Compare And Contrast Madox And Hudson

The inventories tell a story about the past through a list of possessions each of the families had appraised after their death. After looking at the inventory of two different families, Thomas Madox and Nicholas Hudson, the inventories reveal the similarities and differences of estates in the 1600’s providing us with a glimpse of colonial life. Evaluating the two inventories provide the reader with insight into the families social status, their lifestyle, and hints about the colonists way of life, and learning about the tools the families needed to survive. First, the most valuable item on the inventories for Hudson and Madox was the livestock and animals since it was a source of food for their families. The probate inventory of …show more content…
Tobacco was a cash crop for the colonists selling it back to the English. If Hudson grew tobacco, it meant he lived on a larger farm with animals and grew crops. I am surprised not too see any slaves on his inventory because harvesting the tobacco would have been a difficult job. Hudson owned two sickles which were used to harvest tobacco a hand saw, two wedges files, and the remainder were listed as “old tools” whereas, Madox had a few tools listed which was one ax and wedges and no slaves listed on the inventory. I think tools would be extremely important since tools would be used to repair their home or other buildings on the property. Madox did have nails on his inventory but there was no mention on either inventory of a hammer, shovels, hoes, or rakes. Although these types of tools on Hudson’s inventory may have been classified under old tools there was no category for tools on Madox’s inventory other than what was listed. Analyzing both inventories leads me to believe Hudson was better off then Madox because Hudson has more money than Madox. The inventory based on the livestock, other animals and indicate household items Hudson lived on more land in a larger household. In contrast, Madox’s had fewer livestock on his inventory, less tools, and he had a debt to repay to John Graye and Ann …show more content…
Listed on Hudson’s inventory next to the pestel were two wedges whereas only one pestel was listed on Madox’s inventory. The inventory reveals Hudson was probably a landowner but do you think he might have owned an apothecary shop since he owned a pestel and two wedges? Maybe Hudson and Madox mix their own medicine for themselves and other family members. Overall, the number of the items on the inventory is double for Hudson compared to Madox. Hudson’s household inventory contained two blankets, rugs, chests, and guns which meant he may have had a wife. I would presume Hudson was married and Madox was single because the items in Madox’s inventory contained one chest, one trunk, and one box and one set of English bedding. Although both had a chest and bedding listed, Hudson had a couch on his inventory which I assume was a luxury item thus Hudson was probably wealthier. In reviewing the kitchen items, I noticed Hudson’s kichen inventory contained two frying pans, two iron pots, one kettle, one pewter basin, eight spoons and wooden bowls whereas Madox only had one frying pan, two iron pots, three pewter dishes and six spoons and a parcel of wooden ware. Madox has less on his inventory so he probably lived in a smaller house and the kettle is another indicator Hudson is probably wealthier than his