othering irons, two axes, a few carpenter's tools, a saddle
and bridle, four casks, clothing to the value of 1,100 pounds of
tobacco, a frying pan, a butter pat, a jar, a looking glass, two milk
pans, one table cloth, nine spoons, a churn, a bible. The appraisers
placed the total value at 18,277 pounds of tobacco.[6-26] The inventory
records no servants or slaves, but it is probable that Splitimber at
times made use of indentured labor, as in November 1648 and again in
1652, we find him taking up land due for the transportation of certain
persons to the colony.[6-27]

Of similar estate was Christopher Pearson, of York county. His personal
property included bedding valued at L7, linen at 18 shillings, pewter at
L1.18.0, brass at six shillings, wooden ware at L4.13.6 comprising three
chairs and one table, a couch, four old chests, a cask, two ten gallon
rundletts, a cheese press, a box of drawers, an old table, three pails,
a spinning wheel with cards, two sifting trays, a corn barrel, three
bedsteads, four sives, a funnel; iron ware valued at L2.12.0, including
three pots, two pot-rocks, a pestal, a frying pan, a looking glass;
three cows appraised at L6.5.0, a yearling at ten shillings, a colt at
two pounds sterling. The entire estate was valued at L25.19.6.[6-28]

It must not be imagined, however, that Virginia, even in the early years
of its settlement, contained no men of wealth or rank. Industry and
intelligence bore their inevitable fruit in the little colony, with the
result that here and there certain planters acquired an enviable
pre-eminence among their fellows. The _New Description_ mentions several
such cases. Captain Matthews "hath a fine house," it says, "and all
things answerable to it; he sowes yeerly store of Hempe and Flax, and
causes it to be spun; he keeps Weavers, and hath a Tanhouse, causes
Leather to be dressed, hath eight Shoemakers employed in their trade,
hath forty Negro servants, brings them up to Trades in his house. He
yeerly sowes abundance of Wheat, Barley, &c. The Wheat he selleth at
four shillings the bushell; kills store of Beeves, and sells them to
victuall the Ships when they come thither; hath abundance of Kine, a
brave Dairy, Swine great store, and Poltery; he married a Daughter of
Sir Thomas Hinton, and in a word, keeps a good house, lives bravely, and
a true lover of Virginia; he is worthy of much honor."[6-29]

This description is interesting because it shows not only the extent