Part 29 (2/2)

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 a.s.semblage 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 princ.i.p.al doors of both the 1730 house 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 d.i.c.k ”8 Chamberdoor Locks w^{th} bra.s.s k.n.o.bs.” If by k.n.o.b was meant a drop handle, then a fine bra.s.s 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).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 74.--Left, blacksmith's hammer. One-half.

(USNM 59.2081.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 75.--Center, iron wrench. One-half. (USNM 60.91.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 76.--Right, iron sc.r.a.ping tool (fig. 89b).

One-half. (USNM 60.133.)]

NAILS AND SPIKES.--The ledgers point to a constant purchasing of nails which is reflected in the great quant.i.ty 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 (see ills. 70-73).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 77.--Left, bit or gouge chisel (see fig.

89c). One-half. (USNM 59.1644.)]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Ill.u.s.tration 78.--Right, jeweler's hammer. Same size.

(USNM 59.1664.)]

FOOTNOTES:

[213] ALBERT H. SONN, _Early American Wrought Iron_ (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1928), vol. 2, p. 9.

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 3/4-inch square nut or bolt (possibly for bed bolts), equipped originally with a wooden handle (USNM 60.91, ill. 75); a steel sc.r.a.ping 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).

One fine tool is from the equipment of a jeweler or a clockmaker (USNM 59.1664, ill. 78). It is a very small hammer with a turned, bell-shaped striking head. Originally balanced by a sharp wing-shaped peen, which was, however, badly rusted and which disintegrated soon after being found, the tool has a tubular, tinned, sheet-iron shaft handle which is secured by a bra.s.s ferrule to the head and brazed together with bra.s.s.

The lower end is plugged with bra.s.s, where a longer handle perhaps was attached. In 1748 Sydenham & Hodgson, through William Jordan, imported for Mercer ”A Sett Clockmakers tools.” This entry is annotated, ”Return'd to M^r Jordan.” Although the hammer cannot be related to this particular set of tools, the ledger item suggests that fine work like clockmaking may have been conducted at Marlborough. This tool may have been used in the process.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 90.--SCYTHE found against outside of east wall, Structure H.]

FARMING, HORSE, AND VEHICLE GEAR

The 1771 inventory is in some ways a more significant summary of 18th-century plantation equipment than are the artifacts found at Marlborough, since its list of tools is longer than the list of tool artifacts and is pin-pointed in time. However, artifacts define themselves concretely and imply far more of such matters as workmans.h.i.+p, suitability to purpose, source of origin, or design and form, than do mere names. The Marlborough tools and equipment, moreover, correspond, as far as they go, very closely with the items in the inventory, thus becoming actualities experienced by us tactually and visually.

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