Images(4)

Freehold Poor Chest

Period1792

MediumHard pine

Dimensions11.5 × 26 × 9.5 in. (29.2 × 66 × 24.1 cm)

InscribedInscribed in neat painted lettering across the front face, "THE FREEHOLD / POOR CHEST 1792." Inscribed in ink on the underside of the right till lid, "March 1792."

ClassificationsStorage Furniture

Credit LineGift of Charles Vanderveer, 1958

Object number2017.707

DescriptionA small, narrow chest made out of six boards, the interior is divided into two equal compartments. Each compartment also has a small till on its outer end with a hinged lid. The iron hardware consists of two cotter pin hinges, and a lock in the center of the front face.
Curatorial RemarksAn unusual and interesting historical artifact from Freehold, Monmouth County, the poor chest is an early survivor of community based charity sponsored by the area's churches.NotesThe Freehold Poor Chest, neatly lettered and dated 1792, was apparently an early community charity service of the Freehold area churches. An account dated 1804 and 1805 was titled "Freehold Churches / Poor Chest." It recorded small amounts of cash taken from the chest, payments made to one Peter Funck, as well as amounts received from the Middletown Poor Chest and Teunis G. Vanderveer. The account was recorded in the silversmith ledger of Teunis D. Dubois (1773 - 1843), a resident of what is now Marlboro, Monmouth County. At the time, it was part of Freehold Township. Dubois was a life-long member of Old Brick Reformed Church in Marlboro, as well as one of its officers. The poor chest may have been sponsored by Old Brick, which would explain the entries referring to the Middletown poor chest. Until 1826, the congregation served two meeting houses - one at the current site of Old Brick that was formerly part of Freehold, and the other in Middletown.

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