Coldengham, New York
Store of Cadwallader Colden, Jr.
Pincers
Hons Yurry Smith purchased a pair of pincers [pinchers] for two shillings at the Colden Store on this day, 250 years-ago.
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| 18th Century Pair of Pincers. Image courtesy of oldtools.co.uk |
In Webster's 1828 dictionary he defined 'pinchers' as...
"An instrument for drawing nails from boards and the like, or for griping things to be held fast."Note that Webster used the spelling that appeared in the Daybook ('pincher') and not the modern-day spelling of 'pincer.'
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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 records four sales of 'pairs of pinchers.' They sold for one shilling three pence to two shillings per pair.
Pincers were very similar to 'nippers.' In fact, Webster defined nippers as 'small pinchers.'
Hons Yurry Smith was a frequent visitor to the store. Purchases were made on his account on twenty different occasions. His wife, son, and son-in-law often took delivery of his purchases at the store.
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