Most homes had “cat and clay” chimneys, made of logs and chinked with native clay. On cold windy days members of the household were kept busy running outside to see whether or not the chimney had caught fire.
New Salem homes had window panes made of glass.
Windows were usually near the fireplace where family activity was carried on.
Over an open fire, in iron pots, frying pans and skillets, housewives cooked venison stew, roasted pork and wild game, fried mush, baked corn bread and corn dodgers to a golden brown and often hard enough “to split a board or fell a deer at forty feet.”
Sturdy trestle tables served the pioneer family well.