Bat, Baseball

Object Name:

Bat, Baseball

Object ID:

2025.050

Creator:

Cole, Thomas Alfred (1897-1978) -- Woodworker

Place of Origin:

Conway, NH

Date:

1930-1939

Description:

Bat, Baseball. Wood baseball bat with oval brand reading "MADE BY / T.A. COLE / CTR. CONWAY, N.H.", c. 1930s.

Material:

Wood

Dimensions:

L-33 Dia-2.375 inches Weight-32 oz

Provenance:

Thomas Alfred Cole was born on October 8, 1897 in Brownfield, Maine, as the first of three sons of Etta and Llewellyn Cole. On September 12, 1918 he registered for the draft in South Paris, Maine. He lived in East Brownfield and listed his occupation as a woodsman for J.W. Perkins in East Brownfield, ME. In the 1920 US Census, Thomas was living with his family in Brownfield, ME, and worked as a laborer in a box mill along with one of his brothers. On June 1, 1924 in Center Conway, NH, Thomas married Persis Edith Davidson (b. 5/11/1896) of Conway. His occupation is listed as Truckman. In the 1930 US census the couple lived in Conway, where Thomas worked as a house painter. In the 1940 census he's still a painter. When he registered for the draft on February 14, 1942 in Conway he listed himself as self-employed. The 1950 census listed the couple living with Persis's widowed mother in Conway, with Thomas working as a carpenter in the construction industry. The couple moved to Brownfield, Maine, by the end of 1972. Thomas died in Portland on June 23, 1978, and Persis died in Brownfield on May 3, 1983.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Purchase, Raymon S. Vaughan Baseball Fund

People:

Cole, Thomas Alfred (1897-1978)

Subjects:

Baseball, Baseball equipment, Sports, Sporting goods industry, Sports equipment