Historical Context Room - Click on an image for more info on the object.
oid0005: Sargent, Henrietta (1785-1871). Portrait, half length
Sargent, Henrietta (1785-1871)
first cousin once removed, via Epes & Dorcas Sargent
oil on canvas
by Frothingham, James (1786-1864) in circa 1817
Creator

is noted for his beautifully detailed faces. An example are the lovely highlights and shadows of Henrietta Sargent portrait.



Subject

was a pioneer in the cause of antislavery and actively involved in the underground railroad. One of the leaders of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society along with her sister, Catherine. A personal friend of William Lloyd Garrison. A devout Universalist and strong adherent to the views of John Murray.



Henrietta was a daughter of Dorcas Babson and Epes Sargent. She was a prominent figure in the anti-slavery movement in Boston during the first half of the 19th century. Founder of Female Anti-Slavery Society Society (their 1835 meeting was mobbed) Her sister Catherine joined with her in support of this movement.



Donated by Steinmetz,Esther Dixwell Brewer in 1956

oid0005
oid0006_I: Pearce, Captain William (1777-1841) Miniature portrait of. Engraved: WP. Plaited hair design.
Pearce, Captain William (1777-1841)
copper locket
by an unknown creator in early 1800s

Son of Col. William Pearce, Cap. Pearce became a very successful merchant in Gloucester



Donated by Hough, Misses in 1928

oid0006_I
oid0008: Sargent, Governor Winthrop, portrait of (1753-1820), 1/2 length.
Sargent, Governor Winthrop (1753-1820)
brother
oil on canvas
by Stuart, Jane (1812-1888) (attributed to) in circa 1805

Subject

Served In the Continental Army for 7 years, mostly artillery. He fought in the Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Monmouth Battles led by Washington. He was one of the organizers of the New Ohio Company and became its Surveyor General. Upon the organization of the Northwest Territory he was appointed its Secretary General in Ohio. He became acting Governor when Gov St. Clair was called to Philadelphia. Both in Ohio and Mississippi he was a strict law enforcer, which did not go well with the frontier culture of individual freedom. In 1801 he was replaced.



If Jane Stuart painted our version it was done many years after the original and was taken from a version of the portrait that was rejected by Stuart. Jane Stuart inherited her fathers studio and often copied works from the unsold collection. Her copies were sold. *Attribution questioned by Karen Quinn as Jane Stuart probably copied these portraits from her father's original works.(easily possible that G. Stuart painted several versions for Sargent.)



Donated by Sargent,Winthrop/C.S. Sargent in 1937

oid0008
oid0009: Portrait of Mary McIntosh Sargent (1764-1844) 1/2 length portrait .
Sargent, Mary McIntosh (1764-1844)
sister-in-law
oil on canvas
by Stuart, Jane (1812-1888) (attributed to) in circa 1805

Subject

was the wife of Gov. Winthrop Sargent. Returned to Philadelphia after his death.



The original paintings (Mary & Gov Winthrop) are at the Thomas Jefferson State Reception Room at the U.S. Department of State, Harry S Truman Building - a third set of these portraits is hanging in statte house in Jackson MS.



Donated by Sargent,Winthrop & C.S. Sargent in before 1927

oid0009
oid0015: Sargent, Winthrop (1753-1820); marble bust
Sargent, Governor Winthrop (1753-1820)
brother
marble
by an unknown creator in unknown year

Subject

Served In the Continental Army for 7 years, mostly artillery. He fought in the Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Monmouth Battles led by Washington. He was one of the organizers of the New Ohio Company and became its Surveyor General. Upon the organization of the Northwest Territory he was appointed its Secretary General in Ohio. He became acting Governor when Gov St. Clair was called to Philadelphia. Both in Ohio and Mississippi he was a strict law enforcer, which did not go well with the frontier culture of individual freedom. In 1801 he was replaced.



Donated by Dana, Paul, Mrs. (1853-1930). in 1940

oid0015
oid0072: Murray, Reverend John; portrait of .
Murray, Rev. John (1741-1815)
2nd husband
oil on glass (reverse painting; backed with wood)
by Bacon, Rev. Henry (1839-1912) in mid/late 1800s

Subject

During the Revolution, Reverend Murray was appointed as a chaplain of the Rhode Island Brigade by George Washington. During the war, Murray retired from this position and returned to Gloucester due to poor health.



painted posthumously; Bacon was a Universalist minister, Born in Boston



Donated by Grant, E.M. in 1918, July

oid0072
oid0074: Portrait of Benjamin Kent Hough, Jr (1805-1875); oil on canvas
Hough, Benjamin Kent Jr (1805-1875)
by an unknown creator in 1833

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.



Painted at the time of their marriage. These portraits are very well executed and should be attributable.



Donated by donated from the estate of Louis Hough in 2003, Sep

oid0074
oid0412: Andirons. Ormolu andirons
andirons
Brass, Ormolu
by an unknown creator in late 1700s/early 1800s

said to be part of the French furnishings brought from Paris to Boston by Swan? Connected to chair #514



Donated by Sargent,Franklin Haven(1856-1923) in 1925

oid0412
oid0435: Bedwarmer. Turned handle with remants of red paint. Engraved design on cover.
bedwarmer
brass & wood
by an unknown creator in late 1700s

Bedwarmer belonged to William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Judith’s sister Esther married his son. Decorative engraving on brass lid.



Donated by Ellery, William in 1942, Sept.

oid0435
oid0506: Carved New Orleans wine cooler. Made for Governor Winthrop Sargent.
wine cooler
Mahagony
by an unknown creator in 1805-1815

Wine Cooler custom made in New Orleans for Gov. Winthrop and used at his home, "Gloucester", in Natchez MS. Part of the furnishings donated to this Museum by his descendants.



Donated by Longcope,Janet (Mrs. Warfield T.); donation date unknown

oid0506
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, Bergère
by Sene, Jean-Baptiste-Claude (1747-1803) in circa 1780

Owned by French Royalty. 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