PENNSYLVANIA, CIRCA 1770

Featuring molded Marlborough legs with a beaded edge and a skirt with line and bead molding, this sideboard embraces a characteristic Chippendale interpretation of Chinese design. Distinguished by its finely shaped "King of Prussia" marble top, this table displays the highest quality of local clouded limestone found in southeastern Pennsylvania. A related slab on a Philadelphia sideboard with a similar complex molding is in the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art. As discussed by R. Curt Chinnici, this marble design has a clear Irish influence and may have been produced by the shop of Anthony Wilkinson (R. Curt Chinnici, "Pennsylvania Clouded Limestone: Processing, and Use in the Stone Cutting, Furniture, and Architectural Trades," American Furniture 2002, Luke Beckerdite, ed. (The Chipstone Foundation, 2002), p. 108-109, fig. 26-27).

According to a bill of sale from Joe Kindig, this table was originally owned by Daniel Stroud (1772-1846). A successful lawyer, Stroud was an important community leader in the town of Stroudsburg (Dr. Robert Brown, Daniel Stroud (Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Monroe County Historical Society, 1963). However, because of his life dates, he probably inherited the sideboard from his father, Jacob Stroud (1735-1806). The founder of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Stroud served as both a military and political leader in America. With experience fighting in the French and Indian War, Stroud became the Captain of the Lower Smithfield Volunteer Company during the American Revolution and later served as Colonel. Stroud also served as a delegate to the first Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention where he helped construct the state constitution. By the end of his life, Stroud owned 4000 acres where he operated a store, tavern, grist mill, and saw mill (Dr. Alfred D. Sumberg, Jacob Stroud: Founder of Stroudsburg (Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania: Monroe County Historical Society, 1963).