Food That Held Up A Nation 

This is like a $100,00 episode from the History Channel except it's better! and just another weekly video from the master of history! Amazing work

I can't believe I'm watching this for free.

At this point I consider Townsends to be a genuine documentary channel. The professional presentation, the information presented, the heartfelt enthusiasm on display, so few channels on RU-vid can match it.

The footage, narration, illustrations, photographs, sound effects... honestly I felt like I was watching a mini-docu-movie in a museum somewhere. This is an incredible work you've made here, and you should be proud of it. Fantastic.

Archaeologists can distinguish graves of 18th century Americans from British or Europeans because the Americans have more phosphorus in their bones, a result of eating so much fish and corn (maize).

My grandma always told me how salted cod, bacon and smoked sausages were house staples that would be kept hanging from the ceiling on top of the wood stove.

Townsends only talked about "nutmeg" one time, and did not use it! A rare episode indeed.

Regular Townsends video is 27 minutes long? It's a good week, y'all.

People say you need a show - but this is the show!! Don’t try to be different than what this is; keep doing what you think is right. These are the best and most entertaining history lessons I’ve ever gotten

"The Founding Fish" is an actual book. Best content ever here! Shad won the American Revolution is the claim.

Honestly I'm amazed you guys haven't been picked up by a major network. Then again I'm happy you've stuck to your roots since I started following you all those years back. Keep on keeping on!

When I visited Asia, they still have places that cooked with salted fermented fish. I tried some and when they cook it, the smell is unbearable, but when you eat it (with rice) it tastes like the most flavoursome food you could possibly have! The flavour can’t be explained but it is all the satisfying aromas combined to make you unable to stop, almost like how you feel when you eat chocolate.

Such a peaceful looking fishing spot.

I seem to recall that lobster used to be considered "poor food" right around the Revolutionary War, because they were so plentiful on the beaches.

Salted cod is still one of the most consumed fish in Portugal. Mostly from Norway. It is said here that we have 1001 recipes for it. Thank you so much for sharing so much knowledge to us here, for free ❤️

No wonder you guys were so excited about this video, when you talked about it on the livestream. I was very much looking forward to it, and was not disappointed. The entire team did an awesome job.

I grew up in Northern Canada and used to eat this type of fish preparation just about any time we were in the woods - which was always. We called the whole group kippers or just fish as a general name. We used to put it directly on the coals and then put it on buttered bread. I grew up eating this stuff and you would not believe how much it is missed.

Interesting how on the other side of the planet (11 hour time difference!), my extended family in bangladesh live just like this even today. No freezers...just trapping, salting, drying, smoking fish and feeding dozens of people daily

i swear my blood pressure is lower after i get my weekly dose of Townsends

I was just telling my nephew the other day that fish was a huge necessity since ancient times because people lived near rivers and because they didn't have refrigerators they had to get food more often

Thank you for the video. Reminds me of my grandfather saying he was always angry at his father and grandfather because every time they killed a cow, they would salt it immediately and he was never allowed to eat even a small piece of steak that was fresh. (and that was not so long ago... in the 1920's)

Garam and Worchester sauce made with fermented or "rotted" fish. We still use them today.

The shores of Massachusetts in the 1700s were said to be carpeted with lobster after a storm. They looked upon it as trash food, fit only for servants and the poor. What a change!

This is my favorite historic food channel. I love that it's not just making an old recipe, but telling a story. It's a beautiful homage to our history and ancestors. ❤

It took me till 2:30 to realise he was talking about a food source that supported a nation, not fish that staged a coup and took the nation at gunpoint.

I’m a big fan of this new format. I like how it’s sort of a reenactment of what they did in the colonial days. Would love to see more videos like this

This video is of superb quality - can’t believe it wasn’t a broadcasted production. Great work, awesome mix of historical lecture in addition to reliving/replaying!

Nothing more wholesome and peaceful than enjoying history on this channel. It takes away the anxiety of a shakey future with knowledge from the past. Thank you all at Townsends for doing what you do!

I remember when I was little, we were always fishing with my dad at the river near our village, good times. There was nice trout and some other fish to which I do not know the English name of.

Things like cheese and fish were extremely important because they could be caught and made during times where crops were out of cycle

We’ve literally overfished.. I live in SW Virginia and it’s literally impossible to catch a native trout out of any water that is not stocked by either the government or a private person. When the local government does stock the waters with trout they announce it and that leads to almost every fisherman to be there on that day to catch as many as they can get away with. SMH, I wish they wouldn’t announce it at all because it actually might help the comeback of them. 🇺🇸

When you are content with the food of the poor, you are free. When you can feed yourself with the resources around you, you'll end up rich. When you are content with beans, cornbread and the fish or game you can catch, you don't need anyone.

I have heard stories about my grandfather and one of his neighbors. Before ww2 they would take about 2 weeks and go to the gulf cost of fl. With a mule pulled wagon. They would buy barrels of salted mullet. They would sell the fish on there way back. The fish they sold payed for the trip and for each of them to keep a barrel for themselves.

Kinda wild how the plentiful fish were fished almost to extinction. Nowadays, the most populous fish tend to be invasive species, at least here in Florida. Mayan cichlids and tilapia are everywhere in the thousands -- at least they are very tasty, and nobody bats an eye when you go home with a dozen or so caught with a cast net.

I love the shots you took with the drone. Very picturesque river.

Truly one of the best channels I have ever found. And this episode is one of the most thought provoking ones I have seen. As a boy paddling the rivers of northern Indiana, I often found the remnants of the fishing weirs used by the Miami Indians as well as the early settlers. My grandmother told us stories about going to the river and watching her uncles harvest fish in the late 1800$. This is the first time I have ever seen this mentioned in this context.

What a wonderful video! I learned so much in an entertaining and delightful way! Thank you!! Love and God Bless, Mary

"Cod" by Mark Kurlansky can teach you more about cod than you thought possible

Generations to come will benefit from the contents that you have created. Simple, artistic,yet so classy....much love from 🇮🇳

I remember hearing an account of settlers of the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. They said the fish was so insanely plentiful and dense in the ocean there they could literally just lower a basket in the water on some string and pull it up and it would be full of fish. Overfishing really dropped the world population of fish drastically.

I read somewhere that for the first "Thanksgiving", it was more likely that the colonists ate river eels instead of turkey.

What a wonderful video. The amount of differing foods and the preparation, storytelling and demonstration of all of these methods is fantastic.

"You might settle in a particular area simply because the fishing is good" I still did that today lol

One of the things that I really like about these videos is the view back into how people were forced to communicate and work together to survive and the disagreements that ensued when they didn't. Feels like something that's lost in my life. I can spend all day at work talking to people and writing notes about consults but not feel like I've actually communicated with anyone. Life seems like it was a bit less lonely and more personal back then.

That butter sealing process is something I had never heard of before in Europe, but it's brilliant, really.

You guys! This video is a tour de force. What a great amount of information you provide. The cinematography is gorgeous and interesting. Watching this week's video was a superior experience to anything I've seen on television in a long time. I can only imagine the amount of work that went into creating it, yet it all rolls off the screen as effortless and elegant. I am blown away.

One of the best videos yet. The research, the information, the photography. Top notch! Thank you.

Why would I only find you now? This one is very relaxing. Way to appreciate a slow life and a smoked cod in the pot.

I'm happy we have people like you here on youtube

I feel sorry for the big guy. You always got him up on top of a log cabin or waist deep in a river lol... Y

This channel is a national treasure. The service this channel has done to bring American history to global inquiring minds is priceless. I have no idea if The Library of Congress has begun including youtube channels, but they should start with this one. Astounding diligence, temperance, and and passion for American history. Thank you!!!

Just really appreciate the passion you put into this channel. I know times are hard right now. RU-vid is really coming down on small content creators like you. But knowing I can come back to watch Townsend's, and be consistently amazed with the things I learn, really makes my world a better place. By the way, still love your coffee.

Wow John I'm blown away! I've been watching your videos almost since the beginning, and you've now graduated beyond network quality! This is MUCH better than shows on NatGeo or History channel. Kudos to you and your team!

This is literally revolutionary :) the stories the music. The production and John's story telling .... this amazing...and everybody involved should be PROUD!!! Kudos Gentleman

Ryan wades into the river to go fishing while wearing his cooking clothes? Talk about optimism.

I believe it was the early explorer, John Cabot, who mentioned about the abundance of cod that was off the coast of what's now Newfoundland, Canada. It's not as plentiful now. In the early 1900s, in parts of Western Canada, fish was traded for other things, like vegetables, and flour. Long ago, I remember having some fresh caught fish fillets for dinner. I believe my dad dredged them in flour, before frying them. It was trout, if I recall. There was a lake adjacent to my dad's farm in Alberta. It was next to where my uncle lived. The lake has since dried up. Due to livestock doing their business by the lake, it wasn't good for fishing anymore. In Saskatchewan, Manitoba, in Canada, and in Minnesota, they have an abundance of lakes, which are great for fishing. Thanks for this great video. Cheers!

My families' great-grandfathers in Bavaria were still professional river fisherman. Until today stockfish is a popular meal at special events and fairs here in Bavaria.

"We're gonna DIVE in and take a DEEPER look..." I see what you did there, Mr. Townsend!

I love that there's a bunch of y'all just geeking out and enjoying the simple things, your way. Very enjoyable to watch

I’m a trained chef who has cooked all over the country. I really like you food history vlogs. Very informative, interesting and packed full of cool facts. Finally subscribed on my account after watching you on the living room tv for a while now.

Newfoundlander here. I grew up as a fisherman's daughter. I knew how important fish was, although I ate so much of it that I got tired if it.

An outstanding episode! Bravo! This is something I would share with my classroom as part of a history lesson. I might even develop a lesson for tomorrow tonight. The level of production is some of the best yet. Very well done.

This guys content is good for the soul and really makes me thankful for the inventions and stuff we have today

Great video, 27 minutes and NOT bored or annoyed! love the "Masterpiece Theater" quality towards the end

I loved the Smeagol looking at the hook shot!

this is the only channel on RU-vid that effectively makes me both hungry for food and for history. Thanks for the wonderful videos! :D

I live along the Des Moines River and we are warned not to make fish from the river a regular diet, because of all the toxic chemicals in the water. They didn't have to worry about that 200 years ago. My mom used to make noodles from turtle eggs.

Jas: "We don't think about fish the same way they did in the 18th Century." 30+ year old Age of Empires players: "Honestly I felt so invisible right there."

Really high quality stuff I love how he actually does all the things he’s talking about

I can't believe this high-quality content is available for free. Become Patreons if you can, people!!

That was well done! Thank you for making remember what grand-pa use to say after taking me fishing , Were not done yet Paul! We would salt some, smoke others and just a few fresh for the family supper! It got to be later in the fall he would bring out the smoked and winter time the salted and a warm fire out side to smoke the salted. then spring again. Miss him much and the things he taught me!!

This channel is so delightful. It really makes you appreciate so much, your history, what you have, and the small things in life. Always perks me right up

Excellent presentation. You can see echoes of that old fishing industry all over New England.

A refreshing reprieve from the other channels on this platform. Always real info and a reminder of what brings humans together at our core. Very appreciative of your content.

I truly LOVE this channel! As grim as it was, the Eighteenth Century (and earlier) is my favorite period in American history to study. 'Townsend & Son' is among my favorites channels. So well conceived. If I had the time, I could watch these videos all day without getting bored.

how is this just a weekly eps? This is legit a small documentary! love it!

The shots of Ryan fishing in the background and using a fishing hook were beautifully incorporated. You guys are really upping your game with your videos. Thank you.

i love the style of this episode. so informative and well-crafted, you guys put a lot into this and it shows. i'm just floored with how you've grown over the years, thank you for all you do!

What a beautifully produced episode!!!

My Mother in Law came from a fly in community in Northern Quebec/Labrador. Salt cod and seal were their mainstays. They didn't have the wood necessary for smoking. They not only had to feed themselves but also the dog teams. The hardiness and stamina of these people amaze me.

Production value on these are insane

This is a really special channel. One of the best!

I really appreciate the work and dedication you put towards your videos. Such a calming and informative experience. Thank you!

Your videos are truly priceless. What an incredible life it would be to live back then vs now. Thank you for your valuable and heart warming content.

Man I love love love this channel. It's so amazing watching you all continue to grow and hone your skills and keep making more and more amazing content. From research to execution to cinematography, yall rock. Thanks for all you do!

I remember learning about Canadian Native tribes and how they managed their lands. One neat thing is the Native tribes along certain main rivers would have set ritual weir times with complex gates and nets for canoes to pass through. Essentially a wood bridge set up with lower-able or singable net gates set in the middle. In the off season the gates would be open for canoes to pass through. At the start of the season the Shaman/headman/chief at the top of the river would declare a ban on all fishing for his tribe, let a certain amount of fish go by, then set their weir/nets and collect the bounty, once a certain time had passed or a certain quantity had been collected, they opened the gates and then let the next tribe downriver get their share. This way, everyone got fish, the fish could breed back to numbers next seasons, and no one (or few) fought over travel or shares as the fishing time was seasonally set. I am sure these were lessons learned over generations of trial and occasional struggle.

thank you for all your videos. we NEED you more then ever!!

And that's why a Sacred Cod has hung in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since the mid-18th century.

At 10:09, nothing says 'Merica like Jon Townsend in a tricorn hat paddling a dugout canoe with a bald eagle flying behind him!

These are seriously such educational, entertaining, and beautiful productions! Thank you everyone that helps with Townsends! These videos should be shown in history classes not just power point presentations and text book readings.

Jon, The sound effects at 14:30 combined with the ken burns style pictures was a reall neat cutaway...I’d suggest this edit for use in the future. It was a cool narrative while looking at photos of those living the life you speak of.

I live close to a river in rural Kansas, the fresh fish caught holds up this small town, along with deer, rabbit, squirrel. All are plentiful in this area.

This channel is the definition of comfy watching.

In Alaska Fish is still a main staple. Though Alaskan needs are being brushed a side for tourism and comercial fishing. Not to mention Asia's fish markets putting pressure on the fish have really taken food off the table.

Jon, I've watched this episode several times now. I have to say this has to be one of my favorite episodes you have made. Reminds me of the older documentaries on the history channel I watched as a kid with my grandpa.

I am creating a video game about medieval China, where you manage an army. I use this, among other sources to inform me. I am so thankful that you make these. Never give up, we all appreciate these.

I'm happy you're getting use out of the canoes.

After a long day of following your responsibilities, i found this on my recommendeds and was curious to the title. I'm not someone that usually watches videos this long, but the hearty speeches, explaining me how things were back then, with lots of cool stuff being shared to you, i ended up really liking the whole 27 minutes! Was really fun!

This is educational, wholesome, and entertaining. If my kids were still little I'd have them watching this with me. Well played John. The RU-vidrs of the world should aspire to this quality of character. Thank you for what you do.

I love these longer episodes that just throw themselves into a subject like this. Keep up the quality content!