Here is an old china doll with beautifully carved wooden arms and legs that I found at an antique shop in New Orleans recently. I had speculated to a friend that she may be dressed in black as a Confederate widow. After returning home, I found a note pinned to her old petticoat reading "Jane Appleton Pierce, daughter of President of Bowdoin College." After googling her name, I found that she was First Lady of the U.S., wife of President Franklin Pierce (administration 1853-57). She was depressed during his administration because their last remaining son of three had just been killed, and she wore black during the whole time President Pierce was in office. I am researching her family now to see if I can authenticate the doll. Since Jane was born in 1806 and died 1863, there are no photographs of her as a child holding the doll, of course. I am about to contact volunteers in Concord, N.H. who have preserved the Pierce house and furnishings as a museum to see if they know anything about the doll. Collecting antiques truly makes history come alive.
1 comment:
Hello Martha,
What a wonderful piece of history you discovered! Have enjoyed your posts. You always were and continue to be a most interesting woman. I have enjoyed our talks at each of the last three reunions and look forward to another one at our 50th. That you had your mother until age 98 is amazing. My wish is that if I live til 90whatever I have my mother's energy, mental acuity, sense of humor and financial means.
See you in October.
Hugs,
Tee
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