You Be the Historian Logo Clue #7
This document tells us something about Springers' possessions. As you look at the transcript below try to figure out:
  • What kinds of foods were in the Springers' house and barn?
  • What do household items tell you about what else they ate and drank?
  • How many chairs did the Springers own?
Check your answers at the bottom of the page.



Transcription of document.

Inventory and appraisment of the goods and chattel of Thomas Springer, late of Mill Creek Hundred, in the county of New Castle, deceased, appraised by Joseph Ball and John Hall, Junr.the 8th day of Decbr. 1804 D C
The wearing apparel of the decd. consisting of 8 coats, 4 jackets, 5 shirts, 8 pr. trousers, 2 pr. drawers, 2 hats & 3 pr. boots 30.00
21 spool, .50 a quantity of yearn and a piece leather 2.00 2.50
1 chest, .50 and 1 feather Bedstead Bedding, 20$ 20.50
1 suit curtain, and 1 cradle quilt 6$, and window curtins 25 cts 6.25
6 leather bottom'd chairs 2$ & 1 feather bed and bedding $26 28.00
1 feather bed, 1 sheet, pillars and bolters 14$ & 9 blankets $14 28.00
2 cover lids $7 & 3 bed quilts, $8 15.00
1 umbrella, $2.50 and 1 looking glass $1 3.50
7 windsor chairs $1.50 1 arm do. and 1 rocking do. $1 2.50
1 tea table and stand $2, 1 breakfast do. and 1 dining do. $2 6.00
1 looking glass $1 and an eight day clock $40 41.00
1 feather bed, beading and bedstead 26.00
1 corner cupboard, $2.50 1 decanter $1 and a lot of sundry jars $1 4.50
10 small plates, 3 salts, 4 wine glasses, tea cups, coffee, sugar dishes 1.00
1 old case drawers $2 & 1 old do. high do. $11 13.00
a quantity table linen $9 and 9 sheets $16 25.00
4 pillar cases, 1 cradle cover $1 & 1 suit curtains and rings $8 9.00
towills, pillar cases .25
a lot of Books $0.50 1 chest $0.50 & iron pot, shovel and tongs $1.50 2.50
1 basket sundries $0.75 coffee mill etc. $0.25 & 1 lot of queens ware $2 3.00
2 saddles, saddle bag, Blanket and bridle 4.75
3 axes 1.50 mall and wedges $1 2.50
2 sledges and 1 crow bar $2.50 shovel, dung forks, etc. $1.60 3.10
4 boxes, keg $0.25 2 spinning wheels $0.75 1.00
30 bags $5.0 and a lot of old sickles $1 6.00
3 iron pots, keillet etc. $0.75 and 1 bake oven & large kettle $2.50 3.25
pots racks $1.00 fryan pan & tea kettle 0.50 & 1 lot earthern ware $1 2.50
3 candlesticks, lanthorn and tables (kitchen) .60
1 gridle, and gridiron and 1 gun 4.25
1 Barrle churn, 2 tubs and 2 pales 1.50
2 axes $1 Knives and forks 0.25 cts Bedsteads and curtain frame 3.25
a lot casks 2.00 grind stone 60 cts. & 1 Horse Cart $6 8.60
Hay carriage, stone Bed and sundries .60
1150 feet white oak boards, @1.50 pr. 100 feet is 17.25
4 pr. Harnes, 3 collars, 3 blind bridles $6.25 chains and cask bands $5 11.25
Cart, saddle, britch bands, 2 holters and chains 2.50
Curry comb, sheep shears, etc. 37 1/2
1 old white Horse, $10 & 1 old sorrel do. $10 20.00
1 old black mare $6 & 1 dun? do. nearly blind $20 26.00
1 gray mare and 2 colts 120.00
1 chaise and harness $60 & 1 dutch fan and briddles $16 76.00
1 Rick clover Hay $30 & 1 stack do. $25 55.00
1 stack clover do. $20 & 1 do. clover and Timothy $24 48.00
1 do. coarse marsh do. $8 & 1 small do. clover do. $8 16.00
5 do. stubble do. $20 & a quantity of oats $10 30.00
a quantity clover Hay in the Barn 32.00
a quantity of wheat straw etc. 60.00
94 1/2 bushels wheat @ $1.50 pr. bushel weighting 60lb. 147.37 1/2
390 do. oats @ 0.40 pr. do. 156.20
Rye in the ground, say 10 bus. sowing 20.00
263 bushels corn @ 67 cents 176.21
35 1/2 ditto @ do. cts. do. 23.78 1/2
83 ditto Potatoes @ 25 cts. 20.75
9 Barrels Cider @ $2.50 pr. Barrel is 22. 50
9 do. apples @ 50 cts pr. Barrel 4.50
1 plough $3 and 1 red cow $16 19.00
one negro man, named A? , 9 years to serve, valued at 180.00
one old negro man, a slave 66 years old, named Will 0.00
20 gallons whiskey @ 50 cents 10.00
1 chair whip 2.00
a quantity empty Barrels 4.00


Amounting to sixteen hundred and ten Dolls. and 17 1/2 cts.



What kinds of foods were in the Springer's house and barn?

What do household items tell you about what else they ate and drank?
How many chairs did the Springers own?


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