William Goodwin's Diaries: Glossary and Explanatory Notes

Volumes
Note that U.S. measurements bear the same names, but are different volumes. The U.S. Fluid Ounce is slightly larger than the Imperial one, being approximately 29.6 ml, but as there only 16 U.S. Fluid Ounces in a U.S. Pint, the U.S. Pint, Quart and Gallon are about four-fifths on the Imperial measures.
Unit Abbreviation Subdivided into: Approximate metric equivalent
Gallon gall. 4 Quarts 4½ litres
Quart qt. 2 Pints 1.1 litres
Pint pt. 20 Fluid Ounces 0.57 litres (568 ml)
Fluid Ounce fl. oz. 28.4 ml
Equivalent to: Comment
Comb (Coomb) 4 Bushels yield per acre
Firkin 9 Gallons ½ Kilderkin or ¼ Barrel
Kilderkin 18 Gallons
(sometimes only 16 Gallons)
½ Barrel
Barrel 36 Gallons
Wey 40 Bushels see also Weights
Sack 3 Bushels of apples, etc
Bushel 8 Gallons
Chaldron 36 Bushels
Anker 8 Gallons (or 10 Gallons) originally a Dutch measure.
Definition varies in reference books
Pipe 2 Hogsheads i.e. 105 Gallons
Drachm (Dram) 7 Fluid Ounce Apothecary's measure (see also Weights)
Peck 2 Gallons or ¼ Bushel
Boll 6 Bushels also the name for a rounded seed vessel.

 

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