Exploring the 18th Century Through Food with Townsends and Sons

Image Courtesy of The Daily Mail

By Eduardo Castillon

In 1973 James Townsend and his daughter started their business Townsends and Sons, as it would have been abbreviated during the time of the American Revolution. Their Pierceton, Indiana retail business specializes in manufacturing quality reproductions of 18th century clothes, accessories, camping supplies, and even cookbooks. Most of their purchases however occur online, and as such, social media has played a large role in garnering attention to the store’s products. President of Townsends, Jon Townsend, is the face of the Townsends Youtube channel which has gained a large following largely for its cooking videos taking recipes straight from the 18th century. 

Online viewers can follow along with Jon Townsend as he prepares and tastes some 18th century novelties, ranging from hot cereals to eat when you’re sick, to a keto “cauliflower ragu.” As one might expect, the recipes don’t always turn out as expected, with some dishes, like this curious coffee egg dessert, being surprisingly appetizing, while others, like this crab stew, leave much to be desired.

While much of the channel’s audience may have come for the food, they have also stayed for the historical perspective and welcoming environment Jon Townsend provides; the context of many of the recipes help demonstrate the larger societal aspects surrounding them. The consequences of the industrial revolution created a radical shift in the lifestyles of common people and the recipes of the time reflect that.

Townsend presents history through the people of the past, what they owned in their homes, what clothes they wore, and what their typical day looked like. Viewers can hear about the life of a frontier gunsmith, watch the development of a log cabin homestead, or listen to the historical medical practices of the time. 

Jon Townsend is passionate about what he talks about while creating a very relaxing and cozy experience for viewers. Subscribers can join him in the “Nutmeg Tavern” as he reads stories from the time period like “The Christmas Carol” or “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” He has even calmed down internet audiences during the stressful 2020 presidential election with a fire-side reading of “Rip Van Winkle.” Townsends and Sons, being a family business that has existed for a number of decades now, has worked with other organizations and individuals who appreciate history. They have interviewed a number of fellow reenactors including a French Trapper, a Longhunter, an Enslaved Woman, and even a Polish Winged Hussar.