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
21To George Washington from Clement Biddle, 16 March 1788 (Washington Papers)
...safe to your Hands since whch I am favd with yo[ur]s of 3 & 5d—I have accordingly put on bd the sloop Polly Ellwd in addition to the Volume of Newspapers & 2 Casks Grass seed, 2 Spinning wheels & 1 Box of 12 Wool Cards—this Vessel has staid much longer than expectd but as she has at last sail’d this Day I hope she will be with you in time for the Grass seed—As I.......6, two spinning wheels—...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel L. Hylton, 25 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
...losses, which by the treaty are to be restor’d, the debts will not be pd. If this is done, I believe their will be no murmuring. When I was in philada: at the sign of the spinning wheel, Jon. Greer, I saw some small looking Glasses with mahogany frames at 6/ that curry. pd. I will thank you to send me 4 of them by return of the Vessle Yr. tobo. was shipt in...
23To John Jay from John Drayton, 29 January 1794 (Jay Papers)
Perhaps the young ladies may manufacture some thing out of it, with the assistance of their spinning wheel; while taking advantage of the first approach of spring, you may give the seed a trial by sowing them.
24From George Washington to William Pearce, 28 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
...) would be more competent to the Management of the Negros, whilst the other might be principally, if not wholly, occupied in putting the Wheels, Carts, Plows, and other utensils in order; and in making and repairing Spinning Wheels &ca &ca wch he professes to understand well.
25From George Washington to William Pearce, 29 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
...)—the same for the Pillars of the covered way going into the Kitchen; Locust Posts for the circle before the door; Harrows, Ploughs, rakes[,] Wheels, Carts, cradles for the grain harvest; repairing Spinning Wheels, and many other things which might be thought of, & executed within, to advantage, when the weather is rainy, snowy, very sloppy, or very cold. If he is a man of industry &...
26To George Washington from Thomas Morton Bates, 4 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
...“superfine Wove Paper.” Bates planned to have each number delivered to the subscribers’ homes. The enclosed advertisement also listed numerous patent inventions and other essays expected to appear in the publication. These included specifications of patents for spinning wheels, leather manufacture, canal construction, and
27To James Madison from Tench Coxe, 11 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
...The Amount of these consumptions is prodigious in a Town of 800 houses, in the body of the County, besides several others in different parts of it. I am the tenant at £100 ⅌ ann. of an Irish Spinning wheel & windsor chair maker, who has four adjoining houses, besides some others in other parts of the Town, &
28From Thomas Jefferson to Seneca, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Munsee Indians, with Henry Dearborn, 24 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
, plows, farming utensils, and spinning wheels from the government and would learn to use them. The Senecas “must make use of Cattle instead of Moose Elk etc” and “sheep in place of dear” (Ganter, ..., among “three or four of the best disposed chiefs” of the Senecas, a dozen sheep, some wool cards and spinning wheels, three or four milk cows, and two or three plows, each plow to have a...
29Petition of Puckshunubbee and Others, 20 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
...with commissioners Benjamin Hawkins, James Wilkinson, and Andrew Pickens at Fort Adams in December 1801, spoke for the Choctaws’ Upper Towns. On that occasion he asked for a blacksmith, tools, and spinning wheels, but, describing himself as a factor for a merchant, he said that the Choctaws were satisfied with their ties to firms that traded through Mobile and had no wish to establish...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Cunow, 17 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To this may be added, that two Brethren lately have been sent to reside among the Creeks, who under the direction of Col. Hawkins furnish them with spinning wheels, looms, tin ware and other articles of their trade.
31To James Madison from John Armstrong, 30 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
By the same vessel I propose con[s]igning to your patronage, a machine of prodigious consequence to us under our present circumstances—combining great usefulness & little expence, and meant to take the place of the common small Spinning-wheel in the manufacture of flax, tow and hemp. It occupies little more room than the Old spinning wheel, is put and kept in motion by any old or young Negro...
32From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
To me he adds, “By the same vessel I propose consigning &c. a machine of prodigious consequence under present circumstances, combining great usefulness & little expence, and meant to take the place of the common small spinning Wheel in the manufacture of flax tow & hemp. It occupies little more room than the old spinning wheel, is put & kept in motion by any old or young negro wench, gives you...
33James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 27 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
...prodigious consequence under present circumstances, combining great usefulness & little expence, and meant to take the place of the common small spining Wheel in the manufacture of flax tow & hemp. It occupies little more room than the old spinning wheel, is put & kept in motion by any old or young negro wench,
34From James Madison to Hobohoilthle, [6 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
...will then have food and cloathing and live comfortably. The President advises you to do this. He knows that his red Children can live well if they will follow his advice. Colo. Hawkins will give you Cards and Spinning-wheels and Looms to weave in. Some of your white brothers are also poor, but their fathers put them to such work as is fit for them and they live very well.
35Gabriel Richard to Thomas Jefferson, 9 November 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have already expended great deal of money to buy an Electrical machine, an air-Pump, an optics, a Spinning Jennie of 24 Spindles Cotton, wool, Spinning wheels, Cards, cloths for children, Timber, Shingles, Boards nails Glass, for Some buildings to be erected for the Indian School, and many other articles.
I am rejoiced to find by your Mamma’s letter, that you intend to “turn your spinning wheel,” the more we are qualified to help ourselves, the less dependent we are upon others, from the present temper of old England, it looks as if we should be less her customers than formerly. Manufactures of all...
I am rejoiced to find that you intend to turn your spinning wheel; the more we are qualified to help ourselves, the less dependent we are upon others; from the present temper of old England, it looks as if we should be less her customers than formerly. I would recommend...
38To James Madison from William Bentley, 2 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
...& the resistance of the Merchants, to whose habits he has no indulgence from inclination, or his manner of life, observed “The Worst Embargo upon our Country would be upon our plows & our spinning wheels. We should have no Embargo at home. We should dispise to give any nation any advantage over us from anything; it could possess. A Free people will never think themselves dependant upon any...
39Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s Appraisal of Chattels at Belmont Estates, [after 5 October 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
1. spinning wheel for cotton, & 2. wheels for spinning flax, with cotton & wool cards.
40To James Madison from Gabriel Richard, 12 October 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
...U.S. government still wishes to charge rent he asks that the improvements made to the farm be considered as an equivalent. Otherwise, he can only pay the rent by selling “the best part of our apparatus as Spinning wheels, looms, Electrical Machine &c. which shall prove exceedingly fatal and hurtfull to so valuable an Institution.”
41Memorandum Books, 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Left with Jeremiah A. Goodman 20.D. for seed wheat, spinning wheels &c.
42To James Madison from Benjamin Hawkins, 13 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
...be used by the troops of the United States in marching from post to post as the public good may require.” In return for opening the road, the Creek Indians were to receive between 1812 and 1814 one thousand spinning wheels, one thousand pairs of cotton cards, and a quantity of iron, at a cost Hawkins estimated to be $4,350.62 (Hawkins to Eustis, 3 Oct. 1811, Grant,
43Thomas Jefferson’s Instructions for Poplar Forest Management, December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
machines; spinning wheel [index entry] spinning wheels [index entry]
44James Ronaldson to Thomas Jefferson, 26 December 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
who have the misfortune of being prisoners of war in foreign countries—Should be instructed to provid them with spinning wheels, cards, knitting needles, wool, flax & Cotton, with these
simple means the poor fellows could C
45Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 14 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
...a single yard of coarse goods (blankets excepted) & but little will be wanted of goods of midling qualities. for the fine we must depend on the town manufactories. most of us are still however at the old spinning wheel & hand cards. a few neighbors of us are setting up some spinning jennies, next in simplicity to the spinning wheel. but I have seen in the hands of a friend an advertisement...
46Ferdinando Fairfax to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 20 January 1812] (Jefferson Papers)
Indeed the common Spinning-wheel must be kept with care: and
how much better will the one in question repay every care!
47Thomas Jefferson to James Ronaldson, 11 October 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
...manufactures, to which the high duties, you mention, will contribute, while they also enrich our treasury. we always manufactured a great deal in this state in the houshold way: but this was on the old Spinning wheel. the introduction of machines into our families is becoming common. those of 6. spindles suit the smaller families. I have 36. spindles going myself & shall soon add 18....
48Thomas Jefferson to Samuel P. Parsons, 19 April 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
2. his has a single wheel only, as light as a cotton spinning wheel, about 2.f. distant from the beam, turning an axis not bigger than the wrist, with a broken joint in that axis enabling the wheel to mount over stones & moderate stumps without interrupting the motion of the...
49Thomas Jefferson to John McAllister (1753–1830), 24 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
and apprenticed there as a turner, spinning-wheel maker, carpenter, and joiner. He immigrated to
50Thomas Jefferson to James Clarke, 1 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
the basis however of what has occurred to me is a four wheeled carriage, very light, the wheels to be like cotton spinning wheels & all other parts proportionably light. just over the bolt which connects the perch with the fore axle, suppose a machine fixed, so as to remain steadily in the direction of the perch, and the fore-axle made...
51To John Adams from Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 11 February 1819 to 26 February 1819 (Adams Papers)
...thence to H of R. where we were entertained with a very different style of Oratory, which I denominate the hum-drum; as it produced on my ear something like the effect of a Cotton spinning wheel, which is not dull enough to set you to sleep, tho’ sufficiently monotonous to weary your spirits—It was an appropriation bill, and the orator speaking against it—one of the members informed me...
52Thomas Jefferson’s Specifications for the Rotunda Planetarium, 1824?, 31 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
...then be provided, it’s upper end moving on a pivot in the zenith, it’s lower end resting on the circle of amplitude. this must be made on thin flexible white oak like the ream of a cotton spinning wheel; and fixed in it’s curvature, in a true quadrant by a similar lath of white oak as it’s chord a. n. their ends made fast together by clamps. this flexible meridian may be of 6....
53Conference with Handsome Lake, Cornplanter, and Blue Eyes: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
assimilation, decried the bane of liquor, and brought up specific issues concerning annuities and land. Dearborn had also taken steps to furnish the Senecas with livestock, agricultural technology, and spinning wheels (