Figure 87. — Ironware; a. lid for iron pot; b, cooking-pot fragments; c, andiron leg; d, iron 

 ladle; and e, tAvo heaters for box-irons. 



vcTiical mold seams (USNM 59.1645, 59.1845, 

 59.60.147, fig. 87). Such, perhaps, was the "gr[ea]t 

 pot" weighing 36 pounds which Mercer bought from 

 Nathaniel Chapiran of the Accokeek Iron Works in 

 1"31. Two other fragments are from a smaller pot. 

 The inventory taken in 1771 (Appendi.x M) hsts five 

 "Iron Potts for Negroes," that were probably smaller 

 than those used in the plantation kitchen. 



Two heaters for box irons wcie foimd in the kitchen 

 debris. A heavy layer of mortar adhered to one, 

 suggesting that it may have been built into the 

 brickwork — whether by accident or design there is 

 no way of telling. In that case, however, the specimen 

 would antedate 1749 (USNM 59.2024, 59.2026, fig. 

 87). Box irons were hollow flatirons into which pre- 

 heated cast-iron skigs or "heaters" were inserted. 

 Two or more heaters were rotated in the fire, one 

 always being ready to replace the other as it cooled. 



In 1725 Mercer bought a "box Iron & heaters," 

 and in 1731, from Chapman, "2 heaters." 



Other kitchen iron includes the fragmentary bowl 

 and stem of a long-handled iron stirring spoon 

 (USNM 59.1812), an iron ketde cover (USNM 

 60.69), and the leg of a large, heavy pair of andirons 

 (USNM 59.1826, fig. 87). A small, semicircular 

 chopping knife has a thin steel blade and an iron 

 shank that originally was inserted in a wooden 

 handle. Lettering, now almost obliterated, was im- 

 pressed in the metal of the blade: "SHEFFIELD 

 WORKS 6 ENGLISH . . . ." (USNM 59.1834, 

 fig. 85a). 



Furniture hardware.- — A few metal fiirniliire fit- 

 tings were recovered. Six curtain rings, ctit from 

 sheet brass and trimmed with a file, \ary from Js 

 inches to lli inches. On tubular ring (USNM 60.53, 

 fig. 83) may ha\'e been used as a curtain ring, although 



