A Slice of Cottage Life
A recent donation to the museum included a collection of small, wooden-handled knives of varying shapes and styles. These knives came from the Thompson family summer cottage known as the Neudick House in Georgetown, ME. The property was bought by Elizabeth (Bessie) Wheeler Thompson (b.1884)[1] and John (Jack) Fairfield Thompson (b. 1883) in the 1930s. The summer house was complete with a farmer and chauffeur to drive them between their many properties.[2] The couple was known to be a dazzling pair, “eclipsing all others.” On February 14, 1911, Jack proposed to Bessie on the Brooklyn Bridge. Afterwards, their letters to each other are full of love and longing. In a section from Jack’s letter, he wrote:
In my heart, I have been your man for a long time…I will come for you tomorrow and we will walk that blessed Bridge again… I am so happy. I only feel, I cannot think. But last night I left you more truly your husband and you more truly my wife than any human ceremony can make us.
Goodnight from your husband,
Jack
Looking closely at the knives reveals history a bit closer to home. Two of the knives’ handles are marked with a label from their manufacturer, the inscriptions reading “Russell” and “Russell Green River Works.” This company was started in 1834 by John Russell in a water-powered factory on the banks of the Green River in Greenfield, MA making butcher and kitchen knives. Large quantities of their hunting knives were shipped out West to the American frontier. Reproductions of their fur trade era knives are still being sold.
The Russell knife in the top image is a common paring knife, while the Russell knife in the bottom image is a chicken “sticking” knife. Aptly named, this knife would have been used to kill chickens by sticking the blade into their brain and giving a small twist. Both knives are circa 1910.
One of the other knives has also been inscribed with a company name. This watermark is on the blade, rather than on the handle like the Russell knives. The blade of the smooth round handled knife reads “DEXTER PAT 3-7-16.” This cutlery line is linked to the Harrington Cutlery Company, founded in 1818 in Southbridge, MA. In 1884, the Dexter line of kitchen and table cutlery, which this knife is from, was introduced.
It is an oyster knife, designed for strength and durability. The sharp, flat blade with a stop at the end is ideal for splitting the oyster shells and the round grip gives comfortable handling. It likely dates to before 1933.
These two local cutlery manufacturers, The Harrington Cutlery Company and Russell Green River Works, merged in 1933 to become the Russell Harrington Cutlery Company. The company still thrives today in Southbridge, MA.
The Neudick House contained a variety of old utensils, including these knives. While material possessions abounded for Bessie and Jack Thompson, their value paled in comparison to their devotion to each other. In a letter to Bessie, Jack wrote, “All eternal things seem part of me now. There are only two primary facts: you and me.”
[1] Elizabeth Wheeler Thompson is descended from Elizabeth Huntington Fisher (1803-1864). Our 2016 exhibit on Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher imparts details from her life as described in her letters. To explore this exhibit, click here: https://www.pphmuseum.org/news/2016/8/8/the-porter-phelps-huntington-museum-presents-a-life-in-letters-elizabeth-porter-huntington-sessions-by-kristin-malin-a-mixed-media-visual-art-installation
[2] In the 1930s, John (Jack) Fairfield Thompson was the executive vice president of International Nickel Co, eventually becoming President and Chairman of the Board. He was very successful, which allowed for the couple to travel often and purchase many properties.
Sources:
Albert Shane, Museum of Our Industrial Heritage, http://industrialhistory.org/contact-us/.
“About Dexter.” English, www.dexter1818.com/about-dexter.
McCabe, John. Oyster Knives, oysters.us/oyster-knives.html.
Elizabeth Wheeler, “Fisher-Wheeler-Thompson Story”, “A HUNTINGTON-FISHER-SESSIONS STORY “