The housekeeper’s role was vital for a smoothly operating household. Her job would have included overseeing the work of most of the other individuals employed inside the house. Both daily and seasonal cleaning would have been under her supervision as would the care of family clothing and the regulation of household groceries. The dishes and table linens used on a regular basis may have been kept in her room to be distributed as needed. She may even have been responsible for the care of the cows, kept in the rear yard. The cow stable provided milk and cream for family consumption. She was also responsible for seeing that the Octagon’s icehouse was filled at the appropriate season.
