Sword and scabbard of George W. Brientnall (1846-1901).
Newspaper articles have claimed that Brientnall was the "Drummer Boy of Shiloh". See Notes. At least two others were also given this name (John Clem and Joby).
From Newspaper articles: George Washington Brientnall enlisted as a drummer in the Civil War when scarcely 15 yrs old and distinguished himself as a scout and guerrilla fighter. He was promoted for making a single-handed stand against 60 of Mosby's men. One gun shot was fired so close to Brientnall that he went blind. He was taken to Phila. and a surgical operation restored his sight. He then went back to scouting and fighting. He served in the 181st Regiment Volunteers. "A couple of dramas and songs have been built about his feats." Confusion remains due to fact that others were also called the Drummer Boy of Shiloh (John Clem and Joby)
Dying at 54, Brientnall's death was hastened by his exposure and hardship suffered during the war. He suffered from spinal crippling and he finally succumbed to heart trouble and the "grippe". Buried in Lancaster Cemetery.
Green suede leather coin purse with machine-stitched seams on both sides. Flap folds down and closes with a silver snap and silver bead loops along edges.
Black knitted purse with vertical bands of clear beading, narrowing toward top where there are two horizontal strips of beading. Silver--colored metal frame with design of swirls. Bud-shaped clasps snap to open or close. Chain-link hand strap. Fabric lining is turquoise blue.
Blue suede leather coin purse with matching leather finger strap stitched at both ends on the back. Silver diamond-shapped snap on front in center of curved flap.
Knitted purse with vertical bands of gold beading, wide at bottom and narrowing toward top where beading is solid. Side loop gold bead fringes. Gold-colored metal frame with design of swirls. Bud-shaped clasps snap to open or close. Chain-link hand strap.
Some green corrosion on frame. Satin lining fragile with tears. Some missing beads on fringes. Some wear on bead on fringe and lower area of purse. Small envelope of detached beads.
Object ID
2012.008.4
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Black knitted beaded drawstring bag. Purse is a single fabric, seamed on both sides. Trapezoid-shaped bag with alternating columns of narrow and wider vertical columns of black beads. Fringe of beaded loops at bottom. Beaded drawstring drawn through 8 beaded loops and knotted on one side to from hand strap.
a: Fine mesh purse with painted floral pattern. 1/2-inch ruffle of delicate mesh along bottom edge. Pale green satin lining. Purse is attached to a decorated gold-colored metal frame. Ball clasp closure. Gold figure-8 chain link hand strap.
b: A round beveled mirror inside bag is backed with gold-colored metal.
Black beaded purse of rectangular shape. A black silk band trims the mouth at top, enclosing the black twill-weave cotton tape drawstrings. Main body of bag has black beads mounted on a crocheted tan cotton mesh grid through which the off-white muslin interior lining is visible. Fringe at bottom has beaded openwork ending with intertwining loops.
Liberty Bell pendant medallion with Independence Hall on the back. Outline of bell has contoured image of Liberty Bell with inscription, crack and clapper. Inscription at top reads "OF LEV XXV&X PROCLAIM / IN PHILDA. BY ORDER OF TH--" and below this is "PASS AND STOW / PHILADA. / MDCCLIII."
Back is flat with a raised image of Independence Hall. Extended tab at top has hole with two linked wire rings for hanging.
"Presented by Mrs. Albert Rosentein 1860" Gold oval broach, with grapes made of tiny white beads in middle, and chains hanging (something must have been attached) and matching earrings
grapes are missing from broach and all are missing from one earring. It looks like there should be another chain on the broach and both earrings but there aren't any.
Crocheted black cotton Miser Purse with single crochet pattern throughout. Sock-like form has one round end and the other a squared off opening that is stitched closed. All but center section of purse is decorated with rows of steel beeds incorporated during crocheting. Elongated hole in side provides access for coins and is safeguarded by two encircling, sliding rings of steel with a pierced pattern, 3/8" wide . Both ends of purse decorated with teardrop shapes suspended from small rings, similar to charm bracelet jewelry. Single cluster at round end and attached singly along with disks at blunt end, like a fringe.
Dark Brown Leather, Tan Suede, Stitched Seat. Red, Blue, Green, and Cream Woven Girth. Quilted Padding Underneath. Tulip Motif Painted on Saddle in Red, Green and Brown. Maker's Mark - 'H. Pinkerton, Maker, Lancaster'
Leaded wine glass with round foot, thickens near stem. Stem is wide near foot and tapers to a narrow shaped stem before slightly flaring wide near base of bowl. Eight faceted. Facets extend up to the bowl of the glass and ends in scallops. Body has slightl flare.
Gilded, ogee-molded frame with applied acanthus leaf design at two bottom corners. Top crest heavily molded with applied relief. Two sides have c-scroll with top crest of shield, shell, foliate floral design. Garlands of flowers across with central appled bunch of grapes. Crest curves out and forward.
Cartouch-shaped top of beige/yellow marble; out-rounded corners, serpentine sides; concave/rounded edge. Valanced skirt, also serpentine with carved medallions, on each of four faces with 'C' and 'S' scrolling and foliate motif. Cock-beaded molding around lower edge of skirt. Pedestal has an urn shape with cock-beaded molding with a round finial. Four incurved, shaped and carved cabriole legs terminate in small scrolled feet with casters.
Marble base is doubled, smaller chair on top of larger. Metal band separate them, molded in foliate design. Column is two-toned metal with marble-vein design, slightly tapering. Oil reservoir above is shaped like a top and has eleven sets of crystals hanging from the edge of the reservoir.
Stove Top hat, black with brim turned up greatly on sides, down front and back. Thin black grograin ribbon above brim. Crown tapers in, then out again slightly. Made by Schultz & Brothers, Lancaster, PA.
The stoneware mug's body is predominantly white surmounted with a wide green band that is outlined with narrow gilt bands. The handle is also white and outlined with similar gilt bands.
J.W. Pankhurst & Company, Charles St. & Old Hall St
Chair's green paint was striped in 1976. Unknown if paint was original.
Object ID
W.1974.028.001
Notes
Original accession number W.35.28, would lead one to believe the James Buchanan Foundation obtained the chair in 1935; however, teh file holds letters written by the donor, Mr. Russel, that are dated 1974. The Accession Record is, therefore, inaccurate.
Research required to authenticate object connection with Elizabeth Speer Buchanan. The donor's 14 May 1974 letter states that the chair "came from the home of James Buchanan. When his Mother died at Cove Gap, PA." It should be noted that primary sources indicate that Elizabeth Speer Buchanan died on 14 May 1833 at 9:00 AM at the home of her daughter in Greensburg, PA.
American Sheraton Windsor Arrow Back Arm Chair. Made from pine, maple, poplar, and tulip woods. Chair has four vertical flattened spindles. Stretchers on sides are lower than stretchers in front and back.
Provenance
Buchanan, James
To - Buchanan Edward Y. (Brother)
To - Ewing, Alice Conyngham Buchanan (EYB Daughter)
To - Brooke, Cornelia Lausdale Ewing (ABEwing Daughter)
