Nathaniel Trott

Nathaniel Trott, born and raised in McDaniel Maryland where he now lives again, shared insights about life growing up in a time of self-sufficiency and tight-knit family bonds. The interview highlights food preservation techniques such as canning sausages and curing pig feet, as well as the practice of storing potatoes in the ground to survive the winter. Nathaniel recalled his family’s deep connection to farming, growing food like kale and sweet potatoes, and making their own bread and butter. Community was a vital part of life, with neighbors helping each other with tasks like slaughtering hogs and sharing meals. Despite the hardships of living without modern amenities, such as running water or electricity, Mr. Trott fondly remembered the simpler times. He also spoke of the importance of family, emphasizing how families supported one another and the wider community, touching also on the role of traditional foods and fishing. Nathaniel remembered times spent gathering shellfish, fish and wild asparagus.