Patterns of Furniture Consumption: Three Eastern North Carolina Counties, 1800–1899

Abstract

Beaufort, Chowan, and Edgecomb counties were quite similar in patterns of furniture consumption. Types of advertisements were comparable and stemmed from three sources: local or regional cabinetmakers, wholesale and retail dealers who offered merchandise or catalogues, and merchants who operated general stores. In addition, local residents were able to obtain furniture from trust, estate, and other sales and by direct order through manufactureres or commission merchants. During the nineteenth century the frequency of advertisments by local cabinetmakers declined. By the middle of the century furniture advertisements from general stores were dominant. The tone of the notices suggested that consumers had no steady supply of particular items, but were dependent on varying shipments. Advertisements for furniture occurred far less frequently than those for other goods and services, particularly textiles. It was not until the end of the century that merchants began to emphasize furniture in their advertisements. Few advertisements from outside the counties appeared in newspapers. Other towns which were represented were Halifax, New Bern, Wilmington, and Murfreesboro. Most were from New Bern and Wilmington which were larger and more cosmopolitan towns. Dealers from Norfolk, Petersburg, Baltimore, and New York also advertised in newspapers from all three counties. A large portion of North Carolina's trade was with those areas, so it was logical that imported furniture would come from those regions. It was difficult to determine furniture styles from advertisements. However, it was clear that cabinetmakers and merchants were concerned with presenting the most fashionable styles. New York was often cited as the source of influence and materials.