Bandbox
A label pasted inside the lid of this box reads: “FROM/ S.A. FULKERSON,/ MILLINER,/ Salem, N.C.”
RELATED OBJECT: Another box in the collection (4493.1) is attributed to Sarah A. Fulkerson based on similarities with this box. The shapes of the boxes are identical and the sizes are nearly so indicating that they may have been made from the same pattern. Also, the tops of both boxes marbleized paper on the rim which contrasts with the paper used to cover the rest of the box.
DESCRIPTION: Wallpaper covered cardboard box lined with white paper and containing 16 round interleaving sheets (4484.2a-p). Wallpaper is block printed with a design of alternating bands; the first band is composed of stylized vines in brown, white, and blue. The alternate band consists of a more realistic floral vine between two comparatively heavy white shaped bands. The ground color is gray. The top of the box is covered with the same paper with the exception of the brim which is covered in marbleized paper. Label pasted inside lid is gold printing on cream colored paper
Jacob Fulkerson had moved to Salem from Nazareth in 1841 to work in the tailor shop of Edwin Beitel. By 1845, Jacob had worked for Beitel and tailor Philip Legenauer before going to work for Edward Belo in his store.
In 1848, Jabob announced to the aufseher collegium that “some time ago, his wife had started a millinery.” Sarah may have had women working for her in the shop as the 1860 census lists two women in the Fulkerson household working as seamstresses.
In 1849 or 1850, the Fulkerson’s took in a little girl, Julia Jenkins, who lived with them until adulthood. According to Julia’s memoir, Julia learned the millinery trade from her foster mother and eventually became a milliner herself operating a shop “in the place where she had formerly served with her instructor.” Evidence suggests that Sarah operated her millinery until the 1860’s. Julia began her own business in 1868.
By the mid 1860’s, Jacob Fulkerson had a successful mercantile business having bought the store formerly operated by William Boner in 1858. Perhaps in an effort to buy for the store, Sarah and Jacob left Salem for a few years in the mid 1860’s to live in Bethlehem, but kept their property in Salem. The store was operated by two of Sarah’s cousins in Jacob’s absense. We do not know what happened to Sarah’s millinery business during this time. As previously mentioned, by 1868, Julia Jenkins Douthit was operating a millinery business of her own.
Jacob Fulkerson continued to operate his store until 1883 when her died. Sarah then moved to Bethlehem to live with her sister. Sarah died in in 1884.
See accession folder for more detailed report about Sarah Fulkerson.
