Plantation Records: Property

This is a list of plantation property that needed to be inspected by the owner, Duncan Cameron. The Camerons were one of the most wealthy families in North Carolina.


The property and animals listed here are only a fraction of the total number on the property. Examining this type of information helps us to understand the enormous wealth of the Cameron family, as well as the record-keeping required to run a prosperous plantation.



1844


Stock 2 Look at Person


North Point 6 Horses 2 Mules 32 cattle 60 hogs 6 Single Plows 3 double Plows 4 Harrows A harrow is a heavy frame of timber set with iron teeth, which is dragged over plowed land to break up clumps of soil. 2 CoultersA coulter is a blade that is attached to a plow and cuts the ground vertically. 4 MattocksA mattock is similar to a pick, but it has a blade on one end and a chisel on the other. It is used for cutting up hard ground. 8 weeding hoes 4 Hilling hoes 6 axes 2 Wedges 4 scythesA scythe is a tool used for cutting grass or grain. It has a long neck, a handle half way down, and a curved blade. A person would swing the scythe up into the air and then sweep it through the grass or grain in a long stroke. 2 cradlesA grain cradle is a light wooden frame with a row of long curved teeth parallel to the blade that can be attached to a scythe. It is used to catch corn or other grain that has been cut by the scythe. 6 pr plow geerPlow gear, the bridle and reins used to attach an animal to a plow. grape cut sawA grape cut saw would have been a saw used in a vineyard to cut grape vines. 1 waggon 1 cart


Mill Plantation


8 Mules 30 cattle 80 Hogs 3 double plows 6 single plows 2 coulters, 2 harrows 10 weeding hoes 3 hilling hoes 6 Mattocks 8 for Plow geer 4 scythes 2 cradles 8 axes 1 waggon 1 cart


Jim rays


3 Horses 7 mules 59 cattle 147 hoggs 1 waggon 1 cart 6 double plows 13 single plows 10 per geer 2 coulters 10 axes 7 mattock 15 weeding hoes 11 hilling hoes 8 scythes 2 cradles 5 wedges 3 trowsA trow is a type of boat, usually with a flat low bottom, is used to transport goods. 1 craws cut saw



Primary Source Citation: 


Cameron Family Papers, Collection # 133, Series 2.1.1 Box 88 Folder 2012. Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Credit text

Cameron Family Papers, Collection # 133, Series 2.1.1 Box 88 Folder 2012. Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.