Venetian blinds were widely made and used in both the Old World and the New. This how-to-do-it illustration also comes from Diderot’s encyclopedia.

In 1755 Peter Scott announced that he intended to leave for England and would sell his house and lots, “Two Negroes, bred to the Business of a Cabinet-Maker,” and “sundry Pieces of Cabinet Work, of Mahogany and Walnut, consisting of Desks, Book-Cases, Tables of various Sorts, Tools, and some Materials.” Apparently his plan did not materialize, for when he died 20 years later his estate included “A great variety of cabinet makers tools, Mahogany, Walnut, Pine Plank, like wise new walnut book cases, desks, tables, &c.”

From personal account books of John Mercer, lawyer, and Robert Carter of Nomini Hall, planter and councilor, we know that Scott made a set of book shelves for the former and twice repaired tables for him, and that he made two card tables, one sideboard, and four picture frames for the latter.

In 1772 Benjamin Bucktrout submitted a bill for services to the same Robert Carter of Nomini Hall. It is worth quoting in full:

1772 £ s d
June 15 To mending a Meusick Stand 0 1 6
Octbr. 26 To 8 Mahogy. Chares Stufed over the Rails with Brass nails @£25/pr doz. 16 13 8
To 4 Elbow Chares @ 55/ 11 0 0
Decemr. 29 To 65 feet of pine @ d 1½ 8 3½
To 150 8d nails for a packing Case for Harpsecord 2/ makeing and packing do. 10/ 12 0
£28 15 5½

Three years later Edmund Dickinson rendered a similar statement:

The Estate Colo John Prentis

To Edmund B. Dickinson Dr

Novr 23d 1773
setting up bedsted 2/6 July 9th mend: & Cleaning up 6 chairs £ 1 2 6
15th puting lock on closet 2 6
19 coffin for his Son William with Nails &c and attendance 2 15 -
1774 Jany 3d to 7 pulleys 17/6 January 21 setting up bed at Mrs Hay’s 2/6 1 - -
April 25 takeing down bedsted 2/6 2 6
1775 June 14 mend: bedsted 1/3 augt 23d puting lock on Room case 2/ 3 3
Sept 6th mend: Mahogany table 2 6
25 putting up bedsted & Curtains 2 6
Novr 4 to a Coffin lined throughout for himself & my Attendance 5 15 0
£11 5 9

Putting together these and other bits and pieces, several conclusions seem warranted: Williamsburg cabinetmakers made furniture not only to order but for open sale in their shops; they probably spent more time repairing furniture than in making it; they were by no means too proud to undertake such incidental jobs as putting up and taking down bedsteads and curtains. Finally, they were capable of producing any and all of the major items of furniture: chairs, beds, chests, desks, bookcases, clothes and china presses, tables, and candlestands.