Sackback Windsor chair claimed to be used in both Lancaster and Philadelphia in PA legislature.
Brass plaque on seat reads:
HAND MADE WINDSOR ELBOW CHAIRS / CIRCA 1750 / USED IN / LANCASTER AND PHILADELPHIA PA / BY MEMBERS OF THE / CONTINENTAL CONGRESS / AND / PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE / 1776 TO 1812 / PRESENTED BY HENRY SLAUGH / OCTOBER 12, 1961
This Windsor chair served members of the Continental Congress on September 27,1777, when Congress met for session in the original Courthouse on Lancaster's Center Square. It also served the Pennsylvania government from that same month until June 1778 during the British occupation of the City of Philadelphia. In 1784 when undergoing remodeling, a fire broke out destroying much of the building. Fortunately, many records and furnishings, including this chair, were recovered. Once rebuilt, the 'new' courthouse and this Windsor chair again served the state government from 1799 to 1812 when Lancaster was the capitol of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Chippendale chest of drawers, primary wood is cherry, three thumb-molded and aligned drawers over two aligned drawers and four graduated drawers, each with brass bat pulls and keyhole escutcheons, flanked by rounded quarter columns over a molded edge base. Ogee bracket feet.
Lancaster, PA c. 1770
Provenance:
Owned by Mathias Gish, Penryn, PA
-Abraham Gish
-Jacob Gish of Bainbridge (built a mill on Conoy Creek)
-John S. Gish of Bainbridge
-Henry B. Gish " "
-H. John Gish " "
Provenance
Owned by immigrant Mathias Gish of Penryn, PA, then to son Abraham Gish (1745 - 1789) who relocated to Bainbridge, W. Donegal Twp. Then to eldest son Jacob Gish (1767 - 1845) who built a mill, to son John S. Gish ( ? - 1889), to son Henry B. Gish (1834 - 1896/7), to son H. John Gish ( ? - 1942). Donor is granddaughter of H. John Gish.
Two of the top three aligned drawers have patches to corners. One of the two sligned drawers has patches to left thumbmolding. The top graduated drawer has center and left corner thumbmolding patched and restored. The second graduated drawer has restorations to thumbmolding and bottom graduated drawer has center and center left thumbmolding restored. Replaced feet. Brasses appear to be original (appraisal)
Object ID
2011.012
Notes
Mill was built by Jacob Gish (1767-1845) on the Conoy Creek near Bainbridge in West Donegal Township. He operated the mill from 1790 until his death in 1845. Jacob also served in the state legislature from 1805-1809 and again in 1824.
Each generation operated the mill on down to H. John Gish, until the early 1940s. The Gish mill was in continuous operation for over 150 years.
Credit
Gift of Barbara Goudarzi in memory of Nancy Hershey Gish.
Hinged box writing desk of walnut opens to reveal a conveniently sloped writing surface covered with green felt. Metal tab at top of upper half swivels to allow wooden panel to open via a twine pull. Within storage area are: 3 small graphite pencils, 1 brush, 1 blue crayon, 2 pieces of flat soap stone, and a 3" pencil made by "American Pencil Co. NY/THE DANCE." The lower portion of the writing has identical panel lifting to reveal space for writing paper. Alongside lift panel, at front, are 3 open compartments and a fitted lid-covered long compartment. Keyhole at front of closed desk. Key is 1938.08.3.
Secretary, or desk and bookcase, Federal style, with extensive inlay, including "1804", flanked by the initials "I M" (or J M) on fall board of desk. Initials likely represent one of John H. A. Bomberger's ancestors/relatives. Made in 3 parts: a cornice and frieze, a slant-front desk with cubby holes and extensive inlay inside and out, and a bookcase with glazed doors using diamond design tracery, centered oval fan inlay and 1/4 fans at all 8 corners of doors. Desk has half fan inlay on skirt, running diamond banding just above and bellflower inlay at face of desk corners.
Henry T. Spangler, a member of the first graduating class from Ursinus, married college president John H. A. Bomberger's daughter Marion. Spangler later became the president of Ursinus, himself. Bomberger was born in Lancaster, graduated from Marshall College in Lancaster (later Franklin & Marshall). The secretary was a Bomberger family piece inherited by daughter Marion who willed it to her daughter "Aunt Doll" who resided at Ursinus until her death. Her brother George (Joel Spangler's grandfather ) inherited the piece and later willed it to Joel.
Provenance
Believed to have descended through John H. A. Bomberger's family of Lancaster County, through his parents or their parents. Documented only from J. H. A Bomberger on. From Bombergers, it descended through the Spangler family.
Finish darkened overall. Large pieces of veneer missing and lifting on skirt. Large veneered oval on fall board has cracks throughout. Two vertical cracks extend up from each side of desk base. Thin molding splitting on bookcase base at back left side. Section of wood with inlay missing at top of bookcase at back of right side.
