The Governess cart, introduced around 1880, was a two wheeled vehicle pulled by a single horse or pony. It was especially designed to carry small children. The cart had high sides making it look like a tub on wheels and a rear entry to prevent the children from being run over by the cart while getting in. A governess often used the Tub Cart because the high sides prevented the children from falling out. There were many styles of Governess Carts, the sides varying from the wicker to the chair rail to solid wood. The seats were bench seats facing each other along the sides. The driver had to sit in a twisted position making it difficult to brake the pony should it get out of control.

Mrs. Viola Townsend Winmill bought this Tub Cart from the Tarrant Builders in Kilarney, during a trip to Ireland.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The Encyclopaedia of Carriage driving. Sallie Walrond, 1988
Looking at Carriages. Sallie Walrond, 1980
Prairie Primer a little bit about light horse-drawn vehicles. Kenneth Kopitzke
A Dictionary of Horse-drawn vehicles. D.J.M. Smith, 1927