Name/Title
Sewing box with contents of Adeline Turner, c. 1850sEntry/Object ID
2004.67.2Description
ACC. NO. 04.67.2 A THRU I
SUBJECT OR CATEGORY: HOUSEHOLD
DATE OR PERIOD: C. 1850's
OBJECTS: SEWING CASE AND CONTENTS
DESCRIPTIONS:
A. AN OBLONG-SHAPED. BROWN-COLORED, TOOLED LEATHER BOX WHICH HAS A PAIR OF MATCHING BALE-STYLED HANDLES. INTERIOR IS LINED WITH ROSE-COLORED SILK AND PAPIER MACHE.
SIZE: L 10" X W 3 1/2" X DEPTH 3-1/2"
CONTENTS INCLUDE
B. CIRCULAR SHAPED BOX, WITH AN ILLUSTRATED LID SHOWING GOLDMINERS AND THE CAPTION, "GOLD DIGGERS IN CALIF.".
THE REMAINDER OF THE BOX IS BLACK-COLORED LACQUER.
SIZE: L 3-1/2" X W 2-1/4"
C. THREE SECTIONS OF DRESS TRIM.
D. CALLING CARD CASE IS LEATHER-COVERED IN BROWN WITH MAROON COLORED LEATHER INTERIOR. THE NAME, "MRS D L McKINH" APPEARS ON THE THREE CALLING CARDS CONTAINED THEREIN.
SIZE: L 3-1/2" X W 2-1/4"
E. SAMPLER OF HAND-WOVEN LINEN, WITH OFF-WHITE AND SEPIA-COLORED THREAD AND EMBROIDERY. ALPHABET IS INCLUDED IN UPPER AND LOWER-CASE LETTERS, NUMBERS 1 THRU 9, and INITIALS" V K."
SIZE: L 4-1/4" X W 9".
F. PENCIL, WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CONTAINED IN A WOODEN BASE THAT HAD AN EBONIZED FINISH. PAPER LABEL HAS DETERIORATED AND IS ILLEGIBLE.
G. SEWING PICK OR TOOL, WITH A POINTED TOP.
H. GRASS IN OLD PAPER. THERE IS AN ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER CLIPPING, WITH THE CAPTION, "BELLOU'S," A PICTORIAL DRAWING ROOM COMPANION INSIDE, WRAPPED IN DRIED GRASS. INCLUDED WITH THE GRASS IS A HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE IN SEPIA-COLORED INK ON PAPER. MESSAGE READS, "MY MOTHER GATHERED THIS SWEET GRASS AND HAD IT IN HER TRUNK WHEN WE CROSSED THE PLAINS IN 1852." GRASS HAS RETAINED ITS FRAGRANCE --- 50 YEARS LATER!
I. SCISSORS. CRUDE IRON SCISSORS WHICH OPERATE LIKE TWEEZERS. HANDLE HAS AN ATTACHED STRING W/WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN IVORY DROP.
J. FABRIC SAMPLES IN PLAID SILK AND SATEEN. NOTE READS, "MY MOTHER MADE AND WORE THIS OUT. ADELINE M TURNER."
HISTORY OF OBJECTS:
SEWING BOX THAT BELONGED TO ADELINE MARTHA M TURNER, MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER OF ADELINE TOYE COX. SHE LIVED WITH HER DAUGHTER AND SON- IN- LAW, FREDERICK TOYE, 3210 ENCINAL AVENUE, ALAMEDA. THE BOX WAS CARRIED ACROSS THE PLAINS IN 1852.
DONOR: ESTATE OF ADELINE TOYE COX
CATALOGED: JULY 17, 2004
NOTE: A TAPE MEASURE --- 2-3/4" IN DIAMETER --- IS ALSO CONTAINED WITHIN THE SEWING CASE.
