Period Furniture History & William Duffield
John Jardin
One of the premier publications on Period Furniture is "American Period Furniture", the journal of the Society of American Furniture Furniture Makers. Equally outstanding is the "Journal" of the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers. A two part article by Jim Allen on the history of Period Furniture is a must read for those of us who study the fine craftsmanship of the 18th and 19th century furniture makers. The basis for the article is referenced by a book given to the author by Bill Thomas - "Early American Furniture Makers"by Thomas H Ormsbee. With my own copy of the book, and in Chapter VI Yankee Clock Makers, I noted that one of the outstanding Pennsylvania clockmakers in the mid 17th century, and a close friend of Benjamin Franklin, was Edward Duffield.
Is one of our own, William Duffield, a descendant of Edward Duffield?
I had the pleasure of spending time with William this year at the summer meeting of SAPFM in Sturbridge MA. William convinced me to purchase the book on the meetings theme "Crafting Excellence" the furniture of Nathan Lumbard. The book has inspired me to prepare for my next project, a Lumbard reproduction of his serpentine chest of drawers...Thank you William.