UNITED BY WATER: CABINETMAKING TRADITIONS IN THE DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY, 1670–1740 by Jacquelann Grace Killian A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in American Material Culture Summer 2015 © 2015 Jacquelann Grace Killian All Rights Reserved ProQuest Number: 1602386 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. ProQuest 1602386 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 - 1346 UNITED BY WATER: CABINETMAKING TRADITIONS IN THE DELAWARE RIVER VALLEY, 1670–1740 by Jacquelann Grace Killian Approved: __________________________________________________________ J. Ritchie Garrison, Ph.D. Professor in charge of thesis on behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: __________________________________________________________ J. Ritchie Garrison, Ph.D. Chair of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture Approved: __________________________________________________________ George H. Watson, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Approved: __________________________________________________________ James G. Richards, Ph.D. Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The spirit of research is enthusiastic, sharing, collaborative. At a Winterthur Furniture Forum in 2011, Linda Robertson presented me her spare copy of Worldly Goods, catalogue to the eponymous exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1999. This gesture is exemplary of the generosity I found in all corners of Winterthur. My interest in this subject began as a student at Pennsylvania State University working with Professor Emeritus Richard W. Pencek. For decades Dick introduced classes of undergraduates to decorative arts and historic preservation practice through his “Pennsylvania Decorative Arts” and “Pennsylvania Building Technologies” courses. With patient guidance and lively conversation, my thesis advisor Dr. J. Ritchie Garrison, Professor and Director of the Winterthur Program at the University of Delaware, thoughtfully engaged my questions and observations. He genially and steadfastly read numerous drafts as I struggled to articulate the implications of my findings. Thanks to Ritchie, I ask “so what?” He created an environment that fostered supportive interrogation of objects and theories. Our conversations frequently ended with the adage, “it’s complicated.” I am grateful for keeping that in my toolkit. A number of individuals and organizations facilitated this research through their generous financial support. A Dewey Lee Curtis Summer Travel Research Grant given by the Decorative Arts Trust enabled my early travel research visits. I remain iii grateful to the Trust’s Board and supporters for underwriting this research, and that of other young scholars. Continued financial support came from the Morrison & Fenella Heckscher Travel Fund, and Coco Kim Travel and Research Fund from the Academic Programs Department at Winterthur Museum. The continued generosity of Mrs. George M. Kaufman and the Kaufman Book Fund created a robust reference library, while WPEAC alumna Judith Livingston Loto enabled my purchasing with her shop’s student-friendly pricing. I received limitless support from faculty, as well as current and former Museum staff and Program lecturers. I am indebted to Rosemary T. Krill, Wendy Cooper, Lisa Minardi, Mark Anderson, Stephanie Auffret, Gregory Landrey, Linda Eaton, Ann Wagner, Leslie Grigsby, Joshua Lane, Brock Jobe, Emily Guthrie, Jeanne Solensky, Lauri Perkins, Laura Parrish, Linda Martin-Schaff, and Richard McKinstry, Sarah Parks, Onie Rollins, Catharine Dann Roeber, Julia Hofer, Jim Schneck, Susan Newton, Charles Hummel, and Donald Fennimore. Independent historians Robert F. Trent and Philip Zimmerman shared their knowledge and observations, wisely and often humorously challenging my assumptions and those of our field generally. Furniture scholar Adam Bowett’s thoughtful conversations, swift, informative correspondence, and encouragement were (and remain) a great resource. The specific evidence of this study will be of greatest interest to local scholars and collectors who are equally responsible for making this research possible. H. L. "Skip” Chalfant allowed me to impose on him and his family, and furthered that kindness by introducing me to pivotal people who opened their doors. Similar debts iv of gratitude are owed to William K. du Pont, Dr. Richard and Pamela Mones, Thomas Musselman, Judy Doherty, Jay R. Stiefel, Esq., William and Susan Black, and Keith Adams. Each offered their knowledge, patience, and gracious hospitality at all times. Curators and staff repeatedly made themselves, their collections, and files available to me. I’m especially grateful to Deborah Rebuck, Curator, and Christopher Storb, Project Conservator, of the Dietrich American Foundation. I am also grateful to the following professionals for their generosity: Patricia Kane, Jennifer Johnson and Eric Litke, Yale University Art Gallery; Peter Kenny, Co-President of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust; Nicholas Vincent, The American Wing, The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Alexandra Alevizatos Kirtley and Lucy Peterson, Philadelphia Museum of Art; Tara Gleason Chicirda, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Ulysses G. Dietz, Dr. William Peniston, and Andrea Hagy, Newark Museum; Rebecca Wilson and John Haddock, Trinity Episcopal Parish and Old Swedes Foundation of DE, Inc., Wilmington; Stephen Ferguson, Princeton University Library; Anthony Shahan, Newlin Grist Mill; Todd Galle, Pennsbury Manor; Kelli Lucas Stewart, Skinner Auctions, Inc.; Maggie Brown Domont and Andrew Holter, Christie’s; Pat O’Donnell and Christopher Densmore, Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College; Jeff Macechak and Lisa Fox-Pfeiffer, Burlington County Historical Society; Calvin Stevenson and other members of the Burlington Meeting of Friends; Nina Wallace and Dianne Snodgrass, Historical Society of Haddonfield; Gloucester County Historical Society; Allison Munsell, Albany Institute of History and Art; Bernadette Rogoff, Monmouth County Historical Association; Nicholas v Ciotola, The New Jersey State Museum; Laura Keim, Stenton and Wyck of Germantown; Amy Finkel, M. Finkel & Daughter, Philadelphia; Ron and Mimi Miller, Historic Natchez Foundation. My WUDPAC and WPAMC classmates and alumni were my support network throughout the two years at Winterthur. Their quiet observation, occasional interventions, generosity, humor, and constant commiseration enriched what was already a transformative experience. I am humbled and grateful to be your colleague. You will always part of the fabric of my favorite experiences here, and I hope we reunite regularly to reminisce about life at the Ranch. Finally, I dedicate this work to my parents and my brother with my gratitude for their trust that this bend in the road was the right one to take, and for supporting that wholeheartedly. Your patience and many sacrifices made this possible. Thank you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................ xix Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................. 1 2 ETHNICITY AND TRADITION .................................................................... 39 3 MATERIALS ................................................................................................... 85 4 APPLICATION .............................................................................................. 122 5 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 189 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 202 Appendix A CRAFTSMEN ACTIVE IN NEW JERSEY PRIOR TO 1730 ...................... 219 B WILLS AND INVENTORIES ....................................................................... 259 C EXCERPTS FROM THE ACCOUNT BOOK OF JOHN TANTUM, 1701– 08 .................................................................................................................... 278 D PATTERN BRICK HOUSES OF SALEM CO., NEW JERSEY .................. 288 E SOCIETY OF FRIENDS MEETINGS IN NEW JERSEY ESTABLISHED PRIOR TO 1740 ............................................................................................. 290 F LOCATIONS OF SAWMILLS IN NEW JERSEY PRIOR TO 1750 ........... 294 G PERMISSIONS .............................................................................................. 299 vii LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1 Inventory of timber material itemized in the estate of William Till, joiner, 1711. ..........................................................................................