In a previous post - 7 years ago , (when this post was written , oops) - HERE , I discussed 19th century 'summer kitchens'. In the 18th century they were called 'out kitchens' , or just 'kitchens'. The reason for the detached kitchens? - to keep homes "...more cool and Sweet" and "...because the Smell of hot Victuals , offensive in the hot Weather." The following excerpts , from books in the 1700s , describe or mention "out-kitchens" or kitchens among the out-buildings.
1708 South Carolina: "In the Year 1705 , the Reverend Mr. Dun was sent to St. Pauls Parish in Colleton Parish [South Carolina]. A small but convenient Brick Church was Erected…1708…about 20 Miles distant from Charles-Town to the Southward. A little , but commodious Dwelling-house of Brick , was Built for the Minister , with an out-Kitchen , and some necessary Timber Buildings; but this House , and the other out-Buildings , were burnt in the Indian War."
An historical account of the incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel... by David Humphreys. London: 1730
1705 Virginia: "All Their [Virginians’] Drudgeries of Cookery , Washing , Daries , etc. are preforme’d in offices detacht from the Dwelling Houses , which by this means are kept more cool and Sweet."
The History and Present State of Virginia , Book IV by Robert Beverley. London: 1705
1723 London: "I rambl'd this whole Night with them , they went from Chelsea , being disappointed there as above , to Kensington where they broke into a Brewhouse , and wash-house , and by that means into an Out-Kitchen of a Gentleman's-House , where the unhang'd a small Copper , and brought it off , and stole about a Hundred weight of Pewter."
The History and Remarkable Life of the Truly Honourable Col. Jacque ... by Daniel Defoe. London: 1723
1724 Virginia: "With Timber also are built Houses for the Overseers and Out-Houses; among which is the Kitchen apart from the Dwelling House , because of the Smell of hot Victuals , offensive in hot Weather."
Jones , Hugh. Present State of Virginia. London: 1724 1865 reprint
1779 Virginia: "Description of the Back Settlements in Virginia.— Charlottesville , Jan. 20. 1779
THE house that we reside in is situated upon an eminence , commanding a prospect of near thirty miles around it , and the face of the country appears an immense forest , interspersed with various plantations , four or five miles distant from each other; on these there is a dwellinghouse in the center , with kitchens , smoke-house , and out-houses , detached , and from the various buildings , each plantation has the appearance of a small village ; at some little distance from the houses , are peach and apple orchards , &c. and scattered over the plantations are the negroes huts and
tobacco-houses [barns] , which are large , built of wood , for the cure of that article."
The Edinburgh Magazine , or Literary Miscellany. Edinburgh: 1789
1802 House plans: "On the same side of the mansion , may be other convenient houses: milk-house , &c. On the opposite side of the dwelling may be a passage to the out kitchen with closets , poultry-yard and shelter , etc. Over the passage and closets and out-kitchen may be lodgings for the family servants , to go up to by a ladder or stairs from the passage."
An Epitome of Mr. Forsyth's Treatise... by an American farmer. [William Forsyth , William Cobbett] Phila: 1802
Photograph: Gov. Smallwood's restored home "Smallwood's Retreat" and reconstructed kitchen in Charles County , Maryland. Hearth cooking demos on the 2d Sunday of the months May through September.
©2017 Patricia Bixler Reber
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