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Lot Essay
The narrow vertical stance and the interior till are indications of the early date of this desk. While the highly developed interior and choice of secondary woods (white cedar, tulip poplar and yellow pine, by sight) suggest a Philadelphia origin, such characteristics are also present in some related early case forms from as far south as coastal Virginia and North Carolina (see John Bivins, The Furniture of Coastal North Carolina 1700-1820 (Winston Salem, 1988, figs. 6.88 and 7.13). The highly unusual block shaping of the interior drawer fronts is not generally associated with Pennsylvania or the South, and perhaps suggests a knowledge of Rhode Island and Massachusetts cabinet traditions. New England cabinetmakers are known to have migrated to coastal North Carolina in the 18th century, and this early desk may have connections to one of those cabinet shops. Two desks attributed to North Carolina having related shaped interior drawer fronts are known (see Bivins, 6.88 and 6.89).
Nor does the history of the desk clarify with certainty its origins. One of the small drawers behind the prospect door bears numerous crayon inscriptions. While much of it is illegible, the name Jane H. Beeson appears twice, as well as that of (apparently) Beth Beeson. A Jane Beeson was born to Benjamin Beeson and Elizabeth Hunter on March 22, 1760 in Guilford, North Carolina. She married John Bond (b. May 30, 1755) on January 28, 1778. The families of both were apparently Quakers. John Bond had roots back to Pennsylvania, and this desk could have been brought to North Carolina with his parents. John Bonds father came to America in 1735, and he married Martha Rogers in Philadelphia in 1739. They moved to North Carolina in c. 1750. Janes roots in North Carolina reach back to the 17th century. Her Grandfather was born in Chowan County in 1667. Jane had a sister named Elizabeth, and perhaps the Beth Beeson refers to her sister.
Microanalysis indicates that the drawer bottoms are white cedar of the Atlantic or Northern groups.
Nor does the history of the desk clarify with certainty its origins. One of the small drawers behind the prospect door bears numerous crayon inscriptions. While much of it is illegible, the name Jane H. Beeson appears twice, as well as that of (apparently) Beth Beeson. A Jane Beeson was born to Benjamin Beeson and Elizabeth Hunter on March 22, 1760 in Guilford, North Carolina. She married John Bond (b. May 30, 1755) on January 28, 1778. The families of both were apparently Quakers. John Bond had roots back to Pennsylvania, and this desk could have been brought to North Carolina with his parents. John Bonds father came to America in 1735, and he married Martha Rogers in Philadelphia in 1739. They moved to North Carolina in c. 1750. Janes roots in North Carolina reach back to the 17th century. Her Grandfather was born in Chowan County in 1667. Jane had a sister named Elizabeth, and perhaps the Beth Beeson refers to her sister.
Microanalysis indicates that the drawer bottoms are white cedar of the Atlantic or Northern groups.