Invoice, Mead, Stafford & Co. to Cahoon, Carter & Co., 8 October 1836

A cask which varied in size but was usually between forty and forty-two gallons. (“Tierce,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “Tierce,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 11:18.)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

The Oxford English Dictionary. Edited by James A. H. Murray, Henry Bradley, W. A. Craigie, and C. T. Onions. 12 vols. 1933. Reprint, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1970.

The meaning of “hogshead” varied based on time period, location, and the goods involved, but it usually referred to a cask holding a measure of liquid. For wine, the measure was eventually standardized to sixty-three U.S. gallons. (“Hogshead,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “Hogshead,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 5:327–328.)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

The Oxford English Dictionary. Edited by James A. H. Murray, Henry Bradley, W. A. Craigie, and C. T. Onions. 12 vols. 1933. Reprint, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1970.

The size and weight of a barrel varied and was often dependent on whether the contents were liquid or solid. In the United States, statutes generally regulated that a barrel should contain 28 to 31½ gallons. (“Barrel,” in American Dictionary [1828].)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

A biocarbonate of potash, used as a leavening agent in baking. (“Saleratus,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 9:50.)  

The Oxford English Dictionary. Edited by James A. H. Murray, Henry Bradley, W. A. Craigie, and C. T. Onions. 12 vols. 1933. Reprint, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1970.

A plant used for red dyes. (“Madder,” in American Dictionary [1828].)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

Newel K. Whitney added an asterisk here, which corresponds to an endorsement written on the second page, which reads:"1 Bbll was Summer oil."  

The highest grade of whale oil, refined so as to remain liquid during the cold winter months. (Holmes, Arctic Whaleman, 288.)  

Holmes, Lewis. The Arctic Whaleman; or, Winter in the Arctic Ocean: Being a Narrative of the Wreck of the Whale Ship Citizen of New Bedford, in the Arctic Ocean. . . . Boston: Wentworth and Co., 1857.

Another name for olive oil. (Child, Family Nurse, 88.)  

Child, Mrs. The Family Nurse; or Companion of the Frugal Housewife. Boston: Charles J. Hendee, 1837.

A type of wood used for dyeing. (Pope, Import and Export Guide, 45; Leslie, House Book, 100.)  

Pope, Charles. The Merchant, Ship-Owner, and Ship-Master’s Import and Export Guide; Comprising Every Species of Authentic Information Relative to Shipping, Navigation, and Commerce. . . . 13th ed. London: C. Baldwin, 1831.

Leslie, Miss. The House Book: Or, a Manual of Domestic Economy. Philadelphia: Carey and Hart, 1840.

A small cask or barrel, varying in size but usually containing less than ten gallons. (“Keg,” in American Dictionary [1828]; “Keg,” in Oxford English Dictionary, 5: 667.)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

The Oxford English Dictionary. Edited by James A. H. Murray, Henry Bradley, W. A. Craigie, and C. T. Onions. 12 vols. 1933. Reprint, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1970.

Used in making inks and pigments. (“Copperas,” in American Dictionary [1828].)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

A fine starch made from higher-quality flour than usual starch. (“Starch,” in Eaton, Cook and Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary, 397.)  

Eaton, Mary. The Cook and Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in All Its Various Branches, Adapted to the Use of Private Families. . . . Bungay, England: J. and R. Childs, 1823.

Aromatic tree bark, similar to cinnamon. (“Cassia,” in American Dictionary [1828].)  

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

Cow bladders were sometimes used to store and ship tobacco snuff. (Minutes of the Evidence, 24; History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts, 1:165.)  

Minutes of the Evidence Taken Before a Committee of the House of Commons, Being a Committee of the Whole House, to Whom the Bill for Repealing the Duties on Tobacco and Snuff, and for Granting New Duties in Lieu Thereof; Was Committed. London: 1789.

Dunlap, William. History of the Rise and Progress of the Arts of Design in the United States. 2 vols. New York: George P. Scott and Co., 1834.