One of the more popular items for sale at Dupui's
store was the comb, sold on more than 30 occasions.
A course tooth comb (sold 17 times) could be had for
a mere 6 pence, while a small tooth comb would set
you back some 2 shillings. The ultimate comb,
the fine tooth model, was priced at just a half
shilling more -- all reasonably inexpensive.
Of course, combs were more than a mere grooming
necessity... they had a value in dealing with one of
mankind's oldest and most persistent plagues:
the infestation of head lice. We actually have
a report of such an infestation (and how the
community dealth with the issue), in the local
French & Indian War journal of Captain John Van
Etten who was stationed at nearby Fort Hyndshaw; he
writes:
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Complaint was made to me by some of the men
that some of the Neighbours which Resided in
the fort ware Lousey, by which means the
whole Garrison would soon be in the same
condition. I then Orderd the Corp’ll with 3
men to assist him to make a search and found
that one Henery Countryman, his family, and
one John Hillman and his family ware Lousey,
I orderd them out of the fort to their own
house, it being but about 8 or 9 Rods from
the fort, then Imployd the men to Clean the
fort within Doors and without, which was
accordingly done. |
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... and yet combs may have had yet another purpose,
as gifts or as token symbols of affection in the
courting process. We note in the ledger
account of Benjamin Schoonmaker that he purchased
"for Rebacka Waybrant a Course Comb." At the
same time he also bought "a pair of womans
stockins," a double worsted cap, check linen,
muslin, callicoe, and a few yards of nonesopritty.
As other commodities often sold together with combs
were the equally inexpensive "paper of pins" along
with a few yards of nonesopritty, one can imagine
that these combs might also have had a decorative
purpose as fashion accessories.
The Dupui General Store Ledger: 1743-1793
