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In order to satisfy creditors in what was commonly a debt-ridden society, an inventory was taken of the real and personal estate and values assigned each item at the time of the death of the head of household. Those charged with completing the inventory customarily walked from room to room, recording every item. Mrs. Esther Williams (1726-1800), was the second wife and widow of Dr. Thomas Williams (1718-1775) of Deerfield, Massachusetts. The first page of this inventory provides a modern reader with a vicarious view of the equipment in her kitchen at the time of the inventory.

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