AF5-018: ANTIQUE EARLY 19TH C AMERICAN FEDERAL MAHOGANY DROP FRONT DESK - Jonathan C. Waldron, Stonington Conn.

Early 19th Century American Federal Fall Front Mahogany Desk with very interesting provenance.  The fall front opening to a fitted interior, above the lower case having a single drawer, and rising on turned legs, 62"h x 32.5"w x 20.5"d. The underside of the larger of the 3 interior drawers is inscribed with the following:

"This desk belonged to Jonathan C. Waldron of Stonington Conn. and used by him. When he died in 1837 left to George B. Waldron his nephew - when he died in 1865 given to J. Cook Waldron - used for a long time by him. He has given it to his son Jonathan Graham Waldron but JYatty to use it until Graham is old enough to need it. J. Cook Waldron"

Jonathan Waldron (1789 - 1837) was a pillar of the Stonington Conn. community in the early 1800's. He is notable for his 25 ton schooner "Centurion" which was well known for many encounters with British vessels after the Revolutionary War. At the time of his death he endowed a charitable organization for the purpose of providing assistance to community residents who needed help paying for food, fuel, and clothing (raiment in the original text of Mr. Waldron’s bequest). The fund continues today as the Waldron - Williams fund after merging with a similar fund in 2021.

Note: This piece has been restored. All but the last 2 photos are of the desk in its current restored state. The last 2 photos are of the pre-restoration condition.