Pilgrim Possessions

PILGRIM POSSESSIONS

During the Colony’s first few years, all goods except the simplest were imported from England. England provided cloth, shoes, weapons, ceramics, metal and other finished goods. In payment, the colonists sent furs, obtained through trade with the Natives, along with lumber and other natural resources to England.

How do we know what the Pilgrims owned?

Inventories of possessions were taken at the time of a person’s death to calculate the value of their estate. (For the texts of selected inventories, click HERE.) Most items listed are typical of what the colonists might have owned in England. The influence of their new home, however, can be seen in a few American items, such as "Indian corn," "Indian trays," and wampum, shell beads which the Natives valued and the colonists used as money to trade with them.


Wooden burl bowl, made in New England, 1630-1750

How do we know what the Pilgrims owned? Probate inventories were taken at the time of a person’s death to calculate the value of their estate. (For the texts of selected inventories, click HERE.) Most of the possessions listed are typical of what they might have had in England. The influence of their new home, however, can be seen. A few American items appear, such as "Indian corn," "Indian baskets," "Indian trays," and wampum, shell beads which the Natives valued and the colonists used as money to trade with them.

Once trained craftsmen moved to Plymouth, the colonists produced their own furniture. Local styles of furniture making began to develop. By the second generation, Plymouth furniture had a distinct character. Applied decorative turnings, such as those on the Alden cupboard and Standish chest, are typical of furniture made in this area.

Chairs, chests and cupboards represent one of the earliest traditions of craftsmanship in British North America. They were objects of status, treasured by later generations.
		Alden joined cupboard, 1650-1700