Brass spoon mold of two parts that mate to allow molten metal to be poured into bowl end of spoon mold via its funnel opening. Squared tangs project on top and bottom of mold at midpoint.
Mold will create spoon with moderately large, oval bowl, round stem and flaring, flattened handle with rounded terminal and raised center ridge on top. Rattail support under bowl.
Diminutive hammer has elongated steel head; tapered cylinder end and thin flattened opposite end. Long hardwood handle mortised into head is wide and flat at head end and swelled to a rounded oval shape before tapering to blunt point at terminal.
Provenance
Donor was given hammer mid 1970s by an acquaintance, Frances Geiger, a "maiden lady from Quarryville." Attribution to Gorgas was stated by Ms. Geiger at that time. (Research indicates Frances was a teacher living in Millersville.)
Handmade sticker on hammer, now removed, had "Circa 1763-1798". These dates relate to Gorgas Sr. rather than Jr. The father appeared on Cocalico tax records by 1763 and died 1798.
Head has some dark tarnish. Handle is smooth and polished with some dark stains. Two small nails driven into handle end as it protrudes at top of head.
Object ID
G.08.19.1
Usage
Gorgas, Jacob, Jr. (b. circa 1763-1828)
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Diminutive hammer has elongated steel or iron head; tapered cylinder end and a tapering, flattened, thin end. Long hardwood handle is square-mortised into head and has a swell near opposite end with a blunt tip.
Provenance
Donor states the hammer was used by clockmaker Martin Shreiner (1769-1866), his great, great, great grandfather. Donor donated a signed statement by Edward D. Glass (1881-1962) that the hammer was purchased by him from the Shreiner estate sale at 136 E. Walnut St. in Lancaster, apparently around 1895 or 1896. (see file) Glass was a paperboy in that district of town and lived with his parents Daniel & Mary at 556 N. Shippen St. He would have been 14 or 15 yrs. old when he bought the hammer.
Head has some considerable corrosion. Moderate wear and soil on handle with some minor loss of wood near terminal. Head is loose on handle and small nail has been driven into handle end as it protrudes at top of head.
Object ID
G.96.31.2
Usage
Shreiner, Martin
Credit
Gift of Paul A. Mueller, Jr., Heritage Center Collection
Two thin sheets of torpedo-shaped ivory-colored bakelite/celluloid are joined by a small block of the same material at their centers. The ends of both sides curve towards each other, closing and touching at their end points. Shuttle is designed for loading with thread by wrapping thread around center block. One of pointed ends has a thin pointed tip that protrudes 3/8" in length.
Stamped "BUCILLA/ REG.U.S.PAT.OFF." on both sides of shuttle. Bucilla is a sewing supply company formed in 1867 with headquarters in Hazelton, PA. The internet lists many examples made of plated brass, bone, horn, etc.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Stiletto or bodkin of turned bone, fitted in a conical basket-weave holder or sheath.
Stiletto (A) has ball-shaped head with hole in it, then narrowing to a neck with additional swells and narrowing until it tapers from midsection down to a sharp point.
Holder (B) is an elongated cone made with a brown reed-like material woven onto ribs like a basket. Handle is a twisted form of the same material, shaped in a double loop configuration.
It is assumed that this pair of otems were originally dwsigned for each other.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Needle case of turned hardwood (maple?). Cylindrical body was turned in two pieces and strong chamfers at each blunt ends. Center band of glossy black with three scored lines at midpoint. Ends also painted black with a score line on each. Additional daubs of black paint on unpainted body.
Cylinder is hollow for holding needles. One third of body pulls off like a cap, sliding off a male extension of the 2/3 section. No contents.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Needle case of cast silver is a square-bodied long container that tapers from one end to the other. Made of 2 pieces, the thickest end is the cap that fits on a male extension of the main body. The length of each side of case is constructed of identical cast pieces of silver with a soldered seam still visible.
Decorated with low-relief roses on cap; grapevine and football shape are on main body. Small panels on narrower sides have a slogan in German: "ZUM / ANDENKEN / KEINE ROSEN / OHNE DORNEN" which translates as a warning to not prick one's self with the needle. Literally, it states "Remember (there are) no roses without thorns."
Possibly Germany
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Needle case with needle threader, two pieces, a long metal tubular case of bronzed metal. Most of the object is the hollow tubular handle, 2.75" in length, with one rounded end and male-shaped "cap" fitting into opposite end. Handle has bery fine ribs running lengthwise on exterior. Cap end is very short with a smooth exterior. It has one rounded end while opposite end - that fits into handle - is fitted with a fine wire loop used to thread needles. The loop is mounted into red-painted wood which is in turn set into cap's hollow end. To use tool, cap is removed, reversed end for end, and reinserted into hollow handle.
On side of cap is stamped "GERMANY."
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of bone is a flattened needle with one rounded end and one end with a blunt point. Slot of 5/8" in length is cut into body near rounded end. This tool is used for threading ribbons, etc. through casings, fabric tubes or loops.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of steel is a blunt needle used for threading ribbons or other fabric through casings, loops, etc.
Two thin pieces of tapered steel are laminated together through half their length at narrow end. Two pieces at wider end are separated, allowing a ribbon or other material to be fitted into "jaws" and clamped in place via a sliding mechanism fitted into slot that extends lenthwise toward jaws. Inside of jaw ends have 3 pairs of raised barbs or teeth that enable the jaws to hold material without slipping.
Stamped on one side at midsection is "THE DOT." This likely refers to the rounded sliding mechanism fitted in the slot.
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Bodkin of steel is a blunt needle used for threading ribbons, tape or other fabric through casings, loops, etc.
Bodkin is two thin pieces of tapered steel that are laminated together through half their length at narrow end. Two pieces at wider end are separated, allowing a ribbon or other material to be fitted into "jaws" and clamped in place via a sliding mechanism fitted into slot that extends lenthwise toward jaws. Jaws are enabled to hold material without slipping via two raised beads stamped into one side and two matching holes on other side.
Stamped onto one side of tool at midsection is "PATD. MAR. 29. 92."
Provenance
Collected by Lillian Hollings Kiker, born to Scottish Americans who lived in New Jersey. Born (1912) and lived in New Jersey, last of Egg Harbor, she was active with quilting, sewing, knitting & crocheting. Collection inherited by donor when her mother passed away.
Wrought iron, two-tine meat fork. Long narrow handle of flat bar stock, except for one short round section near tines end. Handle end is rounded, with hanging hole. Heavily decorated with semi-circles along edges of top, like scalloping. Stamped "H. R. EBY" near midpoint.
Two tines are rounded and curved down and back up as viewed from side. Tines have a rectilinear "U" shape configuration with sharp corners at shoulders.
See Notes
Mastersonville, Rapho Twp. and Penn Twp.
Provenance
Dealer purchased form from someone who in turn had purchased the iron collection of an Elizabethtown collector.
Compare with another Eby fork, 18.5" long, pictured on page 50 of J. Lasansky's book "To Draw, Upset and Weld."
Also Jason Miller, "A Directory of Lanc. Co., PA Blacksmiths," 2001, p. 27.
Light corrosion on top surface; heavier corrosion under handle.
Object ID
P.04.05.1
Notes
Eby was raised in Penn Twp. and later moved to Mastersonville, Rapho Twp. for most of his adult life, before retiring to Lebanon Co. He & Lizzie are buried in Penryn Cemetery.
1860 Census- age 4 in Penn Twp.
1870 Census- age 15, a "servant" in home of uncle? Chr. Ruhl, Brickerville
1880 Census - age 28 in Penn Twp.
1900 Census - age 44 in Rapho Twp.
1910 Census - age 54 in Rapho Twp.
1920 Census - age 63 in S. Londonderry Twp., Lebanon Co.
1930 Census - age 73 in S. Londonderry Twp., Lebanon Co. (No occupation listed)
Weathervane, sheet iron, with iron upright support and brackets. In the shape of an Indian striding forward with right arm raised while holding a long hatchet. Directional arrow (spear?) is below waist, slanting upwards.
Tall case clock w/ 8-day movement housed in a cherry Chippendale style case with scroll pediment, carved floral rosettes and three flame finials. Arched glass door and side lights. Partially engaged, smooth columns at front corners, forming part of the hinged door.
Brass dial has Roman numeral chapter ring, C-scroll and vining foliate engraving at spandrels as well as above and below moon wheel which is painted with a star-spangled sky and moon with face. Engraved "Wilton Atkinson" on lower dial.
Waist has broken arch door and recessed, plain quarter columns. Base has raised, scalloped panel at front with quarter columns that match those in the waist section. Feet are bold ogee bracket style.
Atkinson is believed to have been the son of Matthew Atkinson of Lampeter Twp. Wilton was in the Borough as early as 1763 as a cutler. In tax records, he was listed in 1770 as a watchmaker and in 1772 and 1773 as a clockmaker. He married Anna Maria, daughter of the early Borough clockmaker Abram Laroy. Legend states that Anna Maria also made clocks in Lancaster that were sold bearing her husband's name. The Atkinsons eventually moved to Baltimore where, following his death, Anna Maria conducted business until 1819. (Clockmakers of Lanc. Co.)
Snyder notes on p. 40 of Clockmakers of Lanc. Co, that this case is considered one of the earliest examples of the Chippendale style in Lancaster Co., based on the brief working career of Atkinson (1770-1773).
Provenance
Owned by Dr. George Rohrer, then to son Henry A. Rohrer, then to daughter Mary Louise Webster. Tape adhered to reverse side of dial has the name of the donor's father, "Henry Rohrer/ 9-22-87."
Case has been overcleaned, finished with a glossy varnish then handrubbed with steel wool to remove gloss. Vertical scratch on right side of base; feet marred. Crack at lower right corner of base, below raised panel. There are about nine nail holes over the expanse of the tympanum suggesting missing carving. Heavy dent on dial at left edge, center, and hammer marks at this point on reverse side. Lower left corner distorted.
Object ID
G.01.49.1
Notes
Entry for Wilton Atkinson in "Clockmakers of Lancaster Co. and Their Clocks 1750-1850" notes that: "Atkinson married Anna Maria, a daughter of the early Borough clockmaker Abrum Laroy and legend states that she also made clocks in Lancaster that were sold bearing her husband's name. "
Brochure of the First Reformed Church (UCC) notes that in the 1760s, "the French Laroys" belonged to this church. "One chronicler called the LeRoy sisters (four daughters of a local clockmaker) the 'Belles of the congregation.'... Anna Maria, the youngest of the sisters, learned her father's trade and was said to be 'as good a clockmaker' as he was. She and her husband, Wilton Atkinson, took over the family business." (Note: Abrum Laroy died in 1763).
Above brochure is http://visithistoricalancaster.com/pdf/02LP109 HOW-FR-UCC
Call to church office & conversation with paster Dana Schlegel offered no clues to source of above information (Jan. 2017).
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
In memory of Dr. George Rohrer and Mrs. & Mrs. Henry A. Rohrer by Mary Louise Webster, Heritage Center Collection
Platter of ironstone transferware with clear glaze. Rectangular with clipped corners, recessed bottom and moderately wide sides that extend outward. White body is devoid of decoration except for black transfer scene of a long bridge spanning a river, 5 people in foreground, town at right end of bridge and another in the distance on right bank. Underside has apparent impressed mark and transfer maker's mark at center: under a spread eagle with shield is a "sign" reading "COLUMBIA BRIDGE ON THE SUSQUEHANNA". Below it is "W.R.", indicating maker William Ridgway & Co. Sticker on bottom is: "$390" and "CLP". This river scene is a variation of the print done by William Henry Bartlett (see G98.12.21).
Shelton or Hanley, England
Provenance
Purchased in Adamstown Antiques Gallery for Heritage Center collection. Transferred from Heritage Center, December 2012.
Copper teakettle with round body, gooseneck spout, very low domed lid w/ scrolled knob of sheet copper riveted onto lid with a hand-cut washer added under lid, suggesting repair or replacement. Curved handle hinges onto tapered plinth tab bases with two rivets each. Vertical dove-tailed side seam opposite single-seamed spout. Dove-tailed bottom.
Touchmark on top of handle is "R..REED." within a rectangular reserve with serrated ends.
Made by Robert Reed, working in Lancaster 1771-1779, then 1785-1795.
Provenance
Purchased by Heritage Center from Philip Bradley Antiques
Transferred from Heritage Center to LancasterHistory.org December, 2012.
Tax assessment lists Robert Reed 1786-1793.
Kauffman, Henry J. American Copper and Brass. New York: Bonanza, 1979.
Coppersmith info from Shelley Horvath Posten (dau. of Don Horvath), 2009
Copper dented and scratched overall, polish residue at handle hinges. Side handle break repaired with sheet iron patch secured to outside with two iron rivets. Knob appears to be a repair or a replacement.
Object ID
P.80.131
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Purchased through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation,
Round copper vessel, shaped like a teakettle, but without a spout. A shaped strap handle is attached to each side of the opening at shoulder with riveted brackets. The handle widens near the middle, where the maker's mark is stamped: "P & B. SCHAUM"
Body is dovetailed to base, one dovetailed vertical seam, handle attached to flanges held in place by two rivets each. Pot insert is missing. Another insert (S.13) was purchased as a replacement.
Vessel has multiple dents, creating a general distortion overall. Surface is also tarnished and has drip stains running down the sides. The bottom is very worn and has numerous stains. Blueish-white stains on the inside. Polish residue on handle.
Object ID
P.77.61
Place of Origin
Lancaster
Related Item Notes
See broadside for Benjamin Schaum's hardware store, P.91.02
Credit
Heritage Center Collection. Purchased through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
