To mark the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in July, a historic rocking chair from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is currently on exhibit through the end of July in the Pekin Public Library’s Local History Room.
The rocking chair comes from the historical collection of Tazewell County’s government, and has not been displayed publicly since 1968. It was donated to the county by Gertrude Abbott Black (1890-1973), who lived in Pekin during the early 20th century with her husband David M. Black (1887-1976). Her father Spencer H. Abbott and grandfather Abijah Abbott had both been carpenters and chair makers, and Abijah served in the Union Army in the 147th Illinois Infantry. The chair was once a centerpiece of Tazewell County’s historical collection which formerly was displayed in the Tazewell County Courthouse.
This particular chair was made just after the Battle of Gettysburg from a cherry tree that was growing on Little Round Top Hill near Gettysburg. Consequently, one of the legs of the chair has a bullet that had embedded in the wood of the cherry tree during the action at Little Round Top during the battle.
“Spinning wheel chairs” became popular in the United States during the 1800s as a fanciful looking back to the nation’s colonial past. The chair is composed of spinning wheel parts, with the fly wheel forming the chair back, spinning wheel flyer and flyer hooks on the back for decoration, and the spinning wheel legs used for chair arms.
On Wednesday, 29 June 2023, the Office of the Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds announced an agreement with the Pekin Public Library to exhibit the Gettysburg rocking chair at the library. The display is part of the Tazewell County Clerk’s “Preserving Our Tazewell County History” initiative.
“Our office is proud to announce this opportunity for the citizens of Tazewell County to see this historic treasure and to appreciate this extremely unique connection to this nationally important battle,” said Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman in a press release. “This chair was donated to Tazewell County so it could be displayed and appreciated. For over 55 years this has not been able to take place. As such, we thank the Pekin Public Library for providing this opportunity to the citizens of Tazewell County!”
The chair has been placed for viewing in the library’s Local History Room behind stanchions and under security camera, where, according to Library Director Jeff Brooks, “the artifact can both be easily viewed as well as kept safe and secure during its time in the library.”
Copies of an information flyer on the rocking chair are also available in the Local History Room. The flyer presents historical research by Susan Rynerson of the Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society. Following is the flyer’s description of the Battle of Gettysburg, including the battle at Little Round Top:
Taking place July 1st through July 3rd 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the Battle of Gettysburg is considered one of the most significant battles during the American Civil War, with the largest number of casualties, and often described along with the Siege of Vicksburg as the “Civil War’s Turning Point.” The 104,256 Union Army of the Potomac under the command of General George Meade battled the 80,000 Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under the command of General Robert E. Lee.
Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2nd, Confederate soldiers under the direction of General James Longstreet began an attack on the Union left flank of Cemetery Hill. Initially undefended by the Union Army, when the discovery of the Confederate Army heading towards Little Round Top Hill was made, Union Colonel Strong Vincent directed the placement of 16th Michigan, 44th New York, 83rd Pennsylvania, and 20th Maine Regiments to defend the key position. Of the 2,996 Union Soldiers engaged at Little Round Top, 556 casualties resulted, including the death of commanding officer Colonel Strong Vincent, compared to 4,864 Confederate Soldiers engaged with 1,185 causalities. The Battle of Little Round Top has become one of the most well-known actions not only during the Battle of Gettysburg but also the entire American Civil War.
