Acknowledgment of George B. Willson that he has bought Harriet Lane Johnston’s Wheatland estate
Description
Acknowledgment of George B. Willson that he has bought Harriet Lane Johnston’s Wheatland estate for $20,000, half to be paid now and the rest in installments; sale includes plants for the garden, bookcases in library, 2 cows, one horse, all farming implements; she may continue occupying the house until 1 July next with free supply of ice, fruit, and vegetables. Approved by Harriet Lane Johnston. Written on Harriet Lane Johnston’s stationery. 120 Park Street, [Baltimore].
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS1995.412
Other Number
JBFP Part 2, Series 2, Subseries 2, Folder 2
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
One pair of Chippendale brass and iron andirons. Contains large reeded ball at top, three graduated small balls center and large ball at base. Snake turned base with two small balls each side of snake turning. Rear of base small turned ball with double column base.
One of two Louis XVI upholstered armchairs. Both chairs have gilt and bronze beading and foliate ornament décor on their crests, arms, uprights and aprons. All four legs are surmounted by foliate-decorated blocks transitioning to an urn-shape and ring and beaded ball turnings. They transition to reeds in the middle tapering to additional ring and ball turnings that terminate on brass casters.
One of two Louis XVI upholstered armchairs. Both chairs have gilt and bronze beading and foliate ornament décor on their crests, arms, uprights and aprons. All four legs are surmounted by foliate-decorated blocks transitioning to an urn-shape and ring and beaded ball turnings. They transition to reeds in the middle tapering to additional ring and ball turnings that terminate on brass casters.
Rococo Revival walnut upholstered Salon Parlor Chair. Carved roses on crest and apron, Cabriole legs terminating in castors. Upholstered in gold damask fabric, chair back is button tufted.
Provenance
Owned by a Buchanan family member
To Elizabeth Hensel Nauman (Dorothy Flinn - donor)
Wardrobe with mirrored door. Overhanging cornice molded. Frieze has cock-bead molding, same molding on drawer front and down front sides. Rounded corners. Mirror in single door front is rounded at top corners with floral relief framing. Keyhole escutcheo
David A. Weaver, Cabinet Work, Quarryville, PA completed refinishing in 1993.
Object ID
W.1992.012.001
Notes
Accessioned twice - second accession number is 00.33.1. Removed folder 00.33.1 on 27 June 2011 and merged with file 92.12. All documentation is now in file 92.12.
four strands of wicket at one narrow end of the basket is broken off.
Object ID
W.1940.006.001
Notes
In her letter that accompanied the donation, Mrs. Myers informed the museum that "Mrs. Sherry said the basket was used for pretzels.
Mrs. Myers added that "Mrs. Sherry lived on the Old Factory Road near the Old Factory Bridge until about 15 years ago (1925) gave this pretzel basket and bread knife to me. They were given to her by Hetty Parker for whom Mrs. Sherry worked in the Buchanan home for 19 years.
Commerically advertised as a 'Hat Tub,' this portable tin tub was typically setup for use near the kitchen range. The tub is circular and made of tin with a round center bowl. The sides slant up and out in seven sections; one of the sections is topped with a flat seat for the bather. Each of the seven sections is japanned with a gold stencilled geometric pattern decoration. The underside of the tub is painted green. On one side of the bather's seat is a curved tin strip that holds soap and a bathing sponge. A raised semicircular tin piece creates a seat back.
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.
Four post mahogany veneer bed owned by James Buchanan. Includes two sets of rails. Originals have carvings on top edge and hold multiple slats. Modern set accommodates modern box spring and mattress with iron supports.
Mahogany sleigh bed. Sleigh-shaped bed with a headboard higher than footboard. Outcurved top rails. Cyma curved footboard. Headboard has side pieces with cyma curves. Low to ground. Side rails have curved top edge. Feet are rounded blocks that are caster
Provenance
Buchanan, James
to Johnston, Harriet Lane (niece)
to Kennedy, May (cousin)
to Taylor, Mrs. Edmund R. (Julia) (May's sister)
to Taylor, Mr. Edmund R. Taylor Jr. (Julia's grandson)
Walnut bed finish bleached by sun exposure, especially on back & headboard and footboard. Minor scratches on the wood througout.
Object ID
W.1989.344.001
Notes
Belonged to James Buchanan and Harriet Lane Johnston. According to letter from donor's wife, 'there is no written authentication of its origin, but my husband received the bed from his grandmother, Mrs. E.R. Taylor of Charles Town, Jefferson County, W. V
Mr. and Mrs. Edmund R. Taylor, Jr. donated a set of 8 linen handtowels marked with Harriet Lane Johnston's monogram and a letter from Francis Scott Key to James Buchanan at the same time of the bed donation. A campaign card was also donated at this time.
The matching sleigh bed is currently (2022) owned by Evelyn Byrd Hutton (evelynbyrdhutton@gmail.com), a sister of Betsy Henry Lehman & daughter to Reginald Buchanan Henry, Jr.
Cotton bedspread. White on white quilting, square with fringed edging on three sides. Motifs of sunflowers, strawberries and grape vines. Continuous serpentine foliate vine around border. Signed in ink at bottom left corner: 'Mary E Lane; signed in cross-stitch, HRL at top right corner with additional note in ink: "for MS Kennedy 1899."
Mary E. Lane No 2 written in ink in bottom left corner. HRL cross-stitched with "for MS Kennedy 1899'" written in ink at top right corner.
Length (cm)
254
Length (ft)
8.3333333333
Length (in)
100
Width (in)
100
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-09
Condition Notes
Some staining.
Object ID
W.1992.015.001
Notes
Since the quilting on this bedspread is too sophisticated for a young girl, it is probable that Jane Buchanan Lane, Mary and Harriet's mother, was the person who made the bedspread. The signatures in ink and cross stitch inform us that sisters, Mary E. and Harriet R. Lane owned the coverlet at different times in their lives. In or before 1899, Harriet added the message that the textile was to be next owned by her maternal cousin, May Selden Kennedy.
Remains of green silk at both ends over linen. Backing appears to be natural color linen with an open weave wool decorated with needlepoint floral-design repeated about ten times down length. Red rose/lavender rose/blue violets, with green leaves also shadings of brown.
Bill of sale from Jaquel, Paris for a set of pink and white china with a gilt laurel wreath border with monogram H. E. J.
Description
Bill of sale from Jaquel, Paris for a set of pink and white china with a gilt laurel wreath border with monogram H. E. J. for 2206 francs and a dessert set of the same with flowers and fruits for 1806 francs. Entire cost is 4457 francs or $1,008.24, including packing and box. Paris.
James Buchanan Papers, Penn State University Libraries,
https://libraries.psu.edu/findingaids/1458.htm
Related Item Notes
James Buchanan Family Papers
MG-96 James Buchanan Collection
Historical Society of Pennsylvania microfilm
Photograph collections
Curatorial collections
Wheatland Mansion
Notes
May 2020 PastPerfect Conversion
Access Conditions / Restrictions
Please use digital images and transcriptions when available. Original documents may be used by appointment. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org at least two weeks prior to visit.
Copyright
Images have been provided for research purposes only. Please contact archives@lancasterhistory.org for a high-resolution image and permission to publish.
LancasterHistory retains the rights to the digital images and content presented. The doctrine of fair use allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder. Fair use includes comment, criticism, teaching, and private scholarship. Any images and data downloaded, printed or photocopied for these purposes should provide a citation. All other uses beyond those allowed by fair use require written permission.
Permission for reproduction and/or publication must be obtained in writing from LancasterHistory. Some items are photocopies from other collections--researchers must obtain permission for reproduction and publication from the owner of the original material.
Persons wishing to publish any material from this site must assume all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright or other use restrictions. Publication fees may apply.
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Accession Number
JBMS2003.004
Other Number
JBFP Part 2, Series 2, Subseries 1, Folder 6
Description Level
Item
Custodial History
The James Buchanan Family Papers were collected by the James Buchanan Foundation for the Preservation of Wheatland. This collection was relocated from the Wheatland mansion to the LancasterHistory archives in the Spring of 2009. Digitization of the James Buchanan Family Papers was funded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, PHMC Appl ID # 201808013051, 2019-2020.
Jacquard woven blanket formed by two layers of intersecting dyed and undyed fabric. It was manufactured, not hand woven, due to the size of the loom required and complexity of punching the cards to form the pattern. Blue base with undyed wool forming a floral design.with starburst and diamond alternating patterns in between. Green fabric tape found on edges. Design is reversed in color on opposite side. Center design is cluster of four rose plants. Border is a foliate vine with blossoms.
Supposedly owned by Harriet Lane when she attended Georgetown Visitation Convent. Unknown how it came to be in donor's possession. Donor's son and daughter-in-law posited that perhaps Charlotte A. Bauer (donor) received it from Mrs. Cynthia Westover Alden, who was a cousin by marriage to John Alden. Mrs. Cynthia W. Alden had many connections in the 1880s and may have received the blanket from Harriet Lane Johnston.
Bookcase composed of two sections. The upper cabinet has two hinged doors that latch at center. The shelving is adjustable and both doors feature 12 oblong-shaped glass panes and mullions. The lower cabinet has two hinged wood doors that latch and lock at the center; each door features a square recessed panel.
Provenance
Thomas Potter
To - William Morris Meredith
To - James Buchanan
To - Harriet Lane Johnston
To - John Newton Lane
To - James Buchanan Lane II
To - Thomasina Thomas Lane
To - James Buchanan Foundation
Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
Sold to - William Morris Meredith for $75
Sold to - James Buchanan for $75
Bequeathed to - Harriet Lane Johnston
Bequeathed to - John Newton Lane, Harriet's nephew
Bequeathed to - James Buchanan Lane II, John N. Lane's son
Bequeathed to - Thomasina Thomas Lane, James B. Lane II's spouse
Bookcase composed of two sections. Cabinet with glass doors at top and cabinet with wooden doors at bottom. Two glass doors have square mullions holding the panes. Doors give access to moveable shelves inside. Two doors at bottom of each have simple rectangular recessed panels.
Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
Sold to William Morris Meredith 3rd owner of Wheatland
Sold to James Buchanan 4th owner of Wheatland
Inherited by Harriet Lane Johnston 5th owner of Wheatland
Bequeathed to John Newton Lane, Harriet Lane Johnston's nephew
Bequeathed to Mrs. Patty Lane Fay daughter of John N. Lane
Bookcases sold to Meredith in 1845 by Potter then Meredith sold them to James Buchanan in 1848. Letter dated 9/27/1848 to Buchanan from Meredith: 'In addition to the $6750 which you mention, I paid Mr. Potter for the bookcases in the library, I think $75.00.'
Wine bottle. Brown glass, shallow pontil, seamed shoulder and neck. Cork with red wax to seal mouth. Wine inside almost to shoulder level. Found by volunteers sometime during the early years of the James Buchanan Foundation. Bottle was found in the east end of the basement level in the Wheatland mansion.
Greenish-brown glass with kick in bottom. Cork sealed in mouth of bottle with pinkish wax ('Red Seal') and copper wire. Old torn tag around neck 'Dennison Mfg. Co. Tag Mfrs. 25 & 28 Franklin St. Boston'. Label on bottle printed with '1827 Red Seal Madeira'
One of 22 Sevres bouillon bowls. A hard-paste porcelain that originated at the Sèvres factory in France. Decorated and sold by Haviland's. Decor consists of maroon boarders on a white background, gilded edges and a centered gold ring with gilt highlights.
Provenance
Johnston, Harriet Lane
To - cousin, Riddle, Katherine W.
To - sister, Riddle, Anna S.
To - cousins, Coe, Sara W. & Coe, W. Travers To - Murphy, Elsie B. of Charles Town, W. VA. To - Governor's Mansion Virginia by Ms. Murphy's sister, Fletcher, Mrs. Robert.
