Dispatch case of Major John Hubley; walnut construction.
On top, inlay shell in an oval with green background, all within an 2 fine-line band border. Metal outlined key on front center. 2 movable metal handles, one on each end. Entire wood panel in lid folds out to reveal a mirror secured by a swivel tab. A metal ring for pulling panel down/ Circular inlay designs on green background in center of closed lid portion. Intricate spiral adorn edges of all 8 sections and green felt-lined tray. 2 narrow divisions hold slide-in tops with metal pull rings fit into compartment. Portion that holds 2 small drawers can be lifted out to reveal .5" storage area. The entire lower portion can be lifted out. Bottom covered with black felt.
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.
Empire style chest of drawers, mahogany veneer on pine or poplar. Four drawers, each with two pressed glass pulls & keyhole and each with bookmatched veneer of highly figured mahogany. The top drawer overhangs lower drawers and has a curved front (top-to-bottom), while the three lower drawers have flat fronts. Freestanding ionic columns flank drawers with carved plinths. Sunken panel construction at sides. Two extensively carved paw feet in front; two ball feet in back.
In April 1982, the entire case was disassembled and discovered to be signed and dated by Markley, behind the left front stile above the column. (Not seen in 2011. Inscription appears on top of thick drawer divider supporting top drawer.) Also stamped by maker within oval on upper surface of top drawer bottom: "J.F. MARKLEY/ CABINETMAKER/ Locust Street/ COLUMBIA."
According to file, the 1830-1846 Columbia Borough tax records list Markley variously as a doctor, cabinetmaker, contractor or gent.
See also a gentleman's dressing table with mirror, P00.39.01.
Piece of veneer 1.5" x 0.5" is missing from top right above drawer. Small spots and scratches overall, and two large cracks on top: one near front right corner, and one at rear center, partially filled in. The left pull on the second drawer up from the bottom is split in half; held in place with string windings.
Two toes on the right front foot were pieced and recarved by Joseph Molz of Lancaster City. Some veneer was also pieced.
Object ID
P.77.02
Notes
More info in file. There was a discrepancy in the research with two different Jacob Markleys. It appears that the maker of this chest of drawers was Jacob Fry Markley (1800-1854), born in boro of Strasburg to parents Jacob Markley, Sr. (1765-1829) and Barbara Fry Markley. Jacob Sr. was also a cabinetmaker.
Son Jacob is listed with different occupations over the years. He was living in Columbia in 1830 and possibly as late as 1841. He moved to Spring Grove, Philadelphia County by 1850 and is listed as a druggist in the 1850 Census with wife Ann & 5 children. "JACOB F. MARKLEY M.D." is on his tombstone in the Hatboro Cemetery. Thus Jacob Markley claimed to be a cabinetmaker, druggist and doctor (Doctor is perhaps what he called a pharmacist).
Place of Origin
Columbia
Role
Cabinetmaker
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Coll
Inkwell made of blown glass encased in square block constructed of 3 laminated layers of cork. Paper pasted onto entire underside of stand reads, "Presented to the Lancaster County Hist. Scty. by Miss Ida V. Lipp. This Inkstand was used by William Lechler in the old Courthouse which stood in "Center Square," Lancaster, Pa."
removed pressure adhesive label "29.37" upon cataloging. Ink residue in glass container. Top and sides dark with ink. Sides and corners worn.
Object ID
1925.037
Notes
It is presumed that William Lechler served in some official capacity in the Old City Hall. Unable to make positive identification through research by volunteer Greg Ziegler, 26 Oct 2017. There is more than one William Lechler. Various items found are:
- "Mr. J. William Lechler of (Lancaster) city" married Harriet H. Boyer. (Intel. Journal, 11 Apr
1866.
- Paid as juror serving in Court of Common Pleas on 16 Oct 1865 (Intel. Journal 4 Oct 1865)
- Paid as constable in 1822.
- Paid as petit or grand juror in 1823.
- Estate inventory 1902, Lanc. (b. 1826)
- There is a tailor in the 1882 City Directory
- There is a cooper who died 1830 in Lanc. City.
Find A Grave has:
- William Lechler b. 8 Sept 1806 d. 9 May 1881 buried in Lancaster Cemetery, plot 728.
- William Lechler b. 1826 d. 1902. Wife is Charlotte. Buried Woodward Hill Cemetery in
Oil on wood panel. Profile painting, half length, of a young woman facing left front, hands not showing; medium light reddish hair, center part with comb at top of head. Curls in front of ears, grey eyes; high-waisted white gown with double lace ruffle collar around neck, pink rose at collar opening, gold double chain necklace, red shawl around shoulders covering arms; gold colored chair back right, greenish-grey background. (Beal)
Inscriptions: Ink script at top of frame back is "Elizabeth Cecilia Leman / Born 1814 died 1834." This is repeated in script at board back. At top left in script is "Adelia Leman / 1880."
Recent paper label by previous owner William Shand, at frame bottom is: "Young Woman of Leman Family / Possibly Elizabeth Cecilia Leman / (1814-1834), by Jacob Eichholtz / #459 in 'Jacob Eichholtz' by / Rebecca J. Beal / See Ellis & Evans 'History of / Lancaster County', p. 523 / W.S." Smaller paper sticker alongside reads "Young Woman / of the / Leman Family / by Eichholtz".
The number G.80.130.2 is painted at top right of wood panel. This was a Heritage Center number, due to an ownership dispute. See File.
Provenance
Beal writes on page 136, "Collections: Miss Adelia Leman, Lancaster; Mr. and Mrs. William Shand, Lancaster."
Painting is mounted in reproduction gold frame, held in place with four mending plates at sides. Remnant of old paper dust cover on back along frame. Conserved in 2002.
Pennsylvania Coat of Arms once hung over the judge's bench at the old Lancaster county courthouse (1786-1853). Lancaster served as the capitol of of the Commonwealth of PA from 1799 to 1812. Made of oak,
