This record group contains canceled orders that were issued by the county commissioners for payment to be made by the county treasurer. The orders show date, order number, amount, name of payee, purpose, and signatures of the county commissioners. In the case of "poor children," teachers were reimbursed by the county for tuition and/or the supplies purchased for students whose parents were unable to pay. Orders include: Poor Children, Almshouse, Bridges, Coroners Inquests, Prisons, Roads, Court House, and Tax Exonerations.
System of Arrangement
The record group is organized chronologically, then arranged by order number within each year.
Five gentlemen and one woman placing a wreath at James Buchanan's tomb at Woodward Hill Cemetery. Memorial Day, 1928. On back of original photo: "To George Willson, Memorial Day 1928".
Framed carte de visite of James Buchanan. Typed note taped to back of frame: "President James Buchanan photographed by Charles W. Eberman from a painting ca 1865. Buchanan's age depicted in painting about 35 yrs. old while serving in the Penna. Legislature."
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.
Watercolor portrait of James Buchanan in profile, facing left. He wears a black coat and waistcoat, pale tan shirt with high, very white collar, and soft tie or cravat. His white hair is styled high at the crown and combed back on the sides. Very pale blue eye. Delicate grey and tan washes over background. Portrait is an 8.75in x 6.75in oval created by reverse painted glass. The glass is painted black with gold semi ellipses and diamonds arranged to create a sunburst like effect. The glass is 10in x 8in.
The reverse is inscribed "James Buchanan drawn from life at Wheatland February 10th 1866." Inscription is under a 10.75in x 8.75in piece of glass that has been built into the back of the frame. Some damage has occured from nails scratching the back of the frame upon hanging.
The frame is 3in wide, painted gold in alternating bands of shiny cool toned gold and matte or brushed warm toned gold. Losses around the edges reveal plaster, ochre and black or dark grey paint under the gold. Top edge of the frame is black either from paint or dirt.
Provenance
Descended in an Eastern Shore, Maryland family, purchased in 1948.
overall dimensions provided. See description for component dimensions.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-05-11
Condition Notes
loss of gold paint on outer edge of frame. Dents and chips on frame. Discoloration on gold frame, possibly from tape or stickers. Loss of paint on glass at left side and upper right corner.
Serpentine-back, enclosed arm sofa, Louis XV (Rococo Revival), has yellow upholstery, finger-molded exposed frame of rosewood or mahogany and a rounded back crested with central cartouche of high relief carved fruit and leafage. Outline of rounded back slopes down to rounded shoulders that descend and curve back in to arms that enclose the sitter. Low arm rests have upholstered arm pads. Cyma-curved arm supports extend to short cabriole legs at front. Square, curving legs at back. Serpentine seat front and serpentine lower outline of seat frame.
Serpentine-back, enclosed-arm sofa, Louis XV style (Rococo Revival), has yellow upholstery and a finger-molded exposed frame of rosewood. At top of central arch is a raised crest with high relief carved fruit and leafage, flanked by a volute on each side. Frame flows in a continuous line into arched shoulders that dramatically curve and drop to a low arm rest wrapped with upholstery, exposing a hand grip. The front arm support leads to the short cabriole leg; knee with carved shell. Seat front is serpentine and the exposed frame below has a swell at the bottom and is decorated with a thin raised carved strip. Was likely part of the new suite of furniture ordered by Sophie Plitt for retiring President James Buchanan and his niece, Harriet Lane, in 1861.
Walnut rocking chair has caned back and seat. Frame of oval back is finger-molded and is connected to seat frame by two curving legs. Cyma-curve short, low arms connect oval back to seat, with foliate carving at top end. Seat frame is a rounded "D" shape with round outside edge. Ring-turned legs are all connected by a baluster-turned stretcher and sit on rockers with front ends barely extending beyond the front legs.
Gold pocketwatch belonging to James Buchanan. Simply designed, largely unadorned pocketwatch -- with only worn initials of three letters, only the third, "B," is legible on one side. Watch face is white with black Roman numerals . Small inset with seconds. Other side of watch opens to reveal two openings to wind watch. Engraved around openings "No. 16943/ Time Keeper/ Lewis Ladomus & Co/ Philadelphia Pa." On inside of cover "From/ James Buchanan/ May 9th 1865" Stamped E. T. & Co./ 18K/16943." Golden chain clipped to bow at top of stem with Albert or t-bar at other end, to attach to button hole on vest. Chain links are short and thick, giving the appearance of thick golden cord . Lighter, cooler toned gold than the watch.
Provenance
The gold watch was left by James Buchanan to his brother Edward Y. Buchanan through his last will and testament. Edward youngest daughter, Alice Cunningham Buchanan inherited from her father. Alice married Maskell Ewing and they had a total of 6 children; the youngest son, Buchanan Ewing, inherited the gold watch. Buchanan Ewing’s grandson, Edward “Ted” Ewing inherited the watch. Ted visited Wheatland two years ago in late spring. Upon meeting him, Ted was impressed by the high percentage of family artifacts on display. He mentioned that he owned a gold watch that had been handed down through the family from the Reverend Edward Buchanan and he wondered if we would want it. Pat gave him an enthusiastic yes as his answer. Ted called Pat in April 2016 and asked if he was remembered; Pat said “of course.” Ted added that he had found the watch and that he and his siblings were in agreement to donate it to LancasterHistory.org. The youngest sibling in the family would donate it because she lives in Allentown, PA. Jessie Ewing Snyder visited Wheatland on October 1, 2016 and donated the gold watch to the museum.
Quadruple looped chain with ring on end; sliding metal bead, turned and molded; chain looped through ornate, thick ring around larger, thinner double ring connected to handle of signet. Ornate piece with scroll, acorn, foliate, and cabbage rose motifs. B
Provenance
said to have been worn by Buchanan during his Presidency. Given by Miss Mary Kittera Snyder to the donors. Mary was thought to be Buchanan's intended for marriage in the 1840s. She or her sister became postmistress of Selin's Grove PA. where the donors l
Quadruple looped chain with ring on end; sliding metal bead, turned and molded; chain looped through ornate, thick ring around larger, thinner double ring connected to handle of signet. Ornate piece with scroll, acorn, foliate, and cabbage rose motifs. B
Said to have been worn by James Buchanan during his Presidency. Given by Miss Mary Kittera Snyder to the donors. Mary Kittera Snyder was thought to be Buchanan's intended for marriage in the 1840s. She or her sister became postmistress of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Rosewood bed with walnut, poplar, and pine. Headboard higher than footboard, but identical in shape. Arched crest with c-curved finish. This is repeated with molding below and on footboard. Molding is cyma-curved and appears on the outside of footboard and inside of headboard. The top of each post is capped with a round finial that transitions to squat bun above a smooth cylinder above a ring and ball shape that transitions to ring and vase surmounting an octagonal post terminates on bun feet Scroll cut brackets connect the posts to the side rails that feature cyma-curved molding.
Bed is higher at headboard than at footboard. Footboard height is 42.625'.
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-11-10
Condition Notes
Restoration done in 1992-1993 by David Weaver, cabinetmaker, Quarryville, PA. Restoration of rosewood.
Object ID
W.1992.001.039
Notes
Harriet had this custom built with large dimensions to accomodate her Uncle James Buchanan's size. It was intended for his use whenever he would visit her at her Baltimore, Maryland home.
Benjamin E. Heller received the chair from his maternal grandparents, Eberhard Lamparter and his wife Gertrude Hoffman Weidel. This chair and one matching chair were used in Wheatland and when their condition deteriorated they were given to Miss Shirley who worked at the mansion as a domestic servant. Miss Shirley took the chairs to a family friend, Eberhard Lamparter, who repaired them; his wife, Gertrude Hoffman Weidel decorated the new cushions with needlepoint designs. Miss Shirley gave this chair to the Lamparters as a gift; the Lamparters bequested it to their grandson, Benjamin E. Heller, the donor.
Ca. 1850 maple side chair with foliate carved crest and horizontal splat with floral motif carving along top edge. Back side rails surmount saber back legs. Upholstered cushion is fastened to side rails, back and serpentine-shaped apron with rosette decorative tack nails. The upholstery fabric has floral needlepoint decor with a bird center design.
Engraving print taken from "History of the United States" publication dated 1869. Image shows full-length portrayal of President James Buchanan in formal dress suit extending his left hand that is holding a paper document. Facing the President are the four Japanese Delegates to the United States dressed in traditional garb. To the President's left are cabinet members, Lewis Cass, Secretary of State and Howell Cobb, Secretary of Treasury. Standing behind the President is Miss Harriet Lane, Hostess and an unidentified gentleman.
Provenance
Michael Hall, Dealer - Grove City, OH to Samuel Slaymaker, Lancaster, PA to The James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland
Silver serviing spoon with the silver mark for Philadelphia silversmiths Bailey & Kitchen and J.B. engraved on the back of the handle. 136 Chestnut St, Philadelphia
Provenance
Buchanan, James
To Johnston, Harriet Lane
To Lane, John Newton (son of James B. Lane) To Fay, Patty Lane (Daughter of JB Lane)
The silversmiths, Bailey & Kitchen was originally Bailey & Co. The company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867, remaining a special partner until 1889.
Length (cm)
21.59
Length (ft)
0.7083333333
Length (in)
8.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2021-10-15
Object ID
W.1998.001.002
Notes
The silversmiths, Bailey & Kitchen was originally Bailey & Co. The company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867, remaining a special partner until 1889.
Silver serviing spoon with the silver mark for Philadelphia silversmiths Bailey & Co. and Christmas 1864 engraved on the handle accompanied be an engraving on the back of the handle that reads J.B. from H.R.L. (James Buchanan from Harriet Rebecca Lane.) 136 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
Provenance
Lane, Harriet R.
Christmas gift to Buchanan, James
To Johnston, Harriet Lane
To Lane, John Newton (son of James B. Lane) To Fay, Patty Lane (JB Lane daughter)
To Sebrell, Patty Lane Fay (JB Lane granddaughter)
Originally Bailey & Co, the company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867.
Length (cm)
22.86
Length (ft)
0.75
Length (in)
9
Object ID
W.1998.001.003
Notes
Originally Bailey & Co, the company was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen. It was located at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1840 Joseph’s brother Eli Westcott Bailey, a New York City jeweler and importer hurt financially by the Panic of 1837, came to Philadelphia and entered the firm. The name continued as Bailey & Kitchen. When Joseph died, Eli became the senior partner of Bailey & Co. until he retired in 1867.
Black and white photo of President James Buchanan and his 7 cabinet members. Buchanan stands in center with his left hand resting on the left page of a large open book.
