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Basket with Handle
Basket with Handle
Basket with Handle

Basket with Handle

PeriodCirca 1820 - 1860
Place MadeMarlboro, New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumAsh, oak
Dimensions16 × 12 in. (40.6 × 30.5 cm)
InscribedThe initials JRS are carved into the top of the basket handle.
ClassificationsAgricultural T&E
Credit LineGift of Holmes Bailey and his daughter Katherine Bailey, 2023
Object number2023.10.1
DescriptionA woven round basket, of alternating 1/4 and 1/2 inch ash stakes, with 1/4 ash weavers and a rim of half round oak with single ash 1/4 inch lashing. The basket has a carved oak handle with rim notches, and the intials "JRS" carved in the top center of the handle. The entire basket appears to have been stained a dark brown, with good original finish.
Curatorial RemarksWhle the Association has many baskets in its collection, few can be placed as being made within Monmouth County. This basket, with "JRS" carved into the oak handle, was most likely purchased by Jonathan Schenck from a local basket maker, possibly in the Marlboro or Freehold area. Unless a particularly unique weaving or construction technique can be attributed to a basket maker, most baskets were made along similar lines. This basket is well-made and includes some interesting details. The graceful and rather slender oaken handle has a double notch for the rim, and an unusually long stake, which runs almost the entire height of the basket and ends with the trimmed end bent and tucked back up into the narrow ash weavers. A search of the 1850 Marlboro Federal Census reveals one Cornelius Corson (also spelled Coursen) who was listed as a basket maker. Corson was born in New York in around 1810, and married Catharine Buckalew. The couple had at least two children: Catharine, born in 1838, and son Griffen (also spelled Griffin), born in 1847. Griffen Corson died on December 13, 1852, at the age of five. Corson set aside his basketmaking as his main occupation, and was listed in both the 1860 and 1870 Federal Census for Marlboro as "Keeper of the Poor." In both census listing, the Corson household included a number of paupers from the area. Cornelius Corson died on January 1, 1881, and was buried in the Adelphia Cemetery. Although it is certainly possible that Jonathan Schenck purchased his basket from any number of basket makers in Monmouth, the fact that the Corson house was within walking distance of the Schenck farm certainly makes a strong attribution to Corson as the maker of the basket. There were four other basketmakers identified in the 1850 Federal Census for Monmouth County, including two in Millstone and two in Upper Freehold.NotesThis basket was owned and used by Marlboro resident Jonathan Roelof (also spelled Rolfse) Schenck. Born in 1782, Jonathan was the fourth of six children of Roelof H. Schenck (1752-1800) and his cousin Sarah Schenck (1759-1811). Jonathan married Sarah Peacock on 3 March 1819. The couple had two children. Jonathan owned a farm in Marlboro. He was somewhat of a local character. Jonathan Schenck apparently had a tombstone made for himself, carved and inscribed with all but a date of death. He installed the stone on his farm and often went to visit it. Jonathan and Sarah had their portratis taken by artist Micah Williams (1782-1837), both of which are in the collection of the Monmouth County Historical Association. The Association also has trade scale, reading glasses, and other items.
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