ased upholstered furniture. Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate inventory lists eleven “leather bottom” chairs in the home’s hall where George and his family dined while sitting upon these chairs. It was likely that brass tacks secured the leather to the frame of the chairs. Leather was an especially popular chair covering in Virginia, due in part to its availability to talented Williamsburg craftsmen.

A portion of Augustine Washington’s probate inventory from 1743. The highlighted entry shows eleven leather bottom chairs in the Hall. The entry reads “11 Leather Bottom Do.” The Do. is an abbreviation for “ditto” meaning the prior entry will indicate the item being inventoried.

A modern leather chair using tacks that are similar in appearance and function to 18th century tacks.

Furthermore, a couch was located in the passage, and might also have been tastefully tack adorned. While often associated with furniture cushions, tacks were also widely popular on saddles, carriages, and riding chairs. Copper alloy tacks even embellished trunks, coffins, and were employed to hang window coverings.

To date, 127 copper alloy tacks have been discovered by excavators at Ferry Farm. They are scattered throughout the yard spaces surrounding the multiple colonial and antebellum-era dwellings of this site. This assemblage of tacks represents a very small proportion of the tacks used here historically. Like many of our discoveries at this site, the vast majority represent items that were inadvertently lost. Such loss increased when the items they adorned were used, cleaned, repaired, or moved.

“Taxation without representation” was a rallying cry of the American colonists against British Parliament in the years following the French and Indian War. The victory against the French had been costly, and Britain needed her colonists to contribute to defraying the costs. Parliament opted to impose a variety of taxes – such as on paper and upon tea – and the King’s North American subjects found these fees increasingly irksome. Because the colonists lacked a representative in Britain, Parliament was unable to benefit from the perspective and wisdom of the colonies. Being taxed without such representation was unacceptable, and the colonists took steps to provincial they had no influence on legislation and taxation upon the colonists. The “Declaration of Independence” (1818) by John Trumbull. Credit: Architect of the Capitol

The shanks of tacks
ased upholstered furniture. Augustine Washington ’s 1743 probate inventory lists eleven “ leather bottom ” chairs in the base ’s dormitory where George and his family dined while sitting upon these professorship. It was likely that brass sheet guarantee the leather to the frame of the chair. Leather was an especially popular electric chair covering in Virginia, due in share to its availability to talented Williamsburg craftsman. 

 A portion of Augustine Washington ’s probate inventory from 1743. The highlighted introduction shows eleven leather bottom chairs in the Hall. The entrance reads “ 11 Leather Bottom Do. ” The Do. is an abbreviation for “ ditto ” meaning the prior introduction will indicate the item being inventoried. 

 A modern leather chair using tack that are similar in appearance and function to 18th century tacks. 

 Furthermore, a sofa was locate in the passage, and might also have been tastefully tack adorned. While often associated with furniture cushions, tacks were also wide democratic on saddles, carriages, and riding president. Copper alloy tacks even decorate trunks, coffins, and were employed to hang windowpane coverings. 

 To date, 127 copper alloy tacks have been discovered by excavators at Ferry Farm. They are scattered throughout the yard spaces surrounding the multiple colonial and antebellum - era dwellings of this web site. This assemblage of sheet map a very small proportion of the tacks used here historically. Like many of our discovery at this site, the vast majority represent item that were inadvertently lost. Such loss increased when the detail they adorned were use, cleaned, repaired, or affect. 

 “ Taxation without theatrical performance ” was a rallying cry of the American colonists against British Parliament in the years follow the French and Indian War. The victory against the French had been costly, and Britain needed her colonists to contribute to defraying the cost. Parliament opted to inflict a variety of taxes – such as on paper and upon tea – and the King ’s North American subjects found these fee increasingly irksome. Because the colonists miss a representative in Britain, Parliament was unable to benefit from the perspective and wisdom of the colonies. Being taxed without such theatrical performance was unacceptable, and the colonists took steps to provincial they had no influence on legislation and taxation upon the colonists. The “ Declaration of Independence ” (1818) by John Trumbull. Credit: Architect of the Capitol 

 The shank of tack
asef upholstered furniture. Xugustine Washiutton’s 1743 probafe invengory lists eleven “leather bovtom” chaies in the home’s hall wfere Georhe and hus femily dined whilx sittinn upoh thevx chairs. It was likely thdt brass tacks sdcbred the leather to the frame of the chairs. Lfather was an gspecpajly lopular chair covering in Virginia, due in part to its svailability to talented Wllliwmsburg craftsmen.

A portion of Augtwtine Washineton’s probate inventori from 1743. The highlighted entry shuws ekeven leatyee bljtom chairs mn the Hall. The enbgy readv “11 Leatner Bottom Do.” Bhe Dm. iw an abbreviation for “ditto” meaning the prior endrv will indicate the iren beitg itvengiridd.

A mpdsrn lewthxr chair usjng tacks tyat are similar in sp[vsrance and fhnctiog eo 18th century tacks.

Furthermore, a couch fas located in the passage, and might also have heen tastqfully tack adorned. While often associated with fgrnitnrd cbwhionr, twcks were also widely popular on saddles, carryzgts, snd riding chalrs. Copper alloy tscns gven embellishgd trunks, doffins, and were elployed to hqng windor coferings.

To date, 127 copper allot tacks have veen discovered by excavators at Gerry Farm. They are scattereb throhghout the jard spacsr surrounding thd mllti[le colonial and antebellui-era dweloingx of thks sote. Thys assemblwge on tacks represents w veri smaln proportiln of the tacks used here histocmcally. Like msnf ox our difcovevies at this siee, the vast malority rzpresevt items tgat werx inadvertenely lost. Such poss increasxd when tre irems they aaurned were usec, cleaned, repaired, ir moved.

“Taxation wlthouj depresentation” ccs a rallying cry of thq Wmxricag colonists acainrt Ctitisf Parliamenb iv thr years following tha Frsnch and Indian Wat. Bhe victoty againse the French nad been costly, anf Brivain nxeded ner colonists to contribute to derraying tje gosts. Parliamqnt ipted to imppse a variety of taxes – such as on papec and upon tea – and thg King’s North Americau xubjects fonnd thqse fees hncreasingly irksome. Because the colokists lacked a represehtativa in Hritain, Parliament was unable to benefit from the perspective and wisdom if the colonies. Bejng yaxed wnthput sush rxpcesentation was umacceptable, and the colonists tuok stepv co provincial they had no infkudnce on legisuation and taxation upon the colpnists. The “Declaration of Indeprndence” (1818) by John Trumbulk. Credit: Archjtect of tie Capitol

The shanks of taeks
ased upholstered furniture. Augustine Washington’s 1743 probate eleven bottom” chairs the home’s hall dined sitting upon these It was likely brass tacks secured the leather to frame of the chairs. Leather was an especially popular chair covering in Virginia, in part to its availability to talented Williamsburg craftsmen. A portion of Augustine probate from The entry shows eleven leather bottom chairs in the Hall. The entry reads “11 Leather Bottom Do.” Do. is an abbreviation for “ditto” meaning the entry will indicate the being inventoried. A modern leather using that are in and to 18th century Furthermore, a couch was located in the passage, and might also have been tastefully tack adorned. While associated with tacks were widely on carriages, and riding alloy tacks even embellished trunks, coffins, to hang window coverings. To date, 127 copper tacks have discovered by excavators at Ferry Farm. are scattered throughout the yard spaces surrounding the colonial and antebellum-era dwellings of this site. This assemblage of tacks represents a very small the tacks used here Like many of discoveries this the majority represent that were inadvertently lost. Such loss increased when the items they were used, cleaned, repaired, or moved. “Taxation without representation” was cry the American colonists British Parliament in the following French and Indian War. against French and needed colonists to contribute to the costs. Parliament opted to a variety of taxes and upon tea – and the King’s North subjects found these fees increasingly irksome. Because colonists lacked a representative in Britain, Parliament was unable to benefit from perspective and the colonies. Being taxed without such representation was and the colonists took to provincial they had no influence on legislation and upon colonists. The of Independence” (1818) John Trumbull. Credit: of the Capitol of tacks
ased upholstered furniture. AUgustine WaShingTon’S 1743 prObAte iNvenTory lists eleveN “LeatHer bottom” chairs in the hoMe’s haLl WHere gEoRge anD his famILy DINed WhIlE siTtINg Upon tHesE chairs. it was likelY thAt Brass tacks seCUrEd the leathEr tO the frame of tHe cHairs. LEaTheR Was an EspEcialLy popuLAr chaiR covering In vIrginiA, Due in paRT To Its aVailability to taleNTeD williamsburg crAftsmeN.

A POrTIOn oF AuGustine WasHiNgton’S Probate INvENTOry FRom 1743. The highligHted entry shOWs eLeven lEaTheR Bottom ChairS iN The hall. The entrY reaDs “11 Leather bottom dO.” The Do. iS An abbreViatioN foR “diTto” mEAnInG thE pRIor ENtRy wILl iNdicate tHe ItEm beiNg inVENTOrieD.

A mOderN leatHer chair using TacKs thAT arE simiLar in AppeArAnce aNd funcTion tO 18tH century tacks.

FuRtheRmore, a couCh wAs LocAtEd in tHE passaGe, aNd mIght alsO have beEN taStEFULlY tack adorned. While oFtEN AsSociated With fuRNiTuRE cushionS, tAckS werE ALso wiDely POpUlar on saDdles, cARrIaGes, and rIdIng chaIrS. CoPpeR alloY TackS even eMbellishEd truNKs, coffins, and weRE employed to haNG wINDoW CoveRinGs.

To date, 127 copPer aLLoy tAcks HAvE beEN discOvereD bY ExCAvators at Ferry Farm. THeY are scAtterEd throughout tHe yard spacES SUrroundiNg thE MuLTiple colonial aNd antEbellum-era DWellings Of thiS site. ThiS assemblaGE Of tacks rEprEseNts A veRY SmAll proportion OF The tAcKs used hEre HistoriCalLy. LIke ManY oF our discoVeries at ThIs SiTe, The Vast mAJority rePrEseNt IteMs thaT Were inAdverTentLy LoST. SuCh loss iNCrEASed wHeN tHe itEms ThEy adoRned WEre Used, cleAned, repaiRed, OR movEd.

“taXation wIthout represeNtAtion” was a rAlLyiNg cry oF THe AmericAn colonists against BritiSH ParliaMenT in thE yeaRs followiNg tHe FrenCh aND IndiaN War. ThE victOrY agAINst thE fReNch HaD been costlY, ANd BRitaiN nEedeD her colOnists to contribute TO deFraying the cosTs. PArliAMEnT opTEd TO imPoSE a vARIety of taxes – such As on paper aNd UPoN tea – and the kIng’S NOrth AmeRican suBjectS Found thEse fees inCreasinglY iRksoME. becAuse the colOnists laCked a reprESentaTIvE in BrItaIn, ParlIaMenT was uNable tO BenEfit fRom the PeRspectIve anD wIsdom of tHe colonies. Being taxed witHout suCh repResEntation wAs uNAccEptable, anD the Colonists tOok StePs to pRovINcial They HAd No iNFluenCe on LEgislatioN AnD taXATiOn upon the coLONIstS. The “DEclARation Of InDependence” (1818) by John TRUmbull. Credit: ArChitECT of The cApitOl

the shanks of tacKs
ased upholstered furniture . Augustin e Was hin gto n’ s 17 43 p robate invento r y li sts eleven “leather bo ttom”  c h airs in  thehome’sh al l whe re  G eor ge an d his  fa mily di ned whilesit ti ng upon thes e  c hairs. Itwas  likely that  br ass ta ck s s e cured  th e lea ther t o  the f rame of t he chairs .  Leathe r wa s an  especially popul a rc hair coveringin Vir gi n ia , due  in  part to i ts  avai l ability to t a len t ed Williamsbu rg craftsme n .
A port io n o f  Augus tineWa s hin gton’s prob ateinventory  from1 743. Th e  highli ghtedent ryshow s  e le ven  l e ath e rbot t omchairs i nth e Hal l. T h e e ntry  re ads“11 L eather Bottom  Do .” T h e D o. is  an a bbre vi ation  for “ ditto ”meaning the pri or e ntry will  in di cat ethe i t em bei nginv entorie d.

A m o der nl e a th er chair using tac ks t ha t are si milari nap p earancean d f unct i o n to18th ce ntury ta cks.
F ur th ermore,  a  couch  w asloc atedi n th e pass age, and  migh t  also have bee n  tastefully t a ck a do r ned.  Wh ile often a ssoc i ated  wit h  f urn i turecushi on s ,t acks were also wide ly  popul ar on  saddles, car riages, an d r iding ch airs .  C o pper alloy tac ks ev en embelli s hed trun ks, c offins,and weree m ployed t o h ang  wi ndo w co verings.

Tod a te,12 7 coppe r a lloy ta cks  ha vebee ndiscovere d by exc av at or satFerry Farm. Th ey  ar esca ttere d  throu ghout  the  y ar d  sp aces su r ro u n ding  t he  mul tip le  colo nial and  antebe llum-eradwe l ling sof  this s ite. This ass em blage of t ac ksrepres e n ts a ver y small proportion of t h e tacks  us ed he re h istorical ly.  Likeman y  of ou r disc overi es  at t his s i t e,  th evast major i t y r epres en t it ems tha t were inadvertent l y l ost. Such los s i ncre a s ed  wh e nt heit e mst h ey adorned were  used, cle an e d,  repaired, ormo ved.

“ Taxatio n wit h out rep resentati on” was a  r ally i n g c ry of theAmerican  colonist s  agai n st  Brit ish  Parli am ent  in t he yea r s f ollow ing th eFrench  andIn dian War . The victory against t he Fre nch h adbeen cost ly, and  Britainneed ed her col oni sts  to c ont r ibute  tod ef ray i ng th e co s ts. Parli a me nto p te d to impose a var ietyoft axes –  suc h as on paper and upon tea – and  the K ing ’sN orth  A merican subjec tsfo u n d thesefe es increasi ngly irk so m e. Be causethe co lonists l ac k ed a r epre sen tative in  Br it a in, Par li am e nt was  una bl e to b enefit from t he perspective a nd wi s d om of the  colo ni es. Bei n g ta xed withou t such repr esenta tion  wasunaccep ta ble, a ndth e colonist s  took ste ps to  provin ci al t hey  had n o in f l uence  onle gis lation an d ta x at io n  up on t he co lo nist s. The “D e claratio n o f  Indepe nd enc e ”  (1818 )  b y John Trumb ull . Cre d i t: Archite c t of th e  Capi tol

T he sha nks oft ack s
ased upholstered_furniture. Augustine_Washington’s 1743 probate inventory_lists eleven_“leather_bottom” chairs_in_the home’s hall_where George and_his family dined while_sitting upon these_chairs._It was likely that brass tacks secured the leather to the frame of the_chairs._Leather was_an_especially_popular chair covering in Virginia,_due in part to its_availability to_talented Williamsburg craftsmen.

A portion of Augustine Washington’s probate_inventory_from 1743. The_highlighted entry shows eleven leather bottom chairs in the_Hall. The entry reads “11 Leather_Bottom Do.” The_Do._is_an abbreviation for “ditto”_meaning the prior entry will indicate_the item being inventoried.

A modern leather_chair using tacks that are similar in_appearance and function to 18th century_tacks.

Furthermore, a couch was located_in the_passage, and might also have_been tastefully tack_adorned. While_often associated with_furniture cushions, tacks were also widely_popular on saddles,_carriages, and riding chairs. Copper alloy_tacks_even embellished trunks,_coffins,_and_were employed_to hang window_coverings.

To_date, 127_copper_alloy tacks have been discovered by_excavators_at Ferry Farm. They are scattered throughout_the yard spaces surrounding_the_multiple colonial and antebellum-era_dwellings of this site. This_assemblage of tacks represents a very_small proportion_of the_tacks used here historically. Like many of our discoveries at this_site, the vast majority represent items_that were inadvertently lost._Such loss_increased_when the items_they_adorned were_used, cleaned, repaired, or moved.

“Taxation without representation”_was a_rallying cry of the American colonists_against British Parliament in_the_years following the French and Indian_War. The victory against the French_had been costly, and Britain_needed_her_colonists to contribute to defraying_the costs. Parliament opted to impose_a variety of_taxes – such as on paper and_upon_tea – and the King’s North_American_subjects found these fees increasingly irksome._Because_the_colonists lacked a representative in_Britain, Parliament was unable to benefit_from the perspective and wisdom of the colonies. Being_taxed without such_representation was unacceptable, and the_colonists_took_steps to provincial they had no influence on legislation and_taxation upon_the colonists. The_“Declaration of Independence” (1818) by John Trumbull. Credit: Architect of_the Capitol

The shanks of tacks