Ohio Finds! Fascinating Objects from our Past: Peaseware
Ohio’s Western Reserve was described as a “near Eden” by the New England surveyors who assessed the nearly 3 million acres for the Connecticut Land Co. in the late 18th century. Although the landscape was similar to the New England countryside, it also offered plenty of waterways, a diversity of wildlife and thick forests of large and mature trees. As a result, woodworkers were drawn to the region. Having developed a reputation for fine cabinetry and furniture making in Connecticut, the Pease family settled in northern Ohio and embraced the challenge of developing new markets. One descendent, David Mills Pease, launched a wood-turning business just north of Akron around 1850. By 1874, he had focused his work on kitchenware, sewing accoutrements and other small mementos. The maple compote shown here is a sophisticated and classic form indicative of the Pease family’s commitment to quality. The company flourished through the mid-20th century, and a late 19th-century label offers an interesting glimpse into the family’s brand: “D.M. Pease, manufacturer of American hollow ware, spool stands and all kinds of fancy turned work. Address orders to D.M. Pease, Concord, Lake Co., O.”
Column first appeared in Ohio Magazine April 2015 Digest
