While we're on the subject of books...can anyone comment whether or not books were taxed as property?  Seems to me I remember that at some point in time, they were.

Janet, in my Prince William County research, a slaveholder with 20-30 slaves and an estate worth 1000 pounds or more would have in the top 10% of the wealthiest folks in our county.  We had several in PWC at that time.  I have one valued at almost 2000 pounds in my files.  

Pamela Myer Sackett
Chairman, Friends of Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, Inc.
www.brentsville.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Janet Hunter [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Wednesday, December 11, 2002 3:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Inventory 1717 -- Value of Books

Hello Everyone,

I recently obtained the inventory of an ancestor, Robert HYDE (wife Jane 
UNDERHILL), who died about 1717 in York Co. VA.   Robert Hyde was a lawyer, 
and his inventory includes quite a number of horses and cattle, but none of 
the items one would associate with any sort of agricultural production, so I 
assume he either lived in Williamsburg or somewhere in the vicinity of 
Felgate Creek (need to do the deed work).  There are several entries for 
tableware, tumblers and candlesticks, some pewter but others difficult to 
read.  He has several beds/furniture/trunks/chests/chairs.

His inventory includes five slaves valued at £ 10, 28, 28, 20, and 20.

The other large entry is £ 10 for a parcell books.   The total value of the 
inventory is £174.14.

I have two questions.  

Can anyone tell me how extensive a library in 1717 valued at £10 might be?  
Would this be a large library?  

Second, a cousin with whom I've been exchanging inventories for primarily 
plantation owners,  most 50 or more years later, commented that he was not 
particularly wealthy, with an inventory of only £174..  I pointed out that 
(a) he had, because he didn't need more, few slaves the largest single item 
in most of the sizeable inventories; (b) we don't have information on his 
real estate; and (c) there was probably an inflation factor involved.   One 
specific inventory in comparison I was told was "wealthy" was in 1761, 
Chesterfield Co., a tobacco planter with 21 slaves, whose estate was valued 
at more than £1,200.

FYI, I know there are some calculators out there but I couldn't find them.  
Footnote, I don't see a phaeton or anything, but he did have a canoe!
    
Best Regards,
Janet Hunter
 







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