Artifacts

Home Artifacts

ARTIFACTS

In an ideal world, a museum’s collection of artefacts would serve to illustrate every facet of life in the community or area it serves, from pre-history, through earliest settlement and down the years to at least the beginning of living memory.

Such a dream is, of course, both impossible and impracticable.

In some areas, the Society has achieved quite a degree of success. For example, the collection of period clothing is second only to that of the New Brunswick Museum, and includes, in addition to civilian costume, military uniforms and even a few specimens of the garb of some fraternal organizations — uniform parts from a Prentice Boys’ Band member, for instance.

The hand tools of various trades are represented, at least to some extent, although never as completely as might be desired. As an illustration, some 60 wooden carpenter’s planes contrast the lack of frame- or bow-saws, and cooper’s tools are conspicuous by their absence, although this necessary craft was practiced widely in the County. The artefact collection also includes some of the paraphenalia of the dental, nursing and medical professions, even extending to some quack medicine material.

In addition to the usual spinning wheels, swifts and yarn winders, some “labor saving” devices that purported to relieve a housewife’s burdens are represented by a variety of hand-cranked or lever-operated washing machines and treadle-operated sewing machines.

Jugs, bottles, food containers, kerosene lamps, clocks, eyeglasses, cameras, baskets, toys, invalid chairs, odd pieces of silver and china, desks and chairs in various states of repair, consume all available space and demand more. Yet furnishing the parlors and bed chambers of Connell House, or properly setting table in the dining parlor, is presently not possible.

In an area settled initially by disbanded soldiers from Loyalist regiments, it is surprising that the artefact collection contains only a single, very damaged musket. But given the strong military tradition of the County, it does not seem at all surprising that the Society possesses a collection of scale-model lead soldiers, numbering over 1,000 individual pieces.

Scale models are usually of interest, particularly those representing vessels such as the woodboat shown at right. Another, not depicted on this page, is a rare architectural model of a Gothic church design promoted by Bishop John Medley.

The collection attempts to provide visitors with views of life in earlier times, tools, china, utensils, housewares, etc. Occasionally, an article is at a surprising variance with preconceived ideas. A beautiful little lady’s spittoon falls in this category.

While Connell House is undergoing restoration, the bulk of the archives and artifacts are in storage, and work in these areas has been suspended. The records of nearly 6,000 artifacts has been entered in a computer database, but the records of a great many more must be postponed until this work can be resumed. Additional artifacts, description and history is presented below.

Broad Axe

75-39

A heavy steel wide-bladed axe, the edge beveled on the outside while the back is flat. Used to hew flat surfaces on logs to be used in the construction of buildings or in the production of squared timber for export. The symmetrical design of the head permits it to be handled either left or right according to the needs or preferences of the user.

This specimen, in excellent condition, is stamped “E. & H. Broad, St. John, N.B.” on the side of the rectangular poll. The brothers Elisha and Hewlett Broad were in business together at 6 Sydney Street, Saint John. The 1865-66 edition of Hutchinson’s N. B. Directory lists E. & H. Broad, Elisha Broad and Hewlett Broad all as edge tool manufacturers at the Sydney Street address, with separate residential addresses noted for Elisha and Hewlett, the latter at 116 Union Street. This address is cited in the 1871 directory as Elisha’s residence.

Elisha Broad died at Montreal, at the home of his daughter, in December, 1895. His obituary, published in the St. Croix Courier states he was born circa 1819 at Gagetown, Queens County, New Brunswick, and started an edge tool company at Saint John in 1844. He removed to Milltown, Charlotte County, N.B., in 1871, later moving his company to St. Stephen, Charlotte County. About two months prior to his death, he and his wife moved to Montreal to be with their two married daughters. His body was brought to Saint John for burial.

A listing of Canadian tool-and-die manufacturers, between 1820 and 1914, includes:

E. & J. W. Broad	no address	1857	axes
E. & H. Broad Co.	Saint John	1862 – 1871	axes
E. Broad & Co.	Milltown	1871 – 1883	axes
E. Broad & Sons (St. Stephen Edge Tool Co.)	St. Stephen	1883 – 1900	axes, chisels,hammers, sledge hammers, mining picks
H. Broad & Co.	Saint John	1877 – 1901

This would serve to date the axe in the collection between 1862 and 1871.

Elisha and Hewlett Broad were sons of Elisha Broad senior, and his wife Mary. Elisha Sr. died at Cambridge, Queens County, New Brunswick, 31 August, 1858. His obituary states he was a native of Holden, Massachusetts, but had lived in New Brunswick 48 years. Funeral service was held at the residence of his sons, 116 Union Street, Saint John.

The J. W. Broad, with whom Elisha was associated in 1857, was another brother, J. Willard Broad. The 1851 St. John County Census lists Elisha, age 31, brother “Josiah W.,” 25, and brother Hewlett, 22, all blacksmiths.

As an interesting aside, an E. Broad, an edge tool maker, was plying his trade in Bangor, Maine, in 1855, and in 1856, a Hollis Broad was manufacturing axes in China, Maine. Whether these individuals were related to the New Brunswick family is unknown.

Sampler

75-93

A 46 x 42 cm. needlework sampler, worked on a natural light brown backing, by Salome Hillman, Southampton, New Brunswick, in March, 1856.

Mortar & Pestle

75-123

Wooden mortar 18 cm. high and 12 cm. in diameter, with a 20 cm. long wooden pestle, both showing the signs of extensive use. Possibly locally made, perhaps on a spring-pole lathe, to grind herbs, salt, etc.

Telegraph Key

CC999-114-1

Standard telegraph key and relay, mounted on a wooden base, 24.5 cm. long by 12 cm. wide. The unit is marked “35 Ohms” and “WUT Co.” mark of Western Union Telegraph Company, and the key is marked “Manhattan Elec. Supply Co., New York” and “WU Tel Co.”

The unit was repaired by J. H. Bunnell & Co., date unknown.

This set came from the Canadian Pacific Railway station at Hartland, New Brunswick, and probably dates from the 1930s.

Mechanical Bank

75-112

Cast iron mechanical bank, manufacturer unknown, but bears a patent date of Oct. 28, 1873. On the door being opened, the figure of a man holding a platter swings out, and a coin placed on the platter is deposited in the bank on closing the door.

The bank was given to the donor in 1890 by a veteran of the U.S. Civil War who enlisted on the side of the North when he was 19 years of age. After serving six years, he returned to Carleton County, where he died in 1920.

Foot Warmer

2006-2

Stoneware foot warmer, 24.7 cm. long, 12.1 cm. wide and 16 cm. deep, capacity about a quart, marked “Doulton’s Reliable Foot Warmer, Lambeth Pottery, London.”

John Doulton and John Watts, under the style of Doulton & Watts, made salt glazed stoneware in a small pottery at Vauxhall Walk, later moving to Lambeth Walk, south London. The company continued trading as Doulton & Watts until John Watts retired in 1854, when the name was changed to Doulton & Co. In 1901 it became Royal Doulton. The Lambeth works was closed in 1956.

In the absence of a donor’s name and history of use, the foot warmer can only be dated generally to a period between the mid to late 1800s through to the early 1900s.

Bicycle Lamp

76-846

“Fire Ball” nickel plated brass bicycle lamp, 10 cm. high and 7.5 cm. in diameter, exclusive of the projecting lenses. Top is hinged to permit filling the internal oil reservoir. Unfortunately, the mounting bracket is missing. The lamp has a clear faceted lens, 4 cm. in diameter, at the front; a 2.5 cm. diameter lens at the rear, and 2 cm. diameter green lenses on each side.

The lamp was manufactured by The Cycle Danger Signal Co., 107 Chamber St., New York City, who were in business from 1851 to about 1900.

These lamps appear to be quite rare; complete units have commanded high prices at auction.

Girl's Singer

1991-4-108

Singer Model 20 Girl’s Sewing Machine, manufactured in 1926. Fully functional hand-cranked, straight stitch sewing machine, 15.4 cm. high, 17.7 cm. long and 7.5 cm. deep, marked “The Singer Manfg. Co.” With the original box. Although the cardboard box shows much wear, the machine is in very good condition. The Girl’s Singer was produced from 1910 through the 1930s.

Donated in 1978 by the Estate of Carolyn Chase.

Pipe

75-854

Meerschaum pipe with amber bit in a fitted, leather case, lined with white velvet. Overall length of the pipe is 13.5 cm, bowl diameer 3.5 cm. The case is marked inside, in gold, “A1” and “High Grade.”

Neither pipe nor case bear a maker’s name or mark, and, at present, nothing is known of its history or source.

Trunk Plate

1991-1-40

Oval brass plate, 11.3 cm. long, 8 cm. wide, 0.2 cm. thick, engraved “Lieut Bull, Americn Legion, Cavalry,” and was originally attached to his military trunk.

George Bull, born in 1752, a son of William and Sarah (Wells) Bull, of Orange County, New York, was commissioned Lieutenant in Capt. Nathan Frink’s company of cavalry, in Benedict Arnold’s American Legion. At the close of the American Revolution, Lieut. Bull came to New Brunswick, settling eventually below the Town of Woodstock, where his descendants still reside.

John Rogers Sculpture

CC998-196-1

Sculpture in plaster, marked “Checkers Up At The Farm,” by John Rogers, New York, standing 53 cm. high, 46 cm. wide and 33 cm. deep. The sculpture is also inscribed “Patented December 28, 1875.” The Checker Players was produced in a run of 5,000 pieces and sold originally for $15.00. The value appears to have increased substantially.

John Rogers, born at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1829, began sculpting in clay in the late 1850s, spent time in Paris and Rome in 1858-9, then returned to the United States. While he executed some larger works, he seems to be best known for his smaller pieces, such as the Checker Players. He died at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1904.

Sword

CC999-155-1

British Infantry officer’s sword, pipe-back blade, spear point, 20.5 cm. false edge, no fuller, full tang, sharkskin grip with 7 turns of wrap. While the sword is in fairly good condition, the leather scabbard is missing several inches at the tip and retains only one carrying ring.

The George IV cypher in the guard would indicate the period between 1820 and 1830. Unfortunately, the acquisition date and source are unknown, as is the history of the weapon.

Sword

CC999-155-1b

Coffee Grinder

2006-19

“No. 1” cast iron coffee grinder, 27 cm. high, the square base measures 13.4 cm. on a side. The hopper feeds a two-part grinding mechanism in the center of the machine, the ground material falling to a tray in the base.

The original ceramic knob is attached to the tray. The central part of the grinder is hinged, allowing access to the grinding mechanism for cleaning.

The gap between the fixed and rotating grinding wheels is adjustable by a thumb screw on the left side.

The manufacturer’s name, Enterprise Mfg. Co., Philadelphia, PA, is cast into the base, along with “Pat. Oct 21 ’73.”

Coffee Grinder

2006-19

Shoes

2006-5

Pair of shoes 17.5 cm. long, 5.5 cm. wide and 7.4 cm. high. Hand made with wooden soles and leather uppers, the soles and heels shod with iron.

The shoes came from the Jack Painter family of Woodstock in 1984. Mr. Painter (1885 – 1949) emigrated from England and was a blacksmith by trade. Whether he made the shoes, or brought them with him as a memento of an earlier family member, is unknown.

Mantel Clock

2006-7

Mantel clock, oak case, 26.8 cm. high, 39.8 cm. wide and 17.7 cm. deep, manufactured by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., Berlin, Ontario.

The Pequegnat family emigrated from Switzerland to Ontario, Canada, about 1874. Son Arthur was importing watches for resale in the 1880s, and about 1897 began manufacturing bicycles.

In 1904 he converted part of the bicycle factory to manufacture clock movements, initially purchasing the wooden cases from area furniture factories. He later produced his own cases at a factory in Breslau.

The name of Berlin, Ontario, was changed to Kitchener in 1916, thus this specimen can be dated between 1904 and 1916.

Draw Gauge

75-616

A draw guage was a leather worker and harness maker’s tool that facilitatied the cutting of belts, straps, reins, etc. from tanned hides. This one has a brass pistol-grip frame, with rosewood inserts, a brass trigger-shaped finger grip for better control of the tool, and an adjustable crossbar, graduated in inches, that holds the cutter blade.

The top strap of the handle is marked “A. Crawford, Newark, N.J.” and appears to date from the mid- to late 1800s. Aaron Crawford seems to have acquired the business begun by John H. Crawford, and is listed in Newark directories as a toolmaker and cutler from 1838 to 1875, and may have continued in business into the 1890s.

Earlier models of Crawford draw gauges lacked the finger grip, and the crossbar graduations were hand engraved. Those may have been produced by John Crawford.

This specimen was used by G. W. Boyer, who had a cobbler’s shop in Hartland in the mid-1800s, later removing to Victoria Corner.

Pitcher

1991-4-47-18

1991-4-47-18-mark

“Blossom” pattern pitcher, 17.7 cm. tall, base diameter 10 cm., was made by Grimwade Bros., Stoke-on-Trent, England. Their mark, shown at right, is on the bottom of the pitcher.

Leonard Lumsden Grimwade and his brother, Sidney Richard Grimwade, both potters, were in business from about 1891 to 1900.

Table

2006-18

2006-18c

A small table, top 34 x 16¾ inches, 29¼ inches high at the midpoint of the back rail, with a single, wide drawer, .Of mixed wood species, butternut and pine, the stock was hand-planed, scraped instead of being sanded smooth, and the frame assembled with forged nails.

Slight mismatches in the turned back legs and the drawer knobs indicate the table is probably the handiwork of a very competent local carpenter, although not a skilled turner.

The table bears no signature or maker’s mark, but the style and workmanship suggest it was likely built expressly for the old Court House, probably by a resident of Upper Woodstock, perhaps Hezekiah Stoddard circa 1834.

While the drawer face is joined to the sides with precisely fitted dovetails, the drawer back meets the sides with simple butt joints, secured, again, with forged nails. Mortises were cut into the drawer front and sides, into which the chamfered bottom, cut from a single wide board, was inserted, the bottom fastened in place by being nailed to the underside of the drawer back.

The drawer front tapers in thickness, from 7/8 to 3/4 of an inch from end to end. The remainder of the components are uniform, although thicknesses vary among them. The back rail, for instance, is 5/8 of an inch thick, while the table top measures 11/16.

The table was used at the old County Court House at Upper Woodstock, then brought to the new Court House building on Main Street, where it continued to be used for many years. The table is sound, with no damage other than a coat of dark varnish stain which obscures the original finish. This should be easily removable.

2006-18-front-leg

2006-18-back-leg

75-246b

Field Compass

75-246

Brass Field Compass with extendable and removable sights, levelling bubbles for both N-S and E-W planes, brass protective cover for the 14 cm. diameter glass-enclosed compass, a thumbscrew operated needle damper on the underside, and a socket for attachment to a Jacob’s staff.

The Jacob’s staff, pictured at left, consists of a steel-shod wooden pole surmounted by a brass ball-and-socket, as shown at the right, which permits the compass to be levelled when the base of the staff is set in the ground.

The compass is reputed to have been brought to New Brunswick circa 1850, and was used by James A. Barter (1841-1928) of Avondale, running property lines. The compass is marked “Bakewell, Birmingham,” which would indicate a much earlier date of manufacture, probably prior to 1840.

Richard Bakewell, Loveday Street, Birmingham, England, flourished between 1797 and 1826, making mining compasses, rules, surveying tapes, etc. It appears Bakewell was acquired by Isaac Trow in the late 1820s as Trow is noted as being on Loveday Street between 1830 and 1837. Whether Trow continued using the Bakewell name is unknown.

75-41-15

Carpenters Plane

75-41-16

75-41-9

The wooden plow plane above, is 18.8 cm. long, 24 cm. wide, and 16.2 cm. high, with ½-inch blade, and an adjustable wooden fence moving on a pair of wooden rails.. Toe stamped “W. Fellows.”

The upper plane, at right, is an interesting moulding plane with dual cutters and discharge ports on each side. Toe is stamped “H. Morrill, Bangor” (Maine) and “J. T. Alben.”

The lower plane uses a skewed blade to cut a ¼ square groove. The front, vertical blade scores both sides of the cut and the rear blade removes the wood within the scored lines. Toe stamped “W. Fellow, London”

These three planes came from the Vail family, Jacksonville, along with other wooden planes and carpenter’s tools.

5x7 View Camera

75-145

Double extension “Premo” 5×7 glass plate view camera, with rising and falling front, tilting back, mahogany body and lens board, body covered with black leather, red leather bellows, brass adjustment wheels, manufactured by Rochester Optical Co., Rochester, N.Y. Body marked, “Patented April 14, 1896.”

5x7 View Camera

75-145b

The Bausch & Lomb lens bears a patent date of Jan 6, 1891, with shutter settings of T, B, 1, 2, 5, 25 and 100, F-stops 8, 16. 32, 64 and 128. The name of the original owner is not known.

Mourning Ring

75-608

Gold ring, apparently made from a 4 mm. wide strip of flat-bottomed U-channel stock, formed into a circle with the ends soldered together, the joint hidden by a thin gold cap, about 14 mm. in length, bearing the script initials, M. A. S. F. The ring bears no maker’s mark or any indication of the gold content, and was probably made by a jeweller in the Fredericton, N.B., area.

The channel is filled with two strands of braided brown human hair, side by side. The initials S. I. F. are engraved, again in script, on the inside of the band at the back.

“S. I. F.” was Susan Isabella Fisher. The ring commemorates the death of her niece, Mary Ann Susannah Fisher, daughter of Charles Fisher, Fredericton, on April 15th, 1853.

Susan Isabella Fisher, sister of Charles and L. P. Fisher, died, unmarried, at Woodstock on December 7th, 1911.

75-608b

Shaving Mug

CC999-190-1

Shaving mug, 9.6 cm. high, 16 cm. long and 8 cm. in width. A perforated soap tray is directly over the hot water reservoir, and a concave brush holder is above the handle.

Base of the mug bears a very faint, blurred impression of the mark of Three Crown China, of Germany, as shown at right. The circular mark contains images of 3 crowns in a triangular layout, with “Three Crown China” and “Germany” around the perimeter. The mug dates probably from the early 1900s.

CC999-190-1-mark

Commode

2006-4

Painted pine commode, 76.5 cm. high, 66 cm. wide, 44 cm. deep, with an 18 cm. deep top compartment, accessible by a hinged lid. The lower compartment has a 31 x 48.6 cm. hinged door. Inside of the door is marked, “From A. H. Henderson Steam Furniture Factory, Upper Woodstock, N.B.”

The commode top shows much wear, and a glue joint on the door needs a minor repair, but otherwise, the commode is in quite good condition. The source, acquisition date and history of this piece are not known, and at present, it can only be dated as “after 1873.”

Alexander Henderson came to Upper Woodstock from Saint John, New Brunswick, about 1863, and began making furniture about 1866. Around 1873, he built his “Steam Furniture Factory” at Upper Woodstock, adding a ware, or show, room a few years later. Alexander Henderson died in 1908.

Pith Helmet

1996-1-995

Infantry dress helmet as worn by the 67th Battalion, Carleton Light Infantry. In 1869 Lieut.-Colonel William T. Baird, who had a long service with New Brunswick Militia, organized six companies and a brass band to form the 67th Battalion from the old Carleton County Militia, which had existed since 1834.

In the same year, 1869, Col. Baird accepted the appointment of Paymaster of Military District 8, New Brunswick, so Lieut.-Colonel Charles R. Upton took command of the 67th. Under his command, 4 more companies were added to the Battalion, but one was retired in 1880 when Donald McLeod Vince formed the Brighton Engineers from that company.

The 67th Battalion, Carleton Light Infantry, was merged in 1937 with the 71st York Infantry battalion to form the Carleton & York Regiment.

In 1887, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee year, the men and officers of the 67th purchased the white dress helmets at their own expense, prior to appearing at Brigade Camp at St. Andrews.

The badge on this dress helmet is a “proper” badge, surmounted by a queen’s crown. Contrast it with the badge on the Busby (see below).

The acquisition date, as well as the names of the original owner and donor are unknown.

Proper Badge

1996-1-995b

Busby

980-2-79

Uniform hat, 9 inches high, the fur cover is reputed to be bear hair. Label inside the hat states it was made by Hobson & Sons, “Army Volunteer, Railway & Police Clothing Contractors, Helmet, Cap & Accoutrement Makers, 37 & 38 Little Windmill St, Haymarket, London W. And at Artillery Place, Woolwich.”

The two-piece 67th Carleton Light Infantry badge, bearing a king’s crown, is shown above. The 67th was formed in 1869, during the reign of Queen Victoria, and the badge appears to utilize a George III or George IV design, probably from the 1st Battalion, Carleton County Militia badge, with a new 67th Battalion insert. Contrast this with the badge on the 1887 dress helmet (see above).

Received from the Hay family of Woodstock in 1979. The hat was probably part of the uniform of Arthur Wilmot Hay (1858-1919), and shows much wear.

67th Carleton Light Infantry badge

980-279-badge

Rim Lock

2006-16

Single lever, single ward rim, or box, lock, 19.2 cm. long, 11.3 cm. wide and 2.6 cm. thick. Lock body forged from 0.2 cm. sheet iron, housing an iron bolt, 19.2 cm. long, 4 cm. wide and 1.5 cm. thick, which protrudes 2.1 cm. in the locked position. The flat spring is 0.3 cm. stock and the lever is approximately the same.

The keyhole is 3.6 cm. high by 1 cm. wide, denoting a heavy key. The metal part of the lock is inset in a 5.2 length of 3.8 by 13.7 cm. hand-planed plank, secured by six 1.5 cm. long forged square brads. The entire assembly can be attached to a door by four screws.

The source and history of the lock are unknown. Whether it was made by a local blacksmith in the early days of the settlement of the Woodstock area, or came from another colony is likely to remain a mystery.

2006-16b

Bowl

75-141-8

Yellow or sponge ware bowl, Rockingham style glaze, 7.5 cm. high, 28.5 cm. in diameter, incorrectly described as “Bennington ware” in the accessions document, but neither this bowl nor two similar pieces in the collection bear a maker’s mark.

Dating probably from the early 1900s, this bowl came from the McCain family of Florenceville, New Brunswick.

75-142-1

The two specimens on the right and left are from the Cluff family, Upper Woodstock, are likely of similar vintage.

75-142-3

woodboat-03

Wood-boat model

woodboat-01

Scale model of the Brunswick Lion, 1 inch = 1 foot.

woodboat-04

In the 1800s, woodboats sailed the St. John River, carrying lumber from the various mills along the river to the port of Saint John for export to markets overseas. Ten or twelve woodboat loads were required to fill the holds of a large square-rigged vessel. The last woodboat was condemned in 1930. A full-scale replica of the Brunswick Lion, length 36′ 9″, beam 13′ 3″ , and hold depth 5′ 1½”, was built at Kings Landing, and presumably is still in operation.

William Crossley (1903-1980), a native of England, but then a resident of Canterbury, N.B. at Skiff Lake, learned wood carving while in hospital at Saint John, where he was undergoing treatment for tuberculosis, in the late 1950s. Later, while working as the storekeeper of the general store at Kings Landing, Bill borrowed the blueprints of the Lion, and by 1978 had created this detailed scale model.

Raising the hatch cover reveals Bill Crossley’s name, and the date, on a small wood plaque affixed to the bottom of the hold.

Phonograph

75-237

Edison Gem Phonograph, trade marked “Thomas A. Edison, FIRESIDE.” Although the machine bears a patent date Oct. 3, 1905, it probably dates from a few years later.

Designed to play cylinder records. The horn is detachable, and the mechanical unit is housed in a dome-shaped oak case, with carrying handle.

75-237a

© 2025 · Your Website. Theme by HB-Themes.