Images(2)

Commemorative

Object number2008.29.1

Made byPossibly Joseph Crout

Date1865

OriginPhiladelphia, PA

MediumPaper; Ink; Wood

Credit LineGift of Mary Jarrett

DescriptionPiece of lined paper with handwritten text covering the front side and part of the reverse side. Two carved pieces of light wood fixed at the top. The one on the left is a small wooden heart and the one on the right is a small wooden shield.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 7.875 × 4.75 × 0.25 in. (20 × 12.1 × 0.6 cm)
InscriptionsFront Side:
"Thomas Jefferson / Heart and Shield / The material of which this Heart and Shield / is made was taken from a part of the woodwork / of the office in which Thomas Jefferson wrote / the Declaration of Independence~~ / This building is located at the South / West corner of 7th and Market Streets Phila. / It is still standing and occupied as a clothing store. / It was a remarkable coincidence / that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, / both signers of the Declaration of / Independence = July 4, 1776 should both / expire on the 4th of July 1826 Just half / a century from the day of their signing the / charter of our countries freedom---- / John Adams at the age of 91 years, and Thomas / Jefferson at the age of 83 years= July 4 is one of the / most memorable days that graces the pages of our / National History=we hail it as the Birthday of our / Independence when our Country was born free and / happy.---”

Reverse side:
“The Heart is Emblematic of the / Seal of life~~ and the Shield is an / Emblem of Safety and protection of life” / Presented by Joseph Crout / of Philadelphia / To Mrs. Eliza Ann Jarrett / Of Allegheny Co. / PA / October 31st, 1865.”
Historical NotesThe two pieces of wood fixed to the page were part of the original woodwork in the office in which Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. The office was in a building located at the southwest corner of 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The heart is emblematic of the seal of life and the shield is an emblem of safety and protection of life. Donated to the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania in 1932 by Mary Jarrett.

Related person Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)

Previous owner Mrs. Eliza Ann Jarrett

Related person John Adams (1735 - 1826)

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