Coldengham, New York
Store of Cadwallader Colden, Jr.
Candlesticks
William Miller of Little Britain purchased one iron candlestick from the Colden Store on this day, 250 years-ago.
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| Brass Candlesticks circa 1750-1770. Image courtesy of MetMuseum |
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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.
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The Daybook only records four sales of candlesticks. Each sold for about a shilling. The most expensive was the one bought by Miller on this day for one-and-one-half shillings and described as 'iron.' It does not appear that any of these were the brass, pewter, or silver candlesticks seen in more elegant households of the day.
It is also odd that the candlesticks were not sold in pairs as was common then and still is today. This is another indication that their use was utilitarian and not decorative.
In contrast, the ledger of the Ramsay store in Alexandria, Virginia of 1753-1756 records twenty-four purchases of candlesticks, mostly in pairs, selling for as much as twelve shillings.
Although most of Colden's stock was imported goods, iron candlesticks were made domestically and could have come from a forge in New Windsor or another neighboring town.
The surname of 'Miller' appears fifty times in the DayBook. As one might imagine, it was a common name. In fact, there were two Millers named 'William.' The DayBook distinguished them by the name of their hamlet: Wm. Miller of Little Britain and Wm. Miller of Wallkill. The Wm. Miller of Little Britain or his daughter appeared at the store eight times. In fact, it was his daughter who traveled to the store on this day to carry away the candlestick, one-half pound of tea, and five gallons of rum. How she transported these items back to Little Britain, about four miles distant, remains a mystery.
The store also bought and sold Beeswax which was used in candle making. See prior blog.
Colden also sold a candle mold on one occasion for two shillings.
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