Note Type
Curatorial RemarksNote
Object was accessioned in SS.93.2 under the premise that it had been owned by Washington Irving (information given by the donor). It was originally dated to c. 1830. However, as Irving did not serve a member of the United States Navy, it seems highly unlikely that this chest would have been owned by Washington Irving. Nor does it seem likely that it was owned by William Irving, Ebenzer's son (Irving's nephew), who traveled to China and Manila as a young merchant-in-training, since he did not serve in the U. S. Navy. The best candidate for ownership of the this trunk is Wasington "Washie" Irving, Ebenzer's grandson (son of Ebenzer's son Edgar). Born in 1835, "Washie" was sailor in the U. S. Navy during the Civil War and two letters in the HHV collection document his service aboard the steam frigate U. S. S. Susquehenna, which saw action in the southern Atlantic seaboard and in the Gulf of Mexico. Donor Irving Bostwick (possibly Irving Weir Bostwick) was a descendent of the Edgar Irving family line, further circumstantial evidence of the "Washie" Irving connection to this object. Accession records have been updated to reflect this information. See Object Files for original cataloging and copy of the HHV gift acceptance letter [Jessa J. Krick, Collections Manager 7/17/2017].Note Type
General NoteNote
The identification of the wood as "possibly camphor" and the origin of the trunk as "possibly China" are in question, owing the identification of the likely former owner (see Curatorial Remarks).Note Type
StorageNoteNote
Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Sunnyside, Pierre Irving's Room
