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Five Slat, ladderback, fireside chair, c. 1700.  Birch and ash with turned mushroom armrests.

Believed made in Springfield. First owned by Peletiah Glover II, (1665-1737) of Springfield, Mass., son of Springfield's second minister Rev. Peletiah Glover.

Peletiah II deeded extensive properties to his sons, and the inventory lists three great chairs. Son Thomas (1688-1775) moved to Wilbraham (then the Outward Commons of Springfield) and c. 1740 built a house on what is now Maple Street. In all likelyhood, the chair accompanied Thomas to Wilbraham.

Thomas left his property to his nephew, John Glover (1753-1830), who c.1780 built a house which stands today at 10 Maple Street.

The chair was found in the 1780 house which was purchased in 1836 by John Baldwin (1803-1880), grandson of Rev. Moses Baldwin, minister of Palmer, Mass.

Chair descended in the Baldwin family of Wilbraham through the mid 1990s.
 
Acquired January 1998 by the Atheneum Society of Wilbraham. On display at The Old Meeting House Museum, 450 Main Street, Wilbraham.

For questions about donation, please contact our curator: curator@wilbrahamatheneum.org

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