TEA CADDY
Dimensions18 x 30.7 x 16 cm
Object numberHF.99.21.1
DescriptionWooden veneered tea caddy with a hinged lid. The base has 4 short spatulate foliate metal feet, only one circular metal handle attached to a circular foliate disk remains and keyhole cut in front surrounded by inlaid white diamond shaped wood. The cover has downward sloped sides that radiate from a raised rectangle at the top. The interior box is divided into three sections: two outer rectangular sections and one central circular section. The circular section is lined in red velvet and the lid is lined in blue velvet. This tea caddy was repurposed for use as a quit rent box by David Lawson.
Narrative
In an age of housing crises, this unassuming box would be considered a treasure chest to today?s landlords! Along with its owner, David Lawson, this box arrived on PEI in 1770 after crossing the Atlantic. Born in Monzie, Scotland, David Lawson married Ellen Moore before immigrating to PEI and raising their seven children. After settling into life in the new province, Lawson became the estate agent for Sir James Montgomery who owned Flax Farm, a 1,000 acre farm part of Lot 34 in Stanhope. Lawson?s duties as agent were to collect ?quit rent? from settlers who rented and farmed Montgomery?s land.?
This box accompanied Lawson on his rounds and kept the rent safe until it could be properly handed over to Sir Montgomery. Along with David, the quit rent box eventually retired and was passed down to David?s son, William, who continued to live in the Stanhope area. The box was discovered when descendants of the Lawson?s were tearing down William?s log cabin and recognized the box as David?s, eventually passing it down to Harry Lawson, six generations after David used it.
