The Wardell Family Queen Anne Dressing Table, New Jersey, circa 1760

It was found in West Long Branch, New Jersey and is believed to have been part of the original furniture of the Wardell family homestead built in 1764. Judge John Wardell (1726-after 1801), Shrewsbury, Monmouth Count, New Jersey;

John Wardell’s property was first owned by Bartholomew West who moved from Rhode Island about 1670. He bequeathed to his son, William, about 1672. William married Margaret Wardell. William was High Sheriff of Monmouth County and died in 1746. Margaret's newphew, John Wardell, then acquired the property at an unknown date but was likely there by 1778. John was the son of Joseph Wardell;

John married Sarah Tallman who had previous been married twice before. Her previous husband, David Allen, lived across the street. In their inventory, they owned: 4 feather beds with curtains, a clothes press, 3 tables and 16 chairs, 3 large mirrors, a clock, desk, book cases, and a silver service. John was a leading Loyalist in Shrewsbury, who had major land holdings, including five farms. Wardell was accused of high treason against New Jersey, arrested, abused and forced to leave. All his assets were seized and auctioned in 1779. John went to London in 1786 to press his claims for 2690 pounds and was awarded 1570 pounds. He appears to have returned to Shrewsbury as he is recorded paying taxes from 1787 to 1796;

Christie’s, New York, Important American Furniture, Folk Art and Decorative Arts, October 24, 1992, sale 7526, lot 149.

Remi Spriggs, “Living with antiques: An Americana collection in New Jersey,” Magazine Antiques (April 2005), 94-105;

Nancy Brannigan Painter, “Objects of Affection,” New Jersey Monthly (November 2006), 112-7;

Elizabeth Wyman, “Furniture in Monmouth County,” Magazine Antiques (July 1948), p. 45, fig. 2;

Leslie and Peter Warwick, Love At First Sight: Discovering Stories About Folk Art & Antiques Collected by Two Generations & Three Families, (New Jersey: 2022), p. 140, fig. 271.

A very closely related dressing table once belonged to a Mrs. F. L. Sherer of Cleveland, Ohio (see Magazine Antiques (March 1983), p. 547) was at Garth's Auctions on April 9, 1983.