See quotations.
1778. Pine knots are so replete with turpentine, that they are fired and used at night to illuminate the room; and lighted splinters are often carried about in the houses of the Carolina planters instead of candles.—Wm. Gordon, ‘Hist. of the Am. Revolution,’ iii. 190, note (Lond., 1788).
1791. To collect a great quantity of wood and Pine knots to feed our fires and keep up a light in our camp.—W. Bartram, ‘Carolina,’ p. 387. (N.E.D.)
1830. They could not afford to furnish him with oil and candles, and he was forced to search the forest for pine knots, which he split up and used.—Mass. Spy, Jan. 27: from the Williamstown Advocate.
1830. At night parties collect by a pine-knot fire, and play cards for the earnings of the day.—Mass. Spy, May 26.
1833. We collected some pine knots, split them with our tomahawks, and kindled torches, with which I proposed to my companion that we should enter the cave together, and shoot the bear.—‘Narrative of James O. Pattie,’ pp. 57–8 (Cincinnati).
1833. The earliest employment of our hero, was to gather for his mother pine-knots which not only constitute the fuel of that country [Kentucky], but are the most fashionable substitutes for spermaceti candles.—James Hall, ‘The Harpe’s Head,’ p. 108 (Phila.).
1837. They [alligators] sometimes swallow pine knots for want of better eating.—John L. Williams, ‘The Territory of Florida,’ p. 65 (N.Y.).
1847. We shall get along well enough; bring some more pine knots, boys, and let’s have a rousing fire.—Sol. Smith, ‘Adventures,’ p. 105.
