Uncovering a Revolutionary War Veteran’s Family Legacy Hidden Inside an 18th Century Slant Top Desk

At Sundown Modern Vintage and Estate Sales, we regularly handle antiques that carry more than just age—they carry history. One of our most compelling discoveries came through a longtime client, a respected Connecticut antique dealer with more than 50 years of experience. While browsing a local thrift store, he came across an 18th-century writing desk, commonly called a “Governor Winthrop” or “slant top” desk. After bringing the piece home, he noticed faint handwriting on the side panels of one of the interior drawers. The inscriptions were barely visible, and their meaning remained a mystery.

18th Century “Governor Winthrop” or “Slant Top Desk” Discovered During Preparation for Upcoming Connecticut Estate Sale

Front Facing Image of Middle Drawer with Inscriptions on Sides of 18th Century Desk For our July Connecticut Estate Sale

It was common during the 1700s and 1800s for families to use their furniture to record major life events. A desk, chest, or cupboard often doubled as a kind of family chronicle. Names, dates, and moments of significance were carefully written on the wood. These heirloom objects were passed down through generations, with new entries added along the way.

While cataloging items for an upcoming estate auction in Connecticut, we examined the desk more closely. Using a high-resolution camera, we photographed the drawer with the worn writing and uploaded the images into ChatGPT, an AI tool that helped decipher the fading inscriptions. What we uncovered was an extraordinary personal family record dating back to the late 1700s. In eras before centralized recordkeeping, it was not uncommon for families to document important life events directly on the furniture they passed from generation to generation. This desk had clearly served that purpose.

Handwritten genealogical inscription inside Governor Winthrop desk discovered during a Connecticut estate sale.

Thanks to the use of modern technology, we transcribed the inscriptions written on the drawer panels:

“Anna, wife of Capt. Isaac Randall

Died April the 4th, 1802.

Capt. Isaac Randall died April the 20th 1809,

Age 82 years, two mo.

Jane Worthen, wife of William Worthen and daughter

of Capt. Isaac Randall, died February 14th

1814, aged 42 years, eight months.”

Among those named in the inscriptions, Capt. Isaac Randall has been identified as a Revolutionary War Patriot who served in the Rhode Island Line. This adds yet another layer of historical significance to the desk—and to the family who carefully recorded their lives on it.

Another panel, equally rich in detail, documented additional family losses:

“Sarah Carpenter died Sunday October [illegible] 1829

at 4 o'clock in the morning with a fever, sick five days.

Age 49 years, 8 months, 11 days.”

“Mary Worthen departed this life March 6, 1814

with a fever after six days’ sickness.

Age 36 years, 8 months, 4 days.”

“William Worthen died August the 27th, 1841, aged 41 years.”

“Mary Worthen, daughter of William Worthen, died [illegible] 10, 1847.”

Then, on a third side of the drawer, we found an entry that revealed more than just loss—it gave insight into the family's everyday life:

“Feb 25th 1825

George begun to keep school for the town

at 50 cents per month.”

This brief but poignant entry paints a picture of early work life in New England and tells us that the desk functioned as more than a place of writing or storage—it was a chronicle of family history and even wages!

This Governor Winthrop desk will be featured in an upcoming online estate auction hosted by Sundown Modern Vintage and Estate Sales. Based in Connecticut, our company proudly serves clients across Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County, offering full-service estate sales and auction solutions. We pair traditional estate sale expertise with emerging technology, allowing us to preserve and honor family stories like this—stories that would otherwise be lost to time.

We feel incredibly fortunate to handle pieces like this—objects that quietly hold centuries of personal history. It is a privilege to be entrusted by our clients not only to sell their possessions but to research and uncover the deeper stories behind them. Every estate tells a story. In this case, the furniture spoke first.

We combine experience in antiques and vintage markets with the thoughtful use of modern technology. From using AI to transcribe handwritten inscriptions to uncovering historical context through digital archives, our goal is to honor each item’s story while maximizing its value. This balance of deep expertise and innovation allows us to uncover hidden details that lead to stronger sales outcomes and more meaningful connections with buyers.

Sundown Modern Vintage and Estate Sales offers comprehensive estate sale services across Connecticut. We serve families in Southbury, Ridgefield, Newtown, Bethel, Danbury, and surrounding communities, delivering tailored solutions through both in-person and online estate sale formats.

If you’re planning an estate sale or need help navigating a home transition, we’re here to help. Call us at 203-577-9275 for a free consultation.