Mailbag
Mailbag possibly owned by Elder Frederick Evans, North Family, Mount Lebanon, NY
1848
Description
Mail bag or portmanteau made of a round roll of leather that wraps around and is fastened with four leather straps (4 1/2"), each with seven holes punched through, and four corresponding metal buckles. Bag made of two pieces of leather sewed down the center on the inside. Inside has oval opening, measuring 10" x 3 3/4", and a leather flap held by a leather strap and buckle. Leather handle at each end, 5 1/2", attached with metal hardware. Interior is lined with a gray/brown cotton or canvas woven fabric.
Notes
The mailbag was acquired from the Canterbury Shakers via Eldress Emma B. King. In a letter dated January 22, 1951, Eldress Emma wrote, "You ask about the brother who owned this bag. I do not really know. it may possibly have belonged to Elder Frederick Evans, or again Elder Walter Shepherd, but this is only conjecture on my part." However, according to sisters at Hancock, Massachusetts (formerly of Mount Lebanon, New York), this bag was thought to have belonged to Elder Frederick Evans, and was used for mail. See blog post: https://shakerml.wordpress.com/2016/10/19/mail-bag/
New York Mount Lebanon
