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oid0066: Portrait of Benjamin Kent Hough, Jr (1805-1875); oil; oval
Hough, Benjamin Kent Jr (1805-1875)
Probably painted on artist board
by an unknown creator in circa 1850

Subject

Grew up in this house, and like his father was a merchant, served as an officer of Gloucester Bank, was one of the founders of the Sawyer Free Library, along with Fitz Henry Lane.



Unknown donor and donation date

oid0066
oid0427: Sword; silver bound scabbard.  Gilded French blade. Belonged to Col. William Pearce (1751-1845)
Sword
Silver mounted; leather
by Bolton & Co. in late 1700s

Inscription on handle reads: Col. Wm Pearce Gloucester 1751-1845. Pearce's portrait is in the Murray Room



Donated by Hough, Misses in 1928

oid0427
oid0514: Chair.  Louis XVI Bergere. Owned by Marie Antoinette. Brought to American by Col.James Swan (1754-1830), father of Mrs.John Turner Sargent.
chair
Wood with gesso; silk upholstery
by Sene, Jean-Baptiste-Claude (1747-1803) in circa 1780

Owned by Marie Antoinette. Brought to Boston by Colonel James Swan (1754-1830) for his daughter Christiana who married John Turner Sargent. They lived on Beacon Hill in Boston. Swan was aiding the French aristocracy in escaping France. The mate to this chair is at the MFA. The chair was reupholstered in collaboration with the MFA in 1973; MFA picked the fabric. "



Donated by Sargent, Franklin Haven (1856-1923) (the estate of) John Turner Sargent-Swan in 1923

oid0514
oid0517: Mirror; Sheraton.  Free standing black and gold rope columns enclosing a looking glass.  Classical figures with an entablature; 14 gold balls.
mirror
gilt, Sheraton
by an unknown creator in circa 1810

Free standing black and gold columns enclosing a looking glass. Classical figures with an entablature. 14 gold balls.



Donated by Hough, Misses in 1928

oid0517
oid0523: Table.  Pembroke .  Four square legs supporting a bowed frame with a single drawer; two oval drop leaves. Mahogany and Pine
Table
Mahogany, Hepplewhite
by an unknown creator in circa 1790

Pembroke tables appeared in large numbers in Boston area household inventories from the Federal period. Their small size, adjustable surface size, and easy portability made them suitable for tea drinking, gaming, writing, and serving of light meals.



Donated by Kidder, Alice V. in 1947

oid0523
oid0566: Spinning Wheel.  Flax wheel (incomplete)
Spinning Wheel
Mostly oak with Maple
by Winkley, Francis (1759-1847) in late 1700s
Creator

An elder in charge of quality control in the Shaker Community’s shop in Canterbury, NH.



During revolutionary times, people were in favor of wearing and making homespun cloth instead of the lavish garments from Great Britain. The initials F.W. are engraved in the wood; Francis was QC, most likely multiple people were involved in the creation.



Donated by Hough Misses vs.Stevens, Mrs.Jos.? in Unknown

oid0566