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