Tanneries were an important part of every settlement.  They turned animal hides into leather goods used in every house, by every member of the household.  Tanneries produced leather for shoes, household goods, and farm goods like harnesses and saddles for livestock, and belts for turning machinery at mills and factories.  Running a tannery was tough work.  There was tree bark to be bought and dried and ground, lye and ashes to be made into harsh chemicals to soak the skins in, and of course, strong arms to work the hides in every part of the process.  From start to finish, the normal process could easily take over two months.  Polly was the shoemaker in the family, while Elisha managed the rest of the finished goods.  Since cash was scarce, often payment was made by bartering for other goods the family needed.  They also sold the finished hides to other harness makers, shoemakers, and carriage makers in Madison.