Hough, Benjamin Kent Sr (1766-1855)
oil on canvas
by Fenton, Charles (1808-1877) in circa 1840
Subject As a young man, he was placed in the Gloucester store of merchant David Plumer to learn the ins and outs of the mercantile business; shortly thereafter Hough moved to the counting-rooms of Winthrop Sargent, Judith's father, who was engaged in trade with the West Indies. Hough remained in the employment of Sargent until he struck out on his own in about 1790. He bought the house in 1801 from Gilman's widow. He was married on January 12, 1791 to Elizabeth Plumer, the daughter of David Plumer, who had instructed young Hough in the ways of business. The marriage was performed by Reverend John Murray. Elizabeth died five years later at the age of thirty, childless, and Hough remarried in 1801 to Lucy Sayward Foster, the widow of Colonel Thomas Foster. He served as an Officer of the Gloucester Bank for 35 years and as its President for 5. He was the Treasurer of the Church for 40 years and a founder of the Gloucester Lyceum.
Possibly modeled from a daguerrotype
Donated by Hough,Benjamin K. , V in 1992
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