Lot 124 email save

Large tin type Mary "Jane" Harriett James; Jesse

The items listed in this auction as well as five antique firearms were found in an around the trunk which was hidden in a barn on Jesse's Uncle's farm near Stamping Grounds, Kentucky. The trunk remained hidden in a dark corner under a deteriorating pile of hay for over 110 years before its discovery in 1998. These items are now up for sale in separate lots. Please contact us for further information, more detailed descriptions, terms of sale, etc.

This is a large tin type photo of Mary Harriett "Mary Jane" James. The owner of the Lindsey farm, at the time of the discovery, stated that this photo had hung in a group above the mantle of the fireplace in the old farm house on the property for many years, until its recent removal (1998) due to repair work being done on a portion of the house.

The framed photo, as well as the original fireplace insert which Jesse and Frank's parents were married in front of, accompanied the purchase of the trunk (and contents), books, and flintlock. The fireplace insert was eventually placed on display at the James Farm Museum. This photo, is now up for auction.

Brief history of Mary H. James: May Harriett was only 16 years old when the Civil War broke out. She had four brother, two of which fought for the South, and two who fought for the North. The Battle of Mill Springs was fought near her father's farm in Somerset, Kentucky. Her father was a Baptist preacher, slave owner, and farmer.

Condition: This item is in overall very good condition, with light scuffing due to age. It is in the wooden frame it was originally acquired in.

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