CHEST-ON-FRAME

Jesse Needham was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, but moved to northwest Randolph County with his family in the early 1790s. His shop may have been in operation as early as 1793 in the town of Gladesboro, which is no longer in existence. Needham later bought land in Guilford County and most likely moved his business there as well. Needham’s shop was probably a large one that produced numerous finely crafted furniture forms, including tables, chests, chests of drawers, high chests of drawers, high chests on frame, clocks, sideboards, desks, and desks and bookcases.  The extant furniture produced by him proves that he was unquestionably one of the finest cabinetmakers ever to have worked in Piedmont North Carolina.