Upholstered wingback commode chair has four turned Sheraton legs. Has replacement of original soiled handsewn homespun linen (remnants in this file), now an orange fabric with potted and vining flower design. Solid pinewood seat under cushion has center hole with fitted removable wooden disc.
This chair was from the Pownall home at Gap, where it was used by Dickinson Gorsuch, Maryland slaveholder, during his recovery from wounds sustained during the Christiana Riot of Sept. 11, 1851. His father and two others were killed during the skirmish at the home of freedman William Parker, and Dickinson was transported to the Pownall home for recovery. William Parker later published his story in the "Atlantic Monthly" in 1866, making it highly publicized.
This incident "is an important example of the struggle over the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and the escalating tension between the North and the South. This act gave slave owners broad powers to recapture runaway slaves". (ExplorePAhistory.com)
Polaroid photos of chair before re-upholstery, in file.
Likely Lancaster or Chester Co.
Provenance
Provenance: Chair owned by the Pownall family & given in 1973 to the Lancaster County Historical Society by Mrs. Levi Pownall of Lancashire Hall (569-7279).
It was initially loaned to the Heritage Center (# L.77.9 and # 161.64.80) but soon donated to HCLC. Board minutes of Dec. 8, 1975 include Richard F. Smith's Museum Committee report noting a donation of a "Sheraton armed wing chair commode, used by the Pownall home in nursing Dickinson Gorsuch following Christiana Riot in 1851." Later unsigned note (Bruce Shoemaker?) states John Aungst of LCHS was consulted & chair was removed 11/9/84 from list on LCHS loan form, settling an apparent question of ownership.
Button from the 1941 Lancaster County Firemen's Day. White button with photo reproduction of fire truck in front of "Christiana Fire Co." building. Below the fire: "built 1857." Above photo in back letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Day." Below: "June 7, 1941 Christiana, PA." Half inch of half inch wide red ribbon holds a 1.375in long god colored metal fireman's helmet.
Button from the 1942 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with blue letters; " 22nd Annual Convention Lancster Co Firemen's Assn. East Petersburg Pennsylvania. June 6 ,1942" Red, white and blue ribbon.
Button from the 1943 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with red, white & clue US flag with 48 stars in center. Above: "Welcome Firemen" Below: "June 5, 1943 Columbia, PA." Half inch wide red ribbon hangs .625 in below, holding a 1.375 in long gold colored metal fireman's helmet.
Button from the 1948 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Button with image of firetruck and text: "Reamstown, PA. June 5th 1948." Attached ribbon also has text: "Welcome the 28th Annual Convention of hte lancasterCo Firemen's Association"
Delegate badge for the Lancaster County FIremen's Convention. Red heavy paper badge (1.24in x 2.375in) with safety pin on back and white insert card typed "Christ Koehler Delegate -- State Assoc." 1943" written in blue ink. On 1.5in wide purple ribbon in gold letters: "23rd Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Delegate June 1943 Columbia, PA.
Delegate badge of the Lancaster County Firemen's Convention, 1942. Gold colored metal badge (2.25in x .75in) with white insert card with typed "Christ Koehler." On purple ribbon in gold letters: "22nd Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Delegate June6, 1942 East Petersburg, PA."
Delegate badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Gold colored metal badge (2.25in x .75in) with white insert card, typed "Christ Koehler Lititz, Pa." On 1.625in wide purple ribbon in gold letters:"Lancaster County Firemen's Association 21st Annual Convention Delegate Christiana, PA. June 7, 1941"
Delegate badge for the 1940 Lancaster County Firemen's Association. Gold colored metal badge (2.25in x .75in) with white insert card, tyoed: "Christ Koehler Lititz Fire Co." On 1.5in wide purple ribbon in gold letters: "20th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. Delegate June 1, 1940 Marietta, PA." Buttonpinned to ribbon, gold with blue writing: "100th Anniversary Pioneer Fire Co., No. 1 Marietta, Pa. 1940"
Leather multi-compartment Wallet. Some remnants of a red printed logo on interior flap. Contained the Civil War discharge papers of William Sweigart, Private, 195th Regiment.
One of two. Badge from teh Lebanon County FIremen's Association convention. Metal button with attached straight pin on ack and 1.5in wide x 3.5in long light blue ribbon attached: "25th Lebanon County Firemen's Association Convention June 21, 1947." On face of button on white background with ablue border is a picture of a fire engine and "Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 Schaefferstown."
Two of two. Badge from teh Lebanon County FIremen's Association convention. Metal button with attached straight pin on ack and 1.5in wide x 3.5in long light blue ribbon attached: "25th Lebanon County Firemen's Association Convention June 21, 1947." On face of button on white background with a blue border is a picture of a fire engine and "Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 Schaefferstown."
Ribbon from the 10th reunion of the veterans of the 45th Pa. Volunteers held at State College, PA on 26 September 1919. Likely attended by Blanton C. Welsh.
Provenance
Provenance: Passed down through the family, Blanton Charles Welsh to Emilie Benson (Welsh) Wiggin to Nancy Jane (Wiggin) Townsend.
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This ribbon was in an envelope which contained item numbrs #24-#31.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Red button in center of pleated red, white and blue striped ribbon. Pin on back. Red and blue ribbons hang from pin. Gold lettering: " Volunteer / Hostess Committee " on red ribbon. "Republican / National Convention / 1948" on blue ribbon. Made by Phila. Badge Co., 1007 Filbert St., Phila. PA. Buttons, Emblems, Badges.
Blue ribbon held by gold-colored metal pin with profile of Lincoln in oval at top. "Alternate/ 1948" with bunting below. Ribbon is looped to hold a metal medallion with eagle on top of "Philadelphia." Liberty bell is centered below with "Republican National Convention" surrounding it.
Two very small pocket knives, each with one folding blade and clad with riveted ivory-colored plastic. Hanging ring at end of each.
Smaller knife has metal diamond decorating one side. Larger knife printed in black with "Surety Bonds / Casualty Insurance" on one side and "U. S. F. & G./ Baltimore, Md." on opposite side.
Green suede leather coin purse with machine-stitched seams on both sides. Flap folds down and closes with a silver snap and silver bead loops along edges.
Black knitted purse with vertical bands of clear beading, narrowing toward top where there are two horizontal strips of beading. Silver--colored metal frame with design of swirls. Bud-shaped clasps snap to open or close. Chain-link hand strap. Fabric lining is turquoise blue.
