Watch, 3 keys, copper eagle charm (belonged to John Fowle), 1818 February 2
Scope and Contents
Series X. Fowle and Durant family (circa 1775, 1823-1863) consists of objects relating to college founders Mr. and Mrs. Durant’s grandfather, Captain John Fowle, and his time serving in the Revolutionary War, including three bullets from a supply of ammunition stored in a colonial meeting house in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the Insignia of the Order of the Cincinnati, and a framed invitation to attend the Standing Committee meeting of the Massachusetts Society of the Cincinnati. Series also consists of personal objects of Pauline Adeline Fowle Durant, including her wedding handkerchief, a locket with a picture of her son Henry “Harry” Fowle Durant Jr., a jewelry box, a brooch, embroidery by relative Mary Cooke Fowle, cousin Mrs. Bissell, and portraits of family members including her parents, her husband Henry, and herself in wedding garb. Series also includes objects of Pauline Adeline Fowle Durant’s father, Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) John “Jack” Fowle, such as his pocket guide of the United States, a “Little Housewife” doll made for him by Pauline, a mourning pin containing a lock of his hair, a book by Revered Charles Caleb Colton.
Dates
- Creation: 1818 February 2
Creator
- From the Collection: Wellesley College (Organization)
- From the Collection: Durant, H. F. (Henry Fowle), 1822-1881 (Person)
- From the Collection: Durant, Pauline Adeline Fowle, 1832-1917 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research, but contains some material which has been restricted as per the Wellesley College Archives Access Policy: https://www.wellesley.edu/lts/policies/archivesaccess. To make an appointment to view unrestricted materials, please contact the Archives staff by email at archives@wellesley.edu or by phone at (781) 283-3745.
Biographical / Historical
Note with watch reads: "Bought of M. Mallet, Watchmaker to his Serene Highness The duke of Orleans. Paris Feb 2 1818." Second note reads: "Mr. John Fowle from his affectionate Sister C. F. Wiggin." From the 1910 President's Report: "A collection of historical value, consisting of documents, insignia, and memorials relating to Captain John Fowle and Lieutenant-Colonel John Fowle, grandfather and father of Mrs. [Pauline] Durant, has been placed by Mrs. Durant in this room [of the library]..."
Extent
From the Collection: 54.6 Linear Feet (24 boxes, 45 oversize boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
From the Collection: Chinese
From the Collection: Greek, Ancient (to 1453)
From the Collection: German
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Received through his granddaughter, college founder Pauline Adeline Durant (née Fowle). No date information.
Physical Description
The watch is not functional. One key is loose from the key ring.
Dimensions
watch: 2.25 x 2.5 x 0.75; triangle key: 0.5 x 1.5 x 0.25; oval key: 1.25 x 1.75 x 0.125; key on ring: 0.75 x 2 x 0.25; eagle charm: 0.75 x 1 x 0.125 (Length x Width x Height in inches)
Repository Details
Part of the Wellesley College Archives Repository