The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Cockburn, Robert, d.1810                                          

Title:               Account book

Dates:             1767-1777

Call No.:         Doc. 533

Acc. No.:        63x11

Quantity:        1 volume

Location:        31 E

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

The keeper of this volume has been identified as Robert Cockburn (d.1810).  Cockburn was a Scottish immigrant who came to Virginia as an indentured servant and worked as a journeyman in the shop of William Walker, Jr., in Fredericksburg and Falmouth, Virginia.  Cockburn was working for Walker by 1768.  Around 1773, Cockburn moved to Orange County; among his clients there was Colonel James Madison (1723-1801) of Montpelier.  By 1800, Cockburn had moved to Greenbrier County, which is now in West Virginia, where he died.  Cockburn's daughter Elizabeth married Adam Black.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Records debits and credits accrued by this cabinetmaker, primarily for making furniture and purchasing related supplies from 1767 to 1777.  The accounts indicate that Cockburn was also a turner and chair maker.   Forms produced include chairs, tables, bedsteads, dining tables, chests of various types, tea tables, desks, corner tables, picture frames, cradles, book cases, and clock cases. The woods used were cherry, walnut, maple, and pine.   Several prominent Virginia families are represented in the volume including Colonel James Madison and members of the Taliaferro family.  Cockburn also had dealings with Thomas Walker, a clockmaker, and William Walker, another furniture maker, both from Fredericksburg/Falmouth.  The volume also features a sketch of a clock case with dimensions and some other sketches.  Tools, food, and the making and mending of, clothes are also mentioned in some of the accounts.  The volume includes a list of materials, such as brads, tacks, canvas, etc., in 1767, and a note about a flood on the Rappahannock River in May 1771.  Laid into the volume is part of a document about building a Methodist Church, dated 1821, and a receipt for the estate of Adam Black.

           

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Purchased from Edward C. Fales.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

People:

            Allan, James, fl. 1740-1799.

            Black, Adam, d.ca.1867.

            Madison, James, 1723-1801.

            Tolliver family.

            Walker, William, d. 1807.

            Walker, Thomas.

 

Topics:

            Cabinetwork - Virginia.

            Furniture industry and trade – Virginia – 18th century.

            Furniture - Prices - 18th century.

            Furniture making.

            Lumber trade.

            Business records – Virginia – 18th century.

            Inventories – Virginia.

Furniture – Drawings.

            Account books.

            Cabinetmakers.

           

           

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location: 31 E

 

 

Names found in Doc. 533 (acc. 63xd11):

 

Alexander, Mrs.

Allan, James

 

Bagot, Mrs.

(also spelled Bagott)

Baggott, John

(also spelled Bagot)

Beckman, James

Bill and his father

Brigs, Mr.

Brockman, Mrs.

Brown, Eliot

Buckhannon (lawyer)

 

Cheurn

Chun, Andrew

Cimbroc

Conneley, John (tailor)

Conner, Mrs. (with whom he boarded)

 

Dade[?}, Mrs.

 

French, Mr.

 

Gibbs, Alanson

Grace, George

 

Haston, Mr.

Houston

Hunter, Mrs.

 

James, Mr.

[this name was found on the same page as the accounts for Col. Madison, and may refer to the younger Mr. James Madison]

Johnston, Benj.

Johnston, Benjamin, Jr.

Jonston, Benjamen

 

Lamb (the pedlar)

Lain, Mrs.

 

Mair, Alexr.

McKaey (McKay?)

Madison, James (Colonel)

Michall [probably means Michael]

Millford (Negro)

Myrie

(probably Marye, a local prominent family of the period)

 

Newton, James

 

Price, Joseph

Prissie (who mended clothes)

 

Ramsdon (weaver)

Robison (sheriff)

Robison, Mr.

 

Salie, Miss [under work done for Capt. Taliaferro]

Sarah [an employee of Cockburn]

Sheperd, Mrs.

Shiperd

Smith

Smith, Betty

Steweart, Mrs.

Stewart, Mrs.

Stocks, Thomas

Stucks, Thomas

Strewderman

 

Taliferrio, Frank

            [note: the usual spelling of this name is Taliaferro]

Taliferrio, John

Taliferrio, Lawrence

Taliferro, Capt.

Taliferro, Mrs.

Taliferro, William (Colonel)

            [note: the usual spelling of this name is Taliaferro]

Taylor, James

Taylor, Ritchard [Richard]

Turlington

 

Walker, Capt.

Walker, Mr.

Walker, Robert

Walker, Thomas

Walker, William

Washington, Mrs.

Waugh, John

Weston, J.

Whales

Whitler, Jacob

Whitley, Mrs.

Williams, John, Jr.

Furniture Forms mentioned:

 

Bedstead

Bellows[?]

Book case

Buffet

 

Cabinet

Chair

Chair, close stool

Chair, elbow

Chair, riding

Chair, Windsor

Chest, camp

Chest, camp kitchen

Chest, key

Chest, kitchen

Chest, sea

Chest of drawers [volume also includes drawing of what might be a chest of drawers]

Clock case [volume also includes drawing of a clock case]

Coffin

Cradle

Crank

 

Desk

Drawers

 

Fan[?]

Fly and spool

Frame

 

Knife tray

 

Loom, garter

 

Partition with fixed panel

Picture frames

 

Riding chair

Rifle stock, screw, wheel

Rolling press for glazing linen

 

Safe

Scales

Sideboard table

Stand, candle

Stand, salet

Stool, camp

 

Table

Table, corner

Table, dining

Table, dressing

Table, pillar and claw

Table, tea

Tester for bedstead

Tim whiskie

 

Wheel, flax

Winding reel

 

The accounts also mention wood, tools, nails, clothing, shoes, food, etc.