Cradle

Object Name:

Cradle

Object ID:

1986.098

Place of Origin:

Bridgewater, NH

Date:

1790-1820

Description:

Cradle. Pine, with history of use in by Herbert L. Fletcher (1878-1946) of Bridgewater, NH, as a baby. Painted blue-gray. Five board construction, with flat bottom, 2 sides, and 2 ends, nailed with hand-wrought nails. Nailed at interval of 1.25". End boards have rounded tops. Head board (20.25") taller than foot board (16.5"). Top edges of side boards stepped, with highest part at joints with head board (top step broken on of right side). Several pencil marks and indentations, which appear random. "X" inscribed on bottom. Nail holes through bottom board suggest that two rockers were originally part of the cradle, but are no longer present, probably used as a storage bin.

Material:

Wood
Iron
Pine

Dimensions:

H-20.25 W-15.175 L-35 inches

Provenance:

Cradle, known to have been used by donor's father, Herbert L. Fletcher (1878-1946), Bridgewater, NH. However, the exclusive use of wrought nails and the shape suggests this cradle was made late 18th-early 19th century, and was more likely first used by Herbert's great-grandfather, Samuel Gilman Fletcher, (1804-1888), Bridgewater, NH, or someone in his generation.

Credit Line:

Gift of Marguerite E. Fletcher Tilton

People:

Fletcher, Samuel G. (1804-1888), Fletcher, Herbert L. (1878-1946)

Subjects:

Cradles