Page:Economic History of Virginia Vol 2.djvu/471

 Fowler offered a similar piece. In the course of the same year, Chisman presented a second piece of linen cloth and was allowed eight hundred pounds of tobacco. The same amount of tobacco was granted for the same reason to John Smith of Middlesex in 1695, and to Thomas Cocke of Henrico. In 1697, Tobias Hall of Lancaster claimed the reward for the production of this kind of cloth, and again in 1698. Among the manufacturers of linen in Middlesex were Ralph Wormeley, who, in 1684, brought into court one hundred pounds of dressed flax fit for the spindle; Captain Henry Creyk, who presented seven yards of cloth; and Richard Parrott, who presented thirty-five yards. Thirty-three yards were offered by other persons. In 1698, the court of Middlesex, replying to a communication from the Governor asking to what extent linen had been manufactured in this county, stated that the quantity had amounted annually to about fifty yards.

No special attempt was made to foster by the offer of statutory encouragement the growth of domestic cotton manufacture, although Governor Andros, towards the close