John Peard from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and settee. Patent no. 66384 was issued on May 7, 1867.
This model is made of wood featuring a Gothic design. "John Peard" is lightly written on the top of the desk. Only a fragment of the patent model has survived. The support piece has two grooved pencil areas and a circular cutout in the center. There are several tags attached to the piece.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
David I. Stagg from New York received a U.S. patent for an improved seat. Patent no. 45091 was issued on November 15, 1864.
This model is a bench seat that can fit two people. The bottom of the seat has the ability to fold upward so that it will not be in the way of people walking between the seats. There are small designs where the seat and backrest meet. The backrest has three horizontal pieces of wood or slats that are spaced for back support . It is made for both schools and public buildings.
David I. Stagg was born in 1817. For fifty years he served as an apprentice and journeyman in the New York school system. In his last post he served as Superintendent of School Buildings, overseeing school construction. He died in 1886.
James Monteith from New York, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 40117 was issued on September 29, 1863.
This desk is made completely from unpolished wood. Monteith's name is printed on the backrest of the bench. The seat folds up and the legs flare out. There are armrests that have a circular arch and curve.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
David I. Stagg from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved invention for a school desk attachment. Patent no. 69501 was issued on October 1, 1867.
The patent featured a metal frame that would be fitted into slots on the desktop. The frame served to hold maps, drawings, or documents while they were being copied. The model is made entirely of dark wood, and the desktop is tilted to illustrate the position of the frame.
David I. Stagg was born September 6, 1816 in Patterson, New Jersey. For fifty years he served as an apprentice and journeyman in the New York school system. In his last post he served the New York City Board of Education as Superintendent of School Buildings, overseeing school construction from 1872-1886. The museum owns four of his school desk patent models. He died May 11, 1886.
John Peard from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved desk and settee combined. Patent no. 138183 was issued on April 22, 1872.
This desk is made of wood and cast metal and can be detached from the chair. The rectangular back has graduated horizontal slats and is attached to a pair of cast metal supports. The rectangular seat has four horizontal slats, which fold up against the back. The back legs are joined with a trefoil motif to the front legs. A pair of metal bars supporting a seat is attached to the legs. The desk is attached to a wooden platform.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
David I. Stagg from New York received a U.S. patent for an improved seat and desk. Patent no. 58908 was issued on October 16, 1866.
This model functions as a seat and desk or simply as a seat. This is accomplished by a design allowing the desk to be placed to the side. The desk is made of a dark, unpolished, red-tinted wood with brass tacks and a junction for the desk that is on a metal rod. There is storage available under the seat. here are no curves for back support, and the seat is on a completely wooden foundation. It is meant to accommodate both children and adults.
David I. Stagg was born September 6, 1816 in Patterson, New Jersey. For fifty years he served as an apprentice and journeyman in the New York school system. In his last post he served the New York City Board of Education as Superintendent of School Buildings, overseeing school construction from 1872-1886. The museum owns four of his school desk patent models. He died May 11, 1886.
Isaac Whitbeck from Potter, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 209533 was issued on October 29, 1878.
This is an improvement for a two seat desk. The two desktops fold out from the middle on opposite sides and are painted black and red. The storage area is divided into sections for pens, inkstands, and private papers. On top of the desk is a place for a lamp as well as adjustable reflectors. This model is composed primarily of metal and is in poor condition as it is missing the leg supports and the central desk surface..
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
David I. Stagg from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 177583 was issued on May 16, 1876.
This model is made completely of unpolished wood. Most of the wood is dark, but the wood that connects the chair to the hinges is lighter colored. The desk can fold in different ways, making it compact. The desk is set on a wooden foundation and can be pivoted vertically or folded at the front of the desk, leaving a chair or a bench with no backrest. The innovative arms, pins, and shoulders are used to pivot the desktop.
David I. Stagg was born September 6, 1816 in Patterson, New Jersey. For fifty years he served as an apprentice and journeyman in the New York school system. In his last post he served the New York City Board of Education as Superintendent of School Buildings, overseeing school construction from 1872-1886. The museum owns four of his school desk patent models. He died May 11, 1886.
George Munger from East River, Connecticut, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk and seat. Patent no. 57824 was issued on September 4, 1866.
This desk is constructed with dovetails or tongue and grooves to facilitate shipping. The design could be broken down, packed in a small area, and easily built without skilled labor. There are four cross pieces that form the back of the seat and only one screw and two nail heads that show. The desktop does not move and the seat does not fold. There are four slats across the backrest. It is mounted on a platform.
George Munger was born on November 27, 1827. He partnered in many successful manufacturing businesses. In 1877 he built a factory in East River, Connecticut for manufacturing a line of school supplies, including desks and furniture. He originated the dovetail method of putting iron and wood together. Munger died on April 7, 1903.
Frank G. Johnson from Brooklyn, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 248043 was issued on October 11, 1881.
This model features a foldable desk and seat. The desk can be placed in five different positions, including an easel or book rest. The chair is curved for body support and possible comfort. The backrest and seat do not meet, showing a small gap. The seat folds up to create more space. Metal legs are set on a wooden foundation. It has metal hinges and detailed iron Gothic sculpting.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
John Peard from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 190896 was issued on May 15, 1877.
This desk sits on a wooden platform with a bench seat that can fold up. The patent features holes punched into the wood to form a design. It has a slatted wooden platform with metal hinges. The desk is attached to the backrest. There is a shelf underneath the desk top for storage.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
John H. French from Burlington, Vermont, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 115839 was issued on June 13, 1871.
This model features a folding desk lid and seat, making it easy for the students to move around. The lid encloses the book box, keeping out dust. "John H. French, Albany NY" is written in black ink on the backrest of the bench. It is made up of dark wood but with a brass metal frame.
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
Wesley Chase from Buffalo, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 100600 was issued on March 8, 1870.
This desk is made of wood and has a compartment for schoolbooks and other materials. The metal bolted legs are connected from the front and back left and the front and back right. The legs flare out. The second piece has a flat top that is curved and arched at one end, but flat on the other. There are two pieces of wood that connect and flare out like a stem for base support. It was meant to be durable, strong, and lightweight while costing less.
Wesley Chase was a partner in M.W. Chase, a manufacturer of church and school furniture.
George W. Hildreth from Niagara, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 74688 was issued on February 18, 1868.
This desk is made of wood with metal hinges and the legs and feet are cast iron. There is pen or pencil writing on the desktop, but it is not legible. The desktop can be folded to reveal storage. The cast iron has a Gothic architectural design.
George W. Hildreth was born in 1805. He trained as a machinist and builder. In 1833 he established Hildreth & Co. in Lockport, New York, to manufacture school and opera furniture.
David I. Stagg from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved folding school desk. Patent no. 167033 was issued on August 24, 1875.
This model is made completely of unpolished wood. Most of the wood is dark, but the wood that connects the chair to the hinges is a lighter color. The desk can fold in different ways, making it compact. It is set on a wooden foundation and can be pivoted vertically or folded at the front of the desk, leaving a chair or a bench with no backrest. The innovative arms, pins, and shoulders are used to pivot the desktop.
David I. Stagg was born September 6, 1816 in Patterson, New Jersey. For fifty years he served as an apprentice and journeyman in the New York school system. In his last post he served the New York City Board of Education as Superintendent of School Buildings, overseeing school construction from 1872-1886. The museum owns four of his school desk patent models. He died May 11, 1886.
John Long and Eugene Converse from Oswego, New York, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 117090 was issued on July 18, 1871.
This patent features an adjustable tabletop. The desk sits on two shafts that feature groves. The desk can be raised and lowered as it locks into place with the groves. The model is made of unpolished dark wood and brass. The backrest and seat do not join so there is no lower back support. The attached desk folds down and the horseshoe-shaped brass legs are attached to the bottom of the seat. A silver plate on the desk has "John Long and Eugene Converse, Inventors" engraved on it.
In 1874, John Long was recorded as working with furniture, presumably as a carpenter or manufacturer.
In 1866, Eugene Converse was registered as a gunsmith, locksmith, and ornamental fence ironworker.
Charles Perley from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, received a U.S. patent for an improved school seat. Patent no. 24151 was issued on May 24, 1859.
The patent is a combination of wood and metal, with a very wide bench. It is mechanically able to fold up from the bottom seat. There are no curves or slopes that mold to the body and no armrests. They were designed to be used on the perimeter of the room when the rest of the school room, church, or other building is full. The folding seat was important for moving, as well as making the rooms easier to clean. There are two marks: "C. Perely and Sons/ 114 Columbia St, NY/ 1858," inscribed with a stamp on top of the base and on the seat back. The base is incorrrectly stamped with the name mispelled. The patent paper signature clearly spells "Perley."
We are not aware of any additional information about the inventor/patentee.
William Joeckel from New York City received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 33994 was issued on December 24, 1861.
This desk was made to accommodate students of different ages with seats and desks that are adjustable. The seat and desk are wood, while other parts are made of cast iron. The desk has a storage shelf underneath, but its opening faces away from the stool. The seats can be raised so that they are out of the way, allowing for easy passage. The pedestal desk form became popular around the time of the Civil War.
William Joeckel was a partner in Joeckel & Johnson Church & School Furniture in New York City. It was common during the 19th Century for school desk manufacturers to also make church and theater furnishings.