Over the River......

 

" Over the river, and through the wood, trot fast, my dapple-gray!" This likely meant to travel *down the river*, not to go across it as a lot of winter travel in New England went by frozen rivers before roads were open in the winter were the paths of least resistance. Roughly 100 years ago, New England reached the end of 'the 'snow rolller era'. Nice article here about the solution to winter travel in the Old Days. Lots if accurate details..... https://mwvvibe.com/white-mountain-snow-rollers/ .

My grandfather, who was born in1901 in Berkshire Co, MA, told me that one sunny early March day, a group of his neighborhood farmers *hand shoveled* out our road (Perrys Peak Rd) which is apox. 1/2 mile, up hill. (It was memorable, in part, because he got the worst sunburn he ever had) .....Which meant whoever lived in our house was up here at the end of the road for the duration of winter once they got snowed in, back then starting about Thanksgiving. (Btw: "Over the River and Through the Woods" is actually a *Thanksgiving* poem , i.e. not Christmas) by Lydia Maria Child, published in 1844. Original title: "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day".)

Today, folks get upset if the roads aren't plowed down to gravel and pavement, salted, sanded and dry by early morning.

In the 1880's, a snow roller would have been made locally and cost approx. $50 (about $5,000+) in today's money. When my grandfather moved to Richmond, he said there was one snow plow in Berkshire Co. A steam powered tractor the you could hear coming for aweek.