JUNE 18 ISSUE ANSWERS: What makes this cabinet/ sideboard so important and exciting? Its story! We know that this Empire style sideboard with flaming mahogany veneer was constructed between 1830 and 1840. It has ball feet, rope columns, and acanthus leaf capitals. It could have been built by John Needles (1786-1878), a Baltimore cabinet maker, a Quaker and abolitionist. He was not only raised to “be good” but to “do good.” He was devoted to his nine children and wife, his very fine cabinet work, but also admirably, to using much of his money to buy the freedom for slaves, as did his father. The connection between these two abolitionist families seems to me of not some little importance, seeing this piece was entering the home of Peter and Sarah Lerrich, conductors on the Underground Railroad at the Spring Hill Farm, Town #3. (Their portraits are above the sideboard and painted by artist daughter Lillian Lerrich Miller). The photo of the family home was taken much later when it was in disrepair. Spring Hill Farm was located in Northern Macomb County between Woodall Road and the Clinton River, N.E. quarter, Section 9,