"Domestic" Treadle Sewing Machine

I have four sewing machines including a treadle machine. My mother found this beauty at a local yard sale in 1980. The earliest photo I have of it is Christmas 1981 in the background of Lola and Sara playing with toy irons and ironing board. Mom used it to hold plants making sure there was no water damage to the wood.

I was in possession of it when I moved 30 miles north of her in 1999. I also used it as a display case. I started an interest in sewing again around this time. After borrowing mom’s Sears Kenmore (which had tension problems that could not be repaired), I purchased my Janome (2001) and Bernina (2004). I also have my mother’s Singer 222K. I no longer have the Sears Kenmore.

In 2004, I moved back in with Mom, for health reasons. The treadle was placed in storage with 90% of my belongings. After, my mother’s death in 2018, along with the selling of her home, I found a place to live along with closing up my storage unit. 

Out came the Domestic again with me showing more interest in it as a sewing machine.

I wanted to investigate its parts and how it works.

Domestic was the premier manufacturer of vibrating shuttle sewing machines from the 1870s through 1880s-- at a time when Singer only manufactured reciprocating shuttle models for domestic use. 

When I took a close up of the needle, I discovered the machine’s serial number of 545221. 

But when I took the plate off there was another number of 288744. So which one is it?

There were two plates surrounding the needle. One had the patented history and the other had instructions on which needle to use.

I transcribed what was engraved on both of the plates.

The one in front of the needle:

“Domestic” S.(ewing) M.(achine) CO.(mpany) 

NEW YORK 

PATENTED

MAY18.1863

NOV.15.1864

JAN. 31.1871

APR. 25.1871

AUG. 21.1873

APR. 14.1874

REISSUED

NOV.3.1874

MAY16.1876

With the dates of 1863 to 1876 listed with this machine, I conclude that this one is post-1876.

The other behind the needle:

NOTICE 

NUMBERS OF SIZE OF 

COTTON NEEDLE 

300 TO 500   USE  1

120   “   200      “    2

  90   “   110      “    3

  70   “     80      “    4

  40   “     50      “    5

  12   “     36      “    6

   0    “     10      “    7

 COURSE WORK     “    8

My model is called the “fiddle-bed” as the bottom of the machine is in the shape of a fiddle. It is also called the No.1 Primal as seen by this advertisement. My machine does not have the "star" in the center square of the trellis that moves the needle with the foot press. 

I love the unique bobbin case nestled under the front plate. 

There is a small shelf below the machine that contains its notions. 

These include a key, 2 needle cases, 6 bobbins with thread, 2 bobbin cases, and another foot. I have no idea what the other five items are used for.

My next goal is to clean the machine and get it working again. 

Family Photos

I love visiting friends. Even more, I get excited over seeing family photos displayed on the walls and down the hallways. This has been a desire for my place. It has taken years to collect photos from family & distant cousins. My dream has come true.

I scanned photos in my family’s collection & also collected photos from cousins. I originally was to put these 4x6 photos in a large 22x28 frame. This idea did not work out for me. I wanted a tree painted on a wall inspired by one I had seen. I also was inspired by small metal trees to hang smaller photos, but you could not really see them or who they were in your family history.

I was enthusiastic when I found this tree made with peel & stick wall decals on Amazon. I measured the space I had in my new location and it fit! I ordered it. It was easy to place & replace on the wall without pulling off the paint. It is made by Timber Artbox.

I printed out current family members to also place in 5x7 cream mats. I did not want to use frames to put more nails in the wall. I decided to use thick scrapbook green paper to frame each picture to add color to the tree. I wrote on the back of each green paper the identity, the relationship, location (if known) & time of picture or painting (if known). I used scrapbook photo mounts.

I was thrilled with the way it came out. This was the best way I could take the picture of the wall (from the laundry room) to see the whole layout of the tree to include all of the photos. I will have to add more branches to the top of the tree at a later time to include the older generations.

‘The Love of a Family is Life’s Greatest Blessing’ is a wonderful quote to be added to the tree.

The oldest person on my hallway tree is Samuel Cooper 1686-1761, my 6th great-grandfather. The copy of his painting is from my third cousin 1x removed, Richard Austin-Cooper. 

I have already posted the stories of several of the photos on my hallway family tree. I am excited and inspired to continue with the rest of them.

Thank you, Diane Gould Hall, for the inspiration to finish my dream of having a ‘family tree’ photo wall.

http://www.michiganfamilytrails.com/2015/12/ancestor-wall-of-photos-its.html

Rev. Alexander Gibson (1790-1863) Westmeath, Mullingar, Ireland Part 2

FAMILY FOUND - WIFE & THREE MORE DAUGHTERS

I joined Find My Past that covers the British Isles newspapers. I found an interesting article about Rev. Gibson attending a luncheon honouring him with his ministry to the local jail. Another article about Rev. Gibson starting a Bible Study group in the community of Mullingar where he was the Presbyterian minister. I then found the page that revealed what I was seeking.

In the Westmeath Journal dated 27 March 1823, on page 3, column 3; I find the marriage announcement of Rev. Alexander Gibson.

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 27 March 1823, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

“On the 9th instant [March], in the city of Londonderry, by the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, of Fahan, the Rev. Alexander Gibson, Presbyterian Minister of the United Congregation of Mullingar and Tyrrelspass, to Jane, youngest daughter of Mr. Joseph Gibson, of Strabane.”

So here we have a Gibson marrying a Gibson. Are they cousins? How are their fathers, John and Joseph, related or are they?

On the same page, right above the marriage announcement is Rev. Gibson’s Ordinance article. 

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 27 March 1823, p. 3, col. 3; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

“The Ordination of the Rev. Alexander Gibson, Presbyterian Minister of the United Congregation of Mullingar and Tyrrelspass, was celebrated in this town on Wednesday the 19th instant. The Rev. Mr. Scott began the service by singing and prayer--the Rev. Mr. Carlile preaches an appropriate sermon on the occasion, the Rev. Mr. Horner ordained, and the Rev. Mr. Morgan delivered a most eloquent address to Mr. Gibson and the members of the congregation.

“After the ceremony a numerous and respectable party dined in Mr. Murray’s Inn. The following toasts were drunk. ‘The King,’  ‘The General Synod of Ulster,‘   ‘Mr. Gibson and the Congregation of Mullingar,‘   ‘Mr. Horner, Mr. Carlile, and the Congregation of Mary’s Abbey,’  ‘The Land we live in,’ &c. &c.”

At the same time, Rev. Gibson started a 'Classical and Mercantile' School to teach higher education to those who are interested in his community of Mullingar.

“Education. The Rev. Alexander Gibson, A. M.,” Westmeath (Ireland) Journal, 23 January 1823, p. 3, col. 4; digital images, findmypast.com: accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

I find a birth announcement of a daughter, born on 31 May 1826, in the same local newspaper, The Westmeath Journal. Who is this with no name listed?

Westmeath (Ireland) Journal. 1 June 1826, p. 3, col. 5; digital images. findmypast.com: accessed 7 Jan 2015. Used with permission.

Elizabeth Gibson Cooper, my 2nd great-grandmother was born 19 April 1828.

Jane Gibson Digges La Touche was born in 1831 according to a census record. She was identified as the Reverand's daughter in her marriage announcement to Edmund Digges La Touche. Jane & Edmund's daughter, Frances Digges La Touche, married her first cousin, Henry Cooper, son of Austin & Elizabeth Gibson Cooper.

“Marriages.” Cork (Ireland) Examiner. 12 April 1850. p. 2. col. 3. digital images. Accessed findmypast.com : accessed 11 May 2015. Used with permission.

Looking through Google Books, I find several mentions of Rev. Alexander Gibson of Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland. One is in A Genealogical & Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain by Bernard Burke. It states that Alexander Jason HASSARD marries 14 Jan 1864, Frances Margaret, youngest daughter of Rev.  Alexander GIBSON, of Mullinger, and has issue, Alexander Jason, born 28 May 1866.

Here is a fourth daughter of Rev. Alexander & Jane Gibson. I find Frances Margaret’s marriage registration on 14 Jan 1864, 18 months after Rev. Gibson’s death.

"Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898," database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGJX-NJR : 10 February 2018), Alexander Jason Hassard and Frances Margaret Gibson, 14 Jan 1864; citing 921,Bray,Wicklow,Ireland,  FHL microfilm 101,453. Accessed 8 May 2012.

It states that they are married by license by John Gibson. Is this the same John Gibson, who was listed as a witness to Austin and her sister's Elizabeth’s marriage, 13 years earlier, in 1851? (Refer back to Part I of Rev. Alexander Gibson (1790-1863) Westmeath, Mullingar, Ireland.) Is this John Gibson a family member?

Looking through the Irish newspapers again, I find the marriage announcement for Frances Margaret GIBSON & Alexander HASSARD.

“Marriages,” Dublin, Ireland. The Dublin Evening Mail. 16 Jan 1864. p.1. Col. 1. digital images. findmypast.com: accessed 7 Sep 2016. Used with permission.

In this announcement, I see that Rev. John Gibson is a "brother of the bride!" I can conclude no relation evidence other than the marriage record of her parent's Austin Cooper/Elizabeth Gibson's marriage registration with John Gibson listed as a witness.  Could this be Frances Margaret's uncle? More research is needed to find out how this John Gibson is related.

I find the obituary for Rev. Alexander Gibson in the local newspaper announcing his death on June 12, 1862, in Mullingar. Did the Mullingar Presbyterian Church with their new minister, Rev. Robert Hugh Harshaw, perform a funeral service for Rev. Gibson, who served the community of Mullingar for 35 years? Or did he just quietly ‘disappear’?Where was he buried?

"Deaths." Meath People, and Cavan and Westmeath Chronicle. 21 June 1862, p.4. col.5. digital images. Findmypast.com. : accessed 12 Mar 2015. Used with permission.

"Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, Alexander Gibson, 12 Jun 1862; FamilySearch.org: Accessed 30 Jun 2013.

I search Ireland, Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920 records online at FamilySearch.org. Here is Rev. Gibson, who is mentioned as a Clerk, with his death 4 years after his suspension. I see Frances Margaret Gibson mentioned with another sister I am not aware, Mary Gibson, both spinsters.

Is this Mary Gibson, the eldest daughter born 31 May 1826? I look for other records for this Mary, finding no marriage nor death records to verify this woman. This will take more work to locate her.