Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 2.djvu/470

 reënactment show that there were few of the more important households in the Colony, in this interval, in which linen-stuffs were not manufactured for domestic uses. Linen-wheels are frequently enumerated. In 1693, the statute offering a reward for the encouragement of linen production was again passed. This is only one among several instances disclosing how little attention was paid by the General Assembly to the opposition with which all colonial laws looking to the promotion of manufactures was regarded by the English authorities. Under the revived Act of 1693, the justices of the peace were required to levy upon the inhabitants of their respective counties a proportionate amount of tobacco for distribution among the persons who should present specimens of linen of their own manufacture, this linen to be at least fifteen ells in length and three-quarters of a yard in width. Each person claiming the reward was to bring forward three pieces representing different grades in texture. For the piece of the finest quality, eight hundred pounds of tobacco were to be allotted; for the piece of second rate quality, six hundred pounds, and for the piece of third rate, four hundred pounds. This Act was to continue in force until 1699. The county records show that its rewards were claimed by local manufacturers of linen. One of the first instances entered was that of Thomas Chisman of York, who, in 1694, presented to the court of this county a piece of linen cloth which had been made in his dwelling-house by members of his family. On the same occasion, Thomas