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.
Volunteer badge for the 2015 US Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club. White plastic badge with grey stripe on left side, offset logo of US Women's Open at top left of white portion. In black text is printed at the bottom center "Volunteer/Spectator Services," a barcode and the number "0770000." The USGA name and logo are at the bottom right. In the grey portion "Volunteer Headquarters" printed on left (with top of text to the left) and "V" is printed in the top left corner. "Beth" written in black ink at the center. Attached to a blue lanyard with white logos of USGA and 2015 US Women's Open.
Volunteer badge for the 2015 US Women's Open at the Lancaster Country Club. White plastic badge with grey stripe on left side, offset logo of US Women's Open at top left of white portion. In black text is printed at the bottom center "Volunteer/Spectator Services," a barcode and the number "0770000." The USGA name and logo are at the bottom right. In the grey portion "Volunteer Headquarters" printed on left (with top of text to the left) and "V" is printed in the top left corner. "Rick" written in black ink at the center. Attached to a blue lanyard with white logos of USGA and 2015 US Women's Open.
Pin from the US Women's Open held at Lancaster Country Club June 2015. White metal circular pin with green lettering. 2015 US Women's Open, Lancaster C C around outside, black and yellow borders. In center logo of Lancaster CC, L flanked by smaller Cs in script.
Dinner napkin from 2015 US Women's Open held at Lancaster Country Club. Disposable felted fiber napkin with logo of 2015 US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club.
