Flat tin 6-pointed star pattern or template with1/2" diameter hole at center. Used for creating raised, sculpted plushwork (see Amish Arts by Patricia Herr, pp. 44-55).
Walnut Chippendale style bookcase on desk. Bookcase has broken arch pediment with carved scrolls terminating in12-petal rosettes, large flame finials at corners and a carved stylized shell at center. Scrollboard has graceful symmetrical vine carved in relief on nearly smooth ground (usually punched ground). Below are two flat-paneled doors with brass escutcheons; right door has keyhole. Interior shelves. Inset fluted quarter columns.
Lancaster County, certainly Lancaster Borough
Fall-front desk sits on 4 ogee-bracket feet. 4 graduated, thumbmolded drawers, each w/ replacement bail brasses and an oval brass keyhole escutcheon. Inset fluted quarter columns w/ unexpected small volutes carved above capitals. Two wooden slide supports flank top drawer. Replaced fall-front door fitted w/ a brass keyhole escutcheon with swiveling cover. Interior has a central prospect door with shell and leaf carving, opening to two pigeonholes over two drawers. Door is flanked by manuscript drawers faced with baseball bat-shaped carving. On each side are groups of four valanced pigeonholes over four drawers fitted with small bail-type brass pulls. Pencilled inscription on underside of top right interior drawer has "Adam Bare, sheriff," (also dated 1846?). Adam Bare (1784-1877) apparently owned the desk. He was a Mennonite tavernkeeper near New Holland who became sheriff of Lancaster County from 1831-1833. Perhaps his father, John "Bear", was the original owner (he was an innkeeper at a hotel in Bareville, Upper Leacock Twp.).
Provenance
Found in 1938 by S.E. Dyke in a home being demolished on New Holland Ave. S.E. Dyke owned it until 1943, when he sold it to C.W. Lyons of New York City for $4,500. By 1970, it was owned by H.R. Sandor, who sold it to Mrs. Margaret A. Lucas of New York City for $24,500. At some point, General L.W.T. Waller of Meadowbrook, PA, owned the piece and sold it to Ronald A. DeSilva, Inc. of NYC, who sold it to the Heritage Center.
Underside of drawer has: "Adam Bare, sheriff," (also dated 1846?).
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Secretary
Oither Names
Desk and Bookcase
Material
Wood, Brass
Height (in)
96
Width (in)
42
Depth (in)
23
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2014-08-27
Condition Notes
Extensive restoration (done by unknown person apparently when first obtained by Sam Dyke). Early photo shows damage/losses and restoration: replacement of left scroll and rosette and portion of right rosette; missing fall-front, 3 interior drawers and finials; both front feet damaged (bottom half of left foot missing and right foot cracked); missing right volute, damaged drawers, overall badly scarred with extensive loss of finish, etc.
Above repaired/replaced. There are two significant cracks on the writing surface: one 5" long at right and one 7 1/2" long at left. 1/4" gouge on right side of bookcase. Long horizontal crack across tympanum and one under shell "finial". Long vertical crack a both sides of desk. Repaired vertical crack in right door panel, repairs to both doors' top edges, both escutcheons replaced and holes plugged. Dark stains on inner writing surface.
Left diagonal edge of desk accidentally damaged while at museum in 1984 (see envelope w/ snapshots). Restored by Alan Miller.
Object ID
P.77.34
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Oil on canvas painting of Chickee's Rock and the Susquehanna River, depicting several modes of transportation. The left side is dominated by Chickee's Rock, with the Samuel S. Haldeman mansion (demolished 1911) at its base. The Susquehanna Canal runs along the base of the cliff, with a canal boat on it. A dirt road runs from bottom center off to the left with an oxcart hauling multiple sacks and driven by a man in a hat.
The river appears in the lower right quadrant. A man in a rowboat is rowing across the river and the covered bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville is in the far distance.
Mounted in a gold-painted modern frame (not original). Painting is signed "F. deB. Richards / 184[0 or 6]" on a rock at bottom right. A plaque attached to the bottom center of the frame reads "VIEW OF CHICKEE ROCKS / SUSQUEHANNA RIVER / by F. de B. Richards - 1840".
A red-bordered paper sticker attached to upper left of stretcher reads: "209 F. de B. Richards/ 1840 VIEW OF CHICKEE Rocks/ SUSQUEHANNA RIVER/ CANVAS/ 35 x 47 $3,500" The back of the canvas originally had the inscription: "View of Chickee Rocks/ Susquehanna River Painted by F deB Richards/ Wilmington/ 1840" This has since been covered up or replaced.
According to vendor, "Before 1856 (Richards) exhibited chiefly PA views" and was a landscape painter in NYC 1844-45 and in Phila. 1848-66.
Born in Wilmington, DE in 1822, Richards would have been 18 years old if he executed this painting in 1840. The Oxford Gallery notes that "By 1840, he was perfecting his skills as an artist as a student."
Provenance
Harry Shaw Newman of the Old Print Shop bought the painting from dealer Charlotte Sittig of Delaware, PA. She had purchased it at an antiques show at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, DE, in the early 1970s.
Crazed paint throughout. A grouping of small stains/marks in upper right, about 8" down from top and 13" from right. Frame has some nicks and paint loss along the edges.
Painting was cleaned, revarnished and relined in the early 1970s.
Object ID
P.79.097.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Hepplewhite blanket chest of walnut with dovetail construction. Hinged lid with centered inlaid eagle in flight and applied molding on three sides. Eagle is heavy in form, without shields, banners or stars. Front and sides undecorated except for hollow corner rectanglular cartouches of string inlay; one on each side and two on front.
Two drawers below the mid-line molding have the same inlay rectangles as well as bail handles and oval lock escutcheons. The left drawer has a "1" on the bottom in red chalk and an illegible pencil inscription. The right drawer has a "2" in the same place and in red chalk. Applied base molding and supported by French feet.
Cannot open chest due to missing key. John Snyder reports that "Fianna Bitzer" is written on the inside of the chest lid. She was born in 1861, the daughter of Martin and Annie Royer Bitzer of Ephrata Twp. Although Bitzer was a later owner, Snyder believes that the chest was originally in the Bitzer or Royer families.
Note: John Snyder states that there is a small group of Lancaster County chests and a desk with eagle inlays like this one. This is the best documented piece of the group.
Northern Lancaster County, likely Ephrata area
Provenance
Chest was purchased by John Snyder from Greg Kramer at the York Antiques Show in May 1993. Kramer had just purchased it at Alderfer Auction Co. May 20, 1993. Snyder then sold it to his mother Evelyn Snyder who donated it to the museum.
Has significant cracks, especially on front side where a midline crack extends entire length of chest. Front has inlay losses; in unstable condition; reglued in Jan. 1996 by Clifford Clayton, as well as repair to damaged feet. Dark stains and marring on lid with molding loss at front right. Water spots and worn finiah across lower section of front and feet. Strong wear overall. Old refinishing. Hardware appears to be replaced. No key for opening chest.
On 10/11, discovered extreme detaching of proper right front foot, partially on front left foot and minimally on back left. Reseated all nails but replaced one short rose-head nail at front section of proper right foot w/ modern box nail. It will not penetrate farther, however, and is not properly seated) Old nail placed in envelope in drawer.
Object ID
G.94.19.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Evelyn R.G. Snyder, Heritage Center Collection
Two-piece corner cupboard, white pine, painted with brown glaze over yellow (possibly a mid-19th century repainting). Bold cornice over a band of thin reeding in staggered blocks on fascia. Pilasters of thin reeding flank door sections. Upper section has large door with 12 lights (7.5" x 6.5") of old glass, hand-cut tin lock escutcheon and latch with brass pendant ring handle. with; staggered fluting on fascia. The bottom section has bracket feet with below carved sunbursts. Double doors with triple-raised panels and latch with brass pendant ring handle. The interior is painted off-white, and has four shelves furnished with plate moldings along back.
Pencil inscriptions at top inside rail of each bottom door. Left door appears to have "John Rentschler" or similar name, likely an owner. Rentschler name is found in Berks County in mid-19th c.
Lancaster County, possibly Strasburg area
Provenance
Purchased from Park Edwards at a Strasburg, PA sale in April, 1969. It was then purchased from a Walter Himmelreich sale in October, 1971 by Harry Hartman Antiques. Purchased by Museum Sept. 1979.
Scattered losses overall, with chipping and gouges. Evidence of most wear and damage is at cornice, mid-line molding and feet. Existing finish likely a late 19th c. repaint. Strong paint losses on molding at base of upper section. Large area of wood loss in lower left door adjacent to latch. Upper cupboard has wood losses along back edge of right side and reeding at fascia.
Object ID
P.79.101.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Lancaster Amish quilt is a Diamond in the Square pattern, c. 1900. The classic quilting patterns and subdued colors all suggest an early date. Consistency of elegant quilting (done in black) suggests a small number of very skilled quilters.
Top: Plain- and twill-weave wool. Turquoise diamond with purple triangles. Inner border is red and outer border is gray-tan. Purple binding; some pieced, is machine-sewn to front and whip-stitched to back.
Back: Blue-and-white plain-weave cotton chambray. Machine joined in 4 widths
Quilting: Black thread. Center Diamond has an 8-pointed star, double-lined, within two feather circles/wreaths. Cross-hatching fills corners and a scallop row is at outside edge. Triangles have cross-hatching. Inner border has pumpkin seed flowers within diamond geometric pattern. Outer border is filled with tightly scrolling feathers.
Provenance
Esprit purchased from the Holsteins for $9,000 on 6-12-86
Lancaster Amish quilt, Ninepatch pattern, machine assembled of many unusual fabrics, made for Mary Blank of Monterey by unknown quilter.
Top: plain- and twill-weave wool. Centerfield has a large-scale field of 9-patch blocks (8 1/2" square) in rows 4 by 4 set on point and divided by 3" wide sashing in various shades of purple and maroon squares. At sides are triangles of black/greens (note piecing). No inner border. Outer border of cranberry, 9" wide.
Back: golden brown sateen cotton of 3-4 very similar fabrics, machine-joined in various large and small panels.
Batting is a tan/gray wool.
Binding is dark brown, machine sewn, 1" wide.
Quilted by hand in unusual patterns with black thread: Centerfield blocks are quilted across the diagonals; sashing has single-line cable; dark side triangles have unusual basket motifs. Outer border has repeating fan quilting (also used on two other relatively early examples, quilts P.02.51.55 & 56).
Provenance
Purchased July 1982 from Penny Young of Lincoln Hwy. East, Gordonville, PA, for $4,500. Made for Mary Blank of Monterey in eastern Lancaster County.
Esprit mounted on wall of Susie Tompkins' office as of 1984.
Log Cabin quilt, Straight Furrow variation. Made of pieced cotton prints; over 30 different prints are used in the 30 blocks. The design creates diagonal "stripes" of alternating dark and light colors. Center square of all blocks is the same pink floral print. A 6" outer red print forms border and also binds edges, turned and stitched to back. Back is a dark brown print of circles on flecked ground.
Lancaster County or region.
Quilting is inexpertly hand stitched in white, running in straight lines down the center of each "log".
An "X" in the center square of each block.
Provenance
Unknown provenance. Donors were dealers and acquired this quilt as part of their personal collection.
Strip quilt, composed of alternating printed and all-white strips, 6 printed and 5 white. Print is an ombre blue ground with tan medallions edged with a scrolling foliate design and red roses within. Back is three joined pieces of white cotton. Back corner is stamped "KH06".
Quilting is done with an undulating feather on the white strips and a diamond pattern on the printed strips. Back wraps around to front to form the binding.
Stamped on the back of one corner is "KH06." Unknown meaning.
Inscription Type
Stamp
Object Name
Quilt
Material
Cotton
Height (in)
89
Width (in)
90
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-06-16
Condition Notes
Generally good with little wear. Most pronounced are about 30 dark stain spots sprinkled across front. Two liquid stains on back as well as a small 1/4" hole.
Object ID
G.03.26.02
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul A. Mueller, Jr., Heritage Center Collection
Quilt of hand pieced cottons in a pattern of nine blocks with a star variant, finely quilted. Nine large blocks in centerfield, each with a large radiating 8-point star composed of diamonds, done with a calico of white polka dots on blue ground. Sashing made with narrow diamonds. Sawtooth border. Cotton batting, now in clumps. Calico binding of white stars on blue, hand sewn to front, wrapped and hand stitched to back.
Hand quilted in white. Stars have concentric circles and white corner patches have feather wreath with a pinwheel center. Smaller white triangles around stars have diamond pattern.
Several brown stains on front. Back shows areas of stains and one brownish yellow acid-burned section (when folded). At least three areas of pieced back have 1-1.5" holes or deterioration. Binding is detaching, fraying and tearing at front, 20" from corner. A seam of binding at back is separating. Cotton batting is separated and clumped from laundering.
Object ID
G.84.05.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Henry J. Kauffman, Heritage Center Collection
Pieced block quilt uses plain white and various printed cottons. Interpreted as either blocks set on point or set straight. Made by a Quaker family.
Top can be viewed as 12 columns of 12 blocks, set straight, yielding 144 blocks. Within each block is a large (7 - 7 1/4") square of either printed fabric or white, set on point. Small triangles in corners match the fabric of the square. A variety of cotton prints are used.
Alternately, top can be viewed as smaller blocks set on point containing either white only or pieced triangles of 2 different prints.
White cotton back; narrow binding of printed cotton with anchors; cotton batting.
Quilting designs are concentric circles, tulip or other flower, asterisk, parallel lines, scallops, hearts, etc. Double-line stitching on the flowers.
Provenance
Donor believes quilt descended from her Quaker ancestors, the Stubbs. Donor's great-grandmother was Verlinda Lily Stubbs(1831-1912) born in the Stubbs Mansion in Fulton Twp. She came from a Quaker family but in 1851 she married Thomas Ross Neel of Drumore Twp., who was Presbyterian Scots-Irish. She was then reportedly disowned by Little Brittain Monthly Meeting for marrying a non-member. Verlinda was the mother of Charles Neel who was in turn the father of Thomas Ross Neel who was the father of donor.
Multiple brown stains scattered over surface; surface soil is pronounced over much of surface and especially evident on white fabric. Back also stained.
Extensive fabric and batting losses due to deterioration.
Object ID
S.20.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Paddle-shaped softwood fan is decorated with a carved/woodburned and pencil-scored line drawing of a woman's head in profile with the date "MAY First 1903" inscribed below neck. Adjacent to face in bold lettering is "YEATES". The woman has a comb or crest mounted on top of her pinned-up hairdo with the letter "Y". Opposite side of fan has pencil inscription that appears to read in part, "Alice Potter Fordney" and "Yeates School / Lancaster / Pa." (See Notes)
Unfinished wood is strongly darkened from oxidation and soil, with some liquid staining on both sides. Pencil inscription difficult to read.
Object ID
2002.617.6
Notes
The Yeates School was a boys preparatory school operated by the Episcopal Church. It was last located along the Lincoln Highway in East Lampeter Twp. at the site of the present-day Lancaster Mennonite School. The property and buildings has been abandoned by the time the Mennonites began to clean up and build on the site in 1942.
It is likely this is the same school that was called the Yeates Institute in the 19th century, as that school is described in Ellis and Evans' History of Lancaster County, pp. 227, 413, 468 and 484.
Page 227 - Catharine Yeates (1783-1866), unmarried daughter of Jasper Yeates, founded the Yeates Institute initially for the education of poor young men for the ministry.
Page 413 - The institute was incorporated Aug. 18, 1857 for "the education of young men in all the customary branches of a thorough academicl course of learning" as well as for "mercantile pursuits, for universities and higher colleges, and also for holy orders, if desired." It was endowed by Miss Yeates and governed by a board of 7 men including the rector of St. James parish. The school declined, but reopened Sept. 1, 1878 south of the Duke St. parish until a brick structure could be built at the NW corner of N. Duke and E. Walnut Sts. It had about 45 students circa 1883.
Page 468 Endowed through the influence of Episcopal Bishop Samuel Bowman.
Page 484 Rev. Theodore Hopkins served as pricipal of Yeates School.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Needle cleaner, painted cut velvet and paper, emery sand within. Rectangular box shape; sides slope in to smaller base. Padded top covered with yellow velvet decorated with painted green flowers. Sides and base covered with a glossy tan paper.
Laid paper label pasted onto bottom has handwritten inscription in ink: "Magdelena Andrews (Ressler) received this needel(sic) cleaner in 1825 when three years of age then in 1895 gave it to her granddaughter Clara Aument."
Compare similar needle cleaner 2002.004
Lancaster County, possibly Colerain Twp.
Provenance
Inscription indicates origin as a gift to 3-yr-old Magdalena Andrews (19 Sep 1822 - 24 Nov 1897), daughter of Joseph and Marie (Mary) Andrews. Magdalena married Martin Boehm Ressler, a farmer in Strasburg. Their daughter Annie married H. Elmer Aument and had a daughter Clara P. Aument (1892 - 1974), unmarried & a clerk in Lancaster City. The needle cleaner was given to granddaughter Clara in 1895, two years before Magdalena's death. Finally given to museum by unknown donor.
Wear, soil and fading overall. Small losses of velvet. Paper is cracked, soiled and worn.
Object ID
G.87.08
Notes
Andrews family were early settlers in Colerain Twp., including a Joseph Andrews - see Ellis & Evans pp. 728, 732, 733. Census 1810-1850 show a Joseph Andrews in Colerain Twp. The 1850 Census shows Joseph & Mary in Strasburg, living next to daughter Magdalena family (Martin Ressler).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Lathe-turned wooden tar bucket with fitted lid and remnants of leather straps. Cylindrical vessel has slight taper inward toward middle. Decorated with two double score marks below center. Above center are shoulders jutting outward with vertical holes through which straps of leather handle pass. Handle also passes through lid of conforming shape, although one strap broken off at shoulder while the other is broken off 3 inches above shoulder.Center hole in lid apparently accepted a now-missing stick used to apply tar to wheels. Broken-off 5-inch length of leather strap rests inside. Tar residue in bucket.
Lancaster County or region.
Provenance
Donor believes bucket descended from family members to his parents who displayed it on their mantle. Donor inherited it from parents.
Bunch of grapes, carved wood, gessoed and painted dark purple/blue with green leaves. Iron hanging ring attached at top; cluster hangs from a reproduction decorative hanger (see notes).
This bunch of grapes was said to have hung at the Grape Tavern (Sign of the Grapes) at 32-34 North Queen Street, Lancaster, most likely on the interior. This fragile object would not have stood up to outside weather. (Ellis & Evans, writing in 1883, state, "The wrought iron bunch of grapes now hanging in front of the hotel was made for, and used by, Adam Reigart.")
The Grape tavern was built in 1741 by John Harris, then sold at sherrif's sale to Adam Reigart, Sr. in 1769. He ran it from 1769 to March 3, 1794, when John Michael took over ownership. During his ownership, the tavern began its most opulent elegance as well as being called by various names including The Grape, Conestoga Waggon (sic) and Michael's Hotel. He ran it until May 5, 1821, when it was purchased by his son John Michael, Jr. who kept it until 1839, restoring the original name. According to Ellis & Evans, John Michael, Jr. moved the tavern, with the "old familiar sign" to the adjoining lot in 1839. It was then known by the original name as well as Michael House.
Provenance
Once owned by W.U. Hensel (1851-1911) who lived at the historic "Bleak House" near Kinzer, where it hung on the porch. He had a collection of early Lancaster signs.
Pictured on frontispiece of booklet of Hensel's address in 1912 on "Jacob Eichholtz, Painter." The grape sign was sold at the estate sale (March 1947?) of Hensel's daughter Elizabeth Hensel Nauman and purchased for $320 by William Lebzelter of Lancaster City, whose family owned the American House which was successor to the Grape Tavern (Groff and Wolf Dept. Store at time of sale).
No record in file later than this other than the name of seller, Marian L. Schaffner. She was the wife of physician Meade D. Schaffner, on Columbia Ave.
Paint chipping in some spots; some wood loss at tips of some individual grapes. Iron hanging ring has minor rust spots. Minor losses of gesso repaired, gesso loss between grapes at bottom. Nail repairs. Repainted at some date prior to 1984; painted at least once before. Wood at top shows deterioration.
Object ID
P.77.72
Notes
Ellis & Evans, pp. 363, 394 1/2 and 395.
Multiple references in this file including newspaper articles.
Booklet entitled "Jacob Eichholtz, Painter", an address given by W.U. Hensel Nov. 22, 1912 (eve of portrait exhibit at Woolworth's)
Hanger is a reproduction scrolling wrought iron bar with eight small swirls along the top, and is attached to a heart-shaped iron mounting plate. Made by Thomas C. Moore of Glen Rock in January 1978, based on a drawing and painting by David McNeely Stauffer (P77.31.57 and P77.31.22).
Maker is unknown.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Usage
Grape Tavern
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collecti
Birth record on small piece of laid paper. Mounted in off-white window mat with 2 paper hinges at top. Outside border is 0.375" wide with dotted line zig-zags and small comma like motifs decorating remaining space. Some of lower border was cut off. Appears to be a partial page, cut from the same source as the pair of full-page Tschantz family record (2017.999.29) recording 4 births. It is certainly the same handwork & almost certainly pages removed from a Bible.
This entry for Abraham Tschantz consists of 7 lines of German text, fraktur style lettering, randomly alternating from red to black ink. Reads: "Anno 1750 auf Faustinus Tag, / d 15ten Febr. ist Abraham Tschantz, / gebohren im Zeichen des Schorpian. / Gedenck im allen, was du thust, dass / du nur Gott gefallen must, dies sey dein / gantzes Werck auf Erden, wen du wilst / Gottes Burger werden." (In the year 1750 on Faustinus Day, 15, Feb., Abraham Tschantz was born in the sign of Scorpio. Ponder in everything you do that you must only please God. Let this be your whole work on earth if you wish to be God's citizen.)
10th "Series" of Penna. Archives, Vol. 156, p. 423.
See related pages (2017.999.29) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded Tschantz births.
Height (cm)
13.0175
Height (ft)
0.4270833333
Height (in)
5.125
Width (cm)
18.415
Width (ft)
0.6041666667
Width (in)
7.25
Dimension Details
Matboard is H: 7" W: 9"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
0017-08-24
Condition Notes
Light darkened and embrittled/fragile. Edges are very ragged with losses and folded back paper. A 3 1/2 " long curved tear/break from bottom left to the word "Febr.". Bottom of page with border has been cut off.
Object ID
2017.999.20
Notes
Appraisal done by Pastor Fred Weiser on 2 Sept 1988. Marked fraktur #24 during this event.
See pair of related pages for birth entries of (2017.999.29) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded birth of Abraham.
Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822. Abraham died 26 May 1838.
Mounted Family Record on 2 pages of laid paper, almost certainly from a Bible, with entries for children of Abraham Tschantz (See his record by the same artist/scrivener as 2017.999.20). Page edges have a border decorated with dotted line zig zag motif with squiggles. In fraktur hand in German, the birth entries are listed under a heading "Verzeichnis" (record/list) on first page that translates "Register of my children when they were born." Lettering is done in either black or red ink.
Two births listed on first page are Jacob born 31 Dec 174(?) on St. Silvester's Day in the Sign of Aquarius. Next is Johannes born 29 Feb 1748 on St. Nestor's Day in the Sign of the Lion. Horizontal border under heading and also between birth entries. Each has a few religious lines exhorting them to follow Jesus.
Second page lists Barbara born 28 Jan 1754 on St. Charles Day in the Sign of the Ram, immediately followed by "In the year 1767 on Sept 4th the Lord took her from this world into eternity. Next entry is David born 17 Sept 1759 on St. Lambert's Day in the Sign of the Lion, but in the year 1767 on Aug 25 the Lord took him into eternity. Both children died within about 10 days of each other.
See related half page birth entry for father Abraham Tschantz (2017.999.20) executed by same scrivener/artist who recorded births of Tschantz children.
Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822. Abraham died 26 May 1838.
Height (cm)
30.48
Height (ft)
1
Height (in)
12
Width (cm)
17.78
Width (ft)
0.5833333333
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Mount is 16" x 20"
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2017-10-02
Condition Notes
Mounted together in double window. Pages are brown with age and have some small stains. All edges are battered with small tears, small-to-medium losses, and folds. Significant number of red letters have bled. Most edges of each page have cellophane type tape on back to stabilize.
Conservation needed.
Object ID
2017.999.29
Notes
Appraised by Rev. Fred Weiser 2 Sept 1988 as # 25. Valued at $800.
Abraham "Shannts", born 1750, is listed in Ten "Series" of "Pennsylvania Archives", Vol. 156, p. 423.
A Lancaster Menno. Hist. Society record states he is listed in the Hannes Eby Burial Record: death ca.26 May 1838 in Leacock, PA.
In 1810 Census, an Abraham Tschantz is listed with 9 household members in Warwick Twp.
LHO library's Family File for JOHNS family notes Abraham is buried near Mechanicsburg, Upper Leacock Twp., apparently along with his brothers Jacob (b. 1746) and Johannes (b. 1748). Reference is made to the Tschantz Family Bible in LHO collections which records Abraham Johns, born 15 Feb 1750 on fustinus day, sign of Scorpion. He married Maria, born 1 June 1757, died 6 Aug 1822.
Transcription & translation Oct 2017 by Elsbeth Steffensen.
Family register hand-lettered in black and red, with bronze/gold highlights, all within a frame-like band border filled with decoration including rosettes in corners. Executed for an Old Order Amish family by either John G. Doell or Elizabeth K. Beiler. In a modern frame.
Heading at top reads "The Family of / of [sic] my Father Noah Fisher / He was born on the 14th day of February, 1853 / and my Mother Catharine (Katie) Fisher. / She was born on the 28th day of January 1850." The register gives birthdates of the seven children. Toward bottom is the heading "Deaths" followed by 2 death dates, for Amos (1887) and a stillborn daughter (1894).
Near bottom reads "This was written on the 21st day of September in the Year 1901./for Emma Fisher". Roses drawn in bottom corners.
John Doell was "English" and appears to have worked exclusively among eastern Lancaster Co. Amish families, penning book plates, family records, etc. He likely traveled throughout the communities offering his services. Mennonite historian/collector, Amos Hoover, owner of Muddy Creek Farm Libray, notes that Doell came to America in 1857 and died in Zion's Home in 1908.
Doell's work is similar to Amish artist Elizabeth K. Beiler (see McCauleys' Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125.)
2009-2011 Amish exhibit, City Hall, 2nd floor.
Provenance
Provenance: Vendor Trish Herr purchased at the Mary H. Fisher sale held at the Paradise Fire Hall, April 19, 1989.
John G. Doell or Elizabeth K. Beiler (see notes in file)
Deep horizontal and vertical creases dividing the register approximately in quarters. Various small brown stains/marks appear overall; an especially dark stain in the upper left, 3 1/2" in from the corner.
Mounted in an off-white window mat and black, flat-profile frame with UV filtering glazing by Lancaster Galleries.
Object ID
P.89.07.4
Notes
See P 89.07.3 and .5 for additional registers of this family.
Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp.54 and 195-196. The fraktur hand of Elizabeth K. Beiler and John G. Doell are so similar that it can be difficult to attribute.
McCauley, Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Rectangular piece of brown wove paper has the manuscript name "Susie B Fisher" in upper half of page. The inked letters are water-colored with red, orange, and blue stripes, and the three upper case letters are decorated with a vining filigree of roses. A small bird hovers in flight above the first "S". Still visible are two horizontal lines penciled in by the artist to guide the size of his lower case lettering. Centered below the name, at mid-page, are two drooping red tulips.
Attributed to Elizabeth K. Beiler or John Doell who also penned the 1901 family register of Noah and Catharine (Katie) Fisher (P89.07.4). Their style is extremely similar and they were working in approx. the same period.
Also in this collection is a needlework family register (P89.07.3) done by Susie Fisher (assumed to be the subject of this fraktur).
John Doell was "English" and appears to have worked exclusively among eastern Lancaster Co. Amish families, penning book plates, family records, etc. He likely traveled throughout the communities offering his services. Mennonite historian/collector, Amos Hoover, owner of Muddy Creek Farm Libray, notes that Doell came to America in 1857 and died in Zion's Home in 1908.
Doell's work is similar to Amish artist Elizabeth K. Beiler (see McCauleys' Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125.)
2009-2011 Amish exhibit, City Hall, 2nd floor.
Provenance
Provenance: Vendor Trish Herr purchased at the Mary H. Fisher sale held at the Paradise Fire Hall, April 19, 1989.
John G. Doell or Elizabeth K. Beiler (see notes in file)
Darkened overall from acid burn and/or light. Smaller brown stains of varying size sprinkled over much of surface as well as lighter spots and blotches esp. at left side. Several tiny edge tears including one at right edge, about 7/8" up from bottom corner. 1/4" tear in right edge above center. 1/4" tear in bottom edge, 7/8" from left corner. Faint horizontal fold lines.
Object ID
P.89.07.5
Notes
See P 89.07.3 and .4 for family registers of Susie's family.
Earnest, Papers for Birth Dayes, pp.54 and 195-196. The fraktur hand of Elizabeth K. Beiler and John G. Doell are so similar that it can be difficult to attribute.
McCauley, Dec. Arts of the Amish of Lancaster Co., p. 125
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Broadside printed on white wove paper (now darkened) has bold title at top: "Haus-Segen." The smaller subtitle of two lines reads: "Das mogen meine Kinder lesen,/ Wenn ich in der Erde thu' verwesen." (Apparently "These words are something my children should desire to read when I am moldering in the grave".)
Within a variant of the Greek key border is the printed text, done in old German type. Underneath the two titles there are two columns of text, each with 28 lines. Text is a religious theme done in rhyming couplets. The name "David L. Beiler" is printed at bottom right. Beiler is most likely an Old Order Amish printer.
Broadside had been folded back along all four sides to make it fit a wooden frame (not original, since other screw holes indicate a previous use). Old acidic cardboard backing was originally used as a backing for an early 20th century photo of a group of firefighters dressed in full uniform with musical instruments, titled "Junior Fire Company -- Reading, PA." Photocopy of fire company in object file.
Provenance
Seller purchased broadside at Horst Auction, April 16, 2003, a sale of household goods consigned by Ruth E. Stoltzfus (Mrs. Morris A. Stoltzfus). There were a number of Amish items for sale that seller believes the family obviously had in storage for many years. Morris and Ruth Stoltzfus were far removed from Morris' Amish roots and would not have valued or displayed them. Mrs. Stoltzfus has since died (6-25-03). See obit. in object file.
Clarke Hess says David Luthy (Canada) would know who this David L. Beiler was. The 3 candidates in the Fisher book appear to all be too recent.
Darkened, some "bleached" damp-stained corners & edges, minor foxing. Embrittled and fragile; all edges folded over with resulting tears including nearly detached section at center left and upper left. Involved tear extends upward from bottom, 2" from bottom right corner. Another is 1" to left of upper right corner. Several interior tears at "Haus" and as well as several holes (near lower left corner and throughout lower right quadrant. Paper strip 1 1/4" wide pasted along upper edge at fold line. Acidic cardboard backing removed. Later conserved by Maria Pukownik (returned Feb.2004 - CD w/ photos in file). Then framed for 2006 Printed Word Exhibit.
Object ID
P.03.20.2
Notes
David Luthy is an Old Order Amish writer and editor for Pathway Publishers. (Their address: 10380 Carter Road, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R3). Clarke E. Hess suggests contacting him to learn the identity of David L. Beiler.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of V. Ronald Smith, Heritage Center Collection
