On January 20, 1768, Elizabeth Amsden (1724-1768) of Deerfield, Massachusetts, “sold, set over & delivered” all of her personal property to Salah Barnard, also of Deerfield. This document lists her possessions at the time of the sale. Only weeks later, Elizabeth’s shop on Town Lot V burned under unknown, perhaps suspicious, circumstances. She signed her will with a shaky hand on February 15 and died in late March or early April, likely from injuries sustained in the fire.
Her occupation, owning land, and remaining single set Elizabeth Amsden apart from most women of her time. The textile tools in her inventory and other sources confirm Elizabeth made her living as a weaver. Although some women used looms in the home, weaving as an occupation was a traditionally male craft, taught through apprenticeship. Her father, John Amsden, Sr., was a weaver and likely passed his knowledge on to his daughter. Elizabeth was among the purchasers when Deerfield decided to sell several town lots to artisans to “Set up their Trades on them.” She owned additional acres in Deerfield and in the nearby towns of Bernardston and Colrain. Elizabeth and an unnamed man had a child in 1757, but the baby seems not to have lived long. The father may have been James Williams, a blacksmith to whom Elizabeth left her home lot and other real estate in her will of 1768.
Elizabeth named her younger brother Elisha as one of the executors of her estate, but her older brother John Jr. convinced the Probate Court to appoint him instead to oversee the distribution of his deceased sister’s property. Despite being named in her will, James Williams received nothing from Elizabeth Amsden’s estate.
