A cast iron kettle.
Castings
A cast iron kettle.
Castings bought in Mr. Alexander's store were probably products such as cast iron pots, kettles, dutch ovens, skillets, pans, and other cooking equipment. Cast iron is one kind of iron, different from the wrought iron a blacksmith uses. Cast iron products are made by pouring molten iron into molds.
Pans like these are called 'spider' pans. Their 'legs' allowed them to
be set over coals spread on the hearth to heat. The dished lid made a place
for more coals to be heaped on top. Cornbread was baked in pans like these.
Ledger entry from an 1840s Jacksonville, IL store.
Mr. Alexander would have kept a similar record.
