Coldengham, New York
Store of Cadwallader Colden, Jr.
Chisels and Adze
Today is the 251st anniversary of the repeal of the Stamp Act. Not a big deal. But 250 years ago it was the FIRST anniversary and the Sons of Liberty threw a grand celebration in New York City.
The mood was undoubtedly a bit more somber in the Colden Store on this day 250 years ago. Colden's election loss to two Whigs in the race for Ulster County representative to the Provincial Assembly was still fresh on his mind. He did not need to be reminded of the abuse his father took during the Stamp Act's brief life. Among other outrages, his father had been burned in effigy outside Fort George in New York City.
As Colden prepared to close the store, he sold augers, chisels, and an adze to William Bohanen.
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| Adze. Image courtesy of A Woodworker's Musings |
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This article is one in a series of a daily accountings of Colden Store transactions. Be sure you read the first installment for an introduction to the store. You should also read this article which appeared in the Journal of the Orange County Historical Society.
William Bohanen appeared only three times in the DayBook. In one of the appearances he picked up fabric and buttons for John McClaughrey. Perhaps Bohanen was a neighbor or a carpenter's apprentice to McClaughrey? McClaughrey performed carpentry work on Colden's home.
That would be consistent with the carpentry tools purchased on this occasion. Augers and Gimblets were discussed in a prior post. Bohanen purchased three augers and three chisels (chezels) of various sizes. In addition, he purchased an adz (adze, adds).
The transcription of Bohanen's purchase is shown below:
Webster defined "Adz" in his 1828 dictionary as "An iron instrument with an arching edge, across the line of the handle, and ground from a base on its inside to the outer edge; used for chipping a horizontal surface of timber." Webster did not use the modern spelling of "Adze."
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