Daniel Clark's Account Book Found in a Secretary Desk from the Concord, New Hampshire Area

Two years ago this month, the New England Antiques Journal published a feature story I wrote about Peter Clark's (1743-1826) red earthenware production before 1775 in Braintree, Massachusetts, and later in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire. After the story was published, I posted an article on this website showing a variety of artifacts related to Clark that are owned today by the Bennington, Museum in Bennington, Vermont.

Among the objects owned by the Bennington Museum is a Queen Ann style chair reportedly made by Clark in Lyndeborough during the circa 1775-1800 period. According to the museum, "This chair is said to be Captain Peter Clark's rural interpretation of the Queen Anne style, made of maple with a rush seat. It was reportedly made by Clark in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire."

If in fact, Clark did make this chair, then he seems to have had the ability to produce furniture, as well as pottery, which would lead me to believe that this was not the only example of furniture he made. He is also known to have owned a store in Lyndeborough, where he likely sold some of the pottery that he produced, but he also may have sold furniture.

Interestingly, while I walked around the Americana Celebration Antiques Show yesterday in Concord, New Hampshire, as part of Antiques Week in New Hampshire, a friend handed me an old advertisement from Nathan Liverant and Son Antiques in Colchester, Connecticut, which was published in The Magazine Antiques.

The ad showed a late-eighteenth or early-nineteenth century Chippendale secretary desk that according to the Liverants, "was produced in the Concord, New Hampshire area, circa 1785-1810. Found in the desk section was the account book of Daniel Clark (1768-1828)."

Daniel Clark was a son of Peter Clark, who learned the potter's trade under his father in Lyndeborough, but also helped build the industry 45 miles north in Concord. This industry flourished well into the 1880s, with the Clark family largely involved with its production. Although, I have no proof, my interest with this secretary desk, remains around the fact that Daniel Clark's account book was found in it. As a result, this discovery has forced me to rethink the career path of Peter Clark, and theorize whether this could be another example of furniture manufactured by Clark, who I suppose may be an unknown furniture maker today.

Note: The whereabouts of Daniel Clark's account book is known today, although it is owned privately.

Chippendale Secretary Desk Attributed to the Concord, NH Area

 Late-18th or Early-19th Century Chippendale Secretary Desk
Attributed to the Concord, NH Area

Circa 1785-1810

Daniel Clark's Potter's Account Book was Found in the Desk Section

See Article for More Information
Photo Courtesy: Nathan Liverant and Son, The Magazine Antiques

View of the Description

See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Nathan Liverant and Son, The Magazine Antiques

Peter Clark's Chair from Lyndeborough, NH

18th Century Queen Ann Style Chair
Reportedly Made by Peter Clark in Lyndeborough, NH

Circa 1775-1800

Stands 38 1/2" Tall
See Article for More Information

Photo Courtesy: Bennington Museum

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