Answer: Tusser's couplet reference the wifely duty of making the household's candles for the winter, one of the many housekeeping duties women were expected to complete ( all while being thrifty and saving their pennies). Both Holyoke and Lucas seemed to be very hardworking women who lead extraordinary busy lives, but Holyoke 's work is more in line with Tusser's description. Holyoke's diary list the range of household tasks she completed ( like making soap, cleaning the house, making food). Lucas likely had to complete similar tasks as well as a women, but her letters are focused on the responsibilities she as the manager of three plantations.
