Description

Highlights From This Issue

In this issue we look at names and initials found on spinning wheels to see what they can tell us about the men who made the wheels. A name and location on a great wheel introduces us to a wheel maker from Maine. Two almost identical flax wheels are marked, one with initials and one with a name. The mystery is which one belongs to a well-documented wheel maker from Vermont. A spinning wheel found in the attic of a house in Nova Scotia, owned by the same family for generations, is clearly marked. The stamp is the one used by a well-known family of local wheel makers.

John Parsons Spooner, Spinning-Wheel Maker of Fort Fairfield, ME

Kay Will acquired a restored great wheel marked SPOONER. She discovered that the maker was John Parsons Spooner of Fort Fairfield, ME. Using census records, deed books, local histories, and his son’s biography, she tells us about the life of this wheel maker from northern Maine.

Who was “J*R.”?

A flax wheel marked J*R belonging to Craig Evans is almost identical to a flax wheel that Brenda Page has marked RAMSEY. She discussed both wheels in her blog. James Ramsey is a well-documented wheel maker from St. Johnsbury, VT. The mystery is which mark was used by him. Craig hopes that readers who have spinning wheels with either of these marks will contact him to help solve the mystery.

A Sleeping Beauty From Nova Scotia

David Simpson’s family has owned a house in Merigomish, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, for more than 200 years. He and his granddaughter, Violet Gray, found a spinning wheel marked ALEX McINTOSH 1821 among the treasures in the house. They recount how they carefully disassembled and cleaned it, before restoring it. Violet plans to learn to spin, so another generation can use it.

A Note Regarding the Hand Looms Supplements

Now that I am no longer publishing the annual Hand Looms Supplements, I have reduced the price of those that are still in print. They make great holiday gifts for a weavers. See Supplements in Print for details.