Peter: Small world... My wife is a direct descendent of William Carpenter! He’s her great x 9 grandfather. The Carpenter family stayed true to the family name for generations. In fact we inherited a toolchest & most all its tools, built & used by Jonathan L Carpenter (1838-1905) and Walter Carpenter (1862-1933). Happy to report that they also had a plow plane in their inventory.
I would be very interested in your source for the probate records for William Carpenter!
It might be in this book - which I have tucked away somewhere. I did not look through this online version, so can't swear it's in there. Simmons' book cuts off at a point 3/4 of the way through the 17th century. Later ones I used a transcript housed in a museum where I used to work...
Thanks Peter! For posterity/anyone else interested I think the book is Plymouth Colony Records Volume 1: Wills and Inventories 1633–1669, edited by C. H. Simmons (Camden, Me.: Picton Press, 1996). I think I can get a copy through inter-library loan.
Chris - yes, exactly. I meant to include a link to it - it's been a bit of a hectic few days here. Dropped the ball. But that's the book. Now, I can't swear Carpenter is in there - the time frame is right.
I always loved historical research. Most of mine was mid to late 19th century. Most of the remaining written evidence is government documents, especially court records. It's just fascinating, piecing together a story from fragments.
The iron hardware and metal tools seem pretty valuable in these inventories. What would the wage of an experienced joiner be in comparison with these? Thanks
Peter: Small world... My wife is a direct descendent of William Carpenter! He’s her great x 9 grandfather. The Carpenter family stayed true to the family name for generations. In fact we inherited a toolchest & most all its tools, built & used by Jonathan L Carpenter (1838-1905) and Walter Carpenter (1862-1933). Happy to report that they also had a plow plane in their inventory.
I would be very interested in your source for the probate records for William Carpenter!
It might be in this book - which I have tucked away somewhere. I did not look through this online version, so can't swear it's in there. Simmons' book cuts off at a point 3/4 of the way through the 17th century. Later ones I used a transcript housed in a museum where I used to work...
Thanks Peter! For posterity/anyone else interested I think the book is Plymouth Colony Records Volume 1: Wills and Inventories 1633–1669, edited by C. H. Simmons (Camden, Me.: Picton Press, 1996). I think I can get a copy through inter-library loan.
Chris - yes, exactly. I meant to include a link to it - it's been a bit of a hectic few days here. Dropped the ball. But that's the book. Now, I can't swear Carpenter is in there - the time frame is right.
I always loved historical research. Most of mine was mid to late 19th century. Most of the remaining written evidence is government documents, especially court records. It's just fascinating, piecing together a story from fragments.
3 hoes 2 froes. I would love a restaurant with that name.
The iron hardware and metal tools seem pretty valuable in these inventories. What would the wage of an experienced joiner be in comparison with these? Thanks
Maybe 2 shillings a day, maybe just under that…I’ll do a post one day on prices, rates and wages.
This is fascinating research. Thank you!
Glad you like it. Lots more where that came from...