Forty to fifty miles a day was the speed of the best coaches, provided always that they did not tumble into the ditch.
In many parts of the country one must needs travel on horseback or on foot.
Even the wealthiest Americans of those days had few or none of the articles which we regard today as necessities of life.

The houses were provided with open--which, however cheerful, did not keep them warm--or else with Franklin's stoves.

To strike a fire one must have the flint and tinderbox, for matches were unknown until about 1830.

Candles made the darkness visible.

There was neither plumbing nor running water.