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 1977 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Tan and black keystone with a white #1 in center of keystone. "Keystone Hook and Ladder Co." around edge. A 1.625in black ribbon hangs 3.5in below the button. in gold letters on ribbon: "57th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. June 4, 1977 Columbia, PA."
Gold colored metal badge (2in x .75in) with white insert card, typed: "Christ B. Koehler" "1971" written in ink. on a 1.625in wide yellow ribbon in blue letters: "Delegate 51st Convention 50th Anniversay Lancaster County Fireman's Association Manheim, Penna"
Delegate badge from the 1970 Lancaster County Firemen's Convetion. Gold colored metal badge (2.125in x .75in) with white insert card, typed: "C.B. Koehler" "1970" written in pen. On 1.5 in wide yellow ribbon in black letters: "Delegate 50th Anniversary Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association June 6, 1970 Denver, Penna."
white button with "BOOSTER" in red letters. on 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "53rd Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 2, 1973 Mount Joy, PA."
Delegate badge from the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association 1974 Convention. White Button with "Willow Street Fire Co. 1974" printed around the edge in blue letter. Central circle in gold depicts frie regalia and equipment. On 1.625in wide yellow ribbon in blue letters: "54th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 1, 1974 Willow Street, PA."
One of two. button of the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association Convention. green button with balck letters : "L. C. F. A. 1975" around edge. In center is 8 sided "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso Inc." logo. On 1.625in wide green ribbon in black letters: "55th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 7, 1975 Vo-Tech Willow Street, PA."
Two of two. button of the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association Convention. green button with balck letters : "L. C. F. A. 1975" around edge. In center is 8 sided "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso Inc." logo. On 1.625in wide green ribbon in black letters: "55th Annual Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention June 7, 1975 Vo-Tech Willow Street, PA."
One of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with green letters: " Friendship Fire Co. No. 1 Florin Fire Co. Inc" around edge. Inner circle reads "Good Ship Mount Joy, Mount Joy, PA." Ship pictured in center between "June2" and "1973" On 1.725in wide green ribbon in white letters: "53rd Annual Lancsater County Firemen's Association Convention June 2, 1973 Mount Joy, PA."
Two of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with green letters: " Friendship Fire Co. No. 1 Florin Fire Co. Inc" around edge. Inner circle reads "Good Ship Mount Joy, Mount Joy, PA." Ship pictured in center between "June2" and "1973" On 1.725in wide green ribbon in white letters: "53rd Annual Lancsater County Firemen's Association Convention June 2, 1973 Mount Joy, PA."
