The Material Legacy

Cup and Saucer

Bought and given to his mother by Niels L. Ferslev in Denmark before 1890. [Schliesvig-Holstien]

Round Table

The round table was made by my grandfather, Joseph Cardinal (1830-1913), and came to my father after Grandpa's death.

As I remember it, the table was a dark color. It was later painted black, and then, still later, gray.

My son, Peter, now has the table.

Rocking Chair

The bent-wood arm rocker belonged to my grandmother, Lillie Roy Strahl Whipple (1860-1921), and it was used by her until her death in 1921. Then it became the property of my mother, Lillie Strahl Cardinal (1877-1948), until her death in 1948. It was constantly used all those years. After Mother's death, the chair remained in our attic until I completed refinishing in 1982.

I removed all of the old finish and refinished with Formby's tung oil finish rubbed into the natural wood. I replaced the seat with new leather tooled by my sister-in-law, Helen Lu Ferslev, in a pattern similar to the original. New tacks were used. Other than minor joint tightening, no restoration was needed.

Shop Tools

Acquired by me during high school years (1927-31) or before.

• Work bench (made for me by my father)
• Vise
• Claw hammer (marked Alty on handle)
• Push drill (Mr. Punch)
• Auger bits for brace (6/16″, 8/16″, 10/16″)
• Countersink bit
• Twist bit (¼)
• Brace
• Marking guage
• Try square
• Large screw driver (square shank, wood handle) (bought for me by my Uncle Sam Cardinal)
• Screw driver set (3 in 1)
• Wooden handle containing may tools
• Jack plane
• Carpenter chisels (½″ ¾″)
• Spoke shave
• Hand cranked grinder