Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 116

XV. Spinning, Weaving.

Estimate of what may be spun daily

length
of Day.
Hours		 Linen
task		 Wool.
task		 Cotton
task
Jan. Dec. 9. 15. oz. 12. oz. 6. oz.
Feb. Nov. 10. 16 ⅔ 13 ⅓ 6 ⅔
Mar. Oct. 11. 18 ⅓ 14 ⅔ 7 ⅓
Apr. Sep. 12. 20. 16. 8.
May. Aug. 13. 21. ⅔ 17 ⅓ 8 ⅔
June July 14. 23 ⅓ 18 ⅔ 9 ⅓
Average. 11 ½ 19. 15 ⅓ 7 ⅔
linen for laborers 1.℔ hemp makes 1. yd warp & filling
Wool. for do 2. yds to the ℔
Cotton for do 3. yds to the ℔.

1813. June 17. Judge Holmes’s statement of the cost of manufacturing superfine broadcloth at Winchester.

s d

spinning 1.℔ clean wool. 20. cuts @ 2d

 3 – 4

carding. 10. cents pr ℔

 7¼

weaving. 1. yd of 6/4 broadcloth weighing 1.℔

 4 – 0

fulling, dressing, drying, 5/ pr yard or ℔

 5 – 0
13 – 0 pr yd or ℔ of washed wool.

the wool unwashed, yields from ⅓ to ½ it’s weight of superfine cloth.

a yard of superfine 6/4 cloth weighs 1.℔

July 16.

Judge Holmes writes that the workmen say it takes 2.℔ washed Merino wool to make a yard of 6/4 cloth.

the 39.℔ I se unwashed but on the sheep’s back which I sent to Winchester has yielded 10. yds. cloth.
Manuscript (Massachusetts Historical Society, Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, page 116). Scan available online here.

Source Information

Author Thomas Jefferson
Date 1813
Place of Origin Monticello
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