The seat appropriated to the deacons, under the pulpit, facing the people; the “chief seat in the synagogue.” Hence, a long seat facing the fire in a logging camp. This use probably originated in Maine.
1851. Directly over the foot-pole, running parallel with it, and in front of the fire, is the “deacon seat.”… This seat constitutes our sofa or settee…. [The man] was laid upon the deacon seat, and the wound was sewed up by one of the crew with a common sewing-needle.—John S. Springer, ‘Forest Life,’ pp. 71, 115 (N.Y.).
1864. We sat down upon the deacon-seat before the fire.—J. R. Lowell, ‘Fireside Travels,’ p. 152. (N.E.D.)
