Browse Items (22 total)
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Hank of wool
Hank of wool from Buchanan, Kentucky. Sheep were among the early domesticated animals brought to Kentucky. Home production of wool increased during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 due to trade embargos. Free and enslaved women prepared and spun the wool into a usable yarn. They used the yarn for knitting, or it was taken to a professional weaver (free or enslaved person) who turned it into cloth. Wool was often woven with cotton or hemp in early Kentucky textiles. Approximately 4/12 lbs. of spun wool were needed to make a single blanket. Wool cloth was also sewn into clothing by women. -
Basting spoon, circa 1800
Basting spoons were used to baste (pour juices or melted fat over meat during cooking in order to keep it moist), as well as for stirring and serving. Basting spoons were used often because of the large amount of meat that was consumed on the frontier. Early Kentucky pioneers had a deep reliance on meat (especially wild game like turkeys or buffalos). They continued to eat wild game as a primary source of food until the pioneers learned to farm in their new environment. As Euro-merican settlers learned how to develop stable food sources through farming and domesticated livestock, they began to hunt buffalo for sport, nearly driving the population into extinction. -
Iron Spider Pot, circa 1790
The spider pot was brought to Bourbon County, Kentucky, from Frederick County, Maryland, by the Liter family before 1800. During this period, cooking was the second leading cause of death for women. Overheating, skirts catching on fire, exhaustion, and infected burns were causes for serious injury or even death. Some frontier appliances made the job a bit safer. Due to the 'three-legged' nature of spider pots, it allowed them to sit right on the hearth over a bed of hot coals. The cook then used its long handle to safely remove the pot from the coals. -
Iron dutch oven, circa 1790
The Dutch oven and its hook were brought to Bourbon County, Kentucky, from Frederick County, Maryland, by the Liter family before 1800. In addition to many other household tasks, free and enslaved women prepared three meals a day for their household, working many hours over a cooking hearth without air conditioning or fans. They cultivated and prepared all ingredients themselves. Cooking was labor intensive and exhausting. The Dutch oven, despite its heavy weight, made cooking a bit easier. Dutch ovens were an important tool in the kitchen and were used similarly to ovens today. Dutch ovens were capable of baking, boiling, roasting, and frying, and good for cooking stews, breads, and cakes. -
Journal of the Kentucky Convention, 1799
Cover of the Journal of the Kentucky Constitutional Convention, held in Frankfort, on 22 July 1799. -
The American Geography, 1794
Title page of A view of the present situation of the United States of America, containing astronomical geography, geographical definitions, discovery, and general description. Included is a particular description of Kentucky, the Western territory, map of the northern and middle states, comprehending the Western territory and the British dominions in North America. The publication includes three maps of Kentucky by John Filson.
For the complete title, see the New York Public Library Digital Collections at https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5b015bc0-c5d4-012f-4f5e-58d385a7bc34Tags astronomy; British; Geography; map; north america; pamphlets; Spanish; travelogue; western territory -
Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of upper and lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797.
Includes view of the natural Rock Bridge, houses, conditions of the enslaved peoples,the land, cultivating tobacco, lower classes of people in Virginia, unhealthy apperances, the Shenandoa Valley, German immigratnts, landscapes, military titles that are common in America, Irish immigrants, etc.Tags African American; agriculture; canada; climate; clothing; clover; enslaved persons; enslavement; European Immigrants; farming; fashion; german immigrants; immigration; irish immigrants; military titles; natural history; natural rock bridge; nature; public health; social class; tobacco; travel; travelogue; wheat; Women -
A treatise on the prevention of diseases incidental to horses, from bad management in regard to stables, food, water, air, and exercise. To which are subjoined, observations on some of the surgical and medical branches of farriery.
Treatment of horses and the prevention of diseases, with medical branches of farriery. -
Account for enslaved people under mortgage in Louisiana, 4 May 1790
A document regarding enslaved people under mortgage in Louisiana, and the amount of money they were worth. -
Plan of Lystra in Nelson County, Kentucky, 1795
Plan proposal of the town Lystra in Nelson County, Kentucky. The town was never built. Printed in "Winterbotham's Historical Views of the U.S.A." -
Map of the State of Kentucky, from actual survey, facsimile, 1795
Shows cities, towns, forts and stations, rivers, roads, etc. Includes notations on the fertility of the land and the quality of the salt licks.
The Filson has another original of this map which was removed from the 3rd London edition of Imlay's Topographical description of the western territory of North America, 1797. -
State of Kentucky: Richard Henderson & Co., land grant, 1796
Land-grant survey which was made at the request of Robert Burton, Esq., agent for Richard Henderson & Co., on 20 April 1796, after a grant of 200,000 acres was made to the company by the Virginia Assembly. -
A map of the State of Kentucky and the Tennessee Government, 1796
Map published in Jedidiah Morse's American universal geography. Shows rivers, creeks, towns, forts, Indian boundaries, and the southern boundary of a military reservation in Tennessee. -
A map of the United States of America: with part of the adjoining provinces from the greatest authorities, 1794
Map shows the thirteen colonies and as far west as the Mississippi River, including the western territory, Kentucky, and Tennessee, the northern tip of Lake Superior including parts of Canada and New Brunswick. -
Map of the state of Kentucky: with the adjoining territories, 1795
Map showing the Old Northwest and Southwest territories along with their rivers, towns, creeks, mills, courthouses, traces, forts, and salt licks. Includes tracts held by the Ohio, New Jersey, and Wabash Companies, the Virginia donation lands and land set aside in Tennessee for the "North Carolina troops." -
Letter from Isaac Shelby to Henry Knox, 10 February 1794
A letter from Isaac Shelby in which he informs Henry Knox that two more people have been killed by Southern Indians since his last letter. He expects attacks by the Creek and Chickamauga as soon as winter breaks. Again requesting power to raise men and defend the state, Shelby calls for a large number of influential officers to accompany the expedition. -
A topographical description of the western territory of North America, 1792
Title page of A topographical description of the western territory of North America, containing a succinct account of its climate, natural history, population, agriculture, manners and customs, with an ample description of the several divisions into which that country is partitioned, and an accurate statement of the various tribes of Native Americans that inhabit the frontier country. Copy contains the bookplate of Reverend Edward Feilde. -
Correspondence between George Nicholas the Honorable Robert G. Harper, 1799
Correspondence between George Nicholas, Esq. of Kentucky, and the Hon. Robert G. Harper, member of Congress from the district of 96, state of South Carolina. -
The several acts relative to the stamp duties, 1798
Title page of The several acts relative to the stamp duties, passed at the late and present sessions of Congress, and which will become payable from and after the first day of July, 1798. To which is added, a table of the several duties, by which they may be seen at one view.
An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment and paper, with amendment.