With its single stamp, "J.S.," the maker of this wrought iron fat lamp was probably James Sellers, a blacksmith in Philadelphia during the second quarter of the 19th century. The 1830 census shows Sellers living in the Middle Ward of the City of Philadelphia in a sizeable household. This home was comprised of several children including five boys, three under 5, one under 10 and one under 15; five girls, two between 5 and 10, two between 10 and 15 and two between 15 and 20; and two women between the ages of 30 and 40. By 1840, census information shows Sellers was living in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County in a largely expanded household. In addition to several more children, the Sellers household also included, "1 Free Colored Male" between the ages of 36 and 55 and one free colored female under the age of 10, with four members of this household employed in agriculture.