Trunk

Status

Not on view

Label Text

Throughout the Revolution, George Washington obtained a variety of trunks in which to store and transport his belongings. This trunk may be one of "4 Black Leather Campaign Trunks with Leather Straps" mentioned in a June 1781 inventory of articles left in the charge of Richard Varick, Washington's recording secretary. The oval plate engraved "Genl. Washington/ No 3" enabled Washington and his quartermasters to organize and keep track of his wartime supplies.

Read MoreRead Less

Datec. 1775-1781

Geography Made - United States

Medium/TechniqueLeather, wood, iron, brass, linen

DimensionsOverall: 14 1/2 in. x 34 1/2 in. x 19 in. (36.83 cm x 87.63 cm x 48.26 cm)

Credit LineGift of an anonymous donor, 1932

Object numberW-367

DescriptionRectangular leather trunk with domed lid; wooden case and lid covered in black leather on the exterior; bound with seven iron plates along each side and two iron plates along the base of the front and the back and the front of the lid; an oval brass plate engraved "Genl Washington/ No. 3" is nailed to the center of the lid; an iron bail handle and plate is mounted on the proper left side; only the plate for the handle remains on the proper right side; a lock is mounted at the top center of the front panel of the trunk; an iron latch is nailed to the front panel of the lid; two wide strips of leather are nailed horizontally on either side of the center front and back; only portions of the strip of leather on the proper left side of the front and back remain; on the front, these straps are inserted under the leather covering of the case and secured on either side by brass tacks arranged in a triangular pattern; two long reproduction straps of leather encircle the trunk and are secured with a buckle in the front; a continuous line of brass tacks runs along the sides of the front, lid, and back of the trunk and outline the front edge of the lid and the base of the front of the trunk; a modern replacement skirt of leather with a scalloped edge, secured by a continuous line of brass tacks, runs along the base of the lid on all four sides; sandwiched in between the reproduction leather skirt and the black barrier fabric is a three inch remnant of the original leather skirt with scalloped edges; a lock is mounted at the top center of the front panel of the trunk; an iron latch is nailed to the front panel of the lid; the interior of the trunk lid is lined with a linen blockprinted in red with a repeating geometric design; remnants of this fabric are also found around nails in the base and sides of interior; remnants of a twill weave linen strap are tacked to the lid on the proper left side; a reproduction strap connects the lid and the base on the proper right side; four narrow strips of leather are nailed inside the trunk on each of the front and back walls; a small copper rectangular plate, stamped "W-367", is mounted on the back base of the proper left side; three wooden runners are nailed along the length of the base of the trunk.
Published ReferencesMount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Military Equipment (Mount Vernon, Virginia: Mount Vernon Ladies Association, 1963), 25.

Mount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Swords and Campaign Equipment (Mount Vernon, VA: Mount Vernon Ladies Association, 1944), 46-47.

MarkingsEngraved on an oval brass plate on the center top of the lid: "Genl Washington/ No. 3".

Mount Vernon's object research is ongoing and information about this object is subject to change. For information on image use and reproductions, click here.