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.
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.
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
Has a finely engraved, crisp and intact heraldic crest opposite the handle, the crest relating to the Dixwell or Fitch family. The crest reads:
"Religious Liberty Seized for Church Taxes as the property of Eps Sargent in 1782 and recovered in suit of Murray vs. Gloucester Back’s Mass. Eccle_Law_10 Life of J. Murray P. 206."
This cann belonged to Eps Sargent of Gloucester for support of the existing Congregational Church. It was recovered in a [law]suit filed by a Minister of the Universalist Church, the Reverend John Murray (Murray vs. Gloucester, 1783-1786). The court holding in effect that citizens were free to choose and support the church of their own choice.
"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
Sermon Case presented to Rev. Murray by his parishioners
Father of Universalism in America
John Murray meeting Thomas Potter in Murray Grove, NJ
Delivered before the First Universalist Society in Boston
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.
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.
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.
Image of the Title page of 'Life of the Rev. John Murray"
image of 1785 Charter of Compact