George Jaffrey's 1749 inventory lists among the "Household Furniture In the Parlour" an "Escrutore," valued at £30-the highest value of any item in the parlor. An escritoir (or desk) often had a fall-front lid and contained compartments for documents and writing implements. This new furniture form was popular among New England merchants and businessmen as a place to conduct business and to store important papers.

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