The Dover Historical Society is pleased to announce the recent gift of a 19^th Century rocking bench built by noted Martha’s Vineyard furniture maker Heman Arey of Edgartown, Massachusetts.

Born in 1788, Arey was noted more for the prolific nature of his work than for its innate artistry.  Ours is a classic Windsor style bench with a removable railing along one side that allowed a mother to rest her infant by her side in a secure fashion.

This particular bench was made for Jared Coffin of Edgartown, who married Sarah Baylies in 1819 and constructed a home at 26 School Street in about 1823.  Our bench was probably made around 1825.  Jared Coffin died in 1874 and the house, which still stands, remained in the Coffin family until the 1990’s.  While it does not have a Dover provenance, it is appropriate to the period of the Benjamin Caryl House in which it now on display.

By Elisha Lee