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Writing-Arm Windsor Rocking Chair

Collection Type

  • Furniture

Date

1830-1840

GUSN

GUSN-3147

Description

Windsor style writing-arm chair, supported on an integrant end of the seat. Black spindles terminate in a straight crest rail. Under the writing arm are three small drawers one above the other, and one long narrow drawer at the front most edge. There is evidence that there was once a long drawer beneath the seat. The whole chair has old, dark green paint. Step-down crest rail over six turned and tapered spindles and stiles on rectangular, incised plank seat. Right side has a flat arm rest with shaped finger hold supported by four bamboo turned and one tapering posts; the left side has the shaped writing arm supported by two tapering and two bamboo turned posts with drawers with single turned pulls beneath; raised on four bamboo turned legs, formed by bamboo-turned stretchers; on shaped rockers.

Details

Descriptive Terms

Windsor rocking chairs
writing-arm Windsor chairs
maple (wood)
painting (coating)
pine (wood)
Windsor chairs
Pine
Maple
Painted
Windsor
Chair, Rocking

Inscription

On a old handwritten paper label pasted to the bottom of the seat, gives the history of the chair's owner: This writing arm chair/was originally the property of Rev. Seth Chapin,/ son of Rev. Seth Chapin of Mendon/,Mass. Born at Mendon, Jan 25, 1783. He attended Andover Academy and Brown University. Married/Mary Bicknell of Barrington, R.I., May 27, 1810./ Ordained Jan. 1, 1812. Preached at: Hillsboro, N.H. 1812-16; Rowley, Mass.; Mansfield, Conn.,/ 16-19; Hanover 19-24; E. Haddam, Conn.,/25; Hunter, N.Y. 25-27; Attleboro, West Somerville, Ma. 33-35; W.C. 35-42; Providence 42 until his death on April 19, 1850. Buried Swan Point Cemetary. (Inf. from records of great grandson Howard Chapin, NFL). Also on the label: The chair together with Seth Chapin's portrait by Louise (Value) Chapin, daughter-in-law of Seth Chapin, Concordance, and seal, was given to me by Mrs. Virginia K. Viall, granddaughter of Seth Chapin. The portrait is a miniature. By Howard W. Kent, Concord, Mass. Jan. 1941. In the top drawer are a number of letters from Howard W. Chapin, the great grandson of Re. Seth Chapin to Howard W. Kent, who was obviously a relative. He speaks of an auction of the Chapin belongings. Letters are dated 1939.

Associated Building

Original To Cogswell's Grant (Essex, Mass.),

Maker

Unknown

Dimensions

44 1/2 x 30 x 28 (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little

Accession Number

1991.1212

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