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76 AMERICAN‘ CATHOLIC HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
entirety, both because of the interest naturally centreing
in so ancient papers, as for their singular richness in
many ways. Besides attesting the Catholic standing of
the Tatham family with the list of the sacred vessels used
in the divine services at Burlington Point, and their
scholarly surroundings with their large library of over 500
volumes, of which more detailed reference will be made
further on, these inventories will be found tombe valuable
indeed to the student. Therein he will find a little of
-every thing ancient,-household supplies for personal and
domestic use, wares and finery in quantity enough to stock
a store,"‘ kitchen and farm utensils, paintings, furniture,
jewelry, trinkets, plate and precious goods of many kinds.
The wearing apparel alone of John Tatham was worth
,g'4o; and Mrs. Tatham’s over ,4‘ 96, a goodly sum in those
days; the appraisers discovered 7 dozen silver buttons, a
traveling-case and pieces of plate, a watch-the only one
that is noted, worth ,g4, a silver hilted sword with an
.agate haft, and a silver hilted rapier and belt.
Similarly from the inventory of Elizabeth Tatham it
will appear how well my Lady kept up with the style and
fashions of the day. Her wardrobe fairly overiiows with its
masses of costly goods, of dresses, etc., in silk, camlet,
mohair, cloth, serge, fustian, damask, tabby, holland,
satin, worsted and velvet. My Lady Tatham had-what
I venture to say is a rarety even ‘to-day, a “swanskin
cloak,” besides rings a-plenty, with pearls and rubies, an
amber necklace, ivory combs, and one of “Tortoyshell.”
In her inventory is set down a chain and pendulum watch
in a shagreen case valued at ,5 4. '
All through the different apartments of the Tatham
mansion, as well as the Agarrets, cellars, bake house, out-
houses, not overlooking the five closets, which they name,
"And in fact, in 1699, in certain law papers in the suit of Joseph
Growden against john Tatham, “ of Tatham house, neare N esheminah,”
[12 e. Neshaminy.] we have the occupation of the latter set down as
" merchant.” (See Researclzes for 1890, vol. vii, p. 109.)