Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

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Notes From the York Daily, 1874

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes from the York Daily newspaper covering the period of January 29 to June 15, 1874, compiled by Alfred L. Shoemaker circa 1950. Topics include wedding anniversaries, speck and a tale of a woman being accidentally buried alive.
Notes From the York Daily, January 24, 1894

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes from the York Daily newspaper from January 24, 1894, compiled by Alfred L. Shoemaker circa 1950. The notes describe the story of how the tomato plant, or love apple, was introduced to York, planted in a prison yard by an inmate from Bermuda.
Notes From the York Gazette: June 2, 1894 to July 25, 1894

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes from the York Gazette of 1894 copied by Alfred L. Shoemaker circa 1950. The articles cover topics including indentured servitude for immigrants, enlisting in the Revolutionary War and funeral practices.
Notes From West Chester Local News and Other Sources, 1813-1879

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes from the West Chester Local News and other sources, transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker. Within, a range of topics are covered, including a story about a bear and going to market in Philadelphia.
Notes on Agriculture, Horticulture and Fruit Varieties, 1846-1855

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes detailing points of reference from various books dating from 1846 to 1855, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. Within, Shoemaker makes notes on various subjects ranging from apple and pear varieties to farming implements and a poem about Pennsylvania Dutch pies.
Notes on a Love Feast in Bethlehem From the Berks & Schuylkill Journal, July 7, 1827

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of typed notes from the Berks and Schuylkill Journal dating from July 7, 1827, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. The notes describe a religious ceremony or Love Feast held in a Moravian church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. During the choir performance, members of the congregation partook of coffee and soft cakes.
Notes On Apples and Churches From the Berks & Schuylkill Journal, 1872-1874

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of notes copied from the Berks and Schuylkill Journal dating from 1872 to 1874, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. Within, excerpts detail information on subjects ranging from church bells and organs to the origins of certain varieties of apples.
Notes on Barns and Apple Butter From The Cultivator and The Genesee Farmer, 1841-1859

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes copied from The Cultivator and The Genesee Farmer, transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating circa 1841 to 1859. The notes detail various articles describing the farms and farm buildings of Pennsylvania, particularly the barns. The notes also describe the process of making apple butter.
Notes on Christmas Traditions, 1833-1890

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes from a variety of newspapers and other sources dating from the 1800s, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. The notes describe various Christmas traditions, including tree trimming and decorating, songs and caroling, superstitions, sayings and events.
Notes on Directions for Cookery by Miss Leslie

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes primarily on a recipe for Apees cakes, written by Alfred Shoemaker and copied from Directions for Cookery by Eliza Leslie. The documents contain additional notes from other sources regarding Shrewsbury Cakes and Yorkshire Christmas Pie.
Notes on "Hotch-Potch" From the Lancaster Farmer, January, 1881

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes copied from the Lancaster Farmer of January 1881, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. Within, a recipe for a 'hotch-potch' (stuffed pig stomach) is detailed by J. G. Warwick, with additional commentary provided by the editor of the periodical.
Notes on Husbands and Wives, and Other Folk Beliefs

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A handwritten, untitled note transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker dating from circa 1950. Within, some beliefs surrounding husbands and wives are noted along with other folk sayings.
Notes on Liberty From the Chronicle of the Times, June 7, 1825

Alfred L. Shoemaker

These typed notes from a Reading, Pennsylvania newspaper column, The Chronicle of the Times, June 7, 1825, were recorded by Alfred L. Shoemaker. The notes concern the origins of the Liberty cap emblem often used as a symbol against tyranny.
Notes on New Year's Customs From the Berks & Schuylkill Journal, January 5, 1828

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of typed notes from the Berks and Schuylkill Journal dating from January 5, 1828, written by Alfred L. Shoemaker. The notes record the story of a wound sustained from a pistol being used in the tradition of "shooting in the New Year."
Notes on Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Types

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes by Alfred L. Shoemaker copied from material by Charles Dornbush, circa 1950. Shoemaker describes eleven barn types, detailing their differences in construction, materials used and layout. He also notes the counties in Pennsylvania where these barns are typically seen.
Notes on Public Sales From the Reading Gazette, 1878

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes copied from the Reading Gazette, transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker, originally dated from March 23 to April 6, 1878. Within, excerpts from accounts of public sales detail a basket maker's wares, food and drink, and the cries of hucksters selling their products.
Notes on Rhymes and a Folk Cure for Hemorrhaging

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. The notes cover a folk cure and rhymes related by three different informants: Caroline Stadtman, Butcher Henninger and Emma C. Jenkins.
Notes on "Stirrings" and Amusements

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of handwritten notes copying various excerpted stories, transcribed by Alfred L Shoemaker. Within, a traditional apple butter "stirring" party is detailed as well as a story involving indigenous basket weavers and a man named Yoder.
Rejecting Suitors, April 28, 1905

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A handwritten set of notes from an unknown source dating from 1905 entitled, "Rejecting Suitors", transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker. The notes document the practice of giving butter bread (or apple butter bread) to an unwanted lover. The practice is noted as being particular to the western portion of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania in the 1860s.
Transcription of the Poem "Bells Nickle"

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes copying a poem by F. L. Sallade entitled "Bells Nickle", transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker, originally published in the Reading Weekly Eagle in 1896. The poem relates the stories of Christmas figures such as Belsnickel and their interactions with children.
Undated Notes and Rhymes From Various Sources and Informants Including G. A. Berner

Alfred L. Shoemaker

A set of compiled notes transcribed by Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, Shoemaker documents various topics, ranging from folk cures and childhood pranks to women's methods of working and caring for children.
William H. Newell Notes at Pottsville

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Shoemaker's handwritten entry documents his notes copied from William H. Newell, detailing superstitions and folktales including the removal of rats and mice, making deals with the devil, bird omens and weather predictions.
Witchcraft Story: Notes From the York Daily, March 5, 1898

Alfred L. Shoemaker

Handwritten notes from the York Daily newspaper of a story reprinted from the New York Sun compiled by Alfred L. Shoemaker, originally dated March 5, 1898. Within, a tale about witchcraft is recounted, dealing with an old witch hexing a baby and the subsequent cure provided by a witch doctor.
Undated Letter From Elsie M. Smith to Alfred L. Shoemaker

Elsie M. Smith

A handwritten letter from Elsie M. Smith addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, Smith provides Shoemaker with a list of weather prediction beliefs and other superstitions involving animals and luck.
Folklore Term Paper: Pow-wow

John D. Trout III

A typed term paper entitled, "Pow-Wow", completed at Franklin and Marshall College by John D. Trout III, dating from circa 1950. Within, Trout details a variety of pow-wow cures he learned during his fieldwork in Lancaster, Berks and Chester County, Pennsylvania, ranging from cures for toothache to a method to relieve bloated cows.