Images(3)

Detail of inland shield in thermometer case; Museum purchase, 2018.2.0

Thermometer

Furniture MakerMade by Kneeland and Adams (American)

Date1793

MediumImported mahogany

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions: 19 × 1 3/4in. (48.3 × 4.4cm)

ClassificationsInstruments

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number2018.2.0

DescriptionA labeled thermometer made by Kneeland and Adams of Hartford, Connecticut. It is made of imported mahogany, decorated with light and dark colored string inlay, and has an inlaid shield. While the case itself was made in Hartford, the thermometer tube and etched scale could have been made domestically or imported from England.

Label TextThermometer and case
1793

Case made by Kneeland & Adams
Hartford, CT
CHS collection, 2018.2.0

This unique thermometer case was made in 1793 by the Hartford cabinetmakers Samuel Kneeland and Lemuel Adams. The Kneeland and Adams shop was in business from 1792 to 1795. Lemuel Adams’ ledger is at the University of Miami. The ledger includes the transactions of the Kneeland and Adams shop and only lists one thermometer case that was sold to J. Sanford in August 1792 for £1 (one pound). While the case was made in Hartford, the thermometer and etched scale were made domestically or imported from England.

NotesThe labeled thermometer case came to light through an ongoing study of the prestigious shop of Kneeland and Adams, who were in partnership in downtown Hartford between 1792 and 1795. The Kneeland and Adams project is being conducted by CHS Collections Steering Committee Chair Kevin G. Ferrigno, Historic Deerfield's Christine Ritok, Virginia Historical Society's Christina Keyser Vida, private researcher Carol Loomis, and private researcher Katherine Fecteau. The study is currently focused on completing background research on the shop's principals and positvely identifying objects from the shop through object and customer research. (2018)

Status

Not on view