Home Again

this old wooden farm wagon has found its way home

SUSAN WESTERMAN

Home again
Story by SUSAN WESTERMAN
Assistant Community Editor
August 17, 2006

Photo by ROXANE DOSTER WATTS

John Shannahan, his mother Polly, and his daughters Reilly and Brittany stand next to a wagon sold at the Shannahan and Wrightson Hardware Company that used to be located in what is now Washington Square on Washington Street in Easton.

EASTON — Its dark green and yellow paint is faded and chipped, but after a century, this old wooden farm wagon has found its way home.

One hundred years after it was made and sold in Easton, the wagon’s rediscovery offers a glimpse into the town’s past, linking the history of two prominent families.

The wagon’s return home started three years ago, when Easton resident John Shannahan received a phone call from Eric Harvey of E.R. Harvey Metalworking, also of Easton. Harvey, chairman of the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas show, came across a curious farm sales ad in The Lancaster Farmer — a wagon listed as “Shannahan-Wrightson” was up for auction in Allentown, Pa. Harvey had called the auctioneer, and verified with him that the original name was correct.

The wagon was one of many sold at the Shannahan and Wrightson Hardware store, founded by William E. Shannahan in 1877. The store was once located at 12 N. Washington Street — now the Washington Square Mall.

After hearing about the wagon, Shannahan was eager to pursue this piece of family history. He placed a sealed bid with the auctioneer of the wagon, and later travelled to Allentown to claim the artifact. Different museums also were intersted in purchasing the item for their collection, and Shannahan had to convince them of the important family history tied to the vehicle. Along his journey, Shannahan learned more about its fascinating journey from the Mid-Shore.

In 1909, the wagon was sold to the Diefenderfer family of Trappe, said Shannahan, and used by one of their sons. Newly married, the younger Mr. Diefenderfer loaded all his personal possessions into the horse-drawn wagon and headed with his wife to Bethlehem, Pa., roughly three hours away by car or 169 miles. The Diefenderfer family set up house and farmed the land until the farm was dissolved in the late 20th century. All the farm equipment was auctioned off and advertised in the Lancaster publication, where Harvey spotted the wagon.

Shannahan pointed out the wagon is in amazing condition after years of wear. Though faded, the paint and Shannahan insignia are still visible. All the original metal hardware is still present. The wagon is to be kept on Shannahan’s property in Oxford and taken out for events or parades.

This summer, while driving through Easton with the wagon on the way to the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas show, Shannahan parked by the post office on Dover Street. In a moment of serendipity, real estate agent Alex Fountain stepped out of his office to admire the wagon.

Fountain realized the wagon was built by his great-grandfather’s company, A.W. Fountain Carriage Factory, before being sold to the Shannahan and Wrightson Hardware store. A.W. was Fountain’s great-grandfather.

The Fountain shop was built in 1836, where the current Harrison’s Liquor store now stands. The shop built farming wagons, horse carriages and milk wagons, among others. A.W. retired in 1880, as his son, R.S., took over the business.

While the shop is gone, the original Fountain home, built in 1850, is still standing at 117 Goldsborough Street, and retains the family’s — and some of the wagon’s — history. Shop apprentices used to sleep on the third floor, and Fountain’s cousin Nancy Chandonnet, who inherited the house from her uncle, has maintained it in the original mid-1800s style.

At this house, a small book passed down through the family also gives a few hints at the wagon’s history. The Fountain shop building was dilapidated when A.W. Fountain purchased it, said Chandonnet, according to an 1881 ad in the “History and Directory of Easton,” but he made several improvements upon it and it grew to have a splendid reputation.

Of all the wagons his family made, the Shannahan wagon is the only one Fountain has been able to see. Admiring the lasting workmanship, Fountain said he appreciated the family history the wagon has brought.

Shannahan said he also appreciates the chance it gives him to talk to others about the wagon’s history. They, too, find it fascinating that nearly 100 years ago, a young man and his wife travelled to a new state in the same structure — void of modern conveniences such as air-conditioning, radio and cushioned seats.

“This was what is now our modern-day SUV,” said Shannahan.

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