Living in Ireland in 1790

Monday we visited the Ulster-American Folk Park in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. This is a marvelous open-air museum with old houses, some of which have been moved from their original place to the Park for preservation. One of the houses belonged to Judge Thomas Mellon,  founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. One of the houses that caught my attention was the house of a common (poor) family of about 1790. Alexander Campbell was born not very far from here in County Antrim in 1788. I have the impression that the Campbell's were better off. Thomas served as a Presbyterian pastor and operated his own academy.

The house has a thatched roof. Yes, that is smoke coming from the chimney.

House built in 1790. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Inside the house, peat was burning in the fireplace. Most of the smoke was going up the chimney. In addition to warming the single living-sleeping-dining room, the fire was used for cooking.

Peat fire burning in the fireplace. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Regardless of the size of the family, there was likely only one bed for the parents. Children slept on the floor.

Only one bed in the single-room house. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

United States President Woodrow Wilson's ancestral home was located in this region of Ireland. Wilson's grandfather left Ireland in 1807.

Last night we were in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Everyone in the group is doing well.