George Washington's father, Augustine, died on April 12, 1743 when George was just 11 years old. The inventory of his estate was recorded in King George County, VA, on July 1, 1743. The inventory shown here includes only the home farm (today's Ferry Farm) where George spent his early years.
As shown by the inventory, the Washingtons were neither poor nor wealthy. Their home was a substantial wooden structure, about 28 ft. by 53 ft. in size, with four rooms and a passage downstairs and two or possibly three rooms upstairs.
Note: The word "Do." was 18th-century shorthand for "ditto". For example, in the Hall, one inventory item is "1 Large Table". Immediately below it is "1 Small Do." meaning 1 Small Table. Note also that original spellings have been maintained. Monetary values are listed as Pounds.Shillings.Pence, so a listing of £1.12.6 equates to 1 Pound, 12 Shillings, and 6 Pence.
Hall Back Room |
Passage |
Back Room |
Hall
|
Parlour |
Upstairs
Hall Chamber |
Parlour Chamber |
Negros At The Home House
Stock
Plate
Glasses
Chinaware
Dairy
|
Closet
Store House
Kitchen
Linnen
Cash
The inventory contains several words that are not in common usage today. Here are a few definitions (correctly spelled): rundlet - a small barrel of uncertain size from about 3 to 20 gallons piggin - small wooden pail or tub with an upright stave for a handle shalloon - a lightweight wool or worsted twill fabric, used chiefly for coat linings osnaburg - heavy, coarse cotton fabric used for grain sacks, upholstery, and draperies drugget - a fabric woven wholly or partly of wool, used for clothing ell - English linear measure equal to 45 inches (144 centimeters) |

