Genealogical notes of Barnstable families - citizen hylbom blog

500 GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF BAKNSTABLE FAMILIES.
as he practiced. He was temperate in all things, took care of what
he had, and every year spent less than he earned.
From year to year there was little change in Goodman Hallett'»
habits, employments and mode of living. He added a lean to or
"salt-box," as they were often called, to the west side of bis house,
making two rooms in front and enlarging the kitchen. His increased
family rendered this enlargement necessary. The west room
was sometimes called the weaving-room. Generally the object of
building a leanto was to have a place for the looms and the spinningwheels—a
manufactory in miniature.
Goodman Hallett died in the spring of 1684, He wag at least
seventy years of age. His surviving children had married, and left
the paternal roof. In early times it was customary, in making the
inventory of a man's estate, to apprise the furniture in each room of
the house by itself. It was a good custom—it not only furnished a
description of each room, but all the articles of furniture were enumerated
in detail^—carrying you into the family circle—unveiling its
secrets—laying open its wants, its hopes, its pursuits, its aspirations
;— picturing the stern realities of a social life, over which two
centuries have spread the mantle of forgetfulness. The uncovered
ruins of Herculaneum do not portray the habits, mode of living, and
character of the ancient Romans, in a stronger light, or in more
vivid colors, than do these old inventories, the marked traits of the
Pilgrim character. In that city we see the evidences of luxury in
contrast with squaled poverty, and everywhere unmistakable records,
that gross licentiolisness prevaded all classes of its society. The
human heart, being ever the same, its surroundings will impress on
its character, an ultimate form, which the man has no power to
shake off.
Our fathers were eminently a religious people ;— -with them the
future was ever present in thought—the Bible was their creed—their
laws were based on its precepts, and their daily intercourse was regulated
by some of its familiar texts. Their children were brought up
under these influences or surroundings:—they were taught that industry
and frugality were virtues—that idleness and wastefulness were
sins to be repented of, and for which they would have to answer at
the final judgment. These old inventories exhibit no evidence of
prodigality—no squalid poverty—no traces of licentious life. They
exhibit a rude social organization,—but beneath that organization
they portray a noble race—with hardy virtues—of honest lives
content to live on the fruits of their own unremitted toil.
Andrew Hallett's, Jr.'s, estate was apprised by John Miller and
John Thacher May 19, 1684, and sworn to by his widow Ann Hallett
on the 31st of the same month.
In the "parlour" or "great room."
"His purse and apparell,'' £90,10,6
Books in the parlour, 13,6