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The maker of this basket, Seymour Lamson Morehouse, was born in 1822 and spent most of his life in Chittenden County in Westford. In the U.S. Census (1860 and 1880), Morehouse gave his occupation as laborer. Hamilton Child's Chittenden County Directory, 1882-1883, listed him under the heading of Basket Makers. At the end of his life he lived with his son in Calais. He died in 1908.
Basket makers, like coopers (barrel makers) and blacksmiths, worked in most communities until the early 20th century. Most of their work is undocumented even though they produced thousands of pieces. Morehouse wrote on the bottom of this basket, "Seymour Lamson Morehouse/His Make/Westford Vermont." It is a rare documented survivor.Label
This basket is a rare survivor since it is documented with the pencil inscription on its bottom, "Seymour Lamson Morehouse/His Make/Westford Vermont." Morehouse was born in 1822 and spent most of his life in Chittenden County in Westford. Unlike the Sweetsers and other Vermont basket making families it appears that Morehouse worked alone. At the end of his life he lived with his son in Calais. He died in 1908.