Declaration of Independence Desk - Revision history

Bcraig: Reformat

Bcraig — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:55:31 GMT

Reformat

ABerkes at 20:42, 23 November 2009

ABerkes — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:42:26 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 23 November 2009
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	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
	*Bedini, Silvio A. [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=2435 ''Declaration of Independence Desk, Relic of Revolution.''] Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1981.		*Bedini, Silvio A. [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=2435 ''Declaration of Independence Desk, Relic of Revolution.''] Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1981.
		+	*Stein, Susan. [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=13288 "Thomas Jefferson's Traveling Desks."] ''Magazine Antiques'' 133 (1988): 1156-59.
	*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]		*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]

Bcraig: Add category

Bcraig — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:07:39 GMT

Add category

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:07, 16 September 2009
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	[[Category:Objects (Monticello)]]		[[Category:Objects (Monticello)]]
	[[Category:Personal Life]]		[[Category:Personal Life]]
		+	[[Category:Furniture]]

Bcraig: Change category

Bcraig — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:28:23 GMT

Change category

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:28, 21 August 2009
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	*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]		*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]

-	[[Category:Monticello (House)]]	+	[[Category:Objects (Monticello)]]
	[[Category:Personal Life]]		[[Category:Personal Life]]

ABerkes: Declaration Desk moved to Declaration of Independence Desk: more specific

ABerkes — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:13:22 GMT

Declaration Desk moved to Declaration of Independence Desk: more specific

←Older revision

Revision as of 22:13, 16 January 2009

Bcraig at 14:13, 15 October 2008

Bcraig — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:13:36 GMT

Bcraig at 17:36, 25 August 2008

Bcraig — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:36:54 GMT

Anna at 18:35, 8 October 2007

Anna — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 18:35:36 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 8 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	The little-known story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous Declaration is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]].	+	The story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous [[Declaration of Independence\|Declaration]] is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]].

	Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,		Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,
Line 52:		Line 52:
	1776 comes closest: "pd. B. Randolph's workmen		1776 comes closest: "pd. B. Randolph's workmen
	for 3. boxes 9/." The chances are that		for 3. boxes 9/." The chances are that
-	they were mere containers for transporting to	+	these were mere containers for transporting to
	Monticello Jefferson's innumerable Philadelphia purchases.		Monticello Jefferson's innumerable Philadelphia purchases.

-	While at Monticello the writing-box appears	+	While at Monticello, the writing-box appears
	to have occupied no special place and if pointed		to have occupied no special place and if pointed
	out as an American relic none of the fifty or		out as an American relic none of the fifty or
Line 94:		Line 94:
	was turned over to the Library of Congress		was turned over to the Library of Congress
	and a few months later it was in the National		and a few months later it was in the National
-	Museum, where it may be seen today.	+	Museum of American History, where it may be seen today.<ref>More information about the desk, including an image, is available on the Smithsonian Institution website at [http://www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/objectdescription.cfm?ID=36 http://www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/objectdescription.cfm?ID=36].</ref>

-	Should anyone question its authenticity, let	+	Jefferson's note to Joseph Coolidge remains attached
-	him read the "precious document," Jefferson's	+
-	holograph note, which to this day remains attached	+
	to the desk:		to the desk:

Line 120:		Line 118:

	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
		+	*Bedini, Silvio A. [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=2435 ''Declaration of Independence Desk, Relic of Revolution.''] Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1981.
	*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]		*[http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&SL=none&SAB1=declaration+desk&BOOL1=all+of+these&FLD1=Title%2C+Author+%26+Subject+%28TASS%29&GRP1=AND+with+next+set&SAB2=&BOOL2=all+of+these&FLD2=Keyword+Anywhere+%28GKEY%29&CNT=50 Look for sources in the Thomas Jefferson Portal]

	[[Category:Monticello (House)]]		[[Category:Monticello (House)]]
	[[Category:Personal Life]]		[[Category:Personal Life]]

Anna: typos, clarity, OCR errors

Anna — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:08:22 GMT

typos, clarity, OCR errors

←Older revision		Revision as of 21:08, 5 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	The little-known story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous Declaration is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]]. The relationship extends beyond the fact that Jefferson designed the Randolph piece and no doubt had a hand in the design of [[John Hemmings\|Hemings']].	+	The little-known story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous Declaration is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]].

-	[[John Hemmings\|Hemmings]], Monticello's resident craftsman,	+	Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,
	had made a small, probably portable, desk		had made a small, probably portable, desk
	with appropriate carving and inlay as a family		with appropriate carving and inlay as a family
-	wedding gift for Ellen Wayles Randolph, Jefferson's	+	wedding gift for [[Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge\|Ellen Wayles Randolph]], Jefferson's
	third grandchild, and [[Joseph Coolidge]],		third grandchild, and [[Joseph Coolidge]],
	Jr. of Boston. The marriage vows were said in		Jr. of Boston. The marriage vows were said in
-	the parlour at Monticello on 27 May 1825,	+	the [[parlor]] at Monticello on 27 May 1825,
	after which the newlyweds set out on an extended		after which the newlyweds set out on an extended
	overland trip of over 1,000 miles to Boston.		overland trip of over 1,000 miles to Boston.
Line 19:		Line 19:

	This intelligence reached Monticello through		This intelligence reached Monticello through
-	[[John Hemmings \| John Hemings]], who had, quite by chance, overheard	+	John Hemmings, who had, quite by chance, overheard
	two of Colonel Peyton's agents reading		two of Colonel Peyton's agents reading
-	aloud his letter informing them of the loss. Jefferson informed Ellen that [[John Hemmings \| Johnny Hemings]]	+	aloud his letter informing them of the loss. Jefferson informed Ellen that Johnny Hemmings
	was "''au desespoir''" while relating the melancholy		was "''au desespoir''" while relating the melancholy
	news. Jefferson then consulted with him		news. Jefferson then consulted with him
-	about his making another desk. No. His eyesight	+	about his making another desk. Hemmings refused; his eyesight
	had failed so badly that he could no		had failed so badly that he could no
	longer execute detailed work. Another solution		longer execute detailed work. Another solution
Line 30:		Line 30:

	It then occurred to Jefferson that he could		It then occurred to Jefferson that he could
-	provide a worthy substitute, but no one "claiming	+	provide a worthy substitute, but not one "claiming
	the same value from its decorations." Randolph's desk had come to mind while Jefferson		the same value from its decorations." Randolph's desk had come to mind while Jefferson
	was replying to a query on ways to celebrate		was replying to a query on ways to celebrate
-	the Fourth of July. Such an item he knew had,	+	the Fourth of July.
-	or would have, a superstitious value similar to	+
-	that accorded a chair made from the wood of	+
-	the elm tree under which William Penn had	+
-	signed his historic treaty with the Indians.	+

	Jefferson modestly wrote of the writing-box		Jefferson modestly wrote of the writing-box
Line 64:		Line 60:
	more visitors' accounts in our files says so.		more visitors' accounts in our files says so.

-	Jefferson put the writing-box in the hands of I	+	Jefferson put the writing-box in the hands of Colonel Peyton for shipment to Mr. Coolidge sometime early in 1826. His covering letter
-	Colonel Peyton for shipment to Mr. Coolidge I	+
-	sometime early in 1826. His covering letter	+
	predicted that "its imaginary value will increase		predicted that "its imaginary value will increase
	with the years" and should its recipient		with the years" and should its recipient
	live another half century "he may see it carried		live another half century "he may see it carried
-	in the procession of our nation's birthday, as the I	+	in the procession of our nation's birthday, as the relics of the saints are in those of the church."
-	relics of the saints are in those of the church."	+

	Mr. Coolidge replied that the "desk arrived		Mr. Coolidge replied that the "desk arrived
Line 77:		Line 70:
	same hand which half a century ago, traced		same hand which half a century ago, traced
	upon it the words which have gone abroad upon		upon it the words which have gone abroad upon
-	the earth, now attests its authenticity and 1	+	the earth, now attests its authenticity and consigns it to myself."
-	consigns it to myself."	+

	Mr. Coolidge did indeed live for a half century,		Mr. Coolidge did indeed live for a half century,
Line 104:		Line 96:
	Museum, where it may be seen today.		Museum, where it may be seen today.

-	Should anyone question its authenticity let	+	Should anyone question its authenticity, let
	him read the "precious document," Jefferson's		him read the "precious document," Jefferson's
	holograph note, which to this day remains attached		holograph note, which to this day remains attached

Anna at 17:02, 3 October 2007

Anna — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:02:54 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 3 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	The story of the Declaration of Independence needs no recounting in this brief Bicentennial footnote; the little know history of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous document does. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph.<ref> One of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers</ref> There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by the black bondsman [[John Hemmings \| John Hemings]]. The relationship extends beyond the fact that Jefferson designed the Randolph piece and no doubt had a hand in the design of [[John Hemmings\|Hemings']].	+	The little-known story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous Declaration is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]]. The relationship extends beyond the fact that Jefferson designed the Randolph piece and no doubt had a hand in the design of [[John Hemmings\|Hemings']].

-	[[John Hemmings\|Hemings]], Monticello's resident craftsman,	+	[[John Hemmings\|Hemmings]], Monticello's resident craftsman,
	had made a small, probably portable, desk		had made a small, probably portable, desk
	with appropriate carving and inlay as a family		with appropriate carving and inlay as a family

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:13, 15 October 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
-	The story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous [[Declaration of Independence\|Declaration]] is an interesting one. This box was crafted in Philadelphia in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of Philadelphia's foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]].	+	The story of the '''writing-box or desk'''<ref>This article is based on James A. Bear, Jr., [http://tjportal.monticello.org/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=4502 ''Monticello Keepsake,''] April 12, 1976.</ref> on which Thomas Jefferson wrote his famous [[Declaration of Independence\|Declaration]] is an interesting one. This box was crafted in [[Philadelphia]] in 1776 by the celebrated cabinetmaker Benjamin Randolph, one of [[Philadelphia\|Philadelphia's]] foremost carvers and cabinetmakers. There is an interesting relationship between this desk and one made at Monticello nearly half a century later by [[John Hemmings \| John Hemmings]].

	Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,		Hemmings, Monticello's resident craftsman,
Line 53:		Line 53:
	for 3. boxes 9/." The chances are that		for 3. boxes 9/." The chances are that
	these were mere containers for transporting to		these were mere containers for transporting to
-	Monticello Jefferson's innumerable Philadelphia purchases.	+	Monticello Jefferson's innumerable [[Philadelphia]] purchases.

	While at Monticello, the writing-box appears		While at Monticello, the writing-box appears
Line 103:		Line 103:
	Joseph Coolidge junr. as a Memorial of affection.		Joseph Coolidge junr. as a Memorial of affection.
	It was made from a drawing of his own		It was made from a drawing of his own
-	by Ben. Randall, cabinet maker of Philadelphia,	+	by Ben. Randall, cabinet maker of [[Philadelphia]],
	with whom he first lodged on his arrival		with whom he first lodged on his arrival
	in that city in May 1776 and is the identical		in that city in May 1776 and is the identical

←Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 25 August 2008
Line 13:		Line 13:
	chiefly of "the documents" of Ellen's		chiefly of "the documents" of Ellen's
	childhood, "letters, correspondencies, notes,		childhood, "letters, correspondencies, notes,
-	books, &c. &c." was dispatched by Jefferson's friend, the Richmond factor, Colonel Bernard	+	books, &c. &c." was dispatched by Jefferson's friend, the Richmond factor, Colonel [[Bernard
-	Peyton. Unfortunately the shipment was lost	+	Peyton]]. Unfortunately the shipment was lost
	when the vessel carrying it went down in a		when the vessel carrying it went down in a
	violent Atlantic storm.		violent Atlantic storm.
Line 20:		Line 20:
	This intelligence reached Monticello through		This intelligence reached Monticello through
	John Hemmings, who had, quite by chance, overheard		John Hemmings, who had, quite by chance, overheard
-	two of Colonel Peyton's agents reading	+	two of Colonel [[Bernard Peyton\|Peyton's]] agents reading
	aloud his letter informing them of the loss. Jefferson informed Ellen that Johnny Hemmings		aloud his letter informing them of the loss. Jefferson informed Ellen that Johnny Hemmings
	was "''au desespoir''" while relating the melancholy		was "''au desespoir''" while relating the melancholy
Line 60:		Line 60:
	more visitors' accounts in our files says so.		more visitors' accounts in our files says so.

-	Jefferson put the writing-box in the hands of Colonel Peyton for shipment to Mr. Coolidge sometime early in 1826. His covering letter	+	Jefferson put the writing-box in the hands of Colonel [[Bernard Peyton\|Peyton]] for shipment to Mr. Coolidge sometime early in 1826. His covering letter
	predicted that "its imaginary value will increase		predicted that "its imaginary value will increase
	with the years" and should its recipient		with the years" and should its recipient