Servants bell used by Thaddeus Stevens. Has thin, disk-shaped stone base with bell mounted above, encircled by a decorative housing comprised of three Mother of Pear shells, floral and vining grapes of copper, and external copper clapper suspended from an arching copper wire. Stone base supports a brass pierced gallery encircling the bell.
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.
Walking cane used by Congressman Thaddeus Stevens late in life. Made of a tree branch with irregularities and smoothed knots; unusual wood with pronounced grain. Grip end curves into a burled knob. Glossy finish.
Silver cap on tip of grip is engraved: "This cane / was the property / of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens / during his latter days. / Presented to H.A. Zug, 1868." Bottom end wrapped with a 1.25" wide brass collar and an iron tip.
Provenance
Zug's relationship to Stevens is unknown. Henry A. Zug (22 Aug 1825 - 22 Apr 1890) married Fannie Hershey (5 Jul 1819 - ??) on 19 Nov 1844. Resided in Lancaster City.
In 1871 Henry Zug was a pharmaceutist at 44 E. Chestnut.
In 1873-74 Zug was a custom house inspector at 41 W. Orange St.
1880 Census says Zug was a "dealer in produce".
Death ceritificate of 1890 notes occupation as "druggist supplies".
His daughter, donor Lola Zug (9 Dec 1861 - 28 Jul 1952), was unmarried and a teacher in city.
Fancy painted rocking windsor chair. Black with faded colored ornament. Conserved in the mid-20th century. Inscription on the bottom of seat links the chair to Thaddeus Stevens's Caledonia Furnace.
Two part desk in dark stained wood with drawers in lower portion and cubicles in upper portion. Owned by Thaddeus Stevens. No surface decoration; legs are turned. Six sections of cubicles: upper right four tall dividers, lower left nine small roughly square cubbies, upper right six roughly square cubbies, lower right four tall cubbies, upper middle two large sections. Slant top desk in middle, left and right are flat surfaces. Three drawers on left and right. Small Gothic style arches on skirt below the slanted desk section.
Provenance
Donated by Judge William Jacobs in 1923 to the Historical Society of Daphin County. Donated by HSDC to LancsterHistory.org
Judge Jacobs born Jan. 27, 1850 in Gettysburg, PA
Died Jan 11, 1929 Lower Allen Twp, Cumberland County. PA
graduated Pennsylvania College 1867, admitted to Adams County Bar in 1871. Professor of Law at Dickenson College of Law, 1891-92.
Judge Jacobs father was Rev. Michael Jacobs D.D. 1808-1871 Buried in Gettysburg.He taught Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the PA College in Gettysburg. He became well known for his meteorologist records of weather conditions at the Battle of Gettysburg and his home is pointed out on the National Park tours in the town. He was the pastor of the Lutheran campus church for the college.
Rev. David Jacobs was Rev. Michael's brother who entered Gettysburg College/Lutheran Theological Seminary and was in the schools first class, later teaching at the school.
The family knew Thaddeus Stevens through their connections with the school.
Lower left drawer knob is missing. Much scratching on desk surface from upright shelves being moved. Top of desk is warped above the right side drawers.
Object ID
2016.014
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Metal round disc with profile image of male, facing left. "THADDEUS STEVENS" in raised letters above profile; Laurel wreath under profile. Attached to ribbon 1930.025.001. Metal rectangular bar attached to top of ribbon; bar reads "LANCASTER, PA." Alice Malone, local artist, is credited with the design of the medal image.
Note: The ribbon and medal were given to LCHS by two different donors and then placed together. See 1930.025.001. The medal commemorates the Prince Hall Mason conclave held in Lancaster. Information on the Prince Hall Masons can be found in the notes section.
Despite Stevens’ opposition to Freemasonry, the Prince Hall Masons felt a special connection to Stevens. Prince Hall, founder of this branch of Freemasonry, was an abolitionist and leader in the free Black community of eighteenth century Boston. Those who assembled in Lancaster for this particular Grand Conclave assembled, in part, to honor Stevens’ contributions to combating racism and promoting social justice.
An article that appeared in the Intelligencer Journal on Saturday, August 30, 1930 provided an important clue as to why this Grand Conclave chose to honor Stevens. The article included the subheading “Installation of New Officials Marks End of Convention Here” and contained the following text:
John Washington, of Philadelphia, was elected right eminent grand commander of the grand commandery, Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, Prince Hall affiliation, at the annual election of officers that featured the closing of the 98th annual conclave in this city on Friday.
About 250 persons, including Sir Knights and members of the Ladies’ auxiliary, participated in the parade during the afternoon. Stopping at Shreiner’s cemetery, West Chestnut and Mulberry streets, the officers placed two floral wreaths on the grave of Thaddeus Stevens.
Today, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, consists of three subordinate lodges; an Eastern Region based in Philadelphia, a Central Region based in Harrisburg, and a Western Region based in Pittsburgh.
