The first step in recovery is to admit you have a
problem. I have a problem. I collect stuff, too much stuff. A few months ago while scanning through eBay
I saw it. A 19th century
trunk made in Lowell by Irish-born George Molloy. I put in a bid, and it was denied. I swore I wouldn’t look again. But then there it was- the trunk was
back. I had done my research. I knew who Molloy was. In a weak moment I made a higher bid. The trunk was mine! I had to drive to Foxboro, not for a
Patriot’s game, but to bring the trunk back to its place of origin. The trunk’s not pretty. Its 140+ years show some wear and tear. The original outside was embossed leather,
but there are pieces drying and flaking off.
The bare wood is showing through in places. The metal hinges are slightly rusted in
spots. The inside paper is peeling in
areas, but what drew me to this piece was the label. It still has its original label that George
Molloy affixed to his work over a century ago.
Now I’m researching how to restore old trunks while maintaining its original
dignity. Ideas? Please share.
Your help would be appreciated.
George Molloy was the son of George and Mary Conly. Born in Dublin about 1821 he arrived in
Lowell By 1860
he was married to his wife Ann with whom he had 7 children. Two of whom predeceased him. His father George lived with the family until
his death in 1862.
For many years he was an emigration agent, and then got into
the trunk making business. Trunks could
be found in most homes in this period.
Many people had several trunks of different sizes to keep clothes and
valuables in. There were many trunk
makers in Lowell at this time, all competing for business. About 1857 he started advertising his shop in
the local papers. One ran like this:
Purchase your trunk at
George Molloy’s trunk manufactory, No. 61 Market St. You will get a good trunk, fully the worth of
your money; all his trunks have patent locks on them, he warrants the keys of
trunks purchased at any other store in Lowell, not to open his locks. You can have any kind of trunk desired made
to order at all prices from $1.50 to $10.00.
His offered trunks made of iron, zinc, canvas, leather and
duck. He posted another ad claiming, Travelers have found by experience that
Molloy’s canvas trunks will stand more hard usage than any other trunk in
house. Call and see his trunks before
you purchase. George’s business
remained at this location for many years.
He along with a number of other businessmen requested a watchman to
patrol the area around their shops on Market Street. The business must have been quite successful
since he had to move to larger quarters on Middlesex Street in 1884.
“Failing health alarmed his friends.” He died of pneumonia in 1892 at the age of
73. His funeral was from his home on
High Street with mass at the Immaculate.
He was buried in the family lot at St. Patrick’s.
A great find! I'll bet you paid more than George Molloy asked.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your research. I just purchased a trunk like this at a yard sale. I cleaned the wood with mild soap and water and treated it with Howard's Restore-A-Finish. I replaced the handles as one was missing entirely and the other was badly damaged. Am in the process of cleaning the inside with just a soft cloth and warm water and will glue down the loose paper. I, too, purchased the trunk because of the label ! And, I, too, collect stuff !
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