Back in Colonial TimesLighting Back in Colonial Times

Here are some pictures of candles made by colonial women and their children (mostly girls). It took time to make these candles and also a lot of hard work.

This picture shows the materials used to make candles. You would use tallow This picture shows the materials used to make candles. You would use tallow (animal fat), a tin coffee can that was deep and narrow, a pot, a taper wick, a (animal fat), a tin coffee can that was deep and narrow, a pot, a taper wick, a metal washer, a metal hanger, and a small clip.metal washer, a metal hanger, and a small clip.

Why Candles?

Candle making wasn’t a hobby or a luxury, it was a need Candle making wasn’t a hobby or a luxury, it was a need in a house of a colonist. Without candles, the would be no in a house of a colonist. Without candles, the would be no light at night for sewing, reading the Bible, or the obvious, light at night for sewing, reading the Bible, or the obvious, being able to see your hand in front of your face. It being able to see your hand in front of your face. It sometimes is just used to calm the people down because sometimes is just used to calm the people down because they were stressed.they were stressed.

History of CandlesHistory of Candles

• Candles And TimeCandles And TimeCandles have been a part of our culture for Candles have been a part of our culture for many, many years. Candles were used as lights many, many years. Candles were used as lights for a very long time now.  They have made it in for a very long time now.  They have made it in our History books time and time again.  Candles our History books time and time again.  Candles have been a part of religious beliefs for have been a part of religious beliefs for generations and in every part of the world for generations and in every part of the world for centuries. It brought out the “Spirits”.  Candle centuries. It brought out the “Spirits”.  Candle burning is a form of therapy and brings us peace. burning is a form of therapy and brings us peace. Candles are used in ceremonies, spell casting Candles are used in ceremonies, spell casting and in the spirit world as well.  Candles were and in the spirit world as well.  Candles were used as part of healing and continue to be even used as part of healing and continue to be even now. They help soothe our senses and brings us now. They help soothe our senses and brings us happiness.happiness.

How to Make Candles

First

Gather all your materials (look at the 2 slides back).

Second

Chop your wax into small chunks and place it on a kitchen scale to measure its weight. When finished, place it in the coffee can.

The knife to chop the waxThe coffee can

The candle wax

Put the can into the pot and fill Put the can into the pot and fill water half way. Do not allow the water half way. Do not allow the can to float.can to float.

Third

FourthFourth

Put the pot over the fire and Put the pot over the fire and wait for the wax to melt.wait for the wax to melt.

FifthFifth

Find a place in your kitchen where you can clip the Find a place in your kitchen where you can clip the metal clip so you can hang the candle by their metal clip so you can hang the candle by their wicks to dry.wicks to dry.

Stir your wax and add some Stir your wax and add some more wax to add the thickness.more wax to add the thickness.

SixthSixth

SeventhSeventh

• Dip the wick into Dip the wick into the pot of melted the pot of melted wax and dry. wax and dry. Repeat several Repeat several times (every 10 times (every 10 minutes) in order minutes) in order to make it to make it thicker.thicker.

Results

This is what you can do with candles now…look how pretty this is! Yay!

FFaaccttss AAbboouutt CCaannddlleessFun Candle FactsFun Candle Facts

• Prior to the mid 19th century, the majority of candles were tallow. The fuel now Prior to the mid 19th century, the majority of candles were tallow. The fuel now is nearly always some form of wax, with paraffin wax being the most common. is nearly always some form of wax, with paraffin wax being the most common. Soy and vegetable-based candles are also available.Soy and vegetable-based candles are also available.

• The Egyptians and Cretans made candles from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. The Egyptians and Cretans made candles from beeswax, as early as 3000 BC. Early candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax. Early candles were made from various forms of natural fat, tallow, and wax.

• In the 18th century, spermaceti, an oil produced by the sperm whale, was used In the 18th century, spermaceti, an oil produced by the sperm whale, was used to produce superior candles. Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil to produce superior candles. Late in the 18th century, colza oil and rapeseed oil came into use as much cheaper substitutes. came into use as much cheaper substitutes.

• Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was Paraffin was first distilled in 1830, and revolutionized candle-making, as it was an inexpensive material which produced high-quality, odorless candles that an inexpensive material which produced high-quality, odorless candles that burned reasonably cleanly and were used during the colonial days.burned reasonably cleanly and were used during the colonial days.

• In Christianity, candles are commonly used in worship both for decoration and In Christianity, candles are commonly used in worship both for decoration and ambiance, and as symbols that represent the light of God, or specifically the ambiance, and as symbols that represent the light of God, or specifically the light of Christ. Candles are often placed on the altar. Votive candles may be lit light of Christ. Candles are often placed on the altar. Votive candles may be lit as an accompaniment to prayer.as an accompaniment to prayer.

• Candles were traditionally used to light up Christmas trees before the advent of Candles were traditionally used to light up Christmas trees before the advent of electric lights.electric lights.

The The End…End…

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