Date: Sun, 08 Jan 2017 17:20:22 -0500
From: “N.A. Booko”
Subject: Herman D. Martens Immigrant chest . . .
Over the past 55 years dealing in Antiques, I have had/owned/sold several wooden chests that were used by immigrants from Europe to the United States. All shapes and sizes, but they were built to last. Made to endure that long voyage to the Promised land. Usually a New York port. Most of this all took place, I believe from about 1840s- 1900.
Generally, they were pine. Many hand wrought iron straps, hinges and handles. Most were dovetailed. A lot were painted dark red or dark green. A lot hand some writing on the front, such as- ‘Mattalach-New York”- “Bergermyer-America”. They all held the few precious belongings the immigrant had to begin a new life.
I recently obtained such a trunk- Dovetailed, iron bound strappings and dovetailed pine. It has many coats of paint, but still very distinct design and construction. After I got it home, I found a small note taped to the inside. It reads:
“This trunk is reported to be the one that Herman D. Martens used for his voyage to the United States from Germany.”
“Inherited from Anna E. Martens and donated to the Rosenbohm-Martens Collection by John H. Martens- 1976.”
The trunk was found here in Chatham County. I have tried to research the names involved, with no luck. If anyone reading this knows anything about any of those names or the chest, please let me know. Thanks.
N.A. Booko . . .