Pieced quilt of silks, cotton batting, glazed cotton back, cut in 2 halves, made by Quaker Deborah Simmons Coates, wife of Lindley Coates (1794-1856). Has 19 horizontal bands of dress silks (many produced by Harmonist Community) in alternating triangles arranged in Birds in the Air or Flying Geese pattern using the template method. Large triangles of varying patterns alternate with large triangles with 3 smaller appliqued triangles of contrasting patterns. Colors are browns, tans, beiges, electric and royal blue, peach and green. Each quilt half has a green silk binding on the three outside edges, and tan silk on the inner vertical cut edge. Quilting patterns are clamshell, diamond, cross in a square and diagonals.
At quilt center is a cream-colored triangle with an abolitionist stamp depicting a kneeling enslaved Black male in chains over the words: "Deliver me from the oppression/ of man." This stamped triangle was cut in two when quilt was divided; image now hidden by modern binding. According to Cuesta Benberry research, this image of a kneeling enslaved person originated with the English ceramic firm of Wedgwood in the late 1700s. See items 08.242 and 42.76.11 in the collectiosn of Metropolitan Museum of Art for seals with a similar motif. The Wedgwood family were ardent abolitionists, decorating various ceramics with this image, resulting in its rapid adoption by American anti-slavery groups. Used in many forms and media over the years, it remains the logo of the still-existing Pennsylvania Abolition Society and appears on organization's official publications.
Lindley and Deborah Coates, of West Grove, Chester Co., married there on 12/16/1819 but lived near Christiana in Sadsbury Twp., Lancaster Co. They attended Sadsbury Friends Meeting House near Christiana. Ardent abolitionists, their home was what is now designated station #5 on the Underground Railway. Lindley became President of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1840, before William Lloyd Garrison. Deborah Coates became a Hicksite Quaker minister according to historian Beverly Wilson Palmer. Hicksites were the more radical Quakers, named after leader Elias Hicks.
Provenance
Quilt passed to son Simmons (1821-1862) & wife Emeline Jackson. (Deborah Coates lived w/ widow Emeline on her Chester Co. farm (Evergreen Hall in West Grove) for many years following Simmon's 1862 death. See census records). Descent to their daughter Elizabeth Jackson Coates who married Marriott Brosius, U.S. congressman from Lancaster. The quilt was then divided between their two daughters, donor's maternal grandmother Graceanna Brosius Biddle and her sister Gertrude Coho Reinhartson. The two halves were then reunited when given to donor, Marjorie Ayars Laidman. Deborah S. Coates was donor's great great great grandmother.
Overall good condition. Two halves of quilt (with recent inside binding on cut edges) are "mounted" on cotton muslin, side-by-side. Silks show significant deterioration -- cracking, splitting and abrasion -- with some losses. Binding also has deterioration with some losses. (See 1985-86 condition report by conservator Linnea Davis.)
Documented in Quilt Harvest #448-B (records in Archives).
Object ID
G.86.05
Place of Origin
Sadsbury Twp.
Credit
Gift of Marjorie A. Laidman, Heritage Center Collection
Black beaded purse of rectangular shape. A black silk band trims the mouth at top, enclosing the black twill-weave cotton tape drawstrings. Main body of bag has black beads mounted on a crocheted tan cotton mesh grid through which the off-white muslin interior lining is visible. Fringe at bottom has beaded openwork ending with intertwining loops.
Crocheted black cotton Miser Purse with single crochet pattern throughout. Sock-like form has one round end and the other a squared off opening that is stitched closed. All but center section of purse is decorated with rows of steel beeds incorporated during crocheting. Elongated hole in side provides access for coins and is safeguarded by two encircling, sliding rings of steel with a pierced pattern, 3/8" wide . Both ends of purse decorated with teardrop shapes suspended from small rings, similar to charm bracelet jewelry. Single cluster at round end and attached singly along with disks at blunt end, like a fringe.
Large rectangualr rosewood veneer box with hinged lid and pressed metal oval-shaped handle centered on lid. The underside of the lid has a mirror that is hinged with a top swinging catch that comes down to convert it to a writing surface. Several separate velvet-lined compartments of varying size comprise the inside of the box. There is cock-bead molding around lower edge of lid and the keyhole is centered just below the front lip of the lid; on the short end of the oblong chest is a 2 inch high wide drawer with a keyhole and lined with velvet.
Cane made of maple owned by James Buchanan. Long, tapered with tip and 2-part handle of ivory. Handle grip is in the shape of a lily or trumpet flower. Lower section is elaborately carved w/ high-relief eagle on a background of leaves, stars and banner w/ "E PLURIBUS UNUM". Inscribed in black on side of handle in script is "James Buchanan / from E.C.L." Believed to be gift of Elizabeth Chapman Lawrence, friend of Buchanan and Harriet Lane.
Provenance
Descent from Buchanan to James B. Lane, grand nephew, then to donor's husband, grandson of J. B. Lane.
Cracks in handle and separation. Stains on wood. Ivory tip scarred.
Object ID
W.89.58
Notes
The cane was owned by James Buchanan and at his death given to James B. Lane, his grand nephew. It was passed down to the donors husband as grandson of James B. Lane.
Political ribbon. Off-white silk framed ribbon, black printing with detailed bust of James Buchanan with his signature below. Maker's mark on ribbon '[Daguerreotype by Brody' 'Engraved by J.C. But[tre]'
Walking cane used by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens late in life. Made of a tree branch with irregularities and smoothed knots; unusual wood with pronounced grain. Grip end curves into a burled knob. Glossy finish.
Silver cap on tip of grip is engraved: "This cane / was the property / of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens / during his latter days. / Presented to H.A. Zug, 1868." Bottom end wrapped with a 1.25" wide brass collar and an iron tip.
Provenance
Zug's relationship to Stevens is unknown. Henry A. Zug (22 Aug 1825 - 22 Apr 1890) married Fannie Hershey (5 Jul 1819 - ??) on 19 Nov 1844. Resided in Lancaster City.
In 1871 Henry Zug was a pharmaceutist at 44 E. Chestnut.
In 1873-74 Zug was a custom house inspector at 41 W. Orange St.
1880 Census says Zug was a "dealer in produce".
Death ceritificate of 1890 notes occupation as "druggist supplies".
His daughter, donor Lola Zug (9 Dec 1861 - 28 Jul 1952), was unmarried and a teacher in city.
Traveling trunk. Large chest-shaped with metal sheet strips at corners. Studded wooden bands at front, back, and top over canvas-covered wood. Two metal catches on lid, remains of leather strap. Lid is rounded. Exterior has remnants of travel destination stickers and one end cap has Henry Elliot Johnston's initials stenciled 'HEJ'.
