multi-tasking

Back in the day, people had more than one job. They were multi-tasking, having responsibilities for different positions in their community.

My great-great-grandfather was a tobacco farmer and a circuit judge. He traveled the county holding court in different towns. Likewise other men would have served as circuit preachers and farm their own small plot of land. Or farmer/innkeeper as was the case of Mr. Garfield.

My great-great uncle was a physician, but when you take a look at the instruments of his trade in that day it's apparent your health was in dire straights unless it was something that could have been cured with a good bleeding, leeches or thick black salve.