Ware Chairs

4 WARE CHAIRS
Picture from Photobucket, chairs date approximately 1850 to 1900
Ware chairs were made between 1800 and 1940 by five generations of a family in the Cumberland County community of Roadstown, northwest of Bridgeton. The patriarch, Maskell Ware, found a niche in the furniture market by turning out rocking chairs.

Subsequent Ware chairs were characterized by slat backs, woven-rush seats and uprights, and stretchers turned on a lathe.

“Maskell Ware House and Chair Shop
In Village of Roadstown – Greenwich Rd.
General Information:
House where Maskell & Hannah Ware lived when married in 1790. Also part of the house was a workshop for his
business of making rush seated-ladder back chairs. Before this he was an apprentice to John Laning, Chairmaker.
There was a Ware who made chairs in each generation following Maskell until 1935 when George died and left
no children.
Significance:
Location of shop where first Ware Chair was made (circa) 1790 by Maskell Ware. Ware chairs are now collectors
items.
Description:
Small house (salt box style).
Built last quarter 18th century Sign – Maskell Ware – Chair Maker – ca. 1790

Source:  http://www.co.cumberland.nj.us/facts/history/register/viewsite.asp?fldMunicipality=Stow+Creek+Township&fld
Name=Maskell+Ware+House+and+Chair+Shop

familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/a/s/…J…/PDFGENE3.pdf


Comments

Ware Chairs — 12 Comments

  1. Maskell Ware of Salem, NJ was my grandfather, a descendent of the Ware chairmakers; I have one of the Ware rockers in good condition. I know there is a book published about the Ware Chairs, used to have one and cannot find it. If anyone out there wishes to part with one, please let me know. My information has been entered on this site. Thanks a lot! May you feel the vibes as I rock in my Ware chair!

  2. I am a descendant of Dan Ware, chairmaker of Cumberland County, New Jersey, and own one of his rocking chairs. I know there is a book about the Ware Chairs and am trying to find one.

  3. I own a Ware chair that I purchased back in 1987 from a decendent of the Ware family. Carved into the back of the chair is the inscription “MADE.BY.HENRY.C.WARE 1833”. Are there any decendents of Henry C Ware out there?

  4. Hello all. My maiden name is Ware and I am related to possibly some of you other posters. My grandfather is Meredith Ware from NJ. My email is ashleycampbell334@gmail.com if you have any ancestory info please pass along. Thanks

  5. I am a daughter of David William Ware. Grandaughter of Robert L Ware. My great grandfather was related to this family.

  6. I inherited a Ware chair just like the chairs in the above picture. I always heard my grandmother refer to the chair as the Ware chair and I know she thought of it as a very special chair. I always wondered about the chair and the origin. I was happy to find this site and to know something about them. Does anyone know the value of these chairs? Ours is in really good condition. Is there a way to tell the approximate date it was made?

  7. I am the great grand daughter of Haskel and Vesta Ware. They lived on Quinton- Salem road in Salem NJ. I have always been told that our family made chairs. There daughter Alice was my grandmother and she also had a sister Virginia. Aunt Virginia had a couple of the Ware rockers in her attic. Her daughter has probably inherited them.

  8. I am granddaughter of John Donald Ware. He has written a book of genealogy tracing our ancestors back to joseph ware of fenwicks colony. There are limited copies but I’d be glad to share the info if you contact me. M-and-j_aviary@live.com

  9. Hi, I was raised in Greenwich NJ. I inherited a ware chir exaxtly like the one in the picture.

  10. Iam related to the ware family on my fathers side. I have a ware rocker looking for more info….my great great grand fathers name is charles burtice swing

  11. Hi JoAnn – Just wanted to say hello – I’m related to this family – lots of family info – hello!

  12. Hi! My name is JoAnn Ware Abbott, and I think I might be related to this branch of the family. I am 53, born in 1959 to Philip and Carolyn Ware. My father was born in 1931m and my paternal grandfather was James Milton Ware. I remember dad telling me about ancestors who became famous for making caned chairs. I will try to get more geneological info for you if you are interested. My FB page is JoAnn Abbott, in case you would like to look me up!

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