State-Wide, NC - Washing Machine, 1810 The Star, 9 August 1810 The Laundresses and House-wives of Wake, Cumberland and Johnston Counties, who so often bemoan their finger-nails crisped by lie, and their hands and rists flawed by rubbing dirty clothes, need no longer complain provided they will apply to the Subscriber, who has lately purchased the patent right for the counties aforesaid, of a newly invented Machine called "Freeman's Patent Washing Machine," a sovereign remedy for the above complaints, and a sure cleanser of dirty clothes of every denomination, in the most easy and expeditious manner that has ever been invented heretofore, and without the least injury to the finest worked muslins; nay, I will venture to assert without the fear of contradiction by those who have tried the Machine, that less injury is done to any kind of clothes washed by it than is done by washing with hands. A model of this Machine may be seen at my house in Raleigh, where any person that doubts its utility can make an experiment. The saving of labour is greater than any person would suppose. One woman can wash as much or more in the day than four, and provided she has the assistance of a boy or girl of 10 years old, she may wash as much as six. There is also a great saving of soap; one half or two thirds of the quantity that is generally used with hands will answer, and where strong lie can be had, one third of the common quantity will be sufficient. These useful and labour-saving Machines will be made and sold for Eight Dollars each - or any person can have the privilege of making and using one for Three Dollars. The Subscriber will soon place a model of these Machines at each of the towns of Fayetteville, Smithfield and Averasborough, where those who like to execute much with little labor, will do well to apply and judge for themselves. Should any person have temerity enough to attempt to vend, construct, or use one of these machines in any of the Counties aforesaid, without a certificate from the subscriber, they need not be astonished at a visit from the proper officer, to call them to account for violating the Act of Congress in such cases made and provided. Mark Cooke Raleigh, July 31, 1810 ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Guy Potts - gpotts1@nc.rr.com ______________________________________________________________________