There are chests which are peculiar to certain localities, notably in New England, which were doubtless made by a single cabinet-maker, his workmen and apprentices. They are almost entirely confined to these localities, and are therefore of less interest to the collector in general than such pieces as are more widely distributed. Under this head comes that style of receptacle known as the Hadley Chest, and the Connecticut chest shown in Chapter V. The Dutch chests were often of pine, painted, only the choicest ones being of walnut. One inventory records a "chest brought from Havanna,"--probably Spanish.
After matters became a little less anxious for the early settlers, personal comfort began to be thought of more, and such colonists as had brought no chairs began to send for them to England or have them made in America. Every ship from England took out fresh comforts, and the dignitaries of the colonies had substantial household gear. Tables, chairs, beds, and carpets,--these latter not for floors, but for use as table-covers,--are mentioned with great frequency in the inventories, and the settlers' house, albeit many of them boasted of but four rooms, had more than a modest degree of luxury.
[Illustration: Figure 7. TURNED CHAIR WITH LEATHER COVER.]
The New Haven Colony--as indeed did all the Colonies--had, as her chief officers, men used to the best that England afforded, and the following inventory speaks for itself. John Haynes, governor of Connecticut, in 1653 left an estate at Hartford valued at £1,400. In his hall, one of the most esteemed parts of the house at this period, were,--
5 leather and 4 flag-bottomed chairs 1 table and 3 joined stools 1 tin hanging candlestick 7 cushions 1 firelock musket 1 matchlock do. 1 carbine 1 rapier 1 pr. cob-irons 1 iron back 1 gilded looking-glass 1 smoothing-iron
--the whole valued at £8 13_s._ 10_d._ The parlor had velvet chairs and stools, also Turkey-wrought chairs, and a green cloth carpet valued at £1 10_s._ There were also curtains of say, curtain rods and "vallants," many napkins, as these were necessary from lack of forks, and much Holland bed and table linen. There were many chests and "lean-to" or livery cupboards.