Old Time Cider Presses

[Henry]

Since it is Apple Time, was remembering back when I lived on Fairfield Ridge and we used to go up to the Capt Horn place which was up near Lapland.  There was an old orchard there with about 5 apple trees and a couple of butternut trees.  Dad used to pick a bunch of applesand put them in a horse drawn double wagon and bring them down to Henry Burnor's place where I believe Brown's store is as you are leaving the village headed towards East Fairfield.  Henry Burnor had a cider press there and we used to get enough cider to pretty much fill a wooden barrell.  Used to roll it through the hatchway and put it in the cellar.  Had a wooden spigot in it and we used to take a pitcher down cellar and fill it with cider.  Long about January, it got a little picky and turned into hard cider.  Remember Dad used to put maple syrup in it.

We were never allowed to drink very much of it, but the cellar kept it real cold and it tasted pretty good - Almost think that eventually it turned to cider vinegar, but won't vouch for that.

Now that I think of it, we never did wash those apples and I know for a fact we did not check for worms - Oh Well!!  we never got sick from drinking it.

[Rev. Elizabeth]

A wonderful story, Henry.  I wish there were some old photos to go with it.  And those worms...they just added a little protein to your cider!

[Henry]

As a side note, Doug Webb's wife was Henry Burnor's daughter.  Some time when I am talking to Dick Howrigan, will have to ask him if he remembers more details of people getting their cider made down there at Henry Burnor's store and garage.  I vaguely remember the press being on the right had side near the big back door.