Alphabet Journey N to P

So looking forward to seeing my
nasturtiums bloom this summer

I saw this oil lamp in a photo along with several other oil lamps in a wooded area. It made me ponder. Was this something that was done many years ago before flashlights? Were people  camping, logging, or tapping maple trees? 

Perhaps Gypsies were using the oil lamps in the deep woods! 

Any thoughts on the matter?