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.
Corn knife used by one of the Black resistors in the Christiana Riot on September 11, 1851. Wrought iron long curved blade of 19.5" is fitted into oak or ash turned handle rounded terminal end. Tang of blade extends through length of handle and protrudes at terminal where it is clinched.
The Christiana Resistance resulted from the efforts of a Maryland slave holder to claim fugitives hiding in the home of Willam Parker, a free black man living in Chritiana, PA. This corn knife was used by one of the black resistors during this confict. The bloody confrontation, occurring in September of 1851, resulted in the death of Edward Gorsuch, the slaveholder, and the escape of William Parker and the fugitive slaves to freedom in Canada.
Metal Wilton Armetale plate with "Lancaster County Bicentennial Corp. 1776 Hands of Liberty 1976" around the center design of hands. Made by Wilton, Columbia, PA
"Col. Thompson's Battalion of Pennsylvania Riflemen" commemorative plate. In center, around rifleman:" Edward Hand, Lieutenant Colonel; Captains James Ross, Lancaster; Robert Cluggage, Bedford; Michael Doudle, York; George Nagel, Berks; James Chambers, Cumberland; John Lowdon, Northumberland; William Hendricks, Cumberland; Abraham Miller, Northampton; Matthew Smith, Lancaster. Lancaster County 1775-1975"
On back, 2 "RWP" seals; + 2 additional seals in ovals. "U.S.A." impressed twice.
13 stems/lengths of broom corn: smooth stems with straw (14-15" long) at ends. Cord string through some of the stems. Whiter string wrapped around the outside of the bundle of 13 with older string and descriptive card tied on. In black ink, handwritten, the card reads:
(Side 1)"Lancaster, Penna./October 31, 1961/ This broom corn was left over from the sale of George F. G. Erisman (Doll Hospital) belongings of (February 23, 1863 birth) And belonged to his great grandfather John Erisman Sr. born March 20,1765 died April 9, 1853; after he was retired from his carpender (sic) trade, grew broom corn in his back lot #315 West Orange St. and made brooms complete. (over)
Side 2: "That would make this broom corn about 150 years old. Presented to the Lancaster county/ Historical Society./By Martin Garfield Kreider/Lancaster/Panna."
One of two deep silver plated round coasters with deep sides. Top edge flared and molded bottom. Turned wood surface inside. Bottom ouside has inner cirlce of green woolen fabric. Wooden bottom is lacquered.
Rectangular tray. White porcelain with gold trim, raised pink tray with support openings for a white ink well and a white pounce sander. Scalloped edges form handles on both ends of the raised tray and continues along the oblong tray that held pens. Scalloped edges feature gilded edges on white background bordered by a wide cobalt blue band gilt floral decor. The center of the pen tray is white with a pink, blue and white flower motif.
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan (brother)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt (daughter/JB niece)
To Edward Buchanan Cassatt (son/JB great nephew)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt Thayer (daughter/JB great, great niece)
