John Murray Parlor - Click on an image for more info on the object.
oid0018: Watch House Point; View of the Fort and Gloucester Harbor
Watch House Point; View of the Fort and Gloucester Harbor
oil on canvas
by Lane, Fitz Henry (1804-1865) (attributed to) in circa 1860

The painting is unsigned. It was most recently on loan to the Cleveland Museum for study. Gift of Maria Parsons in 1977 (William Parsons and BK Hough Jr were partners in business until 1850). Parsons could be part of the Sargent Genealogy and connected through Fitz William (1768) who married Anna Parsons. Also BKHough Jr. and FitzWilliam Sargent were common shareholders in merchant ships.



Donated by Parsons, Maria in 1977

oid0018
oid0080: portrait of Reverend John Murray
Murray, Rev. John (1741-1815)
2nd husband
oil on canvas
by Williams, Henry (1787-1830) in 1825
Creator

was a painter, often of minatures, in Boston. His works were exhibited at the Boston Athenæum from 1828 to 1831 (a year after his death), but it is supposed that these were older works that were submitted for exhibition by Williams' wife (Cecile Charlotte Williams née Le Mercier, 1786-1850), as there is no evidence that he painted after 1826.



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



Donated by David and Patrice Althouse in 2026

oid0080
oid0323: Chandelier (installed in the ceiling; four globes)
chandelier
cut glass
by an unknown creator in 1800

Donated by Sargent, Winthrop (1853-1932) in c. 1920

oid0323
oid0423: Andirons Stamped: "Hunneman 408 Boston". There is no mark on these andirons indicating 423.
andirons
Brass
by Hunneman in circa 1800

Donated by Stevens, Charlotte(Mrs. Joseph) in Unknown

oid0423
oid0522: Settle (bench with a lift top), Pine
Settle
pine
by an unknown creator in early 1800s

Donated by Sargent, Winthrop (1853-1932) in 1941

oid0522
oid0584: Rantoul Desk Painted & Grained. Pine Lift Top. 4 contemporary oak legs.
Desk
Pine and oak
by an unknown creator in circa 1800s

"This desk was the office desk of Robert Rantoul, the friend of Whittier and the able advocate of every good cause during the years he lived in Gloucester." Taken from "Sketch of the Independent Christian Church." by Levi Powers



Unknown donor and donation date

oid0584
oid0708: Sermon Case. Belonged to Rev. John Murray (1741-1815). Embroidered inside flap: "The Rev'd John Murray's 1791"
Sermon Case
wool, linen and paper
by an unknown creator in circa 1791

Sermon Case presented to Rev. Murray by his parishioners



Donated by Fisher, Reverend Theordore in unknown

oid0708
oid1236: Rev John Murray Bookplate
Bookplate
by an unknown creator in unknown year

Unknown donor and donation date

oid1236
oid2012: discourse on Character and Death of The Reverend John Murray pamphlet
Discourse on Character and Death of The Reverend John Murray
by Dean, Reverend Paul (1789–1860) in 1815

Delivered before the First Universalist Society in Boston



Unknown donor and donation date

oid2012