Did people use contractions in the 1800s?

Yes, people did use contractions in the 1800s, though they were less common in formal writing than they are today. Contractions like "can't," "won't," and "it's" appeared in literature and everyday speech, reflecting a more conversational tone. However, in formal documents and literature, writers often preferred full forms to maintain a certain level of decorum and clarity. Overall, contractions were part of the evolving language landscape of the time.