LITR221
Due: 23 November 2014
Granny (Mis’ Cayce) A Unique American Woman What makes Appalachian Americans unique? Starting with characteristics one that most Appalachian’s share is an intense desire for freedom. “Freedom to live as they pleased, with lots of space to themselves– “elbow room”, as Appalachian Daniel Boone used to say. People who settled Appalachia were not inclined to be bound to institutions, religious or otherwise. Those ties and that external authority were part of what they wanted to leave behind. These people brought their traditions, values and beliefs with them. They came into contact with Native Americans, and while doubtless there were fights for land, the settlers and Indians reached an understanding” (How …show more content…

Just after the Civil War the bonnet headdress shrank and started to expose the neck more which would make it less likely that Granny would have been wearing another hat. This hat was considered a unique American cap of the time and would have been worn by a more hardworking lady, Granny in this case. The longer back end also served a functional purpose of keeping the sun from hitting the back of the neck while working on the farm eliminating sunburns on that area of the body. Mis’ Cayce’s wore “bandana kerchief was crossed over her breast, and she wore a blue-and- white-checked homespun dress of the same pattern and style that she had worn here fifty years ago” (Murfree). “Bandanas came to the Americas with pirates who came to the Caribbean sea to plunder gold filled Spanish galleons. Later the bandana came with the British colonists and the Red Coats and stayed in America ever since” (Mackley). The bandana in America during Granny’s time had a number of purposes. It could be used as a tool for first aid, sun and sand protection, head gear to keep your eyes clear from hair, ear muffs in the cold and of course to catch sweat from your forehead while working during the hot summer days. Her homespun dress would have been a traditional “common work clothing” for the time period in America. In the 18th century many Americans would homespun linen and/or wool to use for everyday dresses and other