DATED 1761 CALEB ATWATER PAINTED PINE BLANKET CHEST.

This untouched and all original chest was made by Caleb Atwater (1741-1831) of Wallingford, Connecticut. The backboard is inscribed with the name Caleb Atwater above the date 1761. Rectangular molded hinged lid opening to an interior fitted with a lidded till joined to the conforming chest with bootjack ends. The whole in original red paint. The chest fitted with a single drawer beneath the till, proper left side. The drawer of dovetailed construction, reinforced with original rosehead nails and retaining original deeply chamfered drawer bottom and with original turned knob. Of single board construction throughout. Note: Caleb Atwater fought with Roger’s Rangers in the French and Indian War under the command of Col. Nathan Whiting and Capt. David. On August 8, 1758 Atwater was wounded during a skirmish near Fort Anne, New York. During the Revolutionary War he was an Ensign in the 10th Regiment but was released by the Connecticut Assembly due to his importance in the manufacture of saltpeter and gun powder. Near the end of the war he re-enlisted as a private July 25, 1779 and was discharged January 15, 1780. Caleb Atwater was an extremely wealthy and influential man and was considered a merchant magnate who supplied American forces throughout the Revolutionary War. It is known that in 1775, General George Washington visited the Atwater Store in Wallingford, Connecticut en route to assuming command of the continental Army. Caleb Atwater was credited with being the wealthiest man in the state of Connecticut. He also traveled extensively and one point became the largest land owner in Ohio. The Caleb Atwater home, which he built, still stands today and remains part of the Choate School, which was founded in 1890 by his great-granddaughter, Mary Atwater Choate. Caleb Atwater married Abigail Jones march 12, 1766, who later died at age 31, in 1775. He then married Ruth Wadsworth, who later died June 20, 1813. He had a total of eight children, including six daughters. Caleb died at the age of 91 in full possession of his mental faculties. In his will, he divided equally hundreds of household items and stock certificates totaling exactly $4,933.55 to each of his surviving seven children. Interesting note: Among the pages of items listed in his will is one specific entry which he left to his daughter Lucy Day. The entry describes “chest with drawer” which was valued at $0.25. This was a chest that he made, signed and dated “1761” at the age of 20, which is the chest being offered here today. A partial copy of his will, a color photo taken of a portrait of Caleb Atwater, the original of which hangs in the home that he built in 1760 on the grounds of the present Choate school and other historically relevant information will accompany this lot. The historic Caleb Atwater home currently houses the administrative offices of what is now known at the Choate-Rosemary Hall school in Wallingford, Connecticut. It is also interesting to note the home on Christian Street called “The Cottage” was built by Capt. Caleb Atwater in 1760, where he continued to live until 1774, at which point he built a larger homestead next door. His original cottage was originally painted red, and retained that color for nearly 200 years, and had always been known as “The Red Cottage” to generations of Atwaters and Choates. The original color of his blanket chest was also red. SIZE: 23″ h x 50-1/2″ l x 17-1/2″ d. PROVENANCE: Ex collection of Joan L. Thayer (found in Westbrook, Connecticut in 1979 by Robert L. Thayer). CONDITION: With expected minor wear but structurally sound and all original with exception of hinges which have been moved and/or replaced over time. Original painted surfaces still reasonably intact. The Atwater signature is distinct, as is the date. The lid on till with small repaired break at one end. Otherwise good. 50990-3 (2,500-3,500) – Lot 2138

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2017

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2138	$3,630.00	DATED 1761 CALEB ATWATER PAINTED PINE BLANKET CHEST. This untouched and all original chest was made by Caleb Atwater (1741-1831) of Wallingford, Connecticut. The backboard is inscribed with the name Caleb Atwater above the date 1761. Rectangular molded hinged lid opening to an interior fitted with a lidded till joined to the conforming chest with bootjack ends. The whole in original red paint. The chest fitted with a single drawer beneath the till, proper left side. The drawer of dovetailed construction, reinforced with original rosehead nails and retaining original deeply chamfered drawer bottom and with original turned knob. Of single board construction throughout. Note: Caleb Atwater fought with Roger’s Rangers in the French and Indian War under the command of Col. Nathan Whiting and Capt. David. On August 8, 1758 Atwater was wounded during a skirmish near Fort Anne, New York. During the Revolutionary War he was an Ensign in the 10th Regiment but was released by the Connecticut Assembly due to his importance in the manufacture of saltpeter and gun powder. Near the end of the war he re-enlisted as a private July 25, 1779 and was discharged January 15, 1780. Caleb Atwater was an extremely wealthy and influential man and was considered a merchant magnate who supplied American forces throughout the Revolutionary War. It is known that in 1775, General George Washington visited the Atwater Store in Wallingford, Connecticut en route to assuming command of the continental Army. Caleb Atwater was credited with being the wealthiest man in the state of Connecticut. He also traveled extensively and one point became the largest land owner in Ohio. The Caleb Atwater home, which he built, still stands today and remains part of the Choate School, which was founded in 1890 by his great-granddaughter, Mary Atwater Choate. Caleb Atwater married Abigail Jones march 12, 1766, who later died at age 31, in 1775. He then married Ruth Wadsworth, who later died June 20, 1813. He had a total of eight children, including six daughters. Caleb died at the age of 91 in full possession of his mental faculties. In his will, he divided equally hundreds of household items and stock certificates totaling exactly $4,933.55 to each of his surviving seven children. Interesting note: Among the pages of items listed in his will is one specific entry which he left to his daughter Lucy Day. The entry describes “chest with drawer” which was valued at $0.25. This was a chest that he made, signed and dated “1761” at the age of 20, which is the chest being offered here today. A partial copy of his will, a color photo taken of a portrait of Caleb Atwater, the original of which hangs in the home that he built in 1760 on the grounds of the present Choate school and other historically relevant information will accompany this lot. The historic Caleb Atwater home currently houses the administrative offices of what is now known at the Choate-Rosemary Hall school in Wallingford, Connecticut. It is also interesting to note the home on Christian Street called “The Cottage” was built by Capt. Caleb Atwater in 1760, where he continued to live until 1774, at which point he built a larger homestead next door. His original cottage was originally painted red, and retained that color for nearly 200 years, and had always been known as “The Red Cottage” to generations of Atwaters and Choates. The original color of his blanket chest was also red. SIZE: 23″ h x 50-1/2″ l x 17-1/2″ d. PROVENANCE: Ex collection of Joan L. Thayer (found in Westbrook, Connecticut in 1979 by Robert L. Thayer). CONDITION: With expected minor wear but structurally sound and all original with exception of hinges which have been moved and/or replaced over time. Original painted surfaces still reasonably intact. The Atwater signature is distinct, as is the date. The lid on till with small repaired break at one end. Otherwise good. 50990-3 (2,500-3,500) – Lot 2138 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - Winter 2017 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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DATED 1761 CALEB ATWATER PAINTED PINE BLANKET CHEST.