O/T What do you think.

Well this is an off topic story but I will mention is relates to a tractor shed. My youngest son gets married in a few weeks time so we needed to think up a suitable wedding gift, we decided on some money as well as something nice to present it in.
The photos show interesting history behind a small family chest I made for the groom and bride to be. My sons great great grandfather purchased the farm in the photo around 80 years ago and worked it until his death (the farm buildings were erected about 1870 I think). The black pitched room building toward the right of the picture was the cart/tractor shed but about 15 years ago it became unsafe and was burned down buy my father (sons grandfather) however the chain saw was brought out and a short piece of timber saved and given to me, its been in my shed until a couple of weeks ago.That timber was used to create the main part of the chest which I dovetailed together, it was also used for the lid. One of the pictures shows the raw materials I started with a couple of weeks ago.As you will see there are a range of different species of timber used in the chest construction, dark sections were added to creat a little interest and some of this was given to me many years ago by my sons great grandfather. One of those pictures shows my sons great great grandfather (the person standing, his great grandfather, his grandfather, his father (me) and a couple of his uncles.
The moulded section joining the body of the chest to the feet was created from a Cherry tree that a now old but very good friend gifted to me. The tray was made from Elm purchased by me about 25 years ago from a large estate near to where my son now lives and regularly walks his dog. The base of the tray was created from timber I saved from one of my sons beds when he was growing up. I thought it was something nice to make and present to them and hopefully can be passed down the future generations. The fact that some of the timber has already been in our family for around 80 years and that I had the privilage of putting it all together makes even more valuable to me. Hope you guys like the thoughts behind it all.
Bill

Beautifully done, Bill. I especially like the dovetails.

Wow! Beautiful work, I'm sure they will treasure it always.

Larry

very,very,,nice,,,

Real nice craftsmanship! Like the pic of the farm to. I assume it's from Scotland?

Bill, very thoughtful and interesting the way you included family history in the chest. All the best to the new couple.

PS, I noticed the spelling of "Thomson", my three times great Grandmother was Margaret Thomson from the Parish of Glassford, Scotland.

JimB

Very meaningful presents that will be a keep sake. This all will be a lasting favor.

You sir are indeed a craftsman of the highest caliber. Will be a treasure to be handed down from generation to generation no doubt.

Exceptional Bill, but, I think the most important part is the history. Is there some way you can make some kind of permanent record of that history and include/attach it with the chest? Maybe on the bottom?

What a nice treasure!

What a fabulous gift! Hand crafted gifts are alway my favorite.

Bill,

This is one of the most thoughtful things that I have ever heard of for a keepsake. You have covered so many bases with the history the of the family, the different colors and origins of the woods and the craftsmanship that you have displayed. You my friend, have created an heirloom that will be remembered long after you are gone and will remind everyone who knows the story behind it the caliber of person that you are. A good job well done. Tom

Sir, you do some good work. That is an awesome story you have told about the materials used in it's construction.

The older your son and daughter in law get the more they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

That was my exact thought, too - save this history for others in the future. Include the pictures, too.

Very impressive craftsmanship

Nice thinking, nice execution!

Nice work and story. Ron Mn

Nice craftsmanship and a great provenance. I'm sure that is something he will treasure.

Bob I really did make an error with this post, my wife and I did indeed create a record of the chest and its history. I took some pictures as I was creating the chest along with a range of period pictures then drew it all together with the history behind everything so its all recorded and clear for everyone to study. Presented it all to the couple on saturday night, think they liked it.

My mothers name was Margaret Thomson.

Yes Aberdeenshire Scotland, farm that I was born and brought up on.

Good. As time passes, appreciation for the treasure you have created(both the chest and the history) should grow. I know when I was young, such things didn't interest me much. That has changed over time.

That's beautiful. I know you put many hours into it.

Now that's what I call some real talent!

Write that provenance on the bottom of the chest and date and sign.

Already done.

Stunningly beautiful job Bill! You are an artist with wood.

Very nice work and great wedding gift idea. I wish I had that kind of talent with wood. I can make just about anything out of metal, but with wood I am lucky to make fire wood at best. Great job. Your son and daughter-in law will love it.

Greg

I got started in woodworking making doll furniture for my granddaughters from a cherry tree that I cut many years ago. Moved on to toy chests for the grandsons, then a couple of hope chests for older granddaughters. Best thing I ever made was jewelry chests for my three daughter-in-laws, actually daughters to me. I had all three crying when I gave the chests to them. That said your skill with the dovetails is amazing.

Great looking box, anyone would be proud to own it.