The Detroit times., 1914-09-19
Historical Furniture.


An exhibit OF historical furniture.
much OF which has not previously
been shown. is now installed In the
two large wall cases on either side
OF the hall OF history In the older
United States National Museum build
ing at Washington.
The collection includes number Of
ine examples of revolutionary pieces
owned by Brigadier-Gen Rufus
Putnam, of the United States army.
who was one OF the organizers OF the
Ohio company which founded the
town Of Marietta. o.. the first perman-
emit English settlement OF importance
west of the Alleghenies. Two antique
gift-framed mirrors of the early part
OF the nineteenth century are inter.
esting pieces In the collection. An
other object Is an old-fashioned ma
hogany secretary or combination writ
Ing desk and bureau. A number OF
straight and arm-ch@rs. having cane
seats, typical OF the same period, form
part of the bequest of Judge K. M. p.
Brister. fine type OF mahogany
table with interesting carving on the
legs. and q cherry cradle made during
| the early part of the eighteenth CEN
fury, and used by the Pennsylvania
revolutionary soldier, William Faulk-
ner, while an infant. are the gift OF
the Misses Fairfax.
An old-fashioned wooden folding
camp cot used by Brigadier-General
Peter Gansevoort, when a colonel In
the continental army. during the cam
paigns against the British In the col
ony of New York. was presented 10
| the museum by Mrs. Catherine Ganse-
WORT Lansing. The cot frame Is made
or light, rods, over the four sides OF
which Is dashed canvas cloth. The
lashing allows II TO give little, max
ing the bed fairly comfortable one
and at the same time renders II light
durable aud exceptionally convenient
for field service.
Several unique pieces relate to the
life OF Alexander Hamilton. the finan
cier OF the revolution. Among them
are several chairs. two mahogany
side tables OF beautifully inlaid woods
and an odd mahogany work table hav
Ing mirror top; the latter the prop
erty OF Mrs. Hamilton. The chairs
| with brass inlaying. once the property
OF Chief Justice John Marshall. form
the bequest Of Mrs. Alice Key Brown
In addition to the colonial and rev.
oluttonary furniture there are several
splendid French and English pieces OF
early times and types. Among them
some from the Chopper family OF vir-
ginia include an old sideboard OF in
laid wood. with brass pulls; two chairs
formerly owned by George Bancroft
the eminent statesman and historian
and founder of the United States
Naval academy, and an English wine
chest of the eighteenth century. with
II sections for bottles. A French EN-
pire sofa and a clock OF the same style
are included. as well as an early type
OF sewing machine. and many objects
OF brass. In the form of fireplace i'm
lplements, candlesticks, lamps, etc.
In the upper part of the wall cases
there Is a series OF historical paintings
and engravings depicting noted men
scenes. birth places. landmarks and
so-forth. relating to early American
history-John Stark. of the continen,
tai army; General Grant. Daniel Web
ster. Zachariah Chandler, John How.
ard Payne, author OF Home Sweet
Home BENJAMIN Thompson (Count
Rumford). the United States frigate
Constitution and many other interest
Ing historical objects and events.
More recent relics In the form OF
furniture and utensils bring the series
through the civil war period TO the
present times and complete one OF the
best collections Of historical furniture
In this country.