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 1943 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with red, white & clue US flag with 48 stars in center. Above: "Welcome Firemen" Below: "June 5, 1943 Columbia, PA." Half inch wide red ribbon hangs .625 in below, holding a 1.375 in long gold colored metal fireman's helmet.
Button from the 1948 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Button with image of firetruck and text: "Reamstown, PA. June 5th 1948." Attached ribbon also has text: "Welcome the 28th Annual Convention of hte lancasterCo Firemen's Association"
One of two. Button from the 1956 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. In black print of button: "200th Anniversary Birthplace of the Pretzel 1756 1956 Lititz, PA" 1.625in w x 4.75in L red, white and blue ribbon: "36th Annual Lancster County Firemen's Ass'n Convention June 2, 1956 Lititz, Pa." A brown rubbery pretzel (2.375in x 2.25in) us attached to the button with a red string.
Two of two. Button from the 1956 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. In black print of button: "200th Anniversary Birthplace of the Pretzel 1756 1956 Lititz, PA" 1.625in w x 4.75in L red, white and blue ribbon: "36th Annual Lancster County Firemen's Ass'n Convention June 2, 1956 Lititz, Pa." A brown rubbery pretzel (2.375in x 2.25in) us attached to the button with a red string.
Button from the 1967 Lancaster County Firemen's Convention. Emblem for Quarryville fire Company 1 in center with "Q F C 1" on it. In white letters on red background: "Quarryville Fire Co. June 3 1967 Quarryville, PA." On red ribbon (1.625in w x 4.875in L) in silver letters: 47th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. Quarryville, PA."
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."
Button from the 1981 Lancaster County Fireman's Association. Rectangular metal badge/button, white background with fire station in black and red. To right of building is a erd flag, a bell and sign reading: "Friendship Fire Co. No1." in red. Along the top of buttonin black letters: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc." Below structure: "Mount Joy, Pa." on 1.5in wide red ribbon, in white letters: "61st Annual Convention Lancaster COunty Firemena's Association June 6, 1981." In circle below: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc. Mount Joy, Pennsylvania." In center is a #1 with "Since [date]" below.
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."
