THE SNOWDEN FAMILY ARMCHAIR 

Philadelphia
Mahogany
Seat reupholstered by Mullen Upholstery, Kimberton PA
Circa 1790
H: 38”; W: 27.5”; D: 21”

Inscriptions: This chair descended from Elizabeth Snowden Pierson/sister if Joseph Snowden/who was the grandfather of Joseph Snowden Rhoads.

​A Philadelphia armchair that descended in the Leonard Snowden, Jr. (1751-1832) family, Quakers, of Camden, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Inscriptions on the chair rails indicate the chair descended from Elizabeth Snowden, born in 1793 in Philadelphia, the second child of Leonard and his second wife, Jane Yarnall (1754-1837). Because of the date of the chair, Elizabeth must have received the chair from her father, who removed to Philadelphia from Camden in 1786 and set up house there. There appears to be little documentation of Elizabeth’s life except through the notes on this chair which indicate she must have married a Mr. Pierson.

Joseph Snowden (1791-1873) of Philadelphia was Elizabeth’s brother. He married Hannah Ecroyd (1807-1869) and their daughter was Elizabeth Snowden (1836-1872) who married Joseph Rhoads (1822-1896).Their son was Joseph Snowden Rhoads (1867-1936).

An appealing and well-constructed Philadelphia-area armchair. Potty seat added in the 19th century.