Hi, Jim--
The Oxford English Dictionary defines humhum as "A coarse Indian cotton
cloth."
A 1766 advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette mentions humhums amidst a
whole pile of other cloths:
Just imported and to be sold by WINEY and BUNNER, At their store on the
north side of Market street, five doors above the corner of Front street, a
large and neat assortment of European and East India goods, suitable for the
season, amongst which are the following, viz. BROADCLOTHS, 6 qr. and yd. wd.
naps, cotton and common linseys, red, white and embossed flannels, 8 qr. and
yd. wd. red and green bays, scarlet serges, kendal cottons, India
blanketing, halfthicks, plain and spotted yd. wd. and 6 qr. ermine, striped,
plain and figured camblets, shaloons, durants, tammies, calimancoes, single
and double worsted damasks, dorsetteens, starrets, poplins half yd. wd.
persians, allamode, mantuas, peelongs, worsted hose, Flanders and Manchester
bed ticken, bed bunts, an assortment of cottons and calicoes, 7 8ths and yd.
wd. cambricks and lawns, flowered and plain Scotch lawns, a large assortment
of kenting, check and printed linen handkerchiefs, cotton romals, 7 8ths and
yd. wd. Irish linens, 9 8ths brown and white Irish and Russia sheeting,
dowlas, curdled Russia, a large assortment of checks and cotton hollands,
ozenbrigs, muslins and humhums, buckrams, lungee, and silk romals,
bandanoes, culgee and Barcelona handkerchiefs and cravats, sewing silks,
Scotch thread, No. 7 &c. coloured and white stitching thread, English and
persian taffeties, worsted and hair shag, writing paper, felt and castor
hats, long lawn, basket and death head buttons and hair, tully gartering,
Russia drilling, T. Crowley steel, a large assortment of the newest fashion
plain and figured ribbons, red lead, umber, madder, allom, cutlery, pewter,
gun powder, oil flints, nutmegs, mace, cinnamon, pepper and alspice, and a
variety of other goods, too tedious to enumerate. Likewise tanners and lamp
oil.
I've seen references to "quilted humhums" as well.
Wouldn't "Quilted Humhums" be a great name for a band?
All my best,
--Eric
Eric D. M. Johnson
Proprietor
The Village Factsmith Historical Research & Consulting
http://www.factsmith.com/
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Watkinson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 3:05 PM
Subject: another material question
Dear Listers:
In a sale advertisement (hand-lettered) from Orange County, dated 12 Mar
1813, one/some of the items listed for sale was/were "Humhums." Oddly
enough, commas in the advert were generally properly placed, at least
according to 21st century standards. Nevertheless, "Humhums" preceeded
"handkerchiefs" without a comma, so I don't know of there's a connection
b/w the two.
Can anyone identify "humhums"?
Please pardon the cross-post.
Best wishes,
Jim
James D. Watkinson, Ph.D.
Archives
Library of Virginia
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