The Plymouth Colony Archive: Captain William Hedge

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The Plymouth Colony Archive: Captain William Hedge
The early settlers in the United States would leave a will whenever they died; documenting their entire belongings for their heirs. In case of a person dying intestate, the colony’s governance would carry an inventory of their possessions and divide it among their children, wives, husbands, or relatives. The items in the inventory give a snapshot view of the economic activities of these people, their status in the community, their amount of wealth, and the size of their households, among others. The Plymouth Colony Archives is important in understanding these early settlers, especially Captain William Hedge, whose story makes this study.
Inventory of Captain William Hedge’s Possessions: The inventory of Captain William Hedge of Yarmouth, according to a court assessment on 15 July 1670 contained these and more items: his clothes, a rapier, a belt worth 1sterling 15 shillings, and a brass musket worth 3 sterling 10 shillings. The items present in the parlor-included curtains, beddings, great table, 10 forms worth 2li 10s, one chair and cushions worth 8s. There were also 4 yards of course linen, linen yarn, 1 firkin, sugar, 1 pair of still yards, 5 sheets worth 2li 9s, 1 Tablecloth worth10s, Table lining worth 1li 3s, pillow bears worth 5s, 4 old Casks worth 8s, 2 scythes, ring and wedge worth 5s, 3lb of feathers, and one pair of boots (Plymouth Colony Archives).
In the kitchen, there were 1 pair of pot-hangers worth 5s, 1 iron kettle and hook worth 8s, 1 pair of andirons and a gridiron worth 18s, 1 skimmer worth 3s, 1 jar worth 1s, 1 shovel and pitchfork worth 5s, pewter worth 4li 16s 06d, tinning ware worth 5s, one brass skillet worth 7s, and 1 warming pan. The lento had one spit, 1 frying pan worth 6s, 8 trays worth 4s, 1 sickle, 1 hammer, a mortar & pastel, 2 brass kettles worth 3li 4s, 1 iron kettle worth13s, barrels, tubs and Charnel. The kitchen chamber had one bed, 2 bolsters, 3 blankets, 1 old rug, 1 sifting trough worth 3s, 1 lining wheel worth 4s 6d, rye and Indian corn, 6 barrels of salt worth 3li, Cart, wheels, plow, yoke, pine, coops, 2 hoes, 2 axes, and 1 chain (Plymouth Colony Archives). Additionally, Captain Hedge left 2 oxen worth 10 li, 3 cows and 1 calf worth 8li, 2 heifers and 1 steer worth 5li 10s, 4 mares, 4 colts, 288 04 00 of debts due to the Captain, and 400 000 in disparate debts. The total worth of Captain Hedge’s inheritance amounted to 487 16 00. He was indebted to William Griffith for 10 shillings and a barrel of pork to Joseph Hollot.
Unfamiliar objects: In the inventory, a Charnel was inclusive of the items listed. Since it is a building for storing bones o...