I just came across your post while doing some family history research. My great-grandfather was Robert E. Clarke, and in 1874 when he was about 19 he set up a business with his slightly older brother George in Brooklyn where they lived. They called themselves "Clarke Bros. & Co." and had what they called a "Bracket Store" located on Fulton Street at the junction of Flatbush Avenue. I believe they published at least this one catalog (dated Fall 1875) which can be seen in its entirety, digitized on-line at http://www.archive.org/details/illustratedcatal00clar The business doesn't seem to have lasted beyond 1877. The family had left Brooklyn by 1878 and Robert became an actor and elocution teacher. I don't know what became of George. And, unfortunately, I don't know any more about this bracket & furniture business, but would like to!

It is not knotweed......and it does look like a tree seedling (root shoot), what type I am not sure. But you will get faster and accurate ID's if you use the forum - Name That Plant - that is intended for plant identification. This is not the right place :-)

dont forget the NAME THAT PLANT FORUM next time ....

How about a closer up picture. What region of the country are you in? Looks like southern yellow pine from what I can see, but it may be cypress.