Rudy,

From Carl Lounsbury An Illustrated Glossary of Early Southern
Architecture and Landscape.  A citation under nail (naile, naille) reads
as follows:
" 1645  Because of the scaricity of nails in the early Chesapeake, the
Virginia General Assembly passed an act that tried to curb the practice
of torching structures to obtain their nails:  "it shall not be lawful
for any person so deserting his plantation . . . to burne any necessary
houseing that are scituated thereupon, but shall receive so many nailes
as may be computed by 2 different men were expended about the building
thereof for full satisfaction."  Hening, Willianm Waller, Statues at
Large, Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, from the First
Session of the Legislature in the year 1619.  @3 vols. New York: Printed
for the Editor, 1819-1823.

I assume that since they passed a law forbidding the burning of
buildings for nails, some buildings were burned for the nails, but then
again you never know what will happen when the legislature is in
session..

Mitch

Rudy Christian wrote:

> Does anyone know of any creditable record of burning a house to
> retrieve the nails? I have heard this story more times than I can
> count, but I’m not so sure it doesn’t belong in the nudge-nudge
> wink-wink category along with the one about hanging a stick of
> dynamite in the building to loosen the siding nails.
>
> Curious Rudy
>
--

F. Mitchener Wilds, Senior Restoration Specialist
Restoration Branch
State Historic Preservation Office
919/733-6547
http://www.hpo.dcr.state.nc.us

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