Join me on a sleigh ride? We can glide over the ice and snow, perhaps our horse has a harness with bells jingling softly, and maybe we’ll sing a song, while staying warm under our wool blanket, with a hot brick at our feet.
Doesn’t that sound lovely? As a cold natured person, I love something warm at my feet. In the winter, I usually have two hot water bottles. And yes…I will shoo away anyone who tries to take them. We all have our own, I can’t help it if my oldest and husband keep losing theirs! And I have two!
I thought it would be fun to share about a few different types of sleighs. While we might think a sleigh is a sleigh, to someone in the 1800s, there was quite a difference. Sort of like the difference between a car and a truck, I suppose!
First up, the box pung. Nope, not a typo. A pung, was a type of sleigh. Common in New England, it was boxy, simple, and though it wasn’t as stylish as what we think of the typical sleigh, it was sturdy and good for hauling people or cargo. I imagine that would have been useful in the winter, for someone who needed to get supplies from the store.
Next, we have a jumper. A small sleigh, it was a very light and meant more for one or two people, and short little trips. It was a recreational vehicle, so if we were going with a car analogy, perhaps the small little sports car! Since it was so light, it was easier for the horses to pull, meaning it might make for good racing.
Another type, and this is the type most of us think about when we are thinking of sleighs, is the cutter. These were the stylish sleighs, the ones that were painted prettily, with a bit more decoration. They were also curvier on the runners and meant to not only function well, but look good doing it!
I had fun learning more about these while I wrote A Sleigh Ride for Charlotte. The sleigh in this story isn’t used every day. It’s actually been sitting, neglected since the death of Charlotte’s father, about a decade before.
I want to share an excerpt with you. To set the page, Charlotte, a capable, clever, hardworking young woman, is excited to be offered a position at the new doctor’s office. The upcoming winter festival is on her mind, and her heart is hoping the man she’s had a crush on since childhood will invite her for a sleigh ride. As fate would have it…
“I’m not who she wants. It’s him, not me,” he suddenly burst out, pacing. All of his hurt, all of his insecurities and fears and upset rushed out of him. Now that the flood had started, he couldn’t hold it back.
“I’m not rich, I’m not handsome. I have nothing to offer. A doctor with his first practice—a new one at that—in a small town is not wealthy. Why, half of my patients don’t pay me in coin, but in service or food. I couldn’t give her all she deserves.”
“What does she deserve?” Charlotte’s mother asked, placing her hands in her lap, while her eyes never left his.
“She deserves someone who loves her. Who can give her what she desires. Who can care for her and protect her and…and I am none of those things.”
He gestured wildly, hoping his hands would convey his desperation. “The only way that I can protect her is by staying away.”
Justin lowered his head and whispered, “If I don’t, he will hurt you both.”
You can learn more about the book here, and find it on ebook, paperback, and narrated by my talented narrator right here.
Before I leave, I have a question for you. What would be a song you’d want to sing in a sleigh? Jingle Bells would be quite the classic, wouldn’t it?
Sarah is wife to an amazing teacher and mom to two boys who are growing up just a little too fast. She spends her days working and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
The song, “Sleigh Ride.” Several people did it including the Ronettes and the Carpenters.
Oh yes! That one would be so good! I love that one in any version!
I have my Great Grandparents cutter sleigh complete with shaves!! It was not new when he acquired it in the early 1900s and he courted her in it! It mean everything to me and I hope to get it fixed up by the amish in the future!
Teresa,
Now that’s cool!
Oh my goodness!! I hope that you do! What a special thing that is!!!
Thanks for telling us about sleighs.
“Winter Wonderland”:”Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…”
Ohhh yes! That’s a good one!
I like to sing White Christmas, because if I was really in a sleigh, we’d need snow to do it right!
Yes, we’d need one of those massive snows!!
Sarah, I’ve never gone on a sleigh ride but I’ve always wanted to. We never have enough snow around the holidays and people here don’t own sleighs. It looks like so much fun and it’s very romantic. I’ve often wished I lived up north where it snows a lot. We’re pretty much desert here. Loved your post.
My aunt and uncle went every year in CT do to sleigh rides. I always thought that would be so fun!
Winter Wonderland
Yes! That would be the perfect song!
Winter Wonderland would be a good song. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
That one really is a perfect song for in a sleigh!
Maybe Joy To The World.
That would be a good one!
Good afternoon, Thank you for sharing the different kind of sleighs with us, so very interesting! I have never been on a sleigh ride but one day would love to. I think Jingle Bells or Winter Wonderland would be perfect songs while going on a sleigh ride. Your book sounds like a Very Good read, I will be adding it to my TBR , I am very interested to see who she chooses. Have a Great day.
I think those both would be great songs to sing! Both feel perfect!
thanks for sharing about your research about sleighs. I think I would have so much fun singing many songs.
I think so too!!
Most definitely “Sleigh Ride.” “Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too, Come on it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.”
I think that’s going to be in my head the rest of the day! 😀
Pung, jumper and cutter, that’s great info! I love learning about things like this. BTW, your book is fabulous! (I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader.) Keep up the good work and the interesting research!
Sleigh Ride and Winter Wonderland would be great songs, along with Jingle Bells. Oh my, suddenly my head is filled with Christmas songs and I feel a Christmas mood coming on! LOL! We need to get through Thanksgiving first!
Haha! Thanks, Lynne! There’s no wrong time of year for Christmas!!! I like to enjoy it for months!
Jingle Bells
Yes! This would be my first one too!
Thanks for sharing about the sleighs . Winter wonderland or jingle bells would be good ones.
Yes! I think everyone agrees with you on those!
Winter Wonder Land – “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening…….”