The pethy auger--probably a variation of the dugout canoe known as a
pettiauger, periagua, and perogue.  Most were just single log canoes.  Others
could be quite large with sails as well as oars.  Some had hulls made of two
logs with a keel piece inserted and the sides built up with planks.  The
fancier ones had foc'sles, cabins, etc.  Their attraction was that they could
be constructed of readily available local materials with few metal fastenings
and, for the plainer ones, with semiskilled labor.


-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Grant
Q
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 9:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: mystery object: "Pair of Shillards"


Recently while doing some research, I came across the
mention of a "pair of shillards" in an estate
inventory. After much searching, I've had no luck
determining what a shillard was. 

A Google search for "pair of shillards" returns
several hits of them in estate inventories--but
nothing with clues about use, context, etc, so I know
it is not a spelling error or transcription error.  A
perusal of many books of 18th century tools, kitchen
wares, and furniture proved unsuccessful as well. Even
the trusty Oxford English Dictionary has no mention of
them. 

Any ideas, references, clues, etc would be greatly
appreciated.  

And if anyone can solve that one, how about another
one...."Pethy auger"

-Grant
===============
Grant Quertermous
Staff Archaeologist
Ash Lawn-Highland
1000 James Monroe Parkway
Charlottesville  VA 22902




		
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