depending on the year, a townsman might also ahve a few acres to plow, or may be a farm
somewhere else; or had a farm and sold it but not the plow.
Paul Finkelman
"Harold S. Forsythe" wrote:
> It is the plow that gets me. Why would a townsman own a plow?
> I agree with an earlier poster, that this person has too few draught stock to
> farm 140 acres, but perhaps too many field tools and stock to be a
> townsman. Is it possible that he (and his) lived on 140 acres and
> borrowed stock at ploughing season?
>
> Harold
>
> Date sent: Tue, 23 Oct 2001 10:07:09 -0400
> From: "W. Scott Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Based on Inventory Contents: Country Dweller or City Dweller?
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Send reply to: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history
> <[log in to unmask]>
>
> > Question of the day:
> >
> > Based on the contents of this household inventory, which was registered in
> > Campbell County in 1799, do you think that the individual, who was a
> > Quaker, lived on 140 acres in the county, or 1/2 to 2 acres in town?
> >
> > Please use your discretion in replying either to the whole list or
> > to me at [log in to unmask]
> >
> > 1 Turning Lathe & sundry other lumber
> > 11 head of hogs
> > 1 desk
> > 5 black bottles, 1 decanter
> > 1 Coffy Mill, 1 candlestick
> > 2 flat irons
> > Earthenware
> > 2 tin waters
> > 1 puter dish
> > Tin ware Spoons Nives and forks
> > 1 pare of cards
> > 1 Stone jug
> > 1 paper trunk
> > Stuff for winsor chairs
> > 1 churn
> > 1 flax wheel
> > 1 saddle
> > 2 bags, 1 tub
> > 1 horse collar
> > 1 womans saddle
> > 1 hand saw
> > 1 ax
> > 1 drawing knife, gouge, &c.
> > 1 pair of shears
> > 1 Coopers adds &c.
> > 1 flour plain
> > 1 sifter
> > 1 Washing tub, piggin &c.
> > 1 barrel
> > 1 plow
> > 1 pot, 1 oven, 1 scillit, &c.
> > 1 feather bed
> > 2 bead steds
> > 1 walnut box &c.
> > 2 pounds feathers
> > 1 rasor and looking glass
> > 2 cows and cafries
> > 1 Horse
> > 1 Counter pin sheet, 1 blanket, &c.
> >
> > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> > at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
>
> Harold S. Forsythe
> Assistant Professor History
> Director: Black Studies
> Fairfield University
> Fairfield, CT 06430-5195
> (203) 254-4000 x2379
>
> To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions
> at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html
--
Paul Finkelman
Chapman Distinguished Professor
University of Tulsa College of Law
3120 East 4th Place
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-2499
918-631-3706 (office)
918-631-2194 (fax)
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