The Olden Time Series Volume II Part 10

_Boston, Sept. 21, 1786._

The spinning-wheel at Ipswich. From the "Columbian Centinel," June 7, 1791.

_For the_ CENTINEL.

THE PRINTER is requested to record it among the numerous instances of female benevolence and harmony, which have been exhibited in these times, and so well reprove the jarring dissensions of the _men_--that at Ipswich, lately, at the house of the Rev. Mr. DANA, a numerous band of ladies, in harmonious concert, have again "laid their hands to the spindle, and held the distaff," and presented the fruit of their generous toil, 118 run of good yarn; viz. 88 linen, 30 cotton; the materials, provisions, and handsome attendance, all furnished by themselves and those who joined with them.--"_Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates._"

From the "Salem Mercury," April 28, 1787.

Not long ago a number of ladies belonging to the Presbyterian society in Newbury-Port, a.s.sembled at the Parsonage-house, with their spinning-wheels and other utensils of industry, for the day, to the benefit of their minister's family. The a.s.sembly having first united in the solemn exercises of social wors.h.i.+p, the business of the day was opened. Every apartment in the house was full. The musick of the spinning-wheel resounded from every room.

Benevolence was seen smiling in every countenance, and the harmony of hearts surpa.s.sed even the harmony of wheels. The labours of the day were concluded about 5 o'clock; when the fair labourers presented Mrs. MURRAY with cotton and linen yarn, of the best quality, amounting to 236 skeins.

Necessary refreshment being past, publick wors.h.i.+p was attended; and a discourse delivered, by the Rev. Mr. MURRAY, to a large a.s.sembly, from Exodus 35, 25, _And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands._

From the "Salem Mercury," Feb. 6, 1787.

There is a young Miss in New-Haven, who will soon wear a silk gown _of her own make_. Such n.o.ble industry ought to be written in letters of gold. May the ladies profit by the example--and may it soon be esteemed disreputable, by both ladies and gentlemen, to wear any thick silk but of our own manufacture.

An advertis.e.m.e.nt in the "Boston Gazette," Feb. 19, 1760, rather indicates that "searchers" sometimes exceeded their powers.

ALL Persons who within five Years past, have had any Shoes or Boots, seiz'd and taken from them, in the Town of Boston, by any of the Searches and Sealers of Leather there, for being made of Leather unduly tann'd or curried, or on Pretence thereof; are hereby notified to give or send in to the Printers hereof, an Account in Writing, of the Number of Shoes, &c. so taken from them, the Time when (as near as they can) with the Name of the Person that seiz'd and took them, and the Name of the Justice of Peace to whom Complaint or Information was made concerning such Shoes, &c. by the eighth Day of _March_ next, if they desire any Recompence for the Injuries they have suffer'd by such Seizures.

In 1767 snuff was apparently of more importance, as merchandise, to say the least, than were Bibles and Testaments. In an advertis.e.m.e.nt it was printed in capitals, while the latter were in smaller type.

Caleb Blanchard,

In Union-Street, _BOSTON._

_HAS just Imported by Captain_ Rhodes _from_ London, _and Captain_ Bain _from_ Glasgow.

_A Great Variety of English, India, and Scotch GOODS, suitable for all Seasons of the Year, which He sells at the lowest Rates, by Wholesale or Retail, for Cash or Treasurer's Notes._

N.B. _Kippen's and Tillich's SNUFF, Bibles and Testaments, all Sorts of Stationary, &c. &c. &c._

_Boston, April 19th, 1788._

WHEREAS some person or persons have acted so villainous a part, as to make use of my name in vending and selling Snuff of a very bad quality; not only injuring me in my credit, but cheating the purchaser, as the Snuff manufactured by me is of the best kind, and which I always warrant to be such.

Some of the purchasers of said bad Snuff have brought the same to me, supposing it to be really of my manufacture; but upon examination, found it to be of a loose and dry kind, and may be easily discovered.

Whoever will give information of the person or persons, who thus impose on the publick, by making use of my name to vend and sell such base Snuff, shall be handsomely rewarded, by their humble servant,

SIMON ELLIOT.

N.B. The publick are informed, that to prevent the above deception, the advertis.e.m.e.nts on bladders of Snuff, in future, will be altered from letter-press, to a copperplate impression. (2m)

_Ma.s.sachusetts Centinel._

The habit of Snuff-taking was formerly very prevalent in New England, as well as elsewhere. Within the writer's recollection it was a very common thing to see the snuff-box pa.s.sed round for friends to take a pinch.

Very few now a days indulge in this uncleanly habit; but a recent traveller relates that on visiting St. Peter's in Rome, the first thing upon entering the church which attracted his attention was seeing the Pope take a pinch of snuff and then shake from his pocket a large old-fas.h.i.+oned bandanna handkerchief, which he applied to his nose. Many years ago a gentleman of Salem was questioned by a stranger about a certain man who happened to be an inveterate snuff-taker and who was at the same time greatly interested in free-masonry. "Yes," said the gentleman, "I know him."--"He's about one third masonry and two thirds snuff." Mr. Francis H. Lee, of Salem, has a curious collection of a hundred or more snuff-boxes of former generations. They are of various patterns; some are made of sh.e.l.l and tipped with silver, and look quite ancient. Simon Elliot, of Boston, and later Wm. Micklefield, of Salem, were famous snuff manufacturers.

A curious snuff-box, advertised in the "Columbian Centinel," 1819.

A CURIOSITY.

E. COPELAND, Jr., has for sale a most elegant Gold SNUFF BOX set with Pearls, &c. It is about 2 inches long and from the top a beautiful _little Bird_ rises at command and sings a tune. The movements of the wings, beak, eyes, &c. are perfectly natural, and all its motions while singing are in complete unison with its notes. This is probably as ingenious a piece of mechanism as was ever seen in this town. It will be sold a great bargain.

august 21

In this connection we notice "Micklefield's Indian," as it was called, a well-known landmark in Salem half a century ago. Mr. Micklefield was much respected, and noted for his liberality and public spirit.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE Subscriber begs leave to inform his friends and the public, that owing to the fall in prices of different Scents and Stock in general, that compose the article of Snuff, he is thereby enabled to sell his different kinds, viz.--Maccoboy, Scented and Plain Rappee and Scotch

SNUFFS,

at a much lower price than heretofore.--Traders in the neighboring towns that deal in those articles are particularly solicited to call at his Store, sign of the _Indian Chief_, corner of Central and Front streets, where they can purchase at very low prices, and warranted of the first quality. ALSO,

Spanish, half Spanish and common

CIGARS,

Cavendish, Ladies' Twist, Pigtail, and all kinds of Manufactured

TOBACCO,

wholesale and retail.

WM. MICKLEFIELD.

Salem, Jan. 18, 1827. tf