What People Ate Back in the 1800's

For those who had to purchase their food, one record notes the following retail prices in 1818 in Washington, D.C.: beef cost 6 to 8 cents a pound, potatoes cost 56 cents a bushel, milk was 32 cents a gallon, tea 75 cents to $2.25 a pound. Shoes ran $2.50 a pair. Clothing expenses for a family of six cost $148 a year, though the record does not indicate the quality of the clothes.

Food in the 1800s was very different from what we eat today. Depending on the region, the season, and the availability of ingredients, people cooked various dishes that reflected their culture, lifestyle, and preferences. Some of the common foods in the 1800s were:

• Cornbread, biscuits, and bread. These were staple foods that could be made with simple ingredients and served with butter, jam, honey, or molasses. They were often eaten for breakfast, along with eggs, bacon, ham, or sausage1
• Soups, stews, and chowders. These were hearty and filling meals that could be made with meat, vegetables, grains, and herbs. They were often cooked in large pots over the fire, and could feed a large family or a group of workers. Some examples are beef stew, chicken and dumplings, clam chowder, and vegetable soup12
• Pies, cakes, and puddings. These were sweet treats that could be made with fruits, nuts, spices, and sugar. They were often baked in ovens or cooked in pots, and served with cream, custard, or whipped cream. Some examples are apple pie, pumpkin pie, gingerbread, pound cake, and rice pudding12

Of course, these are just some of the foods that people ate in the 1800s. There were many more dishes that varied by region, ethnicity, and occasion.