[Tom]

Does anyone know where the original manifests for goods traded to the Tribal groups would be.

If we had a good documentation for goods and materials made available to the Indian communities during the 1780-1840 period we would have a great source to work with.

From the Hudson Bay Co. of Canada there are huge sources but those are for Canada if we could locate the same for the south we’d have something.

I have seen these lists for the state of Louisiana during the colonial period, and they are great sources…. so can anyone make a suggestion?

[Brenda Ferrell Sampsel]

Tom,

I can’t answer your very good question, but I have a question of my own after reading the Somerset County, MD inventory below:

“Folio: 32 125.14.9

Anno 1706 An Inventory ….. of Cornelius INNIS late of Somerset County Deceased –

1 old negroe MAN and 1 BOY Ditto

Livestock, parsell of old Carpenters tools, parsell of Ditto Copers, 1 pair of old Small Stillards, let, Iron, pewter, warming pan, brass Candle Stick, 3 occomy Spoons, 1 Candle box, 1 drudging box, pair of old bellows, 1 hand mill, 2 old Leather Chairs & one Couch, 1 Table, 2 large beds & furniture, 1 old bed Ditto & furniture, 2 old Lining wheels & 1 woolin Ditto, 7 yearling Skins & 6 hides and 1 half, latches & ketches, 18 armes Length of Roenock, 1 Trunck, parsell of tooth Drawers, 1 large looking Glass & 1 small Ditto, 1 old Cutlis & Semiter, parsell of Syder Casks, 5 lb of feather, 1 Sett of Silver Shirt buttons, A True Appraisement as given in unto us as witness our hands and Seals this 30th day of May Anno Domini 1706} John WEBB & Samuel HOPKINS Jun” — abstracted by Laurie Fower

I read that items such as Indian bowels are not that uncommmon in inventories for settlers on the Eastern Shore during a certain period of time as the Indians in the area made various items for trade with the settlers. It just seems that 18 arms lenth of roenock is a lot— would a person with that much be involved in the trade in more than a casual basis? What do you think?

Brenda

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