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THE PLAN

SECTION E: RECOMMENDED FURNISHINGS (continued)

BOYS' ROOM: ROOM J

See p. 330, for Summary of Furnishings and Cost Estimates.

This room should be furnished as if two of the Lincoln boys slept in it. Tad turned five in 1858, and Robert went to Exeter (and then Harvard) beginning in the summer of 1859. While Robert was away, it is most likely that one or both of the younger boys slept in this back bedroom. While Robert was at home, unless there was a visitor, it is probable that the front bedroom was also used. The children's belongings and toys, however, were most likely confined to the back bedroom. There is no need to have a wardrobe in every room and, considering the small size of this room, a wardrobe is not recommended.

BOYS' ROOM: ROOM J
Object: J.1 — Bedstead and Bedclothes
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Low post Cottage style bedstead with spool turned posts and legs.
Location: West wall centered.
Documentation: Period practice. No evidence of original furnishings.
Source: LIHO 88 (antique).


Object: J.2 — Bedding and Bedclothes
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Mattress, bolster, two feather pillows, two sheets, and two linen pillowcases.
Location: Bed.
Documentation: Period practice, see Eliza Leslie's Miss Leslie's Lady's House Book (pp. 316-317) and see p. 144 for references to fabrics purchased and owned by the Lincolns.
Source: To be acquired (mattress, pillows, bolster to be reproductions; quilt, sheets, and pillowcases to be antique).


Object: J.3 — Bedspread
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: A coverlet or quilt.
Location: Bed.
Documentation: Period practice. There are also two references in the Lincolns' store accounts to the purchase of quilts, one a Marseilles quilt; the other a reference to purchasing chintz and batting, fabric and stuffing for making a quilt (see pp. 98 and 144).
Source: LIHO 801.


Object: J.4 — Bureau
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Late Empire style, walnut.
Location: East wall.
Documentation: Five extant bureaus have a history of Lincoln ownership; therefore, all bedrooms except one (probably the maid's) would have contained bureaus. See pp. 128-133 for discussion of Lincoln bureaus.
Source: LIHO 102.


Object: J.5 — Side Chair
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Late Empire or Cottage style.
Location: South wall.
Documentation: Period practice and oral tradition.
Source: LIHO 35.


Object: J.6 — Washstand
Date: ca. 1840-1850
Brief Description: Cottage style washstand with cut out for bowl, drawer and shelf beneath; locally made, of cherry, walnut, ash, or sycamore.
Location: South wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.7 — Washbowl, Pitcher, and Chamber Pot
Date: ca. 1840-1850
Brief Description: Ironstone set (if possible).
Location: Washstand.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.8 — Mirror
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Mahogany veneered frame, approximately 2-1/2' x 1-1/2'.
Location: Over bureau.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 84.


Object: J.9 — Print
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Framed, subject matter should appeal to small boys, i.e., animals or military subjects.
Location: West wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.10 — Print
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Framed, subject matter should appeal to small boys, i.e., animals or military subjects.
Location: East or south wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.11 — Dresser Scarf
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: White fringed rectangular cloth.
Location: Top of bureau.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.12 — Two Brushes and Combs
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Wooden, with natural bristles.
Location: Top of bureau.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.13 — Two Toothbrushes
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Wooden, with natural bristles.
Location: On washstand.
Documentation: A wooden toothbrush was found in the archeological excavations (see p. 79); period sources also mention bone-handled toothbrushes.
Source: To be acquired (antique or reproduction).


Object: J.14 — Boys' Toys (4)
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Tin or wooden. Suggested items are toy soldiers, a bow and arrow, marbles, train.
Location: Bureau, bed, floor, or shelves and toy trunk.
Documentation: Period practice. Robert was a member of the Springfield cadets; military toys would be appropriate in the room. Marbles were found in the archeological excavations (see p. 79).
Source: To be acquired (antique).


Object: J.15 — Boys' Clothing
Date: 1840-1860
Brief Description: Pants, jackets, shirts, collars, etc.
Location: Bed or chair.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: To be acquired (antique).

Optional



Object: J.16 — Wall Shelves
Date: Nineteenth century
Brief Description: Two-tiered shelf.
Location: South wall, west of window.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 549.


Object: J.17 — Toy Chest
Date: ca. 1820-1860
Brief Description: Wooden box with lid.
Location: South wall.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 87.


Object: J.18 — Table
Date: ca. 1840-1860
Brief Description: Wood table.
Location: West wall, north of bed.
Documentation: Period practice.
Source: LIHO 75.
BOYS' ROOM: ROOM J

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Last Updated: 08-Feb-2004