Household items used during the Civil War were simple; many were handmade to meet the needs of the user. The wood butter mold was probably used for special occasions since it is round and would leave a leaf impression in the butter. Molds for daily use were rectangular or square without engraving.
The solid wood potato masher could be used to prepare other items for cooking or preparing home remedies.
The flat iron was used to iron clothing; in the winter it could be heated on the cook stove or fireplace and used to warm beds.
Other household items included candle molds, wooden bowls, spinning wheels, quilt frames and iron cooking kettles, depending on the needs of the family.
Surprisingly, non-military family household items sometimes drew the attention of marauding soldiers from both sides. Private John W. Green of Company K, 13th Missouri Cavalry, for instance, was accused in 1865 of robbing Margaret Brown of, among other items, 31 yards of calico and a “pantaloon” pattern.
Images Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 00006, 00396, 00398, & 00425
