This is the exterior "back" of the trunk

This is the tag on the trunk marking the manufacturer. It 'appears' to be  "American beauty Rose Trunks made by The D. Erose Trunk Co. Los Angeles.

This is the interior of the trunk. The metal bar holding the drawer closed has a simple wing nut to tighten the bar length after each end is inserted into the slot. There are four wooden hangers, two are painted and the other two simply wood. The bottom compartment pulls out and has a leather hinged lid with leather straps and snaps to hold it shut. The upper compartments are drawers.

This is a stencil of the original owner. I also have ANOTHER trunk, (not quite like this one, that has "LT. S. W. BURTON" stenciled on it.

I am desperate to know the real history of my house. I have maps as far back as 1860 that show a house that may be on my property - The man that supposedly built my house was named "Stephen Brown", I was hoping this was his mark, but thinking it is a makers mark instead. I live about 9 blocks from the "Studebaker Brothers" house and manufacturing plant, and Stephen Brown was a "machinist" there, but don't know.

I'm actually more interested in knowing more about the construction of my house, I have several questions about it (I'm a budding architectural historian), and want to knowmore about what kinds of info I can get from the basement. I think this house may be a 1832 house rebuilt.

I have seven VOLUMES of info on my house to reference - I'd love a call back from an expert if anyone's as interested in this stuff as I am. I know we can tell a lot about a house by nail shapes, stud sizes, layout, etc. But basements still throw me for a loop.

Thanks!