Details
Description
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The Taft- Chaffey Family Sofa
Circa late 19th century | Rockford, Illinois provenance
“A family piece, passed hand to …
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The Taft- Chaffey Family Sofa
Circa late 19th century | Rockford, Illinois provenance
“A family piece, passed hand to hand through generations — not just sat upon, but lived upon.”
This stately, handcrafted American sofa has been a cherished presence in the Taft-Chaffey family lineage for over 110 years, with family ties stretching to the Lincoln White House.
Believed to have been acquired by the Taft family in the late 19th century, the sofa originally stood in the Rockford, Illinois home of William C. Taft and Phebe Allan Cook. It was there that the youngest daughter, Priscilla Taft, received her first kiss around 1915 — an early chapter in the living history of this heirloom.
The Taft family has roots in Washington D.C. society. Judge Horatio Nelson Taft Sr., William’s father, served as a Patent Office examiner under President Lincoln. During that time, the Taft’s became acquaintances of the Lincoln family. Mary Todd Lincoln even invited the Taft boys to play with her sons, Willie and Tad. These stories were later recounted by Julia Taft Bayne in her memoir, Tad Lincoln’s Father.
This sofa has borne silent witness to over a century of American life: tea parties, political debates, wartime childhood reenactments, and quiet evenings in family homes across generations. Structurally sound and visually elegant, its age, condition, and family documentation distinguish it as both a collector's piece and a historical artifact.
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Ownership Lineage:
Current Owner David Mitchell
Previous Owners
• John & Ann Chaffey
• Ben Chaffey (b. 1931), son of Priscilla
• Priscilla Taft Chaffey (b. 1898), daughter of William C. Taft
• William C. Taft (b. 1853), son of Horatio Nelson Taft Sr.
Provenance provided by John and Ann Chaffey May 10, 2025
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Couch’s Location Harbor City Ca 90710
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- Dimensions
- 83ʺW × 27ʺD × 36ʺH
- Styles
- Victorian
- Number of Seats
- 3
- Seat Height
- 27.0 in
- Arm Height
- 30.0 in
- Period
- 1980s
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Printmaking Materials
- Walnut
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Design Modified, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
Questions about the item?
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Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Cancellation Policy - Prior to shipping or local pickup, buyers may cancel an order for up to 48 hours, unless otherwise specified.
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