Elizabeth Trumbo house

When Elizabeth Snyder Trumbo died in 1873, she was a well-to-do widow living in Dayton, near a number of her children. At her death her estate was inventoried and the list gives a good idea of her life style. Included in the list is the contents of her stable:
1 top buggy (single)
1 spring wagon
1 double wagon
1 pair bobs
1 single cutter
1 buffalo robe
2 horses, one brown, one sorrel
1 double harness
1 single harness

Here’s what they would have looked like.

a top buggy

A top buggy was a type of horse-drawn carriage with a folding top, also known as a “Jenny Lind”. It was a lightweight, four-wheeled vehicle designed for two passengers and was often pulled by a single horse. The top could be raised or lowered to provide protection from the weather, making it a versatile option for rain or sunshine.

spring wagon

A spring wagon was a four-wheeled vehicle drawn by draft animals, usually horses. It had a square box for carrying goods or passengers and was equipped with platform springs to provide a smoother ride. A single seat for two people was mounted in the middle of the box leaving room behind the seat for cargo.  It was a versatile and popular choice for farmers and general transportation needs, much like a pickup truck or delivery van.

double wagon

A double wagon was a type of freight wagon designed to carry heavier loads than a single wagon. It typically had a sturdy, wooden frame with a large flat wooden bed mounted on four wheels, with high sideboards to keep the load secure. The wagon was drawn by a team of two or more horses and was equipped with springs to provide a smoother ride over rough terrain. The wheels were typically made of wood with iron rims. The front and rear axles were connected by a central beam, allowing for a bit of flexibility over rough terrain. It was often drawn by a team of two or more horses, with a driver’s seat at the front for steering and controlling the team.

bobsled

Bobsleds were used for transportation in the snow and for recreational activities. A snowfall and a hill could prove irresistible to children and even, sometimes, to their elders. Bobsledding eventually evolved into the Olympic sport known today.

single cutter

A cutter is a type of light, one-horse sled with a single seat. it is smaller than a sleigh, more streamlined, usually for one or two passengers, and has a more open design.

buffalo lap robe

If you had a cutter, then you had to have a buffalo robe. A buffalo robe is a cured buffalo hide, with the hair left on. They were made into lap robes and used as blankets and padding in carriages and sleighs  Only hides taken in winter between November and March when the furs are in their prime were suitable for buffalo robes.

two horses, one sorrel, one brown

The standard harness of America

This illustrates many styles of harness, both single and double.

I like to picture Elizabeth and her daughter Mary Jane, my great-grandmother, going out on a chilly day in the top buggy, with a buffalo robe tucked around them.