The Plymouth Colony Archive Project


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Vernacular House Forms
in Seventeenth Century Plymouth Colony


APPENDIX C


EMIC ROOM NAMES USED BY APPRAISERS
in 38 Plymouth Colony Room-by-Room Probate Inventories
1633-1685(1)

Including possible House Types,
Percentages of Household Goods,(2) and Etic Categories



© 1998 Copyright and All Rights Reserved.
by James Deetz and Patricia Scott Deetz


1633-1669
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
1. 1633 Will Wright, Plymouth Hall & parlor
First Roome 76% Hall
Buttery 5%
Loft over the first roome 5%
Bedchamber 5% Downstairs chamber/parlor
Loft over the bedchamber 9%
Appraisers: Manasseh Kempton, Joh. ffrans total:
100%
2. 1641 Nathaniell Tilden, Scituate Hall & parlor
Hall 9%
Inner roome 9% Parlor
Hall chamber 5% Upstairs chamber
Inner Chamber 5% Upstairs chamber
Servants Chambers 4% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods(3) 68%
Appraisers: Willm Vassall, Thomas Chambers, Willm Hatch total:
100%
3. 1641 William Kempe, Duxbury Kitchen-Parlor
= Hall & parlor
Inner Chamber 16% ) Upstairs chamber
Kitchen Chamber 7% )
23% 		Upstairs chamber
Parlor 55%
Outlett Inner Roome 3% Downstairs chamber
Cellor 0%
Wash house 3%
Kitchen 16%
Appraisers: Wm Collyer, Jonathan Brewster, Christopher Waddesworth, Comfort Starr total:
100%
4. 1644 John Atwood, Gent, New Plymouth Hall and parlor, extended?
Hall 39%
Studdy 8%
Garret 6%
Staire Chamber 7% Upstairs chamber
Kitchen 8%
Milk house 1%
Seller )
Inner seller ) 4%
Bedchamber 12% Downstairs chamber/parlor?
Apparel 14%
Appraisers: Robte Hicks, Willm Paddy, Thomas Southwood, Nathaniell Sowther total:
100%
5. 1644 John Jenney, Plymouth Hall & parlor
Chamber ovr the parlor 15%
Parlor 26%
Dwelling House 32% Hall
Dary House 2%
Chamber over the house 26%
Appraisers: Willm Paddy, Nathaniell Sowther total:
101%
6. 1649 Thomas Lapham, Scituate Hall & parlor
Fier Rome 39% Hall
Inner Rome 35% Parlor
Chamber 13% Upstairs chamber
Apparel, linnin & woolen 13%
Appraisers: William Hatch, Josepth Tilden total:
100%
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
7. 1652 James Lindale Hall & parlor
Hall 26%)
Chamber 74%)
total:
100% 		Parlor
8. 1653 Henry Andrews, Yeoman, Taunton Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parler 16%
Kitchen 22%
Uper chamber 23%
Additional household goods 39%
Appraisers: Walter Deane, James Wiatt, William Parker, Richard Williams total:
100%
9. 1654 William Hodges, Taunton Hall & parlor
Chamber below 32% Parlor
Upper Chamber 17%
Hall 27%
Celler 4%
Additional household goods 19%
Appraisers: James Wyate, Oliver Purchis, William Parker total:
99%
10. 1657 William Bradford, Senior, Governor of Plymouth Colony
Dec. 9 May 1657, Plymouth 		Hall & parlor, extended
Ye old parler 15% )
The great rome 4% )
19% 		Parlor
The Kitchen 5%
The New Chamber 16% Upstairs chamber
The Studdie 22% )
Books 9% )
31%
Additional household goods 29%
Appraisers: Thomas Cushman, John Dunham total:
100%
11. 1657 James Hurst, New Plymouth Single unit?
Fier Rome 52% Hall
Outer Rome 3% Lean-to?
Additional household goods 11%
Without dore & in outhouses 34%
Appraisers: Thomas Southworth, William Hoskins total:
100%
12. 1658 Ralph Partrig, Bridgewater Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Studdy 38% In lean-to?
Little rome next the studdy 1% Downstairs chamber - in lean-to?
Parler 9%
Parler Chamber 22% ) Upstairs chamber
Kitchen Chamber 9% ) Upstairs chamber
Two leanto Chambers 1% )
32% 		Upstairs chamber
Garrett 2%
Kitchen 17%
Sellar 2%
Appraisers: William Collyare, John Alden, Constant Southworth, Christopher Wadsworth total:
101%
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
13. 1661 Samuel House Sr., Scituate Hall & parlor
Parlor 27%
Outward Rome 25% Hall
Uper Rome 12%
Additional household goods 66%
Appraisers: Timothy Hatherley, Nicholas Baker, Joseph Tilden, Isacke Chettenden total:
100%
14. 1661 William Parker, Taunton Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Lodging chamber 46% Upstairs chamber
Iner Chamber 11% Parlor
Uper Chamber 8%
Kitchen 32%
Additional household goods 3%
Appraisers: Richard Williams, James Wyate total:
100%
15. 1664 Thomas Ensigne Single unit, one over one?
Hall 14%
Chamber 31%
Buttery 1%
Additional household goods 54%
Appraisers: Nicholas Baker, Edward Jenkens, Isacke Bucke total:
100%

16.

1665 Thomas Howes Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 15%
Kitchen 26%
Little Chamber 20% Upstairs chamber

Dary 7%
another Roome 2% Downstairs chamber
vp in the Chamber 2%
Additional household goods 28%
Names of appraisers missing. total:
100%
17. 1666 Timothy Hatherley Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 17%
Parlour Chamber 25% )
Kitchinge Chamber 7% )
32%
Leantoo(4) 7%
Seller 3%
Meale house(5) 1%
Buttery 0.5%
Leantoo goeing into the seller 1%
Wash [house?](5) 19%
Kitchinge 2%
Additional household goods 17.5%
Appraisers: John Hollott, Rodulphus Elmes, James Cudworth Sr. total:
100%
18. 1667 Anthony Thacher, Yarmouth Hall & parlor
New Rome 9% Parlor
Chamber 11% Upstairs chamber
old house Chamber 24% Hall/downstairs chamber
vper Rome 23% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods 33%
Appraisers: Edmond Hawes, Robert Dennis, John Gorum total:
100%
1670-1685
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
19. 1670 Alice Bradford Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor, extended
New Parlour Chamber 10% Upstairs chamber
Outward Parlour Chamber ) Upstairs chamber
Old parlour Chamber ) 7% Upstairs chamber
Studdy 13%
old Parlour 43% )
great Parlour 6% )
49% 		Parlor
Kitchen 20%
Appraisers: George Watson, Ephriam Morton, William Harlow total:
99%
20. 1670 Joseph Tilden, Yeoman, Scituate Hall & parlor, extended
hall Chamber 7%
kitchen Chamber 6%
parlour Chamber 34%
Parlour 15%
Studdy, including books 5%
Lower Rome 4%
Kitchen 29%
Appraisers: Isacke Bucke, Isacke Chettenden and James Cudworth total:
100%
21. 1670 Capt. William Hedge, Yarmouth Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 35%
Kitchen 9%
Leantoo 8%
Kitchen chamber 17%
Clothes and armor 30%
Appraisers: Thomas Howes, John Thacher total:
99%
22. 1670 William Lumpkin Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 11%
Kitchen 16%
Inner Rome 9% Upstairs chamber
Leantoo 1%
Chamber 12% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods 51%
Appraisers: John Crowell, Jonn Hall 100%
23. 1671 John Barnes Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor, extended
Kitchen(6) 17%
Parlour 17%
Leanto 3%
Chamber over the Parlour 9%
Celler 4%
Middle Rome(7)
Chamber over the outer Rome 12%
little Rome att the South end of the house 13% Downstairs chamber
Apparel, cash, armor 25%
No appraisers listed total:
100%
24. 1672 Joseph Biddle, Marshfield Hall & parlor?
Parlour 16%
Parlour Chamber 16% )
Kitchen Chamber 5% )
21%
Garrett 46%
Dayerey/darey = Kitchen? 16%
Appraisers: Josias Winslow, Anthony Snow, John Bourne total:
99%
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
25. 1673 John Howland, Plymouth Hall & parlor
Outward or fier Rome 18% Hall
Inward Rome or bedchamber 56% Parlor
Vper Roome or Chamber 25%
Appraisers: Thomas Cushman, Sergeant Tinkham, William Crow total:
99%
26. 1673 Thomas Prence [Plymouth] Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor, extended
New Chamber 7% Upstairs chamber
New Parlour 7% ) Parlor
Clossett 1% )
8% 		Downstairs - off parlor?
old Parlour 10%
Kitchen 18%
Chamber 22% Upstairs chamber
Chamber over the Kitchen 7%
Celler
Additional household goods 28.0%
Appraisers: Thomas Cushman, Ephraim Tinkham Sr., William Crow total:
100%
27. 1673 John Dicksey, Swansey Hall & parlor
Hall Chamber 13%
Kitchen Chamber 3%
Porch Chamber 3%
Garretts 4%
Hall 13%
Kitchen 1%
Seller 28%
Additional household goods 35%
Appraisers: John Butterworth, Gedion Allen total:
100%
28. 1674 Josiah Winslow, Marshfield Single unit, one over one?
Shed chamber 3.0%
Kitchen 22.0%
Kitchen Chamber 3.0%
Celler 2.0%
Appraisers: Anthonie Snow, Nathaniel Winslow total:
30%
29. 1675 Nathaniell Thomas, Capt., Marshfield Hall & parlor, extended
Inner Rome 18% Parlor
Inner Chamber 12% Upstairs chamber
other Chamber 18% Upstairs chamber
little Roome below 3% Downstairs chamber
outer Roome 20% Hall
outer Roome chimney leanto 16% Kitchen
celler
outer house 13%
Appraisers: Francis West and John Soule total:
100%
30. 1676 John Wood, alias Attwood, Plymouth Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlor 30%
Kitchen 7%
Chamber 39% Upstairs chamber
Litle Chamber 8% Upstairs chamber
Garrett 5%
Additional household goods 11%
Appraisers: Thomas Cushman, Sr., Lieut. Ephraim Morton, William Crow total:
100%
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
31. 1676 John Holmes, Duxbury Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 35%
Parlour Chamber 50%
Kitchen chamber 2%
Kitchen 14%
No appraisers listed total:
101%
32. 1676 Timothy Williamson Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Westerly Chamber 15% Upstairs chamber
Parlour 30%
the other Chamber 19% Upstairs chamber
Kitchen 3%
Leanto 6%
Celler 24%
Mault house 3%?
Appraisers: Anthony Swon, John Carver, Josiah Swon total:
100%
33. 1676 John Damon, Serjeant Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlar 17%
Kitchen 14%
Easterly Chamber 4% Upstairs chamber
Westerly Chamber 8% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods 57%
Appraisers: Isacke Nucke, Sr., John Williams, John Merritt total:
100%
34. 1676 Thomas Howes, Capt., Yarmouth Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 7%
Kitchen 11%
Chamber 5% Upstairs chamber
Dairy 2%
Additional household goods 75%
Appraisers: Joseph Howes, Gershom Hall total:
100%
35. 1678 John Rickard, Sr., New Plymouth Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Parlour 34%
Kitchen 7%
Chamber 18% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods 41%
Appraisers: Serjeant Ephraim Tinkham, Jonathan Barnes, William Crow total:
100%
36. 1683 Sarah Howes, Widow of the late Capt. Thomas Howes Hall & parlor
Parler 28%
Chamber 29% Upstairs chamber
Leantoo 3%
Kitchen, based on Th. Howes 11%
Additional household goods 12%
Appraisers: Joseph Howes, Garsham Hall total:
100%
No. Emic room names Percent House Type Etic categories
37. 1684 Thomas Hatch, Scituate Hall & parlor
East Chamber 36% Upstairs chamber
Middle Chamber 8% Upstairs chamber
West Chamber 2% Upstairs chamber
Celler 3%
Leantoo 8%
West Roome 8% Downstairs chamber
East Roome 15% Downstairs chamber
Unspecified, almost certainly the kitchen 20%
Appraisers: William Hatch, Jeremiah Hatch?(8) total:
100%
38. 1685 Ephraim Tincome Sr., Plymouth Kitchen-Parlor = Hall & parlor
Inner Roome 38% Parlor
Kitchen 15%
Chamber 23% Upstairs chamber
Additional household goods 24%
Appraisers: Nathaniel Southworth, [Thomas Tincome?] total:
100%

1. Emic categories are those used by members of a culture to designate their world. Etic categories are those imposed from the outside by those who are not part of the culture being described, therefore they may or may not, and often will not correspond to emic categories. As there was no settled nomenclature for room names in the seventeenth century, in order to analyse the inventories the emic names were grouped together under etic categories.

2. The percentages are derived from the total value of the household goods in the probate inventory. In some instances it was not possible to calculate these as therewas insufficient data in the inventory to define the rooms. These probates have been removed from the original list of sixty which indicated rooms of some kind, leaving thirty-eight of which we can be confident. For comparative purposes these were divided into two groups: 1633-1669 (18) and 1670-1685 (20). The inventories of the following decedents were omitted: Pryor 1639, Hicks 1649, Brewster 1651, Gilbert 1657, Carpenter 1658, Mayo 1661, Browne 1662, Pecke 1664, Howland 1670, Tayler 1673, Browne 1674, Cooke 1675, Winslow 1676, Chettenden 1676, Walley 1678, Newman 1678, Baker 1678, Pratt 1682, Cudworth 1682, Brook 1682, Rickard, Gyles 1685.

3. Additional household goods are those not attributable to a room, and often include wearing apparel.

4. The "Leantoo" and "Leantoo goeing into the seller" were combined at 8%.

5. The meale house and wash house were omitted from the analysis as their location was inconclusive - it could have been outside or inside the house.

6. Rooms are all indicated in the margin of the inventory. The original appears to have been damaged, and some marginal entries are illegible, but one outbuilding is clear, a Slaughter house.

7. A middle room is mentioned, following the entry for the cellar. Its contents are listed as "It: 4 table napkins a table cloth and a towell 6s; Item a quire of paper 6d; Item 11 cheeses 10s". The next entries are attributed in the margin to "the Chamber over the outer Rome".

8. Their names appear under the inventory, but the context is somewhat ambiguous.


Go to:

  • Vernacular House Forms in Seventeenth Century Plymouth Colony
  • Appendix A: House Plan Assessment
  • Appendix B: Lean-tos in the Plymouth Colony Probate Inventories
  • Appendix D: Emic Room Names Classified under Etic Categories
  • Appendix E: Room Percentage Values
  • Appendix F: Room/Activity Matrix Charts