Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 2.djvu/436

 Smith, a carpenter of York, on one occasion bought several hundred acres of Joseph Croshaw. On another, William Foster of Northampton sold fifteen hundred, and Robert Wilson of Accomac, twelve hundred.

Powers of attorney to persons who resided at a great distance from the grantors, entry of which in the county records so often occurs in the case of carpenters, indicates that many members of this calling, occasionally at least, traded in tobacco, for such powers were not always conferred for the collection of what was due them for mechanical work. That men of this craft belonged to a class enjoying unusual advantages is shown by the fact that many could sign their names, an accomplishment which was by no means general at that day.

A full set of the tools used by carpenters probably averaged about one pound sterling and ten shillings in value; the appraisement of a combined set of carpenter&#8217;s, cooper&#8217;s, and joiner&#8217;s tools amounted in many cases to four pounds sterling. The number and variety owned by some members of these trades at this time would seem to show that they not uncommonly retained several apprentices and servants in their employment, and that they were often in a position to undertake contracts for building on an important scale. A single instance may be mentioned. An inventory of the personal estate of Mr. John Cumber