Inscribed with "P. Capen 1708," this maple banister back chair was made in Waltham, Massachusetts. It was most likely a gift given to Parson Capen's daughter, Priscilla, when she married Boxford, Massachusetts resident Caleb Thomas in 1708. This piece was refinished at some point.
Inscribed with "P. Capen 1708," this maple banister back chair was made in Waltham, Massachusetts. It was most likely a gift given to Parson Capen's daughter, Priscilla, when she married Boxford, Massachusetts resident Caleb Thomas in 1708. This piece was refinished at some point.
Made in Essex County, Massachusetts, this oak and pine chest belonged to Francis Peabody. In 1658, Peabody settled in Topsfield and built the first grist mill. The chest features shadow-molded stiles and rails. Additionally, the lid is affixed with wooden cleat pin-hinges. However, the red paint on this piece is not original.
Contemporary with the building of the Parson Capen House (1683), this low joined cupboard of oak and chestnut was made in Essex County, Massachusetts. It predates the house by nearly a decade.
English "glass cases" were used for the storage of glasses, table garniture and pots. This fragment of the front of a glass case is the only New England example known and was made in Rowley, Massachusetts circa 1680. This piece was identified, using microanalysis, as being made of red oak, which was native to the Rowley/Topsfield area (red oak is nearly extinct in the area). The original use of the piece was identified by scholar Robert Trent.
This unsigned oil painting was done circa 1830 by an unknown American artist. The portrait is of Eleazer Lake (1805-1867) and was an engagement portrait for his marriage to Hannah Gould on 20 December 1832.