Empire style chest of drawers, mahogany veneer on pine or poplar. Four drawers, each with two pressed glass pulls & keyhole and each with bookmatched veneer of highly figured mahogany. The top drawer overhangs lower drawers and has a curved front (top-to-bottom), while the three lower drawers have flat fronts. Freestanding ionic columns flank drawers with carved plinths. Sunken panel construction at sides. Two extensively carved paw feet in front; two ball feet in back.
In April 1982, the entire case was disassembled and discovered to be signed and dated by Markley, behind the left front stile above the column. (Not seen in 2011. Inscription appears on top of thick drawer divider supporting top drawer.) Also stamped by maker within oval on upper surface of top drawer bottom: "J.F. MARKLEY/ CABINETMAKER/ Locust Street/ COLUMBIA."
According to file, the 1830-1846 Columbia Borough tax records list Markley variously as a doctor, cabinetmaker, contractor or gent.
See also a gentleman's dressing table with mirror, P00.39.01.
Piece of veneer 1.5" x 0.5" is missing from top right above drawer. Small spots and scratches overall, and two large cracks on top: one near front right corner, and one at rear center, partially filled in. The left pull on the second drawer up from the bottom is split in half; held in place with string windings.
Two toes on the right front foot were pieced and recarved by Joseph Molz of Lancaster City. Some veneer was also pieced.
Object ID
P.77.02
Notes
More info in file. There was a discrepancy in the research with two different Jacob Markleys. It appears that the maker of this chest of drawers was Jacob Fry Markley (1800-1854), born in boro of Strasburg to parents Jacob Markley, Sr. (1765-1829) and Barbara Fry Markley. Jacob Sr. was also a cabinetmaker.
Son Jacob is listed with different occupations over the years. He was living in Columbia in 1830 and possibly as late as 1841. He moved to Spring Grove, Philadelphia County by 1850 and is listed as a druggist in the 1850 Census with wife Ann & 5 children. "JACOB F. MARKLEY M.D." is on his tombstone in the Hatboro Cemetery. Thus Jacob Markley claimed to be a cabinetmaker, druggist and doctor (Doctor is perhaps what he called a pharmacist).
Place of Origin
Columbia
Role
Cabinetmaker
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Coll
Some fringing along bottom edge as well as top on reverse side.
Object ID
1943.017.9
Notes
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Fraying at top. Fold line where ribbon was fold over to the back.
Object ID
1943.017.12
Notes
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Some spots near bottom (cneter and to right). Soiled top edge/fold.
Object ID
1943.017.13
Notes
Miss Evans was one of the original members of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution which was organized in Washington Oct. 11, 1890. (Lancaster New Era, Sat., May 8, 1943.
Miss Evans was a member of the D.A.R. having instituted the Donegal Chapter of Lancaster and the Witness Tree Chapter of Columbia and Marietta. She was No. 1 in the Pennsylvania Association and No. 41 in the Nation Association having joined the latter as a young girl. (Intelligencer Journal, Wed., May 5, 1943)
Voting box, nailed butt joint construction, pine, original varnish finish, in gold lettering, "Post 118 / GAR / Swamp Angel" Box fitted with bracket to hold miniature wooden cannon barrel with original gold paint decoration, Canon swivels on bracket and has an extension that acts as a stopper for the hole where balls are placed into drawer to vote.
Leather fire bucket . Painted black banner with yellow letters: "Farmer's Bank." has foliate designs on both ends of banner. "No. 9" is painted below banner in black. Stitched leather construction. Metal D rings and leather loops attach 1in wide leather handle and bucket. Tag found inside bucket: "Water Bucket of C W Richenbach Property of Union No 1". Tag is for 1931 Union Fire Company annual dinner. Tag is now in object file.
Set of dark wooden candlesticks. "These candlesticks Mr. William Mellor who was then superintendent of the Thaddeus Stevens Industrial School Lanc. Pa. - Presented to Judge Charles I. Landis March 4, 1921 ["I give both to the Lancaster Historical Society J(?) Landis"] The Mahoganey is from handrail of stairs in home of The Honorable Thaddeus Stevens ["4th"] South Queen St.
