11Memorandum Books, 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The payment was for a spinning wheel (
12From George Washington to Lund Washington, 20 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
For Lund Washington’s difficulties in obtaining spinning wheels, see his letters to GW of
13Franklin’s List of New Year’s Gifts and Gratuities, 29[-31] December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Small spinning WheelSome of these presents seem destined to young girls, perhaps the Brillon daughters, Cunégonde and Aldegonde, and the Le Veillard daughter, Geneviève. The “Small spinning Wheel” is reminiscent of
14From John Jay to Gouverneur Morris, 5 November 1780 (Jay Papers)
— Achilles made no Figure at the spinning Wheel—
15To Benjamin Franklin from Vergennes, 19 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
...with his habitual condescension, touching the ends of his fingers on a moistened piece of sponge, and commenced playing with his right foot, bearing upon a treadel fixed in the manner of a spinning wheel, which turned a set of musical glasses, presenting their edges in perpendicular positions, in the shape of saucers graduated of different sizes, so as to produce all the requisite tones. He...
16To John Adams from Richard Cranch, 13 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
...large Manufactories, would soon have furnished us in a great measure with the necessary Cloathing in both kinds. But the Flood of English Goods that came in upon us at the Peace, soon stopt the Spinning-Wheel the Loom and the fulling-Mill, which at the Close of the War were so fully employ’d. The great Scarcity of Money occasioned by the large Exportations of Gold and Silver to England,...
17II. Answers to Soulés’ Queries, [13–18 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
...commerce, but not tax us. This mysterious system took for a moment in America as well as in Europe. But sounder heads saw in the first moment that he who could put down the loom, could stop the spinning wheel, and he who could stop the spinning wheel could tie the hands which turned it. They saw that this flimsy fabric could not be supported. Who were to be judges whether duties were imposed...
18To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 20 February 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have procured some Grass seed which I think is extraordinary good & much Cheaper than it has been sold. You have also the Spinning Wheels, all of which Articles are Shipped on board the Sloop Dolphin Aaron Steward Master for alexandria & you have the Bill of Loading & Invoice inclosed—the Sloop will leave this about Sunday next, & I hope will be......, £2.5 for two spinning wheels, and 10...
19From George Washington to Clement Biddle, 14 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
...me one dozn of the best corn Scythes of a proper length, and strength at the heel, and in the backs, and the same number of the best Grass Scythes—two strong bramble Scythes, & two flax spinning wheels. The Dolphin returns to this Port in the course of next month, and will afford a good Conveyance. What does the best Hyson Tea, and dble refined Sugar sell at with you? And how are linnens now...
20To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 26 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
By the Sloop Dolphin Capt. Steward who sailed last week for Alexandria I have shipp’d the scythes & Spinning wheels of which acct & bill of loading are inclosed the Scythe Maker could get only one of the Briar Scythes finished in time