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.
Button from the 1967 Lancaster County Firemen's Convention. Emblem for Quarryville fire Company 1 in center with "Q F C 1" on it. In white letters on red background: "Quarryville Fire Co. June 3 1967 Quarryville, PA." On red ribbon (1.625in w x 4.875in L) in silver letters: 47th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Assn. Quarryville, PA."
Badge for the Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association convention. White button rimmed in red with red fire engine pictured in center. In blue letters: "Denver Fire Co. No. 1 June 4 1966 Denver, Pa." On 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "46th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Denver, Penna."
Badge from the Lancaster COunty FIremen's Association convention. White button rimmed in red with red fire truck pictured in center. In blue letters: "Shawnee Fire Co. Marching Unit June 5, 1965 Columbia, Pa." On 1.625in wdie red ribbon in gold letters: "45th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Columbia., Penna."
Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Associaton convention. White button rimmed in red with red fire engine pictured in center. In blue letters around edge; "Friendship Fire and Hose Co. No.1 June 1. 1963." On 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "43rd Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Elizabethtwon, PA."
Badge from teh Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. White button rimmed in red with red fire engine pictured in cneter. Red star above and below. In blue letters around edge: "Columbia Fire Department June 6, 1964." On 1.625in wide blue ribbon in gold letters: "44th Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association Columbia, Penna."
Badge from the Lancaster County FIremen's Association annual convention. 1.75in button, white background. Red fire engine with 1812-1962 in red letters. In black letters around edge "Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1." On 1.5in wide red ribbon in gold letters "42nd Annual Convention Lancaster COunty FIremen's Association Manheim, Penna. June 2, 1962."
Trophy awarded to oldest living member of Lancaster City Firemen's Association. Wooden base with golden metal firefighter in boots, raincoat, and helmet carrying a moveable lantern in his right hand. Brass plate on front of base in engraved: "George F.K. Erisman/ Oldest Living Member; Lancaster County/ Firemen's Assn/ Reamstown Convention 1960."
