Before I go sifting through newspapers on microfilm, I though I would pose this question to the list: Most architectural books suggest that the first cut nails began to appear in Virginia by 1790 or so. The first of these nails would have been small lathe nails (cut shank with a hand hammered head) and perhaps l-head nails used to fasten flooring. The first generation of cut nails had the grain of the iron going across the nail, thus causing them to break if they were clenched. For Piedmont Virginia communities (Lynchburg, for example) does the same 1790 date of appearance hold true? I think that cut lathe nails were being manufactured at Monticello around that time, but I can't recall any other sources for such information. I look forward to viewing your responses, WSB Smith Lynchburg To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html