HELME HOUSE COLLECTIONS
CERAMICS
Below is a listing of ceramic materials that surfaced in the form of sherds just north of the original kitchen:
a. sections of a Staffordshire Clews small saucer decorated with a blue and white transfer of a shepherd or farmer leaning on a staff (ca. 1818 - 1836)
b. green feather edge rim piece ca. early 19th century
c. blue feather edge rim piece ca. early 19th century
d. numerous shards of blue and white transferware
e. mulberry transferware
f. pearlware
g. creamware
h. salt glazed stoneware
i. clam shells - numerous
All this gives us insight as to the type of table and utilitarian wares used by these early 19th century homeowners. A fledgling Archaelogical Listing has commenced documenting ceramic fragments found on the site.
FURNISHINGS
Thomas Helme's (I) chest ca. 1670-1680 constructed of pine with original rat-tail hardware retains it's original green and red paint.
Thomas Helme's (I) kas was bequeathed by Arthur Lambert to the Havens-Terry-Ketcham Inn located in Center Moriches, NY. This kas was orginally housed in the 1720's House and then was placed in the attic of the 1812 House until Arthur Lambert brought it down from the attic and placed it in the best parlor where it stood for many decades.
Thomas Helme's (III) drop leaf desk was made for Thomas Helme by Thomas Cooper, local craftsman, in August of 1770 and is now in the possession of the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities which can be viewed online at www.splia.org. Please refer to the image to the left of this page and notice the distinctive "face" which give us the name of the carpenter, date of manufacture and the name of the owner within the stylized eyes. The owner's initials are inlaid on the lid. This desk was originally housed in the ca. 1720 and the 1812 Thomas Helme houses.
Thomas Helme's (III) weaving shuttle with the carved initials of TH has been returned to Helme House through the efforts of Steven Bell.
Thomas Helme's (III)- purchased silver spoons from Ephraim Brasher, Cherry Street, New York City, NY. Brasher was a well-known silversmith who lived next-door to George Washington's double house on Cherry Street when he was residing in NYC. Arthur Lambert was very fortunate as he was able to buy back a small selection of spoons from a member of the Helme Family.
The Regency secretary is purported to have been made for the recessed space in which it has been placed along side the fireplace in the Second Best Parlor. The original doors to the upper bookcase portion are missing and the hardware is not original to the piece. It's appearance is that of a provincial piece and one can only speculate if this piece was made on the grounds.
Tape loom found in the 1812 House with the initials of E D used for weaving narrow bands of cloth or tape to be either sewn inside waistbands as a closure or for decoration on the outside of the clothing. Returned to Helme House though the efforts of Steve Bell. Also please note the second tape loom which was the newer and more improved version.
The photo below shows a tea caddy found in the attic of the 1812 House by Arthur Lambert (tenure 1957-2000) along with an early clay inkwell that pre-dates the 1812 House. The photo to the right is that of the Thomas Helme weaving shuttle.
GLASS
The glass refuse pit area had been disturbed without being documented but it has been learned that Arthur Lambert located the following bottles on this site:
a. English cylinder black glass wine bottles with applied collars. Called black glass but in actuality the color is dark olive.
b. pharmaceutical bottle of Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps - production date 1848 to 1920
c. pharmaceutical bottle of Paine's Celery Compound - production date 1885 - 1890
d. pharmaceutical bottle of Warner's Kidney & Liver Cure, Rochester, NY
e. pieces of leather shoes including sections of high button ladies shoes
f. numerous sherds of broken black glass
FOUNDATION SITE
This foundation site may prove to be the original location of the 1700's Summer Kitchen that was later attached to the 1812 House. There are the remains of large set stones and the interior section contains broken brick, mortar, chinking and small fragments of glass.
a. HL hinge
b. lock of the 20th century
METAL
The metal refuse pit has yielded the following items:
a. Victorian cast iron fireplace surround but only half of it has surfaced. It was found protruding from the ground.
b. decorative side piece from a wood burning stove
c. small metal wheel