Handout: "Agreeable to His Genius: John Partridge Bull" (1731-1813)

TYPICAL

  • Not much money
  • Had an apprentice
  • Worked for the people in the community
  • Did a lot (a variety) of metal work
  • Worked hard
  • Took labor as a form of debt payment
  • Studied as an apprentice under a master craftsman
  • Owned a shop and ran his business there
  • Kept detailed records of his work and the money owed him
  • Served in the military before starting his business
  • Did not set up near his master
  • Relatively successful
  • Did a lot of work
  • Made sure his children were educated or learned his trade
  • Bartered -- accepted payments in produce, metal, and other non-monetary units
  • Was not rich, was not overly rich, did not have great wealth
  • Had an apprentice
  • Had children to help in the shop
  • Traveled around to find the best situation
  • Didn't attend college

ATYPICAL

  • Literate
  • Not a farmer until later
  • Locksmith/gunsmith/blacksmith
  • No indentured servant -- didn't need labor as payment
  • Did not follow father as a minister
  • Son of preacher (who was Yale graduate)
  • Lived longer life than most
  • Most people in Deerfield had more money than he did
  • Sent his son to Yale College
  • Left written records
  • Did not have a lot of extra labor
  • Did not have a farm until later in life
  • Had a high position at an early age (armorer)
  • Had no employees