Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

1963.063.01

Place of Origin:

Probably Salem or Ipswich, MA

Date:

1650-1700

Description:

Slat-back arm chair ("great chair"), 1650-1700, owned by Meshech Weare (1713-1786) of Hampton Falls, NH, first President of New Hampshire. Oak and ash, with rush seat. Slat back, with 3 stepped slats and a turned top rail. Ring turnings on front and rear posts, as well as fine incised lines. Rear posts have cup finials with knob tops. Front posts have knob handholds. Two turned stretchers on front and sides. Only one stretcher on back. Draw-shaven arms are flat, curved on interior and exterior, 2" at the widest point. Woven rush seat, trapezoidal shape, with string repairs. Brown finish, early. Many old insect holes. Separate silver plaque with chain, engraved, "GOVERNOR WEARE'S CHAIR / GIVEN IN MEMORY OF / JOHN WILLIAM AND HARRIET DUNKLEE DODGE / BY THEIR GRANDCHILDREN".

Material:

Wood
Grass

Dimensions:

H-45.25 W-23.75 D-18.75 inches

Provenance:

Frances Healey's will states, "I give and bequeath to the New Hampshire Historical Society of Concord, New Hampshire, the two seventeenth century chairs that formerly belonged to Governor Meshech Weare and I direct that the arm chair have permanently attached to it the silver marker now in my safe."

Descended in the Dodge-Healey family of Hampton Falls, NH. The Healey family probably purchased this chair at the Meshech Weare auction in 1943.

John W. and Harriet D. Dodge were the grandparents of Frances Healey.

Probably originally owned by Meshech Weare's father, Nathaniel Weare of Newburyport, MA.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Frances Healey

People:

Weare, Meshech (1713-1786), Healey, Frances ( -c. 1963), Dodge, John, Dodge, Harriet