The above image was created using DALL-E on CPT4o
The 1850 Agricultural Census intrigues me because most of my family history comes from agrarian roots. Watching farmers prepare and plant their crops here in Michigan made me reflect on what it must have been like to farm in 1850 without the benefit of modern John Deere equipment. Using ChatGPT-4o, I created a prompt to help me with my research, "using the information on this 1850 agricultural census transcription, provide information about how Thomas Begole who was born in 1776 and died in 1854 at the age of 78 in Wayland, New York would have prepared for summer planting. Provide historical context." I had already used AI to extract the information in a list form and that is the transcription I used for this prompt.
I could have done all the research myself on what farming was like in 1850 New York, but I didn’t think I needed to dive that deep right now. What is the saying, work smarter, not harder? Using AI made the process easier and it helped me get the blog post written faster. That being said, the 1850 agricultural census was the impetus for this blog post about Thomas Begole's farm.
I imagine frost had disappeared and Spring was in full swing in Steuben County, New York. 74-year-old Thomas Begole, my fourth great grandfather, was likely hard at work preparing his Wayland, New York farm for another season of planting. Born in 1776, the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed, Thomas lived through a remarkable stretch of American history. By the time of the 1850 agricultural census, he had built a hardworking little farm that gives us a real feel for what everyday life was like in the countryside before the Civil War.
New York was still transitioning from frontier land to established farms and Thomas worked 45 acres of improved land that had been cleared, plowed, and planted. He also had 34 acres of unimproved land, possibly used for pasture, woodland, or left waiting to be developed. Combined, his 79 acres made for a solid farm, valued at nearly $3,000 (about $122,000 in 2025), which was a significant investment in rural America during the mid-1800s.
Spring into Summer: Preparing the Land
Summer planting required months of preparation. With only $100 worth of implements and machinery, Thomas’s tools would have been basic, such as plows, harrows, and hoes. Draft animals, such as his two horses, were indispensable for plowing and hauling. Before planting seeds, Thomas likely relied on oxen or horses to break up the soil and prepare it for crops like oats and corn.His 60 bushels of oats harvested that year point to a spring sowing. Oats were typically planted early, often in March or April, and were an important feed crop for his livestock. Though his 3 bushels of corn yield was minimal, this might have been due to poor growing conditions, limited acreage devoted to the crop, or perhaps a shift in focus to livestock and wool production.
Tending to Livestock and Wool
Thomas’s agricultural efforts extended beyond the fields. He managed a mixed herd of 3 dairy cows, 5 other cattle, and 26 sheep. These animals required not only pasture and shelter but also winter feed, evidenced by the 10 tons of hay he stored. Summer was not only a time for planting but also for maintaining pastures and hayfields to prepare for the next winter.His flock of sheep produced 100 pounds of wool, likely sheared in late spring or early summer. Wool production was an important cash commodity and a staple of northern farmsteads. Additionally, 100 pounds of butter made in the home likely supplemented the household’s income or trading needs.
Orchards and Self-Sufficiency
Thomas’s orchard products were valued at $20, a modest sum but enough to suggest some fruit production. Apples were by far the most common orchard crop in upstate New York during the mid-1800s. Farmers grew them for fresh eating, hard cider (which was a staple drink), vinegar, and preserves. Orchard maintenance was a year-round endeavor, with pruning and grafting typically done in late winter and early spring. By summer, the trees would be carefully tended in anticipation of a fall harvest.A Life Rooted in the Land
When I think of Thomas Begole, an aging but still active farmer in 1850, it’s clear that life on the land was not easy, but it was deeply purposeful. At age 74, he likely worked alongside younger family members or hired help to manage the daily demands of farming.Looking back from the comfort of today, I can appreciate how men like Thomas built their lives from the ground up, turning wilderness into something lasting. His preparations for summer planting in 1850 are a reminder of a time when food, clothing, and opportunity was all gotten from the land.
If you’re curious about your own family’s story, try taking a look at an agricultural census or other historical record. You never know what kind of stories you might uncover.
Genealogical Notes
The image used on this blog post was created by AI software, DALL-E on CPT4o. The visual was designed using prompts written by the author.
This blog post used the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) tools at CPT4o. While the content reflects my ideas, writing, and research. the AI was used for headings, grammar and spelling editing, census extraction, and historical context. The author checked for accuracy.
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