CONCORD MUD WAGON
Body painted Indian red, remnants of yellow paint on gear.
This type Concord, known as the California mud wagon or poor man’s Concord, incorporated the same principles of construction found in the finer Concords, but the joinery was done in a simpler manner and the body was shaped with flat sides instead of the egg shape of the regular Concords.
This mud wagon was used in Herkimer County, New York and was probably built by Abbot and Downing, for it is identical with their style number 208.
HIGHLAND & ALPINE HOUSE CONCORD COACH
Red with gold and black trim; interior is heavy crimson mohair.
This coach, completed April 5, 1852, was used by the Highland and Alpine hotels in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
In blurred pencil markings on the inside door where the lining has fallen away can still be seen the names of the men who worked on this coach—John L. French, wheelwright; William L. Pearson, trimmer; John Bergum, painter.
Great care was lavished on the painting of the scrolls, striping and decorative scenes on the door panels. Customers usually had definite ideas as to what they wanted—“ornament up rich and tasty,” “flowers and nice landscapes on doors;” “put eagle,” “on the other door a female figure,” “on the door Pharaoh’s horses,” “a lady on horseback;” “Queen Victoria” (this for a stage line in Nova Scotia, Canada); “a coach and horses painted in the road,” “horses on one door and dogs on the other”—These specifications appear on the old order forms in the archives of the New Hampshire Historical Society.
Bibliography
Adams, William Bridges, English Pleasure Carriages, London, England 1837
Beaufort, Duke of, Driving, Badminton Series, London, England 1889
Belloc, Hilaire, Highway and its Vehicles, London, England 1926
Burgess, James W., Practical Treatise on Coach Building, London, England 1881
Downing, Paul H., Carriage Gallery at the New York Historical Society, New York Historical Society Quarterly, October 1950
Earle, Alice Morse, Stage Coach and Tavern Days, New York 1900
Felton, William, A Treatise on Carriages, London, England 1796
Fitzgerald, Wm. N., Carriage Trimmers’ Manual and Guide Book and Illustrated Technical Dictionary, New York 1881
Garland, James A., The Private Stable, Boston, Massachusetts 1903
Gilbey, Sir Walter, Modern Carriages, London, England 1905
Howlett, E., Driving Lessons, New York 1894
Hunt, Elmer Munson, Abbot-Downing and the Concord Coach, Historical New Hampshire Quarterly 1945
Knight, Capt. C. Morley, Hints on Driving, London, England 1895
Lene, La Sellerie Français et Étrangère, Paris, France 1878
McCausland, Hugh, The English Carriage, London, England 1948
Mitchell, Edwin Valentine, Horse and Buggy Age in New England, New York 1937
Mosemans’, Illustrated Guide for Purchasers of Horse Furnishing Goods, etc. New York, no date—about 1890
Rittenhouse, Jack D., American Horse-drawn Vehicles, Los Angeles, Calif. 1948
Rogers, Fairman, A Manual of Coaching, Philadelphia, Pa. 1900
Throm, Edward L., Popular Mechanics Picture History of American Transportation, New York 1952
Underhill, Francis T., Driving for Pleasure, New York 1896
Wall, Margaret V., Carriage House of the Suffolk Museum at Stony Brook, Long Island, New York 1954
Ware, Francis M., Driving, New York 1903
Ware, I. D., Coach-makers’ Illustrated Handbook, Philadelphia, Pa. 1875
Secondary sources—pamphlets, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and carriage maker’s catalogs.
Catalog of Vehicles at Shelburne Museum
Note—Sleighs, commercial and farm wagons, miniatures, and fire equipment will be included in subsequent publications.
| CATALOG NUMBER | ILLUSTRATED ON PAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| V-1 | Road Cart (about 1870) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-2 | One-Horse Chaise (about 1830) | |
| Built by Coach and Chaise Manufacturer, Charlestown, Massachusetts. | ||
| On loan, Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vermont | ||
| V-3 | Chaise (late 18th century) | [9] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-4 | Doctor’s Gig (about 1800) | [10] |
| On loan, Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vermont | ||
| V-5 | Canadian Calèche (about 1885) | [57] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-6 | Doctor’s Gig (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-7 | Curtain Rockaway (early 19th century) | |
| On loan, Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vermont; gift to them by C. Bullard of New Haven, Vermont | ||
| V-8 | Pleasure Wagon “President’s Carriage” (early 19th century) | [56] |
| On loan, Sheldon Museum, Middlebury, Vermont | ||
| V-9 | Irish Jaunting Car (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mr. Cleveland Dodge, New York, New York | ||
| V-10 | Panel-Boot Victoria (about 1895) | [19] |
| Built by Henry Hooker & Company, New Haven, Connecticut (#1400). | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Charles E. Tilton, Tilton, New Hampshire | ||
| V-11 | Octagon Front Rockaway (about 1890) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-12 | “Wicker-Seat” Cabriolet (about 1865) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-13 | Ladies’ Driving Phaeton—parasol top (about 1890) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-14 | Cut-under Phaeton (about 1890) | [3] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-15 | Curricle (about 1900) | [8] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. Museum collection | ||
| V-16 | Meadowbrook Cart (about 1900) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-17 | Three-seat Surrey (about 1900) | [40] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-18 | Dog Cart (about 1890) | [11] |
| Built by Fred F. French and Company, Sudbury Street, Boston, Mass. | ||
| Gift of Mr. Arthur Brown, Tilton, New Hampshire | ||
| V-19 | Cut-under Basket Phaeton (about 1900) | [6] |
| Gift of Mr. Arthur Brown, Tilton, New Hampshire | ||
| V-20 | Pony Buckboard (about 1895) | |
| Built by Joubert & White, Glens Falls, New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. J. Watson Webb, Shelburne, Vt. | ||
| V-21 | Extension Top Surrey (about 1900) | [41] |
| Built by J. R. and J. H. Lockwood, Burlington, Vt. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-22 | Coupé Rockaway (about 1900) | [43] |
| Built by Z. Thompson & Bros., Portland, Maine and Kimball Brothers Company, Boston, Mass. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-23 | Stick-seat Surrey (about 1900) | |
| Sold by Walter B. Johnson, Essex Junction, Vermont; built by Cortland Cart and Carriage Company, Sidney, New York. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Edward H. Loomis, Addison, Vermont. | ||
| V-24 | Leather Top Surrey (about 1900) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-25 | Rockaway (about 1885) | |
| Built by Sargent and Company, Boston, Mass. | ||
| Gift of Fanny Allen Hospital, Burlington, Vermont | ||
| V-26 | Miniature Brougham (about 1885) | |
| Gift of Fanny Allen Hospital, Burlington, Vt. | ||
| V-27 | Stick-seat Buckboard, “Liar’s Wagon” (about 1885) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-28 | Governess Cart (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Wilfred Rhodes, St. Thomas, Jamaica | ||
| V-29 | Concord Wagon (about 1840) | [55] |
| Built by Downing & Abbot., Concord, New Hampshire. | ||
| Gift of Mr. W. B. Hill, Tilton, New Hampshire | ||
| V-30 | Skeleton Wagon (about 1870) | [51] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-31 | Hansom Cab (about 1895) | [31] |
| Built by Hincks & Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-32 | Kentucky Breaking Cart (about 1895) | [54] |
| Built by H. H. Babcock Company, Watertown, N. Y. | ||
| Gift of Dr. Stuart Orton, Rahway, New Jersey | ||
| V-33 | Depot Wagon (about 1890) | [42] |
| Built by Horace Ervien, Ogontz, Pennsylvania. | ||
| Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Lippincott, Jenkintown, Pa. | ||
| V-34 | Sicilian Donkey Cart (about 1932) | |
| Built Fabrica Carri, Montoleone, Palermo, Sicily. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-35 | Pony Break (about 1938) | |
| Built by Dennis Brothers, London, England. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-36 | Pony Dog Cart “Going-to-Cover Cart” (about 1890) | [14] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-37 | Spider Phaeton (about 1890) | [2] |
| Built by Muhlbacher, Paris, France. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-38 | Runabout (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-39 | Buckboard Buggy (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| V-40 | Buckboard (about 1885). | |
| Gift of Mr. Scott Lord Smith, Poughkeepsie, N. Y. | ||
| V-41 | Tub Cart (about 1883) | [52] |
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-42 | Pony Buckboard (about 1890) | [46] |
| Built by J. B. Dubuc, Shelburne, Vermont. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-43 | Pony Buckboard (about 1900) | |
| Built by Joubert & White (#1202) Glens Falls, N. Y. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-44 | Buckboard Phaeton (about 1895) | [45] |
| Built by Joubert & White, Glens Falls, N. Y. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-45 | Buckboard with Rumble Seat (about 1900) | |
| Built by Joubert & White, Glens Falls, N. Y. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-46 | Mail Phaeton (about 1882) | [1] |
| Built by F. S. Brown & Company, New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-47 | Skeleton-Boot Victoria (about 1904) | [20] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-48 | Berlin (about 1890) | [26] |
| Built by Million et Guiet, Paris, France. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-49 | Tandem Cart (about 1890) | [12] |
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-50 | Break with Perch—Wagonette Break (about 1895) | [38] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-51 | Calèche (about 1890) | [24] |
| Built by Million et Guiet, Paris, France. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-52 | Private Omnibus (about 1890) | [23] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-53 | Brougham (about 1890) | [16] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-54 | 6-Passenger Rockaway (about 1850) | [44] |
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-55 | Vis-à-Vis (about 1890) | [22] |
| Built by Brewster & Co. New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-56 | George IV Phaeton (about 1882) | [4] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-57 | Buckboard Surrey (about 1900) | |
| Built by Joubert & White, Glens Falls, N. Y. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-58 | Norfolk Shooting Cart (about 1885) | |
| Built by Thorn Patent Norfolk Carriage Works, Norwich, England. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-59 | Slat-Side Shooting Cart (about 1895) | [15] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| V-60 | Formal Coach (about 1890) | [29] |
| Gift of Henry M. Tuttle Company, Bennington, Vermont, in memory of Mr. Fred Stickles, for many years president of that company | ||
| V-61 | Triple Buckboard (about 1885) | [49] |
| Built in Glens Falls New York for Dr. E. D. Ferguson of Troy, New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Childs, Manchester, Vermont | ||
| V-62 | Double Buckboard (about 1885) | [48] |
| Gift of Mr. J. Watson Webb, Shelburne, Vt. | ||
| V-63 | Royal Spider (about 1900) | |
| Built by Flandrau & Company, New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Brewer, Burlington, Vt. | ||
| V-64 | Ladies’ Phaeton (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Katherine Thayer Hobson, New York | ||
| V-65 | Calèche D’Enfant (about 1825) | |
| Built in France. | ||
| Museum collection. | ||
| V-66 | Landau (about 1885) | [18] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. Henry O. Havemeyer, Mahwah, New Jersey | ||
| V-67 | Mountain Wagon (about 1890) | [58] |
| Built by Abbot-Downing Co., Concord, New Hampshire. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-68 | Barge (about 1890) | [59] |
| Built by Abbot-Downing Co., Concord, New Hampshire. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-69 | Bottum Boat Wagon (early 19th century) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Carroll Landon, New Haven, Vermont | ||
| V-70 | Tunbridge Pleasure Wagon (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-71 | Abbott Pleasure Wagon (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-72 | Top Buggy (about 1885) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-73 | Dickerman Family Wagon (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-74 | Pleasure Wagon (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-75 | Convertible Carriage/Wagon (about 1910) | |
| Patented “High Point Wagon” built by Briggs Carriages, Amesbury, Massachusetts. | ||
| Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Brewer, Burlington, Vermont | ||
| V-76 | Coach (about 1850) | [28] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-77 | Roof-Seat Break (about 1900) | |
| Built by Barker & Company, London, England. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-78 | Miniature Phaeton (about 1875) | [7] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-79 | Canadian Pleasure Cart (early 19th century) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-80 | Empire Calèche D’Enfant (about 1810) | |
| Built in Paris, France. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| V-81 | Racing Sulky (about 1870) | [50] |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-82 | Skeleton Break (about 1910) | [37] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. F. Ambrose Clark, Cooperstown, New York | ||
| V-83 | Irish Jaunting Car (about 1900) | [30] |
| Built In Dublin, Ireland. | ||
| Gift of Mr. Charles Sumner Bird, East Walpole, Massachusetts | ||
| V-84 | Viennese Wagon (about 1898) | |
| Built in Vienna, Austria. | ||
| Gift of Mr. Charles Sumner Bird, East Walpole, Massachusetts | ||
| V-85 | Breaking Cart (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mr. Charles Sumner Bird, East Walpole, Mass. | ||
| V-86 | Racing Sulky (about 1870) | |
| Museum collection | ||
| V-87 | Doctor’s Buggy (about 1900) | |
| Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cross, Burlington, Vt. | ||
| V-88 | Top Buggy (about 1900) | |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of Mr. Arthur S. Lawrence, Locust Valley, New York | ||
| V-89 | Buggy (about 1870) | |
| Gift of Mrs. Robert H. Young, S. Starksboro, Vermont | ||
| C-1 | “Liberty” Road Coach (about 1900) | [32] |
| Built by Million et Guiet, Paris, France. | ||
| Gift of Mr. J. Ford Johnson, New York, N. Y. | ||
| C-2 | Highland & Alpine House Concord Coach (about 1852) | [63] |
| Built by Abbot-Downing Co., Concord, New Hampshire. | ||
| Museum collection | ||
| C-3 | Mud Wagon (about 1875) | [62] |
| Museum collection | ||
| C-4 | Park Drag (about 1890) | [34] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb | ||
| C-5 | Schroon Lake Concord Coach (about 1875) | [60] |
| Museum collection | ||
| C-6 | “Defiance” Road Coach (about 1900) | [36] |
| Built by Brewster & Co., New York. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, New Jersey | ||
| C-7 | Pony Road Coach (about 1900) | |
| Built by Guiet of Paris, France. | ||
| Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, Peapack, N. J. |