The cottage is from the early 19th century and was originally from Österkumla, Södermanland.
Boatman's cottage is the coastal equivalent of a soldier's cottage. Between 1682 and 1901, Sweden's defense was organized through “Indelningsverket”. The country's farmhouses were divided into groups which consisted of two to four farmhouses. Each group was required to hold a soldier or a boatman for Sweden's defense.
The farmers would ensure that the soldier had a home, a uniform and an annual salary. The soldier would also have some farmland to use.
Several times a year the boatman went away at company or regiment meetings. The rest of the year he went home as a farmhand.
As the cottage came with the service, the rest of the family had to move when the boatman died, or if he was dismissed. Sometimes the widow remarried with someone who became the next boatman at the cottage and was able to stay that way.
In the cottage year 1865
The year is 1865. In the cottage lives the boatman Anders Östberg and his wife Stina Johansdotter. Together they have daughter Anna, 7 years and sons Anders, 4 years and Axel, 3 years. The son Gustaf Teodor was born in 1865 and died the same year. Lovissa's two sons from a previous marriage also lives with them, Karl 13 years old and Johan 11 years old.
The family has some land to grow grain on and a potato land. They have a cow, a pig and some chickens. They produce most of what they need, both food, clothing and utensils. They can't put up any big food supplies. They are also expected to help farmers in harvesting and mowing through day jobs.
Inside the home year 1865
The square has only one room, the living room and a small chamber. The living room is both kitchen, living room and bedroom. The small chamber serves as a shoemaker's workshop. Anders is a shoemaker by the side.
The food is cooked over the open fire in the fireplace. The fireplace is also the only source of light and heat. The food is simple. Most often it will be herring and potatoes or porridge. The family gathers around the porridge and eats from the same bowl.
The adults and some of the younger children sleep in the bed at the far corner. Newborn Gustaf sleeps in the cradle. The older children share sleeping space in one of the pull-out sofas under the window. They lie on bolsters stuffed with straw. As a quilt, they use sheepskin and quilts.
The children in the cottage
The younger children play with a wooden doll, a wooden horse and bark boats.
The children start working early. The younger ones can care for little siblings, carded wool, pick berries and wild cows. The older siblings accompany the parents and do day jobs at the farmers.
