Not long ago a number of ladies belonging to the Preſbyterian ſociety in Newbury-Port, aſſembled at the Parſonage-houſe, with their ſpinning-wheels and other utenſils of induſtry, for the day, to the benefit of their miniſter's family. The aſſembly having firſt united in the ſolemn exerciſes of ſocial worſhip, the buſineſs of the day was opened. Every apartment in the houſe was full. The muſick of the ſpinning-wheel reſounded from every room. Benevolence was ſeen ſmiling in every countenance, and the harmony of hearts ſurpaſſed even the harmony of wheels. The labours of the day were concluded about 5 o'clock; when the fair labourers preſented Mrs. Murray with cotton and linen yarn, of the beſt quality, amounting to 236 ſkeins. Neceſſary refreſhment being paſt, publick worſhip was attended; and a diſcourſe delivered, by the Rev. Mr. Murray, to a large aſſembly, from Exodus 35, 25, And all the women that were wiſe-hearted did ſpin with their hands.
From the "Salem Mercury," Feb. 6, 1787.
There is a young Miſs in New-Haven, who will ſoon wear a ſilk gown of her own make. Such noble induſtry ought to be written in letters of gold. May the ladies profit by the example—and may it ſoon be eſteemed diſreputable, by both ladies and gentlemen, to wear any thick ſilk but of our own manufacture.
An advertisement in the "Boston Gazette," Feb. 19, 1760, rather indicates that "searchers" sometimes exceeded their powers.
All Perſons who within five Years paſt, have had any Shoes or Boots, ſeiz'd and taken from them, in the Town of Boſton, by any of the Searches and Sealers of Leather there, for being made of Leather unduly tann'd or curried, or on Pretence thereof; are hereby notified to give or ſend in to the Printers hereof, an Account in Writing, of the Number of Shoes, &c. ſo taken from them, the Time when (as near as they can) with the Name of the Perſon that ſeiz'd and took them, and the Name of the Juſtice of Peace to whom Complaint or Information was made concerning ſuch Shoes, &c. by the eighth Day of March next, if they deſire any Recompence for the Injuries they have ſuffer'd by ſuch Seizures.
In 1767 snuff was apparently of more importance, as merchandise, to say the least, than were Bibles and Testaments. In an advertisement it was printed in capitals, while the latter were in smaller type.
Caleb Blanchard,