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Old-Time Weights and Measures

English Weights and Measures

Catherine Boeckmann
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Ever heard of a firkin, hogshead, and coomb?  Convert old-time English weights and measures to modern-day equivalencies with this chart from The Old Farmer’s ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË.

60 pounds apples = 1 bushel
52 pounds beans = 1 bushel
24 pounds beets = 1 bushel
56 pounds carrots = 1 bushel
55 pounds flour = 1 bushel
54 pounds onions = 1 bushel
45 pounds parsnips = 1 bushel
50 pounds potatoes = 1 bushel
60 pounds string beans = 1 bushel
60 pounds sweet potatoes = 1 bushel
48 pounds tomatoes = 1 bushel
196 pounds turnips = 1 barrel
1 gill = 1/2 cup
1 pottle = 2 quarts
1 coomb = 4 bushels
1 wey = 40 bushels
1 last = 80 bushels
1 firkin = 9 gallons
1 anker = 10 gallons
1 runlet = 18 gallons
1 tierce = 42 gallons
1 hogshead = 63 gallons
1 puncheon = 84 gallons
1 butt = 126 gallons

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About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË found each other. She leads digital content for the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

W Noel (not verified)

9 years 11 months ago

My grandmothers recipe for Ice Box Fudge calls for
" 1 cake Dot (or Dat) Chocolate. Does anyone know what
the current measurement would be. My mother would use
Bakers unsweetened chocolate but I don't remember the
amount.

Thanks

According to the Internet, Bakers sold "Dot Chocolate" in 8 oz packages, since you are making fudge I would guess it would be 8oz of Bakers semi-sweet baking chocolate.

Is this recipe handwritten? We wonder if it might be "1 cake dark chocolate." And we assume that means 1 square of dark chocolate, such as those found in a box of Bakers chocolate.

Consuelo K Macedo (not verified)

10 years 7 months ago

When adding a knob of butter to the mashed potatoes, that would be two tablespoons.

Wish I'd seen your answer before giving mine. I almost wrote 2 TBLSP = 1 Knob, but have heard that it's a slightly fluid amount. Not living in the UK, my knowledge about such things is not what it could be.

Consuelo K Macedo (not verified)

10 years 7 months ago

In Irish cookery, to add a knob of butter to the potatoes, that would be two tablespoons.

Nate Perkins (not verified)

11 years ago

My recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of soften butter. Using the guide on the side of each stick of butter, it says 1/4, 1/3 the 1/2 for a whole stick of butter. Does this mean I am to use 3 sticks of butter?

Camilla Kerley (not verified)

11 years 1 month ago

Hi! Just saw your question. I've come across recipes that call for a "saucer" of an ingredient, which I've read several places is a heaping cup. Not sure if that's what you're referring to but I thought I'd add it here in case it helps you or anybody else trying to decode older recipes.

Melanie M. (not verified)

11 years 2 months ago

I have a number of recipes from crete that call for a 'bowl' of something - flour, liquids, etc... and I've no idea how big a 'bowl' they mean! Any insight? I've tried googling/binging the matter but this one's stumped me.