The Important Stratton-Carpenter-Wheeler Family Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Chest-on-Chest, cabinetwork attributed to John Folwell (w. 1762-1780); carving attributed to James Reynolds (w. 1766-1794), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, circa 1770

Important Philadelphia Furniture from Descendants of the Wheeler Family
The Important Stratton-Carpenter-Wheeler Family Chippendale Carved and Figured Mahogany Chest-on-Chest
cabinetwork attributed to John Folwell (w. 1762-1780); carving attributed to James Reynolds (w. 1766-1794)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
circa 1770

retains its original carved cartouche and its original cast brass hardware. It retains a sumptuous dark rich historic surface. Inscribed on back board "This chest of [drawers] on lowboy was the property of my great great grandmother Mrs. Hugh Creighton of Haddonfield N.J. whose daughter Mary (Pretty Polly Creighton) married Dr. James Stratton of Swedesboro N.J. When during the Revolution[ary] War the British Troops entered Haddonfield and search the houses for arms. Her mother pulled this chest of drawers out from the corner and wrapping blankets around Polly, then a girl of 15 hid her behind it until the soldiers were gone. / This was given to Andrew Wheeler in the year 1918 by his aunt Mary Creighton." Bottom 2 1/2 inches of foot-facings and proper back left foot facing are replaced.
Height 98 in. by Width 44 1/4 in. by Depth 21 in.

Condition Report:
Base molding replaced. Feet are likely late 18th or early 19th century replacements. Bottom 2 1/2 inches of each foot-facing and proper back left foot facing are replaced. Each corner block is replaced. There are a few veneer patches, including a three inch long triangular patch to the top left corner of the second drawer from the bottom; a 1/2 circular patch to the bottom right of the same drawer; a 1" x 3" patch to the drawer divider beneath the bottom drawer; 1/8" x 1" patches to the exterior corners of the drawer dividers in the lower case where the drawer runner fits; a 3" patch to the upper right corner of the upper right medium drawer; there is a 2" patch to the top right corner of the molding on the top long drawer and to the top left corner of the drawer below it. The drawer pulls on the two medium drawers, while original, have been reset. The top of the proper left quarter column on the lower case (approximately 2" in height) is replaced.

For further information on the condition of this lot, please contact the department at: 212-606-7130 or Americana@sothebys.com

Provenance:
Hugh Creighton (1723-1804) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Louisa McCullock Creighton (1716-1781);
To their daughter Mary "Pretty Polly" Creighton Stratton (1762-1847) and her husband Dr. James Stratton (1755-1812), Haddonfield, New Jersey (married January 1, 1787);
To his daughter from a previous marriage Sarah Stratton Carpenter (1781-1852), who married Edward Carpenter I (1777-1813) of Glassborough, New Jersey on September 5, 1799;
To their son Edward Carpenter II (1813-1889) of Philadelphia, who married Anna Maria Howey (1818-1883) on November 16, 1837;
To their daughter Sarah Caroline Carpenter Wheeler (1843-1904), who married Andrew Wheeler (1832-1903) of Philadelphia on January 18, 1865;
To their eldest son Andrew Wheeler, Jr. (1866-1926), who married Mary Wilcox Watson (1863-1892), a descendent of Edward Shippen, first mayor of Philadelphia, on May 14, 1887, Andrew Wheeler later had two sons by his second wife, Jennie Pearce (1876-1941) - John Pearce Wheeler and Alexander Bowman Wheeler;
To John Pearce Wheeler (1909-1964) of Philadelphia;
To his brother Alexander Bowman Wheeler (1913-1991) of Philadelphia;
To the children of Alexander Bowman Wheeler, the current owners of Philadelphia.