Plaque, rectangular, with 'Buchanan' inscribed and bowed. Molded fruit, woman's head wearing headdress. Rounded knob where 'clapper' hits. Clapper is 'U' shaped Shell design at bottom of clapper.
Provenance
James Buchanan- Mrs. Edward Brooke of Phila [decedent of Edward Buchanan]- Mr. Lawrence Wilson- Mrs. C.D. Marshall
One of five ceramic doorknobs; a white body with hand-painted polychrome flowers. Different group of flowers on each knob. Keyhole covers have pink roses and blue violet with a gilt outline on edge.
Mrs. J. Markley Freed informed the James Buchanan Foundation that the doorknobs and keyhole covers were taken from a house in Philadelphia that was built for William Jenkins, the first owner of Wheatland. .
This doorknob is on the east side of the entrance door to the Southeast bedchamber. No keyhole cover is on this side.
Light orange-brown brick with one dark face and consistent quality clay. Dark face shows much scratching, including very promnent I A one right side (or J A for John Andre, British officer). From fireplace of Caleb Cope house, 27 N Lime Street, Lancaster, where John Andre was a prisoner of war. Initials include those of of John Andre, Thomas Cope, and others.