Part 28 (1/2)

XVII

_Objects of Personal Use_

Costume accessories recovered at Marlborough are extremely few. There are six metal b.u.t.tons, all of them apparently 18th century. One of flat bra.s.s (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 b.u.t.ton, 7/8 inch in diameter, could be one of two dozen vest b.u.t.tons bought by Mercer for 18 pence each in 1741. A bra.s.s b.u.t.ton 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 bra.s.s--was commonly used for b.u.t.tons in the 18th century, and is seen here in a fragmentary specimen (USNM 59.2004). One hollow b.u.t.ton of sheet bra.s.s shows the remains of gilding (USNM 60.73).

Only one example was found--a dark-gray sh.e.l.l b.u.t.ton--that was used on under-garments (USNM 59.1819).

Among the personal articles are two bra.s.s 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 bra.s.s 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.)

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 48.--Left, bra.s.s buckle (see fig. 83d). Same size. (USNM 60.72.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 49.--Center, bra.s.s knee buckle (fig. 83e).

Same size. (USNM 60.139.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 50.--Right, bra.s.s thimble (fig. 83b). Same size. (USNM 60.74.)]

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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 51.--Chalk bullet mold with initial ”M”

(fig. 84b). Same size. (USNM 59.1682.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 83.--SMALL METALWORK: a, copper and white metal b.u.t.tons; b, bra.s.s thimble; c, English halfpenny, 1787; d, bra.s.s buckle; e, bra.s.s knee buckle; f, bra.s.s harness ornament; g, escutcheon plates for drawer pulls and keyholes; h, drop handle; i, curtain and harness rings; and j, bra.s.s strap handle.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 52.--Left, fragments of tobacco-pipe bowl with decoration molded in relief. Same size. (USNM 59.2003.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 53.--Above, white-kaolin tobacco pipe (fig.

84f). One-half. (USNM 59.1714.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 85.--CUTLERY: a, chopping knife; b, table-knife blades; c, parts of penknife; and d, pieces of slate and slate pencil.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 54.--Slate pencil (see fig. 85d). Same size.

(USNM 59.1685.)]

As usual in colonial sites, quant.i.ties of pipestem and bowl fragments were recovered. Virtually all the bowls reflect the typical Georgian-period white-clay pipe form, with only minor variations. Most of the stems have bores ranging from 4/64 inch (1750-1800) to 6/64 inch (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 1/8 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).

XVIII

_Metalwork_

SILVER