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.
Deed between Benjamin Hershey and The Farmers Bank of Lancaster
Description
Deed between Benjamin Hershey of Lancaster Township, and The Farmers Bank of Lancaster, for land in the Township of Lancaster. Lancaster. Photostatic copy.
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Collection (MG0096) https://collections.lancasterhistory.org/en/permalink/lhdo3760
James Buchanan Family Papers
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph Collection
Curatorial Collection
Wheatland Collection
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
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Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pa.
Other Number
MG-0096, Folder 037, Insert 03
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
Digitization of the James Buchanan Collection was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Corn knife used by one of the Black resistors in the Christiana Riot on September 11, 1851. Wrought iron long curved blade of 19.5" is fitted into oak or ash turned handle rounded terminal end. Tang of blade extends through length of handle and protrudes at terminal where it is clinched.
The Christiana Resistance resulted from the efforts of a Maryland slave holder to claim fugitives hiding in the home of Willam Parker, a free black man living in Chritiana, PA. This corn knife was used by one of the black resistors during this confict. The bloody confrontation, occurring in September of 1851, resulted in the death of Edward Gorsuch, the slaveholder, and the escape of William Parker and the fugitive slaves to freedom in Canada.
Wenger's Mill covered bridge, also called Rose Hill covered bridge, built in 1849 by Henry Zook. Located on Log Cabin Road, just off of Rose Hill Road. Post card.
Provenance
Photographs of a 2003 Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society bridge safari.
Wenger's Mill covered bridge, also called Rose Hill covered bridge, built in 1849 by Henry Zook. Located on Log Cabin Road, just off of Rose Hill Road. Postcard of painting by Louise Frank.
Provenance
Photographs of a 2003 Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society bridge safari.
Bridge over Susquehanna River Between Columbia and Wrightsville
Description
Color painting of bridge over Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia with three Canada geese landing on water in right foreground. Print 15/500. Signed by artist in lower left corner: copyright by Kristin Hill, 2005, ASAA.' Framed with double mat. TruGuard UV glass sticker on back. Framed by Lancaster Galleries, Lancaster, PA..
Wenger's Mill covered bridge, also called Rose Hill covered bridge, built in 1849 by Henry Zook. Located on Log Cabin Road, just off of Rose Hill Road.
Provenance
Photographs of a 2003 Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society bridge safari.
Wenger's Mill covered bridge, also called Rose Hill covered bridge, built in 1849 by Henry Zook. Located on Log Cabin Road, just off of Rose Hill Road.
Provenance
Photographs of a 2003 Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society bridge safari.
