BURDEN CARRIER



One favorite American burden carrier was made quickly from a square piece of canvas or waterproofed sailcloth, known in the New England as a “summer cloth,’ which folded into a knapsack. Apples or grain could be carried in a summer cloth, but so could water or milk. The word summer has nothing to do with the season, but stemmed from the ancient word sumpter meaning burden or burden-horse. Farmers in the north country still keep a square piece of waxed sailcloth in their wagons to carry water for their horses, for a bucket will dry out leak, but a canvas bucket will always hold water. The drawing shows how to fold a summer cloth, in place of pins a plain torn from a thrown tree will do the job of fastening the material. Indians have been known to make such an arrangement of birchbark, which will not burn as long as there is liquid on the inside, and will boil water over an open fire!
Diary of an Early American Boy – Eric Slone

What is waxed canvas?

Waxed canvas is a densely woven cotton fabric that has been saturated with wax, giving it an extra layer of protection against the elements. The waxed coating is made from either a paraffin or beeswax. There are many tutorials available on-line that teach you how to make your own waxed cloth.