You've pointed out an interesting detail from the historical rates set by the Pocahontas County Court in 1822: 12.5 cents for 12 hours of horse feed (hay). This pricing, alongside the other rates provided, offers a glimpse into the economic landscape of the county during that era.
Let's place this price in context by comparing it to other commodities and services from the same period:
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A Day's Labor: While the sources don't specify a typical day laborer's wage in 1822, it's likely that 12.5 cents represented a significant portion of a day's earnings. This suggests that owning and maintaining a horse was a substantial expense for residents of Pocahontas County.
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Basic Necessities: Comparing the cost of horse feed to other essentials reveals interesting insights. For instance, a night's lodging at 8 cents was cheaper than feeding a horse for half a day. A gallon of grain, priced at 12.5 cents, cost the same as the horse's hay.
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"Luxury" Items: Alcoholic beverages, considered more of a luxury than a necessity, were generally priced higher per gill than the cost of horse feed. Whiskey was the cheapest at 6.25 cents per gill, while brandy ranged from 10 to 12.5 cents.
These comparisons highlight the importance of horses in early 19th-century rural life. Horses were essential for transportation, farming, and other tasks, making their upkeep a priority even if it meant sacrificing personal comforts.
It's also worth noting that the source describes these 1822 prices as indicative of "the good times of long ago," hinting that costs may have risen in the years leading up to the newspaper's publication in the late 19th century.
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