Fireman's hat - 1820. Decorative border in relief around brim. decorative impressions in leather forming the helmet. Emblem impressed on underside of back of hat "Wilson maker _ _ BOWERY." Of eight vertical ridges on the helmet, four ridges, painted gold, widen to .5" high at the top. An eagle neck and head of gold colored metal has been attached to the front ridge with two metal pins or nails. The eagle has detailed feathers and a berry in its beak. "1820" in red and gold is painted on top of rear brim.
3/4 profile bust portrait of "James Sproul of Octoraro . 1781 -1847 ." Subject's face towards viewer. See notes for additional information regarding date of gift and donor.
According to the "Papers Read Before the Lancaster County Historical Society, February 1, 1907, Minutes of the February meeting:
The following donations to the Society were announced by the Librarian: A large frame photograph of James Sproul, once a prominent citizen and iron master on the Octoraro Creek, below Christiana, donated by his grandson, Hon. W. C. Sproul, of Chester Pa.
The presentation of the Sproul portrait was made by Dr. J. W. Houston, who accompanied it by an address of considerable length, in which the career of Dr. Sproul was sketched, showing him to have been a man of mark in the earlier period of the county's history.
William Cameron Sproul (September 16, 1870 – March 21, 1928) was the 27th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1919 to 1923. He also served as a state senator from 1896 until his election as governor in 1919.
Image of Trinity Lutheran Church. 1800's. New brick facade, wrought iron grate/fence surrounding building's sides. Steeple now integrated with building's face.
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."
