Box, Wall

Object Name:

Box, Wall

Object ID:

2023.017

Place of Origin:

Midlands, England (probably)

Date:

1600-1632

Description:

Wall box, early 17th century, said to have been used as the collection or mite box in the meeting house at Hampton, NH. Originally owned by Rev. Stephen Batchelder (c. 1561-1656) of Hampton, who may have brought the box from England in 1632. Constructed of riven and nailed oak boards with an oak or chestnut (?) back- or bottom board projecting to a rounded terminus with a hole for hanging, the box has a sliding, removable, chip-carved lid ornamented with a complex, asymmetrical, geometric design of compound rosettes of varying sizes. Inscribed with a date of "165[?]" on left side exterior. The box was originally fitted with two partitions to divide the interior into three sections, two longer ones parallel to the sides and a smaller one perpendicular to them across the top.

This box is significant as one of the earliest artifacts associated with the colonial settlement of New Hampshire. Made in England, it likely came to America with Rev. Batchelder around 1632. The carved 1650s date on the side possibly commemorates Batchelder's return to England around 1655, with the box remaining in Hampton.

Material:

Wood
Oak

Dimensions:

H-9.5 W-4.75 D-2 inches

Provenance:

The box is believed to have descended from the Reverend Stephen Batchelder (c. 1561-1656) to his grandson, Nathaniel, Jr. (1630-1710) of Hampton; his son, Stephen (1675-1748); his son, John (1699-1770); his son, James (1733-1810); his son, John (1757-1835); his son, Jeremiah (1800-1879); his son, Charles Edwin (1849-1894); his son, Charles Hull (1876-1948), a trustee of NHHS, who placed the box on loan; his son, Charles E. (1907-1965), and by descent until consignment to Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, 18 August 2019 [unsold]; and purchased privately by Philip Zea, Norwich, VT, who donated it to NHHS in 2023 in honor of old friend and native son of Hampton, Ron Bourgeault.

Stephen Batchelder was born in about 1561, perhaps in South Stoneham, Hampshire, England. With a degree from St. John's College, Oxford University, he became the Vicar of Wherwell Parish, Hampshire, in 1587, serving until his dismissal in 1605. In 1632, he emigrated at the age of 70 with his wife, Helena, to the New World on the ship William and Francis. The Batchelders first settled in Saugus, MA, until his dismissal from the church in 1636, followed by a year in Newbury before moving to nearby Hampton. Controversy as a Non-conformist followed Batchelder wherever he traveled. In the mid-1640s, he moved to Strawbery Banke (Portsmouth), where he remained until returning to London with his grandson, Stephen Sanborne, between 1650 and 1654. He died there and was buried at All Hallows Staining in October 1656.

Credit Line:

Gift of Philip and Betsy Zea in honor of Ron Bourgeault

People:

Batchelder, Stephen (c. 1561-1656)

Subjects:

Meetinghouses, Churches