The Chair
A story about sections of wood assembled into a chair and its history as far as the imagination can form it. It’s a chair like any other in its heyday, but now that it’s over 60 years in age, does it make it special?
Yes, because of the unique owners of this chair and it was part of a living room set with five other chairs, a table and china cabinet and a hutch, made by the National Table Company of Owen Sound, founded in 1892 with factories at 1800 block of 3rd Ave East.
This chair was part of the newly married Alton Family from at least 1953, when Margaret Ellen Edwards and Wilmer George Alton were wedded and started in their home in London, Ontario. I want to trace a bit of the history of and the possible adventures this chair has had.
The present: October-12-14.
So, just a mere few weeks ago Len Mary’s brother whom lives with his wife Jackie in the country side of Echo Bay, found this chair in the basement of their home and asked thru e-mails if anyone wanted this chair. He sent a few pictures along with it and to tell the truth it did look the worst for wear, but considering what this chair has been thru, it’s a survivor and it was going to be liberated.
In a word this chair looked like it’s seen some truly remarkable times and we sent an e-mail, actually two of them, please let me have that chair. And, it’s at our home and awaiting the seat to be re upholstered and reattached. Len and Jackie delivered to us on their way to Collingwood for Thanksgiving.
After a full examination, it was definite to leave it its natural state of elegance and to clean it of the early accumulated dust and residue and just refinish it with a Stain-in-varnish product called Circa 1860. And all the scratches and other symbols picked in its life to be left there to show its journey so far.
Like the Great Sphinx, it has stood the test of time. . At one time or other this chair has seated each of the Family members and countless guests in its lifetime. I imagine that there were many meals shared here, the card games, possibly home work was done here, the newspaper was read, the decisions to affect their lives were debated at this table and they sat in this chair. The chair, what stories you could tell.
The past:
The basic wood was harvested from the Grey-Bruce area and provided work for the residents as other factories also required wood for their products. The National Table had many different varieties of furniture and supplied the entire country in some cases with their goods.
Trivia: The National Table Company was founded by William Hamilton Merritt Sr. around 1898, when he purchased 325 feet of waterfront property from J.H. McLauchlan.
The National Table Company factory was located on the east side of the harbor, just north of Boyd’s Wharf, to south of the factory were McQuay’s Tannery and Keenan’s Wooden Baskets.
The National Table Company made quality bedroom and dining room furniture. The company began operations with 25 employees. They closed for a brief period of time during the Depression, however, they resumed full operations in 1938 with 64 employees and by 1948 they had 80 employees.
William Hamilton Merritt Sr. passed away in 1921 and his son, William Hamilton Merritt, began to run the company.
In 1948 there was still a high demand for quality furniture but the lumber needed to make the furniture was becoming scarce. In 1960 The National Table Company was sold to William P. Hewitt and James Ranking Brown of Hamilton who planned to reopen the factory which had been operating with reduced staff and to eventually expand the business.
In 1982, the National Table, McQuay and Keenan factories were demolished to clear the site for the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Source: Renewal of a Canadian Port: Owen Sound on the Georgian Bay, 1993, by Melba Croft.
Was it a Gift?
We assume, this was a gift to the newly wedded couple and the furniture set begins to give service to the Family. The table had a leaf or two depending on the model with two arm chairs and four regular chairs. Usually a china cabinet and hutch were included in the package.
The table was on a large pedestal base and it was big enough that you couldn't topple it when you leaned on any portion of the surface. Usually, the table had a table cloth with a vase of flowers when not in use and it made a handsome addition to the home.
The table and chairs were in the dining room and all the meals were eaten here when the Family was at home. The furniture was moved numerous times over its life time as homes bought and sold and this set was moved to the new location and would pick up new scratches and marks along the way.
Judging by the repairs done to this chair, it was cracked near the top of it and repaired, albeit in a poor fashion.
Later, when the Family dynamics changed the set was given to Mary, as the folks moved on to different phases in their lives.Somehow, over time the set became separated from the original owners and this one chair was in the care of Len and Jackie and this chair was not included when the dining room was sold.
Well, its function was a spare chair, when needed when extra people showed up.
Different effects on this chair:
There is paint splatter, used as a step ladder, a saw horse and many marks for its added appeal. Over time the seat material began to dry and gets a rip and it unravels from the frame and is need of repair / replacement.
This type of label was usually found attached to the furniture
The most common offense, the chair is no longer needed and it is stored away and forgotten about or it gets thrown out or destroyed, furniture karma. Well, hopefully after the renewal this chair will continue to give service.
