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Legacy in Birch: The Journey of a Colonial Armchair

At the Old Meeting House Museum in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, this exquisite five-slat ladder-back armchair with mushroom armrests crafted from birch stands as a testament to the craftsmanship of the early 18th century. Its origins trace back to the skilled hands of a Springfield chair maker. The initials of AG are inscribed on the right armrest. Peletiah Glover 2nd (1665-1737) of Springfield, Massachusetts, was a child of the illustrious Glover lineage. Peletiah 2nd, son of the esteemed Reverend Peletiah Glover, Springfield's second Minister, led a distinguished life, leaving an indelible mark on both his family and the community.


Married twice, Peletiah 2nd bore fruit to a lineage that would shape the region's history. With his first wife, Hannah Cullick (1642-1689), he fathered two sons, Peletiah 3rd (1687-1754), and Thomas (1688-1775), both of whom inherited vast estates as a testament to their father's prosperity. Peletiah 2nd's second marriage to Hannah Parsons (1663-1739) blessed him with six more children, enriching his familial legacy.


Glover/Baldwin Chair (Old Meeting House Museum)

The chair's journey continued through the hands of Thomas Glover, a man of solitude who, despite remaining unmarried, carved a niche for himself in the annals of Wilbraham's history. Thomas moved to the Outward Common (Wilbraham) and built a house there in 1740 on what is now 43 Maple Street. The house that is currently standing on this site was built in the 1870s by Joseph and Maria Baldwin. Joseph is the second son of John and Philena Baldwin. Thomas bequeathed his holdings to his nephew, John Glover (1753-1830), who furthered the family's estate by erecting a stately abode on the grounds of what is now 7 Maple Street, Wilbraham, in 1780. The house that is currently standing on this site was built in 1922 by William and Helena Baldwin. William’s Great-grandparents are John and Philena Baldwin.


43 Maple Street, built in 1870's

As time progressed, the chair found itself amidst the Baldwin family, renowned landholders in Wilbraham. Acquired during a period of estate transfers, the chair became an emblem of the Baldwin legacy, traversing generations as a cherished heirloom. Its residency in the Baldwin household at 10 Maple Street, formerly known as the Ten Mile House, imbued it with tales of hospitality, as the abode doubled as a tavern under the stewardship of John and Philena Baldwin from 1836 to 1860 or 1865.


7 Maple Street, built in 1922.


10 Maple Street, built in 1836.

Despite the passage of centuries, the chair's significance endures, finding sanctuary with the Athenaeum Society at the Old Meeting House on 450 Main Street in Wilbraham. As a relic of bygone eras, it stands as a tangible link to the rich history of the Glover and Baldwin families, symbolizing the enduring spirit of heritage and community in the region.


In collaboration with the Wilbraham Candle Company, Tavern 1836, part of the Historical Collection, has been launched and you can purchase one of these unique candles through their website,

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