Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony

old Bed steds, 10s.;

old cask, 5s.

In the Entry Below

1 Round table & 1 Gren Carpet, 15s.;

2 Great Chaires & 4 high Chaires, 15s.;

1 Cuberd & cuberd Cloth, 8s.

In the Closet

Erthen ware & a Glase botle, 5s.;

a parcell of honey, 5s.

In the Peuter Rome

4 boles, 1 Tray & Erth. Ware. 10s.;

1 limeback & 1 Iron pott, 2li.;

a percell of old Iron, 5s.;

1 large defective driping pan, 2s. 6d.;

4 trayes, 1 platter, 2s., Erthen ware, 18d., 3s. 6d.;

1 leather Jack.

In the Kitchin

7 Spitts, 1li. 5s.;

2 Racks, 1li.;

1 Jack & waite, 12s.;

2 Iron potts & 2 pr. pot hooks, 1li.;

4 tramells & 1 Iron barr, 15s.;

1 pr. Iron doges, 10s.;

2 fenders, 4s.;

1 pr. la. Tonges, 4s.;

1 Iron driping pan, 3s.;

1 Iron back, 1li.;

1 Iron Ketle, 6s.;

4 box Irons, 8s.;

5 old Iron potts, 1li. 4s.;

1 pr. Fetters, 3s.;

2 Fring pans, 5s.;

3 Grid Irons, 1 pr. pot hookes & treuet, 7s.;

1 Slut or larance, 1s.;

1 Cleuer & a shreding knife, 4s.;

a hooke & Iron Squers, 2s.;

1 Chafeing Dish, 1s. 6d.;

1 pr. bellows, 1s. 6d.;

1 warmeing pan, 2s.;

38 pls. Tin Ware, 1s. 4d.;

2 Iron Candlesticks & a toster, 5s.;

2 tables, 5s. 4 old Chaires, 6d., 7s.;

Erthen ware, 6s.;

453li. peuter of all Sorts at 12d., 22li. 13s.;

24li. brase in Small ware at 20d., 2li.;

1 Coper Ketle, qt. 30li. at 2s., 3li.;

2 brase Ketles, qt. 57li. at 12d., 2li. 17s.;

1 brase Stew pan, 6s.;

3 bell mettle Skilets, qt. 25l., 1li. 5s.;

1 payle, 1 bole & other wood. lumber, 5s.; 2 Cases & 7 knives, 12s.;

1 Slick Stone, 1s. 6d.

In the Wash House

1 Peuter Still, 10s.;

1 Coper, 4li.;

tubes, a Table & lumber, 5s.;

1 pr. Andirons & Iron rake, &c., 5s.

In the Stable

1 horse, 4li.;

1 Cow, 3li., wth. the hay, 7li.;

2 forks, 1 Tray, 2 Grain payles, 6s.;

1 axe, 3s.;

1 Cow at 1s. Williams, 2li. 10s.

In the Seller Under the House

Old Caske, 1li.;

24 qt. Jugs, 4s.;

24 Glase botles, 5s. 6d.;

4 Jares, 4s.;

1 Erth. pot, 1s.;

44li. Castle Sope at 6d., 1li. 2s.

In the Closet of Kitchin Chamber

43 pls. Erthen ware at 2s. [per] doz., 7s., 2d.;

19 Glase cups & Smll. botles, 2s.;

1 pr. Shouse, 4s.;

5 qt. botles, 15d.;

1 Stone Juge, 2s., 3s. 3d.;

3 woden boxes, 1s.;

1 Tin Candlestick, 1s.;

1 Cap for a Clock of belmetle, 2s.

In the Kitchin Chamber

1 large Scritore, 5li.;

1 bedsted & Teaster, 1li.;

1 fether bed & bolster cased & 2 pillows, 6li. 10s.;

1 pr. Sad Colerd Curtaines & valients & counter paine & rods, 3li.;

1 worsted Stript Ruge, 3li.;

2 pillobers, 2s.;

1 pr. blanketts, 1li.;

1 pr. Shetts, 1li.;

1 bedsted & Teaster & head peice, 1li.;

1 fether bed & bolster cased & 2 pillows, 4li.;

1 pr. Red Serge Curtains valients & Rods, 3li. 10s.;

1 Quilt of Calico Colerd & flowred, 1li. 10s.;

1 Red Ruge, 10s.;

3 blanketts, 1li.;

1 Pallet bedsted, Teaster & hed peice, 1li.;

1 fether bed & bolster, 1 pillow, 3li. 10s;

2 Curtaines & Smll. Valients, 15s.;

2 Coverleds, 1li. 12s.;

1 pr. blanketts, 1li.;

1 Shett, 5s.;

1 Stoole, 1s.;

7 Chaires Sad Colerd & 1 Grt. Chaire, 4s., 1li. 12s.;

1 Table wth. a drawer, 8s.;

2 Stands, 4s.;

1 Close Stoole, 6s.;

8 window Curtains & 4 Rods, 16s.;

1 looking Glases & brases, 1li. 5s.;

1 Chist Drawers, 25s. & Cloth, 4s., 1li. 9s.;

2 pr. bla., 1 pr. Speckled Stockings, 12s.;

4 pr. old Stockings, 4s.;

1 pr. andirons wth. brases, 10s.;

1 pr. tongs & fire pan, 4s.;

1 back, 12s.;

1 Round fender, 5s.;

1 pr. bellows, 1s. 6d.;

1 Japan Trunke. 8d.;

5 neckclothes at 9d., 3s.;

4 night caps at 15d., 5s.;

17 bands at 6d., 8s. 6d.;

2 pocket hanchesters, 1s.;

1 pr. Gloves, 1s.;

3 fustian wescoats, 6s.;

3 pr. dito drawers, 8s.;

4 pr. holland drawers at 2s. 6d., 10s.;

6 Shirts, 1li. 12s.

Goods that came from England from Mr. John Iues

Pr. Capt. Gener. 6 pls. peniston amo. to wth. charges, 18li. 17s. 7d., wth. advance, 50li. [per] Ct., 28li. 6s. 4d.

Pr. Capt. Edwards. 20 pls. blue linon & a percell of Spice amounting to wth. Charges, 48li. 17s. 6d., wth. adva. at 50li. [per] Ct., 73li. 6s. 3d.

In the Closet in Kitchin Chamber

18 Glass botles, 4s., 6d.;

10 pls. Erthen ware, 2s. 6d.;

2 haire bromes, 2s. 6d.;

1 knife tipt wth. Silver, 1s. 3d.;

1 woden Screne, 3s.;

3 yd. bla. broadcloth at 10s., 1li. 10s.;

35 Qn.98 mercht. Fish at 9s., 15li. 15s.;

½ Qn. pollock at 5s., 2s. 6d.;

22 barlls. Porke at 43s., 47li. 6s.;

2 laced bands, 19s.;

2 pich potts, 8s.;

1 warehouse at Winter Island, 6li.;

1 Great beame Scales & ½ct. waites, 1li. 10s.;

112li. lead & 98li. Spa Iron, 1li. 17s. 6d.;

137li. hide, damages at 2d., 1li. 2s. 10d.;

1780 fot Bords at 2s. 6d. [per] ct. 2li. 4s. 5d.;

1 heffer, 1 Stere & 1 Cow aprized by Edward & Jno. Richards, 5li. 5s.

The house & land yt was Jno. Gatchells wth. the apurtenances, 115li.;

the house & land yt was Jno. Gatchells now Wm. Furners, 60li.;

the dwelling house & land nere Micall Coas, 40li.;

2 oxe Yoakes wth. bowes, 4s.;

2 hows, 1 peak ax & forks, 5s.;

1 barr Iron, 5s.;

1 load hay, 20s., 1li. 5s.;

1 old house & land formerly Hudsons acording to Towne Grant, aprized by Jno. Lege & Ambrose Gayle, 3li.;

total, 219li. 14s.

At Boston: The warhouse & Ground, 200li.;

1056 ounces ½ pcs. of eight, 6s. 8d., 352li. 3s. 4d.;

2 Cloakes, 2li.;

an old Trunke, a hat & wax, &c., 6s. 8d.;

aprized by Eliak. Hucheson & Jer. Dumer, 554li. 10s.;

3 pipes Madara Wine at 11li., not being filled up, 33li.;

in mony of Petter Millers freight, 2li. 16s.

Brought home in Katch Jno. & William: 130 bushells Indian corne, at 18d., 9li. 15s.;

33 bushells Rey at 3s., 4li. 19s.;

25 bushells ½ wheate at 4s., 5li. 2s.;

1 barll. Porke, 2li.;

3 barells Beffe at 25s., 3li. 15s.;

1 plaine Ruge, 10s.;

15 hower Glases, bad, 5s.;

4 pr. Stirop Irons & lethers, 7s.;

3 locks at 25d., 6s. 4½d.;

6 ditto at 11d.¼, 5s. 1½d.;

4 ditto at 8d.¼, 2s. 9d.;

6 hand sawes at 18d., 9s.;

11 trunk locks at 10d., 9s. 2d.;

6 box outsid locks, 6d., 3s.;

4 Cuberd locks at 6d., 2s.;

1 doz. combs at 2s., 2s.;

1 doz. ditto at 3s., 3s.;

1 doz. ditto at 3s. 6d., 3s. 6d.;

3 pr. parogon bodys at 8s., 1li. 4s.;

2 doz. Reap hooks at 9s., 18s.;

12 duble Girts, 9s.;

1 pr. Shetts at 16s., 16s.;

1 pr. Shetts at 10s., 10s.;

1 pr. ditto at 36s. 2 bredths ½, 1li. 16s.;

1 pr. ditto at 30s., 3 bredths, 1li. 10s.;

1 pr. ditto at 30s., 3 bredths, 1li. 10s.;

The land whereon the house comonly called Capt. Jno. Corwins stands, 35li.

The Katch John & William wth. her apurtenances, 80li.;

1 old Mainsayle of Katch Penelopy, 1li. 10s.

This Inventory amounting to five thousand nine hundred Sixty foure pounds nineten shillgs. & one peny ¾d. aprized as mony by us.

Barthl. GedneyBenja. BrowneJohn Higginson, Junr.Timo. Lindall.– Essex County Quarterly Court Files, Vol. XLIV, leaf 95.

1

Rev. Francis Higginson, New-Englands Plantation, London, 1630.

2

Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society, Vol. III, p. 12.

3

Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society, Vol. III, p. 6.

4

Between 1630 and 1643,198 ships brought over 21,200 passengers. – Edward Johnson, Wonder Working Providence, London, 1654.

John Josselyn, coming to New England in 1638, mentions in his journal of the voyage sighting or speaking thirteen vessels between the Scilly Isles and the New England coast.

5

Anti-scorbutics were very necessary for the long voyage. John Josselyn during his first voyage (1638) writes that a young man, a servant to one of the passengers, "was whipt naked at the Cap-stern, with a Cat with Nine tails, for filching 9 great Lemmons out of the Chirurgeons Cabbin, which he eat rinds and all in less than an hours time."

6

William Wood, New-Englands Prospect, London, 1634.

7

William Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, Boston, 1856.

8

John Josselyn, Two Voyages to New England, London, 1675.

9

Wood, New-Englands Prospect, London, 1634.

10

Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society, Vol. I.

11

Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society, Vol. I.

12

Mourt's Relation, Boston, 1841.

13

Documentary History of New York (1850), Vol. I.

14

Essex Co. (Mass.) Quarterly Court Records, Vol. VI, p. 363.

15

Essex County Deeds, Book V, leaf 107.

16

Force's Tracts, Washington, 1838.

17

Mass. Historical Society Colls. (5th ser.), Vol. 7, p. 10.

18

Boston News-Letter, Jan. 23, 1766.

19

Boston News-Letter, Sept. 13, 1753.

20

Mass. Historical Society Colls. (5th ser.), Vols. 5-7.

21

Mass. Historical Society Colls. (5th ser.), Vols. 5-7.

22

This large salt is now owned by Harvard College.

23

Old-Time New England, July, 1934.

24

Essex County Quarterly Court Records, Vol. IV, pp. 56-57.

25

Beer in the making.

26

Probate Records of Essex County, Mass., Vol. I, p. 47.

27

Probate Records of Essex County, Mass., Vol. II, p. 348.

28

Dankers, Journal of a Voyage to New York, Brooklyn, 1867.

29

Watkins, "Early Use of Paper Hangings in Boston" (Old-Time New England, Jan., 1922).

30

Waters, Ipswich in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Ipswich, 1905.

31

Records of the Mass. Bay Colony, Vol. I, p. 126.

32

Ward, The Simple Cobler of Aggawam, London, 1647.

33

Sewall's Diary, Vol. II, p. 231.

34

In the inventory of the estate of Henry Landis of Boston, Shopkeeper, deceased, taken, Dec. 17, 1651, appears his clothing, viz.:

– Suffolk Co. Probate Rds., Vol. II, p. 127.

35

Records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Boston, 1853, Vol. I, p. 27.

36

Felt, The Customs of New England, Boston, 1853.

37

Felt, The Customs of New England, Boston, 1853.

38

Edward Johnson, Wonder Working Providence, London, 1654.

39

Essex County Quarterly Court Records, Vol. II, p. 28.

40

Laws and Liberties of the Massachusetts Colony, Cambridge, 1672.

41

Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, Boston, 1853.

42

R. P. Baker, "The Poetry of Jacob Bailey" (The New England Quarterly, Jan., 1929).

43

Wood, New Englands Prospect, London, 1634.

44

William Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, Boston, 1912.

45

Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society, Vol. III, p. 90.

46

Winthrop's Journal, New York, 1908.

47

Massachusetts Bay Records, Boston, 1853.

48

Ibid.

49

Winthrop's Journal, New York, 1908.

50

Calendar of State Papers, Am. and W. I. (1661-1668), 347.

51

Massachusetts Archives, XXXV, folio 61.

52

Cal. State Papers, Am. and W. I. (1696-1697), 84.

53

Viscount Bury, Exodus of the Western Nations, London, 1865.

54

Dow and Edmonds, Pirates of the New England Coast, Salem, 1923.

55

Cal. State Papers, Am. and W. I. (1675-1676), 408.

56

Cal. State Papers, Am. and W. I. (1675-1676), 466.

57

Ibid., 221-222.

58

3 Collections (Mass. Hist. Society), Vol. VIII, pp. 336-339.

59

Probate Records Essex Co., Mass., Salem, 1917.

60

Hull, Letter Book (American Antiquarian Society).

61

Corwin MSS. (Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.).

62

John Caxy v. Joseph Mallenson, Mass. Archives.

63

Public Record Office, C.O. 5: 848-851 (copies at Essex Institute).

64

Rev. W. A. Bartlett, The Frontier Missionary, Boston, 1853.

65

Journal of a Lady of Quality, New Haven, 1921.

66

Malcolm Storer, "Pine Tree Shillings and other Colonial Money," in Old-Time New England, October, 1929.

67

Bradford's Letter Book (1 Mass. Hist. Colls., Vol. III).

68

4 Mass. Hist. Colls., II, 164.

69

Prince Society Publications, IV, Boston, 1867.

70

Sprague, "Some Aspects of Medicine in Boston" (Old-Time New England, Vol. XIII, p. 14.)

71

Ibid.

72

"Fox Lungs for the mending of human lungs hardly able to respire, and Bone of a Stag's Heart" are mentioned in the English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

73

Quinsey. First bleed, and purge with Dincassia, after vomit with Vinum Antimonii; rub the tongue with the juyce of Crabfish and Housleek, taking a little inwardly; … ashes of burnt Crabs, of Swallows, and Tincture of Corals, are excellent in the bastard Quinsey; the ashes of an owl (feathers and all) blown into the throat, opens and breaks the Imposthume wonderfully. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

74

Deafness and Slow Hearing. The juyce of Radishes, fat of a mole, eele, or Serpent, juyce of an Onyon soaked in Sperrit of Wine and roasted, essences of a mans or Bullocks gall, are all very excellent. In difficulty of hearing, distilled Boyes Urine is good; but better is the Oyl of Carawayes. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

75

Cup Moss. This with some other Mosses of like kind, have been mightily in vogue amongst the good Women for their Children's Coughs; but they have not obtained in official nor extemporaneous Prescriptions. They are said to be infallible in that which is commonly called the Chin-Cough. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

76

Burning "Spunck," an excrescence growing out of black birch, in two or three places on the thigh of a patient, helps sciatica. —New England's Rarities (Josselyn), London, 1672.

77

Falling-Sickness. In Children. Ashes of the dung of black Cow [dram]i. given to a new born Infant, doth not only preserve from the Epilepsia, but also cure it. In those of ripe Age. The livers of 40 water-Frogs brought into a powder, and given at five times (in Spirit of Rosemary or Lavender) morning and evening, will cure, the sick not eating nor drinking two hours before nor after it. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

Peacock's Dung is reckoned a specific in Epilepsias, and its use is commended in Vertigo. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

78

Salt of Mans Skull. The skull of a dead man, calcine it, and extract the Salts as that of Tartar. It is a real cure for the Falling-Sickness, Vertigo, Lethargy, Numbness, and all capital diseases, in which it is a wonderful prevalent. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

It is to be feared that this has obtained a place in medicine, more from a whimsical Philosophy, than any other account… A dead Man's Hand. This is supposed, from some superstitious Conceits amongst Common People, to be of great Efficacy in dispersing scrophulous Tumours. The part, forsooth, is to be rubbed with the dead Hand for some time. And Report furnishes us with many Instances of Cures done hereby; some of which may not improbably be true, both as the Imagination in the Patient contributes much to such Efficacies, and because the Sensation which stroaking in that manner gives, is somewhat surprizing, and occasions a shuddering Chilness upon the Part touched; which may in many cases put the Fibres in such Contractions, as to loosen, shake off, and dislodge the obstructed matter; in which consists the Cure. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

Mummy. This is the Flesh of Carcases which have been embalm'd. But altho it yet retains a place in medicinal catalogues, it is quite out of vse in Prescription. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

79

Goose-Dung. The Excrements of most Birds are accounted hot, nitrous, and penetrating; for this reason they pass for inciders and Detergents, and are particularly reckon'd good in Distempers of the Head; but they are now almost quite laid aside in Practice. Elk's Hoof is also esteemed of mighty Efficacy in Distempers of the Head. Naturalists tell us that the Creature itself first gave to Mankind a Hint of its Medicinal Virtues; for they say, whenever it ails anything in the Head, it lies in such a Posture as to keep one of the tips of a Hoof in its Ear; which after some time effects a Cure. But this I leave to be credited by those of more faith than myself. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

An Hysteric Emulsion. Take Assafoetida 2 drams, dissolve cold in a mortar with a pound and half of Black-Cherry-water, and strain for Vse. This is tolerable, for its stinking Scent, but to few; yet where it can be got down, it is very prevalent in checking the inordinate Orgasm of the Spirits, and preventing those Convulsions and Frenzies of Mind which arise therefrom; it may be drank in the quantity of 2 ounces, according to the Urgency of the Symptoms. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

80

Hog-Lice Wine. Take Hog-Lice (i.e. Wood lice or Sow bugs), half a pound, put them alive into two pound of White Port Wine, and after some Days Infusion strain and press out very hard, then put in Saffron, 2 drams, Salt of Steel, a dram, and Salt of Amber, 2 scruples, and ater 3 or 4 Days strain and filter for Use. This is an admirable Medecine against the Jaundice, Dropsy, or any cachectic Habit. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

81

Plaister of Spinders. Venice Turpentine [dram]iii, melt it; then adde live Spiders No. XXX mix them with a Pestle till the Turpentine be of an Ash colour, and the Spiders appear not; then heat it, and adde of small Spiders No. XL. Stir them again, adding powder of Asphaltum, and white Sal Armoniack, [dram]iii. grinde them till the matter be cold and very black; keep it 14 dayes, then soften it at the fire, and with your hands dipt in oyl, make it up. Make Plaisters thereof, and cover them with leaf-silver or gold, and lay them to the pulses of both wrists an hour before the fit of a Feaver or Ague comes, leave them on nine days, then at the same hour cast them into running water; by this means the Pliaster cures all Feavers or Agues. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

Herring in Pickle is often prescribed in a Cataplasm to the Feet in Feavers; because it is reckoned to draw the Humours downward and thereby relieve the Head. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

82

Flux of the Belly. Burnt Harts' Horn is reckoned a Sweetner and is much used in Decoction against Diarrhoeas; and Fluxes of the Belly. Shavings of Hartshorn is much more in esteem amongst Family Doctresses, than in the shops; but what most gives it a Title to this Place, is that Jelly which it is easily boiled into in common water, and is accounted very nourishing and strengthening. Shavings of Ivory is much of the same nature as the former, and boils in the same manner into a Jelly.

Goat's Blood. This is in a few Compositions under the same Intention as the former; but it is not at all known in common Prescription; and is deservedly almost forgot. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

83

Beaver's cods are much used for wind in the stomach and belly, particularly of pregnant women. —New England's Rarities (Josselyn), London, 1672.

84

Bleeding at Nose. If the flux be violent, open a vein on the same side, and cause the sick to smell to a dried Toad, or Spiders tyed up in a ragg; … the fumes of Horns and Hair is very good, and the powder of Toads to be blowed up the Nose; … in extremity, put teats made of Swines-dung up the nostrils. —Compendium of Physick (Salmon), London, 1671.

Cow's Dung. This seems to be of a hot penetrating Nature; and is experienc'd to do good in Erysipelous Swellings. This Cataplasm is also highly commended by some in the Gout. Pigeon's Dung is sometimes ordered in Cataplasms, to be applied to the soles of the Feet in malignant Fevers and Deliriums. Hog's Dung. Is also used by the Country People to stop Bleeding at the Nose; by being externally applied cold to the Nostrils. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.

85

Pleurisy. Stone-Horse Dung, seems to owe its present Credit in medicine to the modern Practice. It is certainly of great Efficacy in Pleurisies, Inflammations, and Obstructions of the Breast. In all these Intentions it is now very much prescribed. —English Dispensatory (Quincy), London, 1742.