A Colonial Merchant: The Ledger of William Ramsay

Alexandria, VA 1753-1756

Artifact: Watch Chain

Watch String

Materials: Glass beads, black silk ribbon

Dimensions: OL: 44 7/8"; OW: 3/8"

Date: 1835

Origin: New England

Collection: Image Courtesy of The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

License: All rights reserved

Ledger Entry: Watch String

Watch String

Department: Personal

Customer: Captain John Monroe

Ledger Page: 64

Imported From:

Product Description

Watches in the eighteenth century were small handheld devises that we now call pocket watches. As such, they were attached to the wearer's clothing via a string or a chain both for security and ease of use.

Citation: ;

Historical Price: 10 pence; Modern USD: $9.35

Product Variations

The databases record five watch strings. Watch strings were sold with a great deal of specificity. Two are identified as watch string No. 144, one is identified as a best watch string, and the fourth is identified by size (one eighth). Their prices range from ten pence to one shilling eight pence.