Broom, Whisk

Description

Whisk broom of palmetto fiber as broom corn. A longer loop of fiber is tied with string or a cord to form a handle, and the remainder is integrated into the broom which is stitched with string. The handle and the top of the broom including the string stitching is encapsulated in a clear, plastic-like material, perhaps shellac, which appears to have been applied by dipping.

Notes

While typical of the products produced by Shaker broom and brush makers, this whisk broom is more a story of friendship than one of industry. A small Dennison Company manila tag tied to the broom bears the handwritten inscription, "BJ Goss to Annie Bell May 4, 1918 Made from the Fiber of the palmetto tree Florida." Annie Bell Tuttle (1868-1945) was admitted to the Shaker society at Shirley, MA, around the age of eight, where she lived until 1908, when the community closed and she moved to the Harvard, MA community. On June 1, 1918, Tuttle was among the few remaining sisters at Harvard who moved to the North Family at Mount Lebanon. Her death in 1945 insured that she would not be uprooted once again, when the last members of the North Family were removed to Hancock, MA in 1947. Tuttle is known to have gathered together Shaker memorabilia, creating small museums wherever she lived. Bliss J. Goss was not a Shaker but he participated in the life of the community at Harvard, acting as the paid foreman of the hired men. According to the United States census records, Goss was living at Harvard in 1900 and 1910.[1] The circumstances of his departure from Harvard are uncertain. It is conceivable that he had heard about the Shaker community at Narcoosee, FL, and had traveled there. The gift, either mailed or brought to Tuttle, acknowledged his friendship and awareness of her fondness for curiosities. [1] Paterwick demographic papers for Harvard, MA Shakers -- NOC]