Byron: Coffee was rare as Liz says. But coffers (ie chests) were very common items in inventories, particularly when listed alongside other furniture. Best wishes Paul Prescott ----- Original Message ----- From: <emagar@hotkey.net.au> To: <OLD-ENGLISH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2004 8:14 AM Subject: Re: [OEL] Words in inventory > Hi Byron, > > I can't offer a suggestion yet re the seggni chair, but can offer a little > re the coffe pots. > > According to the OED, 1607 is very early for the word coffe (as in coffee) > to be in the English language. The OED gives various citations under three > headings: > > 1. Foreign forms [such as kahve and kauhi] - earliest citation 1598, with > Turkish connections > 2. Coffa caffe, capha - earliest citation 1603 > 3. Cauphe, cophie, cophee, coffe, coffee, etc. - earliest citation 1601. > > The first citation for coffee pot is 1705. So coffee can't have been all > that common in 1607. Did the owner have Turkish or "East Indian" connections? > The availability and popularity of coffee grew rapidly after the Restoration, > courtesy of the East India Company. But it would originally have been for > the well-to-do classes. > > I hope that helps. > > Cheers, > > Liz in Melbourne > > Quoting Byron Pershouse <byro@tpg.com.au>: > > > Hello all > > I have obtained an inventory compiled in 1607 which contains some items > > about which I hope someone will be able to to provide some information > > > > Item 1 four iron candlesticks, five seggni chairs, one cheese toaster, > > one iron shoe and dozen of iron stands > > > > Item 2 One bacon rack, one dresser with drawers, two tables, two tin > > coffe pots and wax candle box > > > > In Item 1. What is a seggni chair? > > In Item 2. Was "coffee" a common beverage in 1607 or could the > > transcription be incorrect? > > > > > > Regards > > Byron > > Bundaberg, Australia > > > > > > ==== OLD-ENGLISH Mailing List ==== > > OLD-ENGLISH Web Page > > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~oel/ > > > > > > > > > ==== OLD-ENGLISH Mailing List ==== > OLD-ENGLISH Web Page > http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~oel/ > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.693 / Virus Database: 454 - Release Date: 01-06-2004