Flemish Carved Wooden Table

Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Williston of Northampton maintained an active interest in the Library's well-being for many years, presenting frequent gifts of books, wall maps, a collection of French fiction, engravings, old periodicals, photos, and even the wrought iron fireplace set that graces the Reading Room. Their most weighty gift, however, was their presentation, in 1940, of some large pieces of Flemish furniture, willed to Mrs. Williston in 1939, and unable to fit through the door of her home. Thus, Forbes became the beneficiary.

The large oak table, with its Renaissance-style dolphin base, and the heavy, richly-carved oak cupboard, decorated with lion heads, in the 19th century style of the court cupboards of Europe, was known in the family as "the Brussels furniture." It was originally purchased by Lt. Colonel John Wilson, M.D., during his years as United States Consul in Brussels and Antwerp, Belgium. Dr. Wilson later credited for saving the life of Secretary of State Stanton, seriously wounded in the same attack that took President Lincoln's life. Wilson's son, Benjamin M. Wilson, became Vice Consul of Belgium; he was married to Edith St. George Huntington of Connecticut, active in the World War I relief work, and a cousin of Mrs. Williston. Mrs. Williston willed her furniture to her Northampton relatives.