The Florida woods survival

Sept 10, 2022

    Reading the book "A Land Remembered", written by Patrick Smith, has been able to show us a great example of country life in the late 1800's. This novel was written to show us the life of a man named Tobias and the reality of man's every day struggle back in these days. In chapter four and five we can see many examples of how Tobias was a man who would always lead his family so he would come up with different ideas to feed and support them. During the late 1800's, we see that there were no easy and quick meals like the options that we have today and Finding work in the middle of the woods was impossible. Tobias would bring raccoon skins  and other items to the trading post to see what supplies he can trade for and bring back home. This time, he wasn't so lucky, as he learned that Federal troops were  intercepting all South bound ships and all supplies were gone at the local post. 

    Tobias lives in a homemade two-room cabin and struggles to survive on swamp cabbage, varmint meat, and vegetables so imagine how humble they have made themselves throughout the years of living in this home. They understood that it took determination and sticking by each other throughout the bad times as well as the good times to be able to make it. We learn that Tobias was informed about the war by the proprietor when he went to trade items at the post. He was worried about the war being closer to his area as it passed further away from Jacksonville. Tobias was also warned that the Cow Calvary could force him to join them and that he would have to leave his family. Although he would be strong enough to deal with this worry in his heart, he did not want to worry his family and didn't tell them the extent to how bad things could really be. 

    Although this is a novel, I really appreciate how detailed the story gets into a character's personal thoughts to show us just how vulnerable and human they are. We imagine history as something that is unreachable but by understanding how those who lived in the past were real like us, worked hard like us, and had dreams like us, we learn to appreciate their stories more. I enjoyed these chapters because not only did I learn about how I would have to survive if I lived in those times and alone in the woods but also how it helped me realize how I should always appreciate what I have and this is why I chose to write about this. I hope all of the stories of Tobias' life come together to show a better country life in the late 1800's for him and his family. 

This photo is an example of what Tobias' home may

have looked like.

A man and his son walking with some oxen. 

This is what I imagine Tobias and his son Zech

doing together.

Dirt roads of the 1800's.

An Andalusian Bull.

Just like the bull in the story that was hunted down

by Tobias and his son.

A home kitchen in the late 1800's. 

Notice how there is just 1 cauldron.

Mom, cooking green beans for dinner again... 

I found these images and decided to share them to show what life in the late 1800's looked like and to bring a more personal touch to the story we are reading in "A Land Remembered."