Named for its principle use, this mahogany table top, with its oblong top and bead molded edge, was typically found at the side of a bedstead. The table's skirt is three to four inches deep and contains a single drawer that is the full width of the skirt. The drawer has two original brass knob pulls and a top centered brass escutcheon keyhole. The table is supported by four round tapering legs with ring and ball turnings at the top and two sets of ring turnings approximately two inches above the tapered feet of the legs.
Provenance
Alexander Speer, maternal first cousin to James Buchanan
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)
Base wood with torus molding edge. Flat top with deep circular groove in which rests the edges of a tall glass dome. Natural arrangement under dome rests on base. Dried flowers support central mud-daubed bird's nest with light blue, speckled eggs (6) two
Shaving stand is comprised of a mahogany veneer; the mirror attached to the top has a veneered bull-nose frame supported by ring and vase-turned stiles set into the top with tenons at a backward cant. The skirt has two half-drawers; however, the brass knob drawer-pulls are missing. The stand is supported by four ring and ball turned feet
Chippendale high chest, mahogany, ornately carved, Phila-inspired Rococo style. Top section has scrolled broken arch pediment with central cartouche (attrib. to Phila carver, Martin Jugiez) and fully relief-carved vine tympanum, leading down to large central drawer w/ large carved shell & surrounding vines. Two small drawers flank center drawer, under which are 4 full-length, graduated drawers with original Chinoiserie brasses. Fluted corner columns on upper case; vine & leaf-carved corner columns on lower case.
Lower chest has top full-length drawer over 3 small drawers that mirror the 3 drawers at top. Again, the center drawer is fully carved. Below drawers is a fully vine-carved skirt w/ shaped bottom. Has 4 carved fully articulated cabriole legs w/ acanthus knees and ball and claw feet and original brass casters.
Original owner Matthias Slough was a colonel in the Rev. War, a superintendent of the Philadelphia to Lancaster Turnpike, a county coroner and treasurer, and tavernkeeper of the White Swan. Buried in St. James Episcopal Cemetery.
Made by unknown Lancaster Borough workshop.
Provenance
Original owner believed to be Mathias Slough, based on a 1934 letter from Ethel Torrington Davis to Mr.(James?) McCormick. Ms. Davis states her mother received story from her mother Mrs. Beatty. Mathias Slough married Mary Gibson and had three daughters. The oral tradition is that each daughter was given a high chest. These chests then descended in the family, one of which descended through the mother of Ethel T. Davis to James McCormick (in payment of an outstanding debt). This info researched by John J. Snyder.
From a July 1975 letter, donor George J. Finney recalls the highboy in the home of James McCormick of Hbg, his grandfather. After his death in 1917, it stayed with the house & his son Donald McCormick until his death in 1945. It was then put up for sale at auction of household good but failed to sell due to price not meeting expectations of executors. Donor learned of this, and in 1946 he offered to buy it for $2,500 and the estate accepted. Donor has owned highboy since 1946. Upon the death of the donor, it was bequeathed from his estate.
Multiple repairs (e.g. pieced out around drawers); refinished; some losses, most noticeable in some cartouche elements and leaves of rosettes. Finials missing the ball at mid section. Cosmetic conservation done by Cory Berrett April 1992.
Repairs made 12-2-09 by Winterthur conservator in consultation with curator Wendy Cooper (see conservation report in file). Major changes: broken off rosette leaf tips replaced; missing finial balls and top plates of plinths replaced.
Object ID
G.92.06
Notes
John Snyder states that mahogany is unusual for Lancaster Co. high-style pieces. Secondary woods are poplar and pine.
He notes six or fewer high chests of this Lancaster County Chippendale design are known to exist, and that of these six, "this piece is unquestionably the finest example." (Based on artistic evaluation, condition and provenance. Of these other chests, 2 are in private collections, one is in the State Department collection at Yale University, and the others' whereabouts are currently unknown.
Snyder says this high chest is closely related structurally to the famous Chippendale desk and bookcase acquired by the Winterthur Museum from the Withers family, living near Strasburg, Lancaster Co.
OBITUARY
May 14, 2009 FRANCES DAVIS HASSINGER EVERHART, of Lower Allen Township, Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009, in Bethany Village, Mechanicsburg. Frances was born March 1, 1916, in Harrisburg, PA, the daughter of CARL W. AND ETHEL TORRINGTON DAVIS. She was a 1938 graduate of Vassar Co...
Matthias Slough (1733-1812) was the tavernkeeper of the White Swan. The high chest was made at an unknown Lancaster Boro workshop, except for the carved cartouche of Philadelphia.
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, bequest of George J. Finney Estate
A) Violin - Label on the interior reads, "MADE BY ROY ZIMMERMAN / STRASBURG, PA / 1984." Spruce front plate, cherry back plate, rib, neck, and scroll. Complete with four strings, bridge, and chin rest.
B) Case - Inside of case is padded with black fuzzy padding, two small storage compartments with lift tabs. Black plastic handle, two metal locks and two rings for a strap on case.
Violin owned by William Conroy.
Provenance
This gift is given in memory of Roy Zimmerman.
Purchased by donor from Roy Zimmerman for $1000, circa 1999. Violins are commonly made from spruce,and maple. Maple is used for the back plate, rib, neck, and scroll. Spruce is used for the front plate of a violin.
This violin is very unusual in that it is constructed of cherry with a spruce front plate.
Referred to as a fiddle by donor who used it when playing "folk" music with various groups, including Stone Soup.
Glass goblet commemorating the 100th anniversary. "Lancaster County Historical Society" is engraved on the bowl of goblet. "1886/ 1986" is engraved on the stem. Engraved on edge of base: "Presented To The L.C.H.S. by James McMullen"
Button from the 1981 Lancaster County Fireman's Association. Rectangular metal badge/button, white background with fire station in black and red. To right of building is a erd flag, a bell and sign reading: "Friendship Fire Co. No1." in red. Along the top of buttonin black letters: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc." Below structure: "Mount Joy, Pa." on 1.5in wide red ribbon, in white letters: "61st Annual Convention Lancaster COunty Firemena's Association June 6, 1981." In circle below: "Friendship Fire Co. No. 1, Inc. Mount Joy, Pennsylvania." In center is a #1 with "Since [date]" below.
Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Red button with triangular white shield bordered in black in center. Above the frie hat and tools is "Liberty Fire Co. New HOlland, PA." Below: "1897" on 1.5in wide red ribbon in silver letters: "67th Annual Convention Lancaster Counyt Firemen's Assn June 6, 1987. New Holland, Pa."
Badge from teh Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. Button with white background. "5-10" on yellow emblem in center with red ladder on left and red fire plug on right. in balck lettes at top: "Strasburg", at bottom: "FIre Co. No. 1" On 1.5in wide red ribbon in yellow letters: "Lancaster County FIremen's Association; in center is eight sided emblem of "Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc." "63rd Annual Convention June 4, 1983 Strasburg, PA."
Badge from the 1986 Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with burgundy images and letters; old fire engine in center, text around edge: "Reamstown Fire Co. No.1 1920 American La France." On 2in wide burgundy ribbon in white letters: " Lancaster County Firemen's Association 66th Annual Convention June 7, 1986 reamstown, PA." Includes logo of Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc.
Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association Convention. White button with red lettering: "East Petersburg Fire Co. 75th Anniversary 1985." On 1.625in wide red ribbon in white letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 65th Annual Covention June 1, 1985 East Petersburg, PA." Text surrounds logo for Lancaster County Firemen's Asso. Inc. Convention is spelled without first "n" on ribbon.
One of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. On wite button in red lettering around edge: "lancaster Co. Firemen's Assoc" Inner circle in blue letter: "64th Annual Convention" in black: "June 2nd, 1984" In center, a groundhog in helment with "57" on it. "5" and "7" are on either side of groundhog as well. On 1.625in wide blue ribbon in white letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 64th Annual Convention June 2, 1984. Quarryville, PA." ribbon is glued to back.
Two of two. Badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. On wite button in red lettering around edge: "lancaster Co. Firemen's Assoc" Inner circle in blue letter: "64th Annual Convention" in black: "June 2nd, 1984" In center, a groundhog in helment with "57" on it. "5" and "7" are on either side of groundhog as well. On 1.625in wide blue ribbon in white letters: "Lancaster County Firemen's Association 64th Annual Convention June 2, 1984. Quarryville, PA." Ribbon is taped and pinned to back.
Badge for the Lancster County Firenen's Association convention. Oval shaped white button with green stemmed red rose in center. In red lettering: "Red Rose Borough" in green lettering "220th Anniversay Manheim, Pa." On 1.625in Wide white ribbon in red letters: "Booster 62nd Annual Convention Lancaster County Firemen's Association June 5, 1982" Below is the eight sided logo of the Lancaster County FIremen's Asso, Inc." in red.
Dellgate badge from the Lancaster Firemen's Association convention. 2.5in x 3.375in light metal holder. White card with name and address label inserted into holder: "604-205-6-B-34-03 Christ B. Koehler 113 South Cedar Street Lititz PA 17543." 2in wide white ribbon with burgundy print: octagonal logo of "Lancaster County Firemen's Association". "66th Annual Convention June 7, 1986. Reamstown, PA" Impressed red letters on metal holder: "Reamstown Fire Co. No. 1 80 years of dedicated service Reamstown, PA"
Badge itself is stamped with: "Meatlite No. M-5 Union Made: I.U.Z. AFL-CIO"
Delegate bagde for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. 2.5in x 3.625in silver colored light metal holder. In red letters on top: "East Petersburg Fire Co. 1 75 years of dedicated service." At bottom: "East Petersburg,PA." White card wiht label is inserted into the holder with information sowhing through a frame: "846-205-6-B-34-03 Christ B. Koehler 113 South Cedar Street Lititz PA 17543." White lettering on a 1.625in wide red ribbon: "Delegate Lancaster County Firemen's Association 65th Annual Covention June 1, 1985 East Petersburg, PA." Lancaster County Firemen's Assoc. Inc. logo. "Covention" is spelling on ribbon. Badge stamped with "Metalite No. M-5 Union made: I.U.E. AFL-CIO"
Delegate badge for the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. 2.375in x 3.625in gold colored light metal holder with red lettering: at top "Quarryville Fire Co. No. 1 1903 - 81 years of service - 1984" Bottom "Quarryville , PA." White insert with label: "846-205-6-B-(cut off) Christ B. Koehler 113 South Cedar Street Lititz." A 1.625in wide blue ribbon with white letters: "Delegate Lancaster County Firemen's Associaion (logo) 64th Annual Convention June 2, 1984 Quarryville, PA."
Delegate badge from the Lancaster County Firemen's Association convention. A 2.375 x 3.625in gold colored lightweight metal holder with red letters: top "Strasburg fire Co. No. 1 1933 - 50 Years of Service - 1983" bottom "Strasburg, PA." White card insert with lable: "846-20-6-B-34-03 Christ B. Koehler 113 South Cedar Street Lititz PA 17543." A 1.625in wide red ribbon with gold letters: "Delegate Lancaster COunty Firemen's Association 63rd Annual Convention June 4, 1983 Strasburg, PA." includes logo of Lancaster County Firemen's Association. Badge itself is stamped with: Metalite No. M-5 Union made I.U.E. AFLCIO"
