Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
2009.062.005 |
Object Name |
Singletree |
Title |
Whippletree |
Lexicon category |
7: Distribution & Transportation Artifact |
Date |
Likely early 20th-century |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
Small whippletree with one hand-forged end. The middle piece (called the center clip) is made of machined metal, and has a central ridge. One end ferrule piece appears to also be factory-made, as its suspension ring also has a narrower, U-shaped area, and the top area is impress-stamped with numerals. Originally the wood was red-finished, but it has since darkened and become bare. The wooden bar is thick and round in the center, and tapers somewhat towards the ends. The end ferrule and hook hardware pieces are asymmetrical, suggesting that one of them was a replacement. No maker's name observed. The central ring has two "pinched" areas where its metal is narrower. It also has a noticeable, thick seam join. The hand-forged hook is made of a looped and bent piece of metal, and it lacks the little knobbed tip of the other hook. |
Provenance |
Maker unknown. Likely dates to the early 20th-century. Belonged to William Edward Rice who moved to Grey County from Orangeville in 1906. On September 12, 1912, he bought a small piece of property near the southeast corner of the E-1/2 Lot 3, Concession 6 in Holland Township. He moved the Massie blacksmith shop to this location, where it remained until it closed down. This item may have belonged to his son, George Rice, who operated the blacksmith shop for many years. A 1914 Vernon's Directory listed George Rice (who used Massie P.O.) at Concession 4e, Lot 3, Holland Township. He died on October 29, 1964, at which point the item likely passed to the Hamil family. It was last owned by his relative, Ross McLeod, of Wiarton, Bruce County. He obtained it from the Hamil Farm on the 6th line up from Massie, at a farm auction sale. |
Collection |
Transportation, Horses & Equipment Collection |
Material |
Wood/Metal |
Dimensions |
H-27 W-57.5 D-9 cm |
Found |
Wiarton, Bruce County |
People |
Rice, George Hamil / Hamill |
Subjects |
Horses Blacksmiths |
Search Terms |
Massie Holland Township |
Function |
This whippletree would be used to hitch a horse so that it could pull a horse-drawn vehicle (likely a wagon). |