Title
A Two-page Handwritten Letter and Carnelian Intaglio
Object Type
Creator
Date
19th century
Description
A framed two-page handwritten letter (American, 19th century) signed by Mary Faxon Howe, together with an 18th century red carnelian intaglio bearing a profile portrait of a bearded man in 16th century dress, likely Henri IV of France. The letter explains Mrs. Howe's grandmother's relationship with the Count DuPont and the history of the seal.
The red carnelian intaglio seal came, supposedly, from the watch of the Count DuPont (Louis-Francois-Bertrand) (b.1759).
The full text of the letter reads: "My grandmother on father's side was born in Newport, Rhode Island in ______. Her first husband was a Mr. Champlin by whom she had one daughter, Mary. Her second husband was my grandfather, a scholarly man, a physician. My father says he could read the dead language and also speak French, Spanish and Italian fluently. His library was largely made up as I remember of books in these languages. Where his books went I never knew. Mary Champlin, the daughter, married Col. McRea, who was sent by our government with father's cousin General Thayer of West Point to examine the fortifications of Europe (see Faxon book). When grandmother was a girl she lived in Newport and says she well remembers Washington often attending parties where he was a guest.
She used to tell us of the gay times in Newport when the French fleet was anchored there, and many a time has danced with Count Rochambeau who was a ‘jolly Frenchman.’
A very beautiful girl was visiting her at the time, a Miss Tillinghast (I think) with whom Count Dupont of the fleet fell desperately in love. He was married, but wanted to contract a ‘left handed’ marriage with the beautiful high born American girl. She indignantly refused. When the fleet was about to leave, the Count came to bid grandmother good bye and asked her if Miss T. would accept a gold watch as a parting token? Grandmother told him American girls were not accustomed to such attentions, and Miss T. would not accept this gift. Then he took from his watch chain one of the seals and said - (My Aunt Mary was lying in her cradle) "keep this and give it to your little daughter from her mother's friend". This intaglio has - I suppose - Count Dupont's profile. This story was told me by Aunt Thayer who had the seal in her possession after Aunt McRae - her half sister - died and she gave the seal to me (Aunt Mary McRae gave the seal to Aunt Thayer). Mary F. Howe."
The red carnelian intaglio seal came, supposedly, from the watch of the Count DuPont (Louis-Francois-Bertrand) (b.1759).
The full text of the letter reads: "My grandmother on father's side was born in Newport, Rhode Island in ______. Her first husband was a Mr. Champlin by whom she had one daughter, Mary. Her second husband was my grandfather, a scholarly man, a physician. My father says he could read the dead language and also speak French, Spanish and Italian fluently. His library was largely made up as I remember of books in these languages. Where his books went I never knew. Mary Champlin, the daughter, married Col. McRea, who was sent by our government with father's cousin General Thayer of West Point to examine the fortifications of Europe (see Faxon book). When grandmother was a girl she lived in Newport and says she well remembers Washington often attending parties where he was a guest.
She used to tell us of the gay times in Newport when the French fleet was anchored there, and many a time has danced with Count Rochambeau who was a ‘jolly Frenchman.’
A very beautiful girl was visiting her at the time, a Miss Tillinghast (I think) with whom Count Dupont of the fleet fell desperately in love. He was married, but wanted to contract a ‘left handed’ marriage with the beautiful high born American girl. She indignantly refused. When the fleet was about to leave, the Count came to bid grandmother good bye and asked her if Miss T. would accept a gold watch as a parting token? Grandmother told him American girls were not accustomed to such attentions, and Miss T. would not accept this gift. Then he took from his watch chain one of the seals and said - (My Aunt Mary was lying in her cradle) "keep this and give it to your little daughter from her mother's friend". This intaglio has - I suppose - Count Dupont's profile. This story was told me by Aunt Thayer who had the seal in her possession after Aunt McRae - her half sister - died and she gave the seal to me (Aunt Mary McRae gave the seal to Aunt Thayer). Mary F. Howe."
Cultural Origin
American
Medium
paper
carnelian intaglio
Extent
13 1/2" x 16"
Collection
Source
Gift of Mrs. Margaret H. Freydberg, 1987.
Identifier
PSNC.1801
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.