XVIIObjects of Personal Use

Illustration 38.—Upper left, cylindrical beverage bottle, about 1760. One-fourth. (USNM 59.1998.)Illustration 39.—Upper right, cylindrical beverage bottle, late 18th or early 19th century. One-fourth. (USNM 59.1976, 59.2007.)

Octagonal beverage bottles.—A rarely seen variation from the round beverage bottle is a club-shaped, octagonal, molded type with long neck, perhaps so shaped in order to permit packing in cases. Cider is said to have been put up in such bottles, and it is also possible that brandies and liqueurs were delivered in them. A quart-size bottle of this shape at Colonial Williamsburg bears the seal “I. Greenhow WmsBgh. 1769.” Another, purchased in England, in the G. H. Kernodle collection at the Smithsonian Institution, also has a seal with the name “JnoCollings, 1736” (USNM 59.2170). A pint-size example, 9 inches high and dated 1736, is illustrated in plate 95e in the Wine Trade Loan Exhibition catalog.[206]A restored bottle of this form from Marlborough (USNM 59.1687,fig. 80,ill. 40) is 8 inches high, but bears no seal. Among the glass found at Marlborough are also three bases and other fragments of similar bottles.

Illustration 40.—Octagonal, pint-size beverage bottle. Seefigure 80. Half size. (USNM 59.1687.)

Square “gin” bottles.—Square bottles, usually called “gin” bottles, occur in the Marlborough material. Two base sections and lower pieces of the flat sides have been partly restored (USNM 59.1685, 59.1686,ill. 41), and a neck and shoulder have survived. The bases are 4 inches square, and the whole bottles were probably about 10 inches high. They did not taper but maintained a continuous dimension from shoulder to base. The bases, which are rounded on the corners, have a slightly domed kick-up with a ring-shaped pontil mark. The glass is olive green. The necks are squat—barely ⅞ inch—and have wide string rings midway in their length.

Figure 80.—Octagonal spirits bottle.

Illustration 41.—Square gin bottle. One-fourth. (USNM 59.1686, base; 59.1685, top.)

Illustration 42.—Square snuff bottle. One-half. Seefigure 81. (USNM 59.1680.)

Figure 81.—Snuff bottle.(Seeill. 42.)

Square “gin” bottles were designed for shipment in wooden boxes with compartments in which the bottles fit snugly. Although Dutch gin customarily was shipped in bottles of this shape, indications are that the square bottles may have been used for other purposes than holding gin. For one thing, Mercer’s ledgers mention no purchases of gin. There is, in fact, almost no evidence of the sale of gin in Virginia; a single announcement of Holland gin available in Williamsburg in 1752 is the exception until 1773,when gin was again advertised in theVirginia Gazette.[207]Its sale had been prohibited in England in 1736.[208]For another thing, square bottles were both imported and manufactured in America for sale new. In 1760 the Germantown glassworks in Braintree, Massachusetts, made “Round and squareBottles, from one to four Quarts; also Cases of Bottles of all Sizes ...,”[209], while George Ball, of New York, in 1775 advertised that he imported “Green glass Gallon square bottles, Two quart ditto, Pint ditto.”[210]

Illustration 43.—Upper left, wineglass, reconstructed from base fragment having enamel twist for stem. One-half. (USNM 59.1761.)Illustration 44.—Upper right, cordial glass. One-fourth. (USNM 59.1607.)

A smaller base (USNM 59.1642) has a high kick-up, the dome of which intersects the sides of the base so that the bottle rests on four points separated by arcs. This fragment measures 3 inches square. An even smaller version (USNM 59.1977) is 2¾ inches.

Snuff bottles.—Several items in Mercer’s ledgers record the purchase of snuff, such as one for a "bottle of snuff" in 1731 for 15d., another in 1743 for 3s., and a third in 1744 for 1s. 6d. Among the artifacts is a partly restored bottle of olive-green glass, shaped like a gin bottle but of smaller dimensions, with a 2¼-inch-wide mouth (USNM 59.1686,fig. 81). The bottle is 3¾ inches square and 7 inches tall. It has a low kick-up and a smooth pontil mark. Also among the artifacts are a matching base and several sherds of similar bottles.

Illustration 45.—Sherds of engraved-glass wine and cordial glasses (fig. 82c). Same size. (USNM 59.1634, 59.1864.)

Medicine bottles.—Only a few fragments of medicine bottles occurred in the Marlborough artifacts. This is surprising, in view of Mercer’s many ailments and his statements that he had purchased “British Oyl,” “Holloway’s Citrate,” and other patent nostrums of his day. A round base from a greenish, cylindrical bottle (USNM 59.2056) seems to represent an Opadeldoc bottle. Another base is rectangular with notched corners. The last, as well as the base of a molded, basket-pattern scent bottle (USNM 59.2093) may be early 19th century in date. Other medicine-bottle fragments are all 19th century, some quite late (fig. 82).

TABLE GLASS

A minimum of table-glass sherds was recovered, and these were fragmentary. Glass is scarcely mentioned in Mercer’s accounts, although there is no reason to suppose that Marlborough was any less well furnished with fine crystal than with other elegant objects that we know about. Three sherds of heavy lead glass have the thickness and contours of early 18th-century English decanters, matching more complete fragments from Rosewell and a specimenillustrated in plate 98a in the Wine Trade Loan Exhibition catalog.[211]Two fragments are body sherds; the third is from a lip and neck.

Illustration 46.—Clear-glass tumbler blown in a ribbed mold (fig. 82b). Same size. (USNM 59.1864.)Illustration 47.—Octagonal cut-glass trencher salt (fig. 82a). Same size. (USNM 59.1830.)

Figure 82.—Glassware: a, cut-glass salt (ill. 47); b, tumbler base (ill. 46); c, engraved sherds (ill. 45); d, tumbler and wineglass sherds; e, part of candle arm (seep. 154); f, mirror fragment; g, window glass; and h, medicine-bottle sherds.

Several forms of drinking glasses are indicated. A fragment of a foot from a long-stemmed cordial glass shows the termini of white-enamel threads that were comprised in a double enamel-twist stem. The twists consisted of a spiral ribbon of fine threads near the surface of the stem, with a heavy single spiral at the core. The indicated diameter of the foot is 3¼ inches (USNM 59.1761,ill. 43).

Fragments of large knops are probably from heavy baluster wineglasses dating from Mercer’s early period before 1750. A teardrop stem from a trumpet-bowl wineglass has been melted past recognition in a fire. The stem of a bucket-bowl cordial glass has suffered in the same manner (USNM 59.1607). Still with their shapes intact are two stems and base sections of bucket-bowl wineglass. Two engraved bowl sherds from similar-shaped cordial glasses and a rim sherd from another engraved piece are the only fragments with surface decoration (USNM 59.1634, 59.1864,ill. 45). Several sherds of foot rims, varying in diameter, were found, including one with a folded or “welted” edge.

Tumblers, depending on their sizes, were used for strong spirits, toddy, flip, and water. The base and body sherds of a molded tumbler from Marlborough are fluted in quadruple ribs that are separated by panels ¼-inch wide (USNM 59.1864,fig. 82c,ill. 46). Plain, blown tumbler bases have indicated diameters of 3 inches.

A few unusual, as well as more typical, forms are indicated by the Marlborough glass sherds. One small fragment comes from a large flanged cover, probably from a sweetmeat bowl or a posset pot. A specimen of more than usual interest is a pressed or cast cut-glass octagonal trencher salt (USNM 59.1830,fig. 82a,ill. 47). This artifact reflects silver and pewter salt forms of about 1725. A curved section of a heavy glass rod is apparently from a chandelier, candelabrum, or sconce glass (USNM 59.1696,fig. 82e). We have seen that Mercer, in 1748, bought “1 superfine large gilt Sconce glass.”

Although precise dates cannot be ascribed to any of this glass, it all derives without much question from the period of Mercer’s occupancy of Marlborough.

MIRROR AND WINDOW GLASS

We know from the ledgers that there were sconce and looking glasses at Marlborough. Archeological refuse supplies us with confirmation in pieces of clear lead glass with slight surviving evidence of the tinfoil and mercury with which the backs originally were coated. One piece (USNM 59.1693) has a beveled edge7/8inch wide, characteristic of plate-glass wall mirrors of the colonial period. A curved groove on this piece, along which the fracture occurred, is probable evidence of engraved decoration.

Window glass is of two principal types. One has a pale-olive cast. A few fragments of this type have finished edges, indicating that they are from the perimeters of sheets of crown glass and that Mercer purchased whole crown sheets and had them cut up. It may be assumed that this greenish glass is the oldest, perhaps surviving from Mercer’s early period.

The other type is the more familiar aquamarine window glass still to be found in 18th-century houses. A large corner of a rectangular pane has the slightly bent contour of crown glass, which is the English type of window glass made by blowing great bubbles of glass which were spun to form huge discs. The discs sometimes were cut up into panes of stock sizes and then shipped to America, or else were sent in whole sheets, to be cut up by storekeepers here or to be sold directly to planters and other users of window glass in quantity.

The centers of these sheets increased in thickness and bore large scars where the massive pontil rods which had held the sheets during their manipulation were broken off. The center portions also were cut into panes, which were used in transom lights and windows where light was needed but a view was not. Hence they served not only to utilize an otherwise useless part of the crown-glass sheets, but also to impart a decorative quality to the window. They are still known to us as “bullseyes.” A piece of a bullseye pane of aquamarine glass occurs in the Marlborough finds. The pontil scar itself is missing, but the thick curving section leaves little doubt as to its original appearance. A similar fragment was found at Rosewell.

FOOTNOTES:[203]Lady Sheelah Ruggles-Brise,Sealed Bottles(London: Country Life, Ltd.; New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1949), p. 18.[204]York County (Virginia) Orders & Wills 1716-1726(in York County courthouse, Yorktown, Va.), no. 15, p. 571.[205]“Old English Wine Bottles,”The Wine and Spirit Trade Record(London, December 17, 1951), pp. 1570-1571.[206]Wine Trade Loan Exhibition of Drinking Vessels[catalog] (London, 1933), no. 226, p. 26, pl. 95.[207]Cappon & Duff,Virginia Gazette Index 1736-1780, op. cit. (footnote 93), vol. 1, p. 451.[208]Andre Simon,Drink(New York: Horizon Press, Inc., 1953), pp. 139-140.[209]Dow, op. cit. (footnote 178), p. 104.[210]Rita Susswein,The Arts & Crafts in New York, 1726-1776(New York: J. J. Little and Ives Co., 1938), p. 99. (Printed for the New-York Historical Society.)[211]Op. cit. (footnote 206), no. 244, p. 66, pl. 68.

FOOTNOTES:

[203]Lady Sheelah Ruggles-Brise,Sealed Bottles(London: Country Life, Ltd.; New York, Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1949), p. 18.

[204]York County (Virginia) Orders & Wills 1716-1726(in York County courthouse, Yorktown, Va.), no. 15, p. 571.

[205]“Old English Wine Bottles,”The Wine and Spirit Trade Record(London, December 17, 1951), pp. 1570-1571.

[206]Wine Trade Loan Exhibition of Drinking Vessels[catalog] (London, 1933), no. 226, p. 26, pl. 95.

[207]Cappon & Duff,Virginia Gazette Index 1736-1780, op. cit. (footnote 93), vol. 1, p. 451.

[208]Andre Simon,Drink(New York: Horizon Press, Inc., 1953), pp. 139-140.

[209]Dow, op. cit. (footnote 178), p. 104.

[210]Rita Susswein,The Arts & Crafts in New York, 1726-1776(New York: J. J. Little and Ives Co., 1938), p. 99. (Printed for the New-York Historical Society.)

[211]Op. cit. (footnote 206), no. 244, p. 66, pl. 68.

Costume accessories recovered at Marlborough are extremely few. There are six metal buttons, all of them apparently 18th century. One of flat brass (USNM 59.2004) has traces of gilt adhering to the surface; another of similar form (USNM 60.85) is silver; a third (USNM 59.2004) is copper. The silver button, ⅞ inch in diameter, could be one of two dozen vest buttons bought by Mercer for 18 pence each in 1741. A brass button with silver surface was roll-plated in the Sheffield manner (USNM 59.2004), thus placing its date at some time after 1762. “White metal”—a white brass—was commonly used for buttons in the 18th century, and is seen here in a fragmentary specimen (USNM 59.2004). One hollow button of sheet brass shows the remains of gilding (USNM 60.73). Only one example was found—a dark-gray shell button—that was used on under-garments (USNM 59.1819).

Illustration 48.—Left, brass buckle (seefig. 83d). Same size. (USNM 60.72.)Illustration 49.—Center, brass knee buckle (fig. 83e). Same size. (USNM 60.139.)Illustration 50.—Right, brass thimble (fig. 83b). Same size. (USNM 60.74.)

Among the personal articles are two brass buckles, one a simple half buckle (USNM 70.72,fig. 83d,ill. 48), the other a knee buckle (USNM 60.139,fig. 83e,ill. 49). Except possibly for a pair of scissors to be mentioned later, a brass thimble is the only artifactual evidence of sewing (USNM 60.74,fig. 83b,ill. 50). Four thimbles, mentioned in Ledger B, were purchased in 1729, and four in 1731.)

Illustration 51.—Chalk bullet mold with initial “M” (fig. 84b). Same size. (USNM 59.1682.)

Parts of a penknife that were found consist of ivory-casing fragments, steel frame, knife blade, single-tined fork, and other pieces (USNM 50.1665,fig. 85). Two chalk marbles attest to the early appeal of that traditional game, as well as to the ingenuity that went into making the marbles of this material (USNM 59.1682). Chalk also was used to make a bullet mold, half of which, bearing an M on the side, has survived (USNM 59.1682,fig. 84b,ill. 51). A musket ball (USNM 59.1682) from the site could have been made in it. Two gun flints (USNM 59.1629 and 59.1647,fig. 84a) are of white chert.

An English halfpenny, dated 1787, was found near the surface in the kitchen debris of Structure E(USNM 59.2041,fig. 83c). Considerably worn, it may have been dropped after the destruction of the building. Two fragments of flat slate were found (USNM 60.95 and 60.113), as well as a hexagonal slate pencil (USNM 59.1685,fig. 85,ill. 54). It is clear that slates were used at Marlborough, probably when Mercer’s children were receiving their education from the plantation tutors.

Figure 83.—Small metalwork: a, copper and white metal buttons; b, brass thimble; c, English halfpenny, 1787; d, brass buckle; e, brass knee buckle; f, brass harness ornament; g, escutcheon plates for drawer pulls and keyholes; h, drop handle; i, curtain and harness rings; and j, brass strap handle.

Illustration 52.—Left, fragments of tobacco-pipe bowl with decoration molded in relief. Same size. (USNM 59.2003.)Illustration 53.—Above, white-kaolin tobacco pipe (fig. 84f). One-half. (USNM 59.1714.)

Figure 84.—Personal miscellany: a, chert gun “flint;” b, chalk bullet mold and bullet; c, bullet; d, marble; e, piece of chalk; and f, white clay pipes and fragment of terra-cotta pipestem.

Figure 85.—Cutlery: a, chopping knife; b, table-knife blades; c, parts of penknife; and d, pieces of slate and slate pencil.

Illustration 54.—Slate pencil (seefig. 85d). Same size. (USNM 59.1685.)

As usual in colonial sites, quantities of pipestem and bowl fragments were recovered. Virtually allthe bowls reflect the typical Georgian-period white-clay pipe form, with only minor variations. Most of the stems have bores ranging from4/64inch (1750-1800) to6/64inch (1650-1750). A single stem fragment from a terra cotta pipe of a kind found at Jamestown and Kecoughtan, probably dropped by an Indian or early white trader, is early 17th century (fig. 84f), while two white-clay stem fragments have bores of ⅛ inch (1620-1650). A fragment of a pipe bowl has molded decoration in relief, with what appear to be masonic emblems framed on a vine wreath (USNM 59.2003,ill. 52).

SILVER

Illustration 55.—Left, fragment of long-tined fork. Second-half (?), 17th century. One-half. (USNM 59.1663.)Illustration 56.—Center, fragment of long-tined fork. Early 18th century. One-half. (USNM 59.2029.)Illustration 57.—Right, fork which had two-part handle of wood, bone, or silver. One-half. (USNM 59.1939.)

Mercer, as we have seen, had a lavish supply of plate. Little of this, understandably, was likely to have been thrown away or lost, except for an occasional piece of flatware. One such exception is a teaspoon from the Structure B foundation (USNM 59.1827,fig. 86). It has a typical early Georgian form—ribbed handle, elliptical bowl, and leaf-drop handle attachment on back of the bowl. As in the case of small objects worked after the marks were applied, this has evidence of two distorted marks. Corrosion has obliterated such details as may have been visible originally, although there are fairly clear indications of the leopard’s head crowned and lion passant found on London silver.

Table cutlery.—Fragmentary knives and forks from the site date mostly from before 1750. Forks are all of the long, double-tine variety. One, which may date back to the second half of the 17th century, has a delicate shank, widening to a tooled, decorative band, with shaft extending downward which was originally enclosed in a handle of horn, bone, or wood (USNM 59.1663,ill. 55). A fragment of a narrow-bladed knife (USNM 59.1882,fig. 85) may be of the same period as the fork. Two forks, each with one long tine intact, show evidence of having had flat cores for wood or silver handles (USNM 59.2029, 59.1939,ills. 56and57). The shanks, differing in length from each other, are turned in an ogee shape. Three blades, varying in completeness, are of the curved type used with “pistol-grip” handles (USNM 59.1667-1668, 59.1939). A straight blade fragment (USNM 59.1999) is probably contemporary with them. Only two knife fragments (USNM 59.1799 and 59.2082) appear to be 19th century (fig. 85).

One of the most unusual artifacts is a half section of a hollow Sheffield-plated pistol-grip knife handle. Sheffield plate was introduced in 1742 by a process that fused sheets of silver to sheets of copper under heat and pressure.[212]The metal, as here, was sometimes stamped (USNM 59.1668,fig. 86b).

Figure 86.—Metalwork: a, rim of pewter dish; b, table knife with Sheffield-plated handle; c, lid of pewter teapot (ill. 60); d, silver teaspoon; e, wavy-end pewter spoon, early 18th-century shape; f and g, two trifid-end pewter spoons, late 17th-century shape (holes in g were probably drilled to hold cord for suspension from neck).

PEWTER

Illustration 58.—Trifid-handle pewter spoon (fig. 86g). One-half. (USNM 59.1669.)

Three, whole pewter spoons, as well as several fragments of spoons, were salvaged from the large trash pit (Structure D). Two whole specimens and a fragment of a third are trifid-handle spoons cast in a mold that was probably made about 1690. One of these (USNM 59.1669,fig. 86g,ill. 58) has had two holes bored at the top of the handle, probably to enable the user to secure it by a cord to his person or to hang it from a loop. This circumstance, plus the presence of such an early type of spoon in an 18th-century context, suggests that the spoons were made during the Mercer period for kitchen or slave use from a mold dating back to the Port Town period. The spoons themselves may, of course, have survived from the Port Town time and have been relegated to humble use on the plantation.

A somewhat later spoon, with “wavy-end” handle, comes from a mold of about 1710. It has the initialN scratched on the handle (USNM 59.1672,fig. 86e,ill. 59). Another fragmentary example has a late type of wavy-end handle, dating perhaps ten years later (USNM 59.1672).

Illustration 59.—Wavy-end pewter spoon (fig. 86e). One-half. (USNM 59.1672.)Illustration 60.—Pewter teapot lid (fig. 86c). Same size. (USNM 59.1676.)Illustration 61.—Steel scissors. One-half. (USNM 59.1680.)

A pewter teapot lid with tooled rim and the remains of a finial may be as early as 1740 (USNM 59.1676,fig. 86c,ill. 60). Two rim fragments of a pewter plate also were found (USNM 59.1675,fig. 86a).

KITCHEN AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS

Cutler’s work.—In 1725 Mercer bought a pair of “Salisbury Scissors”; there is no clue as to what is meant by the adjectival place name. He purchased another pair of scissors in 1744. In any case, a pair of embroidery scissors, with turned decoration that one would expect to find on early 18th-century scissors, was found in the site (USNM 59.1680,ill. 61).

Ironware.—Pieces of two types of iron pot were found. One type is a large-capacity version, holding possibly five gallons. It has horizontal ribbing andvertical mold seams (USNM 59.1645, 59.1845, 59.60.147,fig. 87). Such, perhaps, was the “gr[ea]t pot” weighing 36 pounds which Mercer bought from Nathaniel Chapman of the Accokeek Iron Works in 1731. Two other fragments are from a smaller pot. The inventory taken in 1771 (Appendix M) lists five “Iron Potts for Negroes,” that were probably smaller than those used in the plantation kitchen.

Two heaters for box irons were found in the kitchen debris. A heavy layer of mortar adhered to one, suggesting that it may have been built into the brickwork—whether by accident or design there is no way of telling. In that case, however, the specimen would antedate 1749 (USNM 59.2024, 59.2026,fig. 87). Box irons were hollow flatirons into which pre-heated cast-iron slugs or “heaters” were inserted. Two or more heaters were rotated in the fire, one always being ready to replace the other as it cooled. In 1725 Mercer bought a “box Iron & heaters,” and in 1731, from Chapman, “2 heaters.”

Figure 87.—Ironware: a, lid for iron pot; b, cooking-pot fragments; c, andiron leg; d, iron ladle; and e, two beaters for box-irons.

Other kitchen iron includes the fragmentary bowl and stem of a long-handled iron stirring spoon (USNM 59.1812), an iron kettle cover (USNM 60.69), and the leg of a large, heavy pair of andirons (USNM 59.1826,fig. 87). A small, semicircular chopping knife has a thin steel blade and an iron shank that originally was inserted in a wooden handle. Lettering, now almost obliterated, was impressed in the metal of the blade: “SHEFFIELD WORKS 6 ENGLISH....” (USNM 59.1834,fig. 85a).

Illustration 62.—Iron candle snuffers. One-fourth. (USNM 59.1825.)

Furniture hardware.—A few metal furniture fittings were recovered. Six curtain rings, cut from sheet brass and trimmed with a file, vary from ⅞ inches to 1¼ inches. On tubular ring (USNM 60.53,fig. 83) may have been used as a curtain ring, althoughsigns of wear suggest that it perhaps may have been a drawer pull. A small, brass, circular escutcheon (USNM 59.1735,fig. 83) comes from a teardrop-handle fixture of the William and Mary style. A round keyhole escutcheon has tooled grooves and holes for four nails (USNM 59.1630,fig. 83), and dates from about 1750. The handsomest specimen of furniture trim found is an escutcheon plate with engraved linear decoration dating from about 1720 (USNM 60.71,fig. 83). An iron bale handle wasprobably on a trunk or chest (USNM 60.130,fig. 88e). A small strap hinge (USNM 59.1657,fig. 88) is like those found on the lids of 18th-century wooden chests, while a butt hinge may have served on the lid of the escritoire which Mercer owned in 1731 (ill. 63).

Figure 88.—Iron door and chest hardware: a, large HL hinge; b, plate from box lock; c, small H hinge for cupboard; d, part of H door hinge; e, bale handle from trunk; f, latch bar or striker; g, small hinges; h, keys; i, latch catch; j, staples; k, part of latch handle; and l, pintles for strap hinges.

Illustration 63.—Iron butt hinge of type used on escritoire lids and other similar items. Same size.Illustration 64.—End of strap hinge. One-half. (USNM 60.146.)Illustration 65.—Catch for door latch. Same size. (USNM 59.1801.)Illustration 66.—Wrought-iron hasp. One-half. (USNM 59.1655.)Illustration 67.—Brass drop handle. Same size. (USNM 59.1944.)Illustration 68.—Wrought-iron catch or striker from door latch. One-half. (USNM 59.1768.)Illustration 69.—Iron slide bolt. One-half. (USNM 59.1942.)

ARCHITECTURAL AND STRUCTURAL HARDWARE

Illustration 70.—Series of wrought-iron nails. One-half.

Iron was a fundamental material in the construction of any 18th-century building. Mercer’s ledgers make repeated references to the purchase of hinges, locks, latches, and other related iron equipment. Most of this material was obtained from local merchants and was probably English in origin. However, the ledger records numerous purchases from Nathaniel Chapman of iron that was undoubtedly made at his ironworks. It is probable also that many simple appliances were made at Marlborough by slaves or indentured servants trained as blacksmiths.

llustration 71.—Series of wrought-iron flooring nails and brads. One-half.Illustration 72.—Fragment of clouting nail. Same size.Illustration 73.—Hand-forged spike. One-half. (USNM 59.1811.)

Hinges.—Hand-forged strap hinges were employed throughout the colonies from the first period of settlement to the middle of the 19th century. In addition to the many fragments that probably came from such hinges, one artifact is a typical spearhead strap-hinge terminal with a square hole for nailing (USNM 60.146,ill. 64). Three pintles—L-shaped pivots on which strap hinges swung—were recovered. One was found at the site of a gate or door in the wall south of the kitchen (USNM 60.59,fig. 88l).

Fragments from at least four different H and HL hinges occur. Several entries in the ledgers refer to the purchase of such hinges. A nearly complete HL hinge, probably used on a large door, recalls an item in the account with Charles Dick for June 14, 1744, “2 prlarge hinges 9/” (USNM 59.1945,fig. 88). A piece of a smaller H or HL hinge is of the type used on interior doors (USNM 59.1767,fig. 88), while a still smaller section of an H hinge was perhaps used on a cupboard door. H hinges were more properly known as “side hinges,” and we find Mercer using thatterm in 1729 when he bought a pair of “Sidehinges” for 9d. “Cross-garnet” hinges, where a sharply tapering, spear-headed strap section is pivoted by a pin inserted in a stationary, rectangular butt section, are represented by three imperfect specimens (USNM 59.1657 and 59.1881,fig. 88). Both these types are named, described, and illustrated by Moxon.[213]

Figure 89.—Tools: a, block-plane blade; b, scraping tool (ill. 76); c, gouge chisel (ill. 77); d, part of bung extractor; e, fragment of ax; f, three dogs or hooks; g, pothook; and h, shim or pin.

Locks, Latches, and Keys.—Only one remnant of the ubiquitous 18th-century “Suffolk” thumb-press door latch was found at Marlborough. This fragment comprises the handle but not the cusps at the ends, by which the age might be determined (USNM 60.137,fig. 88). Mercer purchased an “Iron door latch” from Nathaniel Chapman for ninepence in 1731. In a complete assemblage for these latches, a thumb press lifts a latch bar on the reverse side of the door, disengaging it from a catch driven into the edge of the jamb. One large latch bar was recovered (USNM 59.1972,fig. 88f), as well as two catches (USNM 59.1644, fig.88i, and 59.1801,ill. 65). Sliding bolts were the usual locking devices when simple thumb latches were used. A survival of one of these is seen in a short iron rod with a shorter segment of rod attached to it at right angles (USNM 59.1942,ill. 69).

Purchases of padlocks are recorded, but there is no archeological evidence for them. However, a well-made hasp (USNM 59.1655,ill. 66) has survived, and also three staples (USNM 59.1644, 59.1659, 59.2027,fig. 88j). Mercer bought six staples in 1742 at a penny each.

Apparently the principal doors of both the 1730house and the mansion were fitted with box locks, or “stock-locks,” in which wood and iron were usually combined. A heavy iron plate comes from such a lock (USNM 59.1943,fig. 88). Two stock-locks were bought from John Foward in 1731. Another was purchased from William Hunter in 1741. In the same year Mercer acquired from Charles Dick “8 Chamberdoor Locks wthbrass knobs.” If by knob was meant a drop handle, then a fine brass specimen may be one of these (USNM 59.1944,fig. 83h,ill. 67). Fragments of three iron keys have survived, the smallest of which may have been used with a furniture lock (USNM 59.1644 and 59.1656,fig. 88h).

Nails and Spikes.—The ledgers point to a constant purchasing of nails which is reflected in the great quantity recovered from the excavations. A 1731 purchase from Chapman comprised 2-, 3-, 4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, and 20-penny nails, while in the 1740’s not only nails but 4-, 6-, 8-, and 10-penny brads were purchased, as well as 20-penny flooring brads. Excepting the last, nearly all these sizes occur in the artifacts. There is also a variety of heavy spikes, ranging from 3 inches to 7 inches in length (seeills. 70-73).

HANDCRAFT TOOLS

Marlborough, like most 18th-century plantations, was to a large extent self-sufficient, and therefore it is not surprising to find handtools of several kinds. A blacksmith’s hammer (USNM 59.2081,ill. 74), for example, strengthens the view that there may have been blacksmiths at Marlborough. Other tools include a smoothing-plane blade of iron with a 1-inch steel tip (USNM 59.1897,fig. 89a); a set wrench for a ¾-inch square nut or bolt (possibly for bed bolts), equipped originally with a wooden handle (USNM 60.91,ill. 75); a steel scraping tool or chisel with handle set at an angle (USNM 60.133,fig. 89b,ill. 76); a small half-round bit or gouge chisel (USNM 59.1644,fig. 89c,ill. 77). Three crude lengths of iron with stubby L-shaped ends appear to be work-bench dogs (fig. 89f).

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