There was a short window of time between the invention of the cotton gin in 1793 and the adoption of the power loom when all cloth in America was woven by hand using both cotton and linen. This window of time includes 1802 - when William Beekman (who built The Beekman Mansion) was a merchant with a supply store located across the road from his mansion. Coincidentally, 1802 was also the year the power loom was perfected in England. In the early 18th century each NY state home hand-wove, on average, nearly ten yards of cloth per family member. By mid-century - after the power loom had reached America - that number had fallen to less than one yard. Our master weaver has woven for us one of the most popular weaving structures of the early nineteenth century, called "Huckaback." It is the type of cloth that William Beekman himself would have most likely sold in his store. We're sharing three patterns of this cloth, including this one, which we call "Fenimore" after James Fenimore Cooper. Cooper's father was Judge William Beekman's colleague on the Court of Common Pleas, and we imagine that these two neighboring county judges must have often visited one another's homes. This fingertip towel measures twenty-one inches by fourteen inches, and is entirely hand woven of a 100% natural cotton. Unlike the disposable towels of today, this towel is heirloom quality and will last for generations. We don't have very many of these to share. We did this on purpose. We think some things just shouldn't be mass produced.