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P. 4.     270
  The ancient Cherokees made great use of oil, both on an article of food and for ointment; and as they would^not always have bears, or any other animal oil, they were 

often obligated to make oil of vegetables. This they d

First from Hickory nuts. They first pounded the nuts, shell and all, between two stones. The product they sifted, throwing away what did not pass through the sieve, and

what did pass through, they pounded again in a mortar, then put it in a pot of boiling water and as the oil rose at the top it was skimmed off till it was found to be all taken from the water. Then another supply, prepared as the other, was put into the same water, boiled and skinned as before. When the women made this oil, they united, and devoted four days to the work. When they had done boiling and skimming the oil, they put it into a vessel, and set it on coals, to try dry out all the water that might be connected with it, and then put it away for use. It resembled bears oil both in consistency and appearance and answered all the purposes of that oil.

Second from Chestnuts. These were hulled, dried, & pounded, and the meal boiled, & then skimmed & tried dried, put away, and used the same as hickory oil.
Third, from Acorns. Oil was made of these in the same manner as of chestnuts, and was similar to that.
Fourth, From Black walnuts and Butternuts. The process, as in the case of Hickory nuts, though my informant had never seen oil made of these. 
 Many kinds of herbs were boiled and used for greens, Being put in a common dish, the family sat round, took them from the dish with the fingers, and dipping them in oil, ate them, finding them thus prepared both nutritious and palatable.
Eating thus, it was considered neat & wholesome, to wash their hands before and after eating, as some did. yet others, more slovenly, neglected it.
Spoon victuals they had also in a common dish, i.e., at ordinary family meals, - all sat round it, and partook with wooden or Buffalo horn spoons, having as many as were 

necessary for family use.