Esther Doyle Read, Copyright 2003

New 10 May 2003

Chintz or calico bed hangings. Mystic Seaport, Mystic Connecticut. Note the rope bedstead. The "beds" of Isaac's inventory may have been rope beds. Also note the white chamber pot under the bed. Although chamber pots were not specifically mentioned in Isaac's inventory, it is probable that he owned a few. During the night if nature called, the occupant of the bed would not have to heed the call by leaving the house and treking to the out house (or necessary or privy) in the yard. He or she could use the pot under the bed. The type of ceramic chamber pot in the photograph is probably ironstone, although it might have been a type of ceramic known as whiteware. Chamber pots were retrieved from the bed chambers each morning, emptied and cleaned. They were often stored in the dresser iin the kitchen until needed at night. Also note the woven rugs on the floor. Isaac's inventory mentions a carpet, which was probably located in the parlor. It would have been much larger and probably store bought. There may have been small woven rag rugs on the floor iof the bed chambers, but these were not mentioned in the inventory. Two chests appear in this photograph which would have stored the clothing of the individual who occupied the room. Clothes were also hung on pegs set in the wall of the room. Isaac's inventory lists a clothes cupboard (or clothes press) and two chests, it is probable that his chests were similar to the chests in the photograph. Photograph by Esther Doyle Read, November 2002.