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.
Bowfront mahogany veneer chest of drawers in the Hepplewhite style. Four drawers have progressing depths from the top to the bottom, each with overpressed drawer pulls two per drawer. At the top center of each drawer is a brass escutcheon keyhole. The top of the chest and each drawer are decorated with satin wood inlay. Chest is supported at its base by four french feet which feature a slightly outswept bracket foot combined with a valence skirt.
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer (James Buchanan maternal cousin)
Cup (A) and saucer (B), glazed soft-paste porcelain, Strawberry pattern. Handleless cup has straight flaring sides & rests on a small foot Paint decoration on white ground has 2 strawberries & a large green leaf on each side with smaller leaves, purple roses and brown squiggles. Interior has double stripe with berries and flowers. Rim painted rust.
Saucer (B)
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Papercut or Scherenschnitte wrought by a student at Linden Hall Seminary, Lititz. Mounted on dark red balanced weave fabric on board. Design has a flowerpot base; tree with leaves, birds (including a peacock), tulips, and girl with watering can held over a plant/flower. The girl is wearing pantaloons under a full skirt.
Inscribed on reverse: "Lizzie Lauber cut this for me when (at) Lititz school I was 15 years old then we were chums" and "Cut out be (by?) a school friend of G-Mother's. Done when they were at Linden Hall- Lititz about 1818. Mother was born 1836 went Linden Hall when about 12 years."
Provenance
Typewritten inscription on reverse side of back board states: "From the sale of Anna Elizabeth Martin, 242 N. Charlotte St., Lancaster. 94 years old, 6-21-58" Perhaps written by auctioneer?
Crease down center of papercut, slight discoloration here. Two pinholes in center, near crease. 2 distinct dark stains, and a few other lesser stains. Several outer portions have folds or creases, and there are many places where the piece has torn, but the pieces are still present. One bird at the top right of the tree is in very bad shape, with missing pieces. One 'leaf' missing on the lift side of the tree. Remounted by conservator Brian Howard with a new window mat & Plexi glazing. Repairs done.
Object ID
P.91.7
Notes
All notes and descriptions prepared by Michael Martin, 24 September 1997.