Notes
This cream tartar bottle comes from a larger set in the Henry family medicine chest (01.31.1).
Cream tartar is a dry, powdery, acidic residue resulting from grape fermentation. Chemically, it is called potassium bitartrate. This chemical compound is naturally found in grapes and crystalizes in water during the fermentation of grape juice.
Historically, it was used as a laxative, however, it is no longer used in this way due to it causing hyperkalemia—an elevated level of potassium in the blood—which can cause heart palpitations resulting in cardiac arrest or death. Modernly, it is commonly used as a leavening agent, marketed as "cream of tartar."
The bottle has a lid (01.31.8b).
This chest and its contents belonged originally to John (1796–1868) and Elvira McClelland Henry (1808–1875) during their years at Red Hill. The chest was passed down in the family to John and Elvira's daughter, Margaret Ann Henry Miller (1827–1881), and then to her daughter, Elvira Henry Miller (1850–1955). It was then given to Rose Miller Gammon Garrett (1946–) through her father, William Miller Gammon Sr. (1900–1970). William Gammon Sr. was a nephew to Elvira Miller. His daughter, Rose Garrett, is a third great-great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry.
On September 4, 2001, Rose Gammon Garrett donated the medicine chest (01.31.1) and its contents (01.31.2-25) to the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.