Death of Lilly Martin Spencer

The Daily Register, May 24, 1902

A Famous Artist Who Formerly Lived in Vicinity of Marietta

New York, May 23 - Lilly Martin Spencer, a noted artist, whose paintings years ago achieved for her worldwide reputation, died yesterday [May 22, 1902] at 226 West 114th street at the age of 77 years.

Mrs. Spencer came to America with her parents when she was 5 years old. Her father was a scholarly Frenchman, instructor of the young Dukes of Exeter and Devonshire. They lived in Marietta, Ohio. At the age of 12 years Lilly Spencer was considered a marvel, and Nicholas Longworth, the Cincinnati millionaire, who had heard of her, offered to send her abroad to study. She refused to do so, because he stipulated that she must abstain from all original work for seven years and spend that time studying old masters. He remained her friend, however, and after she married and came to New York, she opened her studio under his patronage.

Among her most notable paintings are the allegorical representatives of "Truth Unmasking Falsehood," for which Senator Sprague of New Jersey offered $20,000, an immense sum at that time.

Up to a few weeks ago Mrs. Spencer still worked at her easel. Among her recent paintings are portraits of Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Robert Ingersoll. Her masterpiece is considered to be "Algeria," from "Childe Harold."

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Scores of Marietta people will remember Mrs. Spencer when she lived here, and how even in childhood her work was marvelous. It is told that when she resided in a house near Devol's Dam she covered the very walls of the building with exquisite paintings and for many years the house was a place constantly visited by sightseers.

Old Marietta Papers - Number 37

 The Marietta Register, June 17, 1864

"Old Marietta Papers" was a series of columns compiled and published in 1863 and 1864 by Rodney M. Stimson, editor of "The Marietta Register."

Friday, Aug. 30, 1839, occurred a transaction at Parkersburg that is worthy of note, even now. It was a circumstance that had its influence in this region to bring about the state of public opinion today - a transaction that caused some excitement at the time, and but one of thousands that have taken place under the infernal influence of slavery, thousands many times more aggravated than this. It was the mobbing of Col. Augustus Stone and David Putnam of Harmar, because they were charged with being abolitionists. 

Mr. Putnam, we believe, was the particular object of the Parkersburg ruffians; and Col. Stone suffered, perhaps, because he happened to be in company with the former. It is now nearly twenty-five years ago - what a change in the country! Abolitionists are now about as thick as mosquitoes in August, and through the wicked and tyrannical spirit of slavery - its own suicide - their principles now prevail. Col. Stone and Mr. Putnam both live to see their sentiments popular, however much odium and contempt may have been cast upon those principles in times past. It may be remarked that Col. John Stone of Belpre, living opposite Parkersburg, did not cross the Ohio to that place for many years, for the hate that there prevailed against him because he exercised free thought on the subject of slavery and dared maintain his thoughts before the people. He has had no trouble in going to Parkersburg during the past three years. Even an abolition paper is published there, edited and printed by an abolitionist.

The following is copied from the Marietta Intelligencer of Sept. 5, 1839:

"Outrage at Parkersburg - On Friday last, Mr. David Putnam, Jr., and Col. A. Stone, two respectable citizens of Harmar, went to Parkersburg to transact some business, and as they were about to cross the river on their return, were assailed by a mob and both of them knocked into the river. Fortunately, they escaped without much injury, but from the spirit manifested by the assailants, there can be no doubt that they intended a most brutal outrage upon the person of Mr. Putnam. We do not intend to give the particulars of this assault, or comment upon it in the terms it deserves, until we learn whether the respectable citizens or our neighbor city give countenance to it. We cannot believe they will consent that the odium of this disgraceful affair shall rest upon them. On the contrary, we trust they will use all diligence to bring the perpetrators to justice.

"If Mr. Putnam has violated law, let him be punished by law, So long as we profess to be governed by laws, it is the duty of every good citizen to maintain their supremacy. We cannot imagine a case where a resort to mob law would be justifiable; and unless our Statute Book is to become a reproach, and the name of Liberty a bye-word, every attempt to supplant law by violence should be promptly and fearlessly put down."

Sept. 12, 1839, "Morton" communicated to the Intelligencer a high appreciative and just notice of Lilly Martin, then a girl in her seventeenth year, living with her father, a few miles up the Muskingum, and since so distinguished as an artist. The writer spoke of her "extraordinary taste, talent, and genius," and mentioned that:

"Her first work was on the unwhitened plastered wall of her chamber. She commenced with a piece of charcoal and common chalk, using her finger to stamp with. She has recently obtained some poor crayon and a few paints and brushes. With these instruments, she has covered the sides of her room with splendid pictures."

"One side of the room presents a view from a public piazza out upon a water scene bordered by hill and dale, and field and forest; all original, and beautifully conceived. Groups are presented on the piazza, in various employments, and the figures present not only an accurate proportion, but some of them are shaded and finished in the most exquisite manner. There are some talking politics and some making love. One picture presents a boy playing with the dog and cat; the dog and cat are fighting, and the boy has thrown his cap over the head of the dog, and is exulting at the advantage thus given to puss."

Several other pictures on the walls are noticed:

"But the best hit of all is 'the young baker.' Mrs. Martin had sent her daughter to make bread, and while engaged, the child (for she has only the appearance of a child) conceived the idea of drawing a like figure on the wall. And there it is, not in rude unfinished outline, but a well finished and most strikingly rich crayon drawing. This picture being alone, in a rough room, full of barrels, meal tubs, and rubbish, and being drawn on the rough plaster, has the most extraordinary effect. It represents a girl with a very pretty face, bending over her work, her hair disheveled and yet ornamental; the cape tied loose about her neck, and turned round to the side, sleeves rolled up, and both hands delving in the dough. One could not conceive of anything more natural. This picture, alone is worthy of more than I can write, and no one can have any idea of it without seeing it.

"I can only say, that the circumstances of this display of talent are the most extraordinary. I cannot associate the work and the author together, so strange is the contrast! One gazes at the pictures and glances at the child, who appears to gaze totally unconscious of the merit they possess."

Marriages in 1839:

Aug. 8, Israel W. Andrews, Professor in Marietta College (now President), and Miss Sarah H. Clark of Danbury, Conn.

Aug. 12, Col. Ichabod Nye of Marietta and Mrs. Rebecca Beebe of Belpre.

Sept. 22, Benjamin W. Clark and Marietta Broadhurst.

Sept. 25th, Rev. J. R. Barnes of Evansville, Ind., and Caroline M. Webster.

Oct. 2, Riley Bruce and Mary D. Cockshott, both of Belpre.

Oct. 6th, Richard Beebe and Vilate Wolcott, both of Waterotwn.

Oct 6th, in Marietta, Flavel C. Cole and Mary Dye.

Oct. 10th, Samuel Weston and Eliza Ann Reckard.

Oct. 11th, in Warren, Jacob Reppert of Madison, Ind., and Ann M. Reppert.

Oct. 17th, Sala Bosworth and Joanna F. Shipman.

Oct. 17th, William J. Smith of Marietta and Elmina Clarke of Athens.

Nov. 17th, in Harmar, Alfred Finch and Jane Williams.

Nov. 20th, William Foster of Springfield, Mass. and Matilda W. Foster of Marietta.

Dec. 3, James Withrow and Betsey Locker.

Dec. 5th, William Grant and Mary Ann Willard.

Deaths in 1839:

Aug. 11, Miss S. Maria Brigham, formerly of Princeton, Mass.

Aug. 11th, Anna Maria Ward, in her 19th year.

Aug. 22d, Frederick Shipman, aged 44.

Sept. 8, in Belpre, Rev. William H. Jolly, a Universalist clergyman, 43.

Sept. 10th, in New Orleans, of Yellow fever, Royal G. Hart of Harmar, 29.

Sept. 11th, in Marietta, Rowena, wife of Dennis Racer, 30.

Oct. 22, Caroline Augusta, daughter of F. A. and Harriet Wheeler, 11 months.

Oct. 29th, Selah, wife of William Slocomb, 54.

Nov. 11, in Salem, Mary, wife of Rufus Payne, 45.

Nov. 30th, Mary Ann, daughter of John Collins of Fearing, 14.

Election in 1839:

The result in this county in 1839, between the Whig and the Democratic parties, was very close - caused by "stay-at-home" Whigs. The Whig vote on Representative was 166 less than in the year before, while the Democratic was only 15 less; and the consequence was that the Whigs lost the best offices in the county at that election. The total vote stood as follows: For Senator, Samuel R. Curtis, Whig, 1210; Isaac Humphreys, Dem., 1215. Representative, William r. Browning, Whig, 1199; William A. Whittlesey, Dem., 1225. Auditor, James M. Booth, Whig, 1177; J. P. Wightman, Dem., 1251. Commissioner, Daniel H. Buell, Whig, 1211; Hapgood Goddard, Dem, 1199. Treasurer, Robert Crawford, Whig, 1238; John Young, Dem., 1196. Assessor, Tartus Lindley, Whig, 1144; A. G. Hollister, Dem., 1242. Prosecuting Attorney, Arius Nye, Whig, 1224; Charles F. Buell, Dem., 1180.

The Democrats, it will be seen, elected the Representative, Auditor and Assessor, while the Whigs elected the Treasurer, Commissioner and the Prosecuting Attorney.

S. R. Curtis, who was beaten for the Senate in this District, then hailed from McConnelsville and had been an Engineer on the Muskingum Improvement from which position he was removed on account of his politics. He has since been well known to the country as a Colonel of one of the Ohio regiments in the War with Mexico in 1846-47; as a Republican Representative in Congress for several years, from Iowa; and as a Major General during the present war, west of the Mississippi.

We give the vote of the county in detail for Representative, as follows:

Adams - Browning 50, Whittlesey 75.

Aurelius - Browning 35, Whittlesey 55.

Belpre - Browning 105, Whittlesey 51.

Barlow - Browning 39, Whittlesey 35.

Decatur - Browning 17, Whittlesey 13.

Fearing - Browning 29, Whittlesey 33.

Grandview - Browning 5, Whittlesey 99.

Lawrence - Browning 8, Whittlesey 55.

Ludlow - Browning 7, Whittlesey 55.

Liberty - Browning 4, Whittlesey 33.

Marietta - Browning 381, Whittlesey 204.

Newport - Browning 68, Whittlesey 53.

Roxbury - Browning 58, Whittlesey 79.

Salem - Browning 46, Whittlesey 32.

Union - Browning 47, Whittlesey 62.

Warren - Browning 35, Whittlesey 60.

Waterford - Browning 117, Whittlesey 99.

Watertown - Browning 88, Whittlesey 68.

Wesley - Browning 60, Whittlesey 63.

Total - Browning 1199, Whittlesey 1225.

Nov. 14, 1839, the Intelligencer contained the following notice:

"Big Steam Boat. Among the novelties of the day worthy of notice is a steamboat just built by Mr. Wyllis Hall of this town. It is not a rival of the Great Western, but is, nevertheless, quite a curiosity. It is only thirty feet in length - has an engine of four horse power and a cabin sufficiently large to accommodate twelve or fifteen persons - and is, altogether, a very neat, well proportioned steamboat."

Nov. 21, 1839, the Intelligencer had an article - a "leader" - which favored the nomination of Gen. Scott for the Presidency for political reasons, although stating that Daniel Webster was the first choice of the editor - but he could not probably be elected. The friends of Clay and Harrison had become embittered against each other, and Gen. Scott was the man to unite them. Gen. Harrison, however, did unite them.

And this in the Intelligencer of Dec. 2:

"Mr. Leonard Scott brought to our office on Tuesday, a steel trap found in the forks of a sugar tree on Wolf Creek in this County. The pan of the trap extends entirely through the wood and over it three or four inches of solid wood is formed. The fork in which the trap was found was about 45 feet from the ground. Every part of it is in a perfect state of preservation. Mr. Scott is of opinion that it was undoubtedly carried there by some animal. It has been purchased by Mr. Scott, who intends taking it to New York, probably to place it in the Museum."

Judge Ephraim Cutler of Warren was the Delegate from this Congressional District to the Whig National Convention, held at Harrisburg, Pa., in December, 1839, which nominated Gen Harrison for the Presidency.

Local Paintings Win Appreciation

The Marietta Daily Times, June 19, 1944

More than 100 appreciative guests attended the art exhibit sponsored by the students of the A. James Weber School of Painting held Sunday afternoon and evening in the Catholic Community Center club rooms. The exhibit comprised 50 pictures, including landscapes, still life, and flower studies.

Several of the landscape paintings depicted various familiar scenes in Marietta and views of the Ohio River.

Students exhibiting work at this time included Mrs. R. Douglas Pinkerton, Mrs. Bertha Hamilton, Mrs. W. V. Hayes, Mrs. Fred B. Garman, Mrs. S. M. Thurlow, Miss Julia McMorris, Miss Alice Hamilton, Miss Clara McEvoy, Mrs. Robin S. Baker, Mrs. J. Ellis MacDonald, Mrs. Frances Mason, and Mrs. Carolyn Bennett.

Due to the wide interest shown, the exhibit will be continued through today and townspeople are invited to call at the Community Center at 7 o'clock tonight. 

Out-of-town guests attending the exhibit yesterday were Mr. and Mrs. William T. Beam of Moundsville, W. Va. and Mrs. Stanley Wallace of Des Moines, Iowa.

Brewer's Art Studio

The Marietta Times, October 21, 1869:

From the Scioto Gazette, Chillicothe. "Our artist friend, Mr. John S. Brewer, the gentleman who has for some time past occupied apartments in the Allen block, as a studio, has brought his stay among us to a termination, and has shaken from his feet the dust of the 'Ancient Metropolis' and gone to that still more ancient burgh, Marietta, for a brief sojourn. Mr. Brewer is a gentleman of polished manners and refined cultivated tastes, an artist of skill and with an intimate knowledge of the manners and customs of the world at large, having spent several years of travel upon the European continent, visiting all places of note and seeking every opportunity of perfecting himself in his profession by a study of the works of the 'old masters,' as they are found in the collections and picture galleries of the old world. We shall miss his genial face and cordial greeting, and can only regret that circumstances have necessitated his removal from among us. We commend him to the acquaintance and friendship of the citizens of Marietta as a gentleman whose acquaintance will be found a pleasant and agreeable one."

Mr. Brewer has taken rooms over the drugstore of Pearce & Triem on "the Island," Front Street. He comes with the best of recommendations, and we take pleasure in presenting him to this community.  

 The Marietta Times, October 28, 1869:

We paid a visit yesterday to the studio of Mr. Brewer, which is directly over the Drug Store of Pearce & Triem. We were greatly interested in the portraits. Those of Judge Safford and Dr. Waddle of Chillicothe, whom we personally know, are admirable as likenesses. Always fond of seeing portraits of remarkable men, our attention was drawn to that of the late Sol. Smith of St. Louis, the author, actor, humorist, and what is strange in such a combination, the steady, straight-forward business man. His countenance proclaims what he was.

Not far from him is a portrait of McKean Buchanan, the actor - a character in his way, but overrated on the stage. The picture of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Vincennes is well finished. Conspicuous is the portrait from life, as are all the rest, of a British sea captain, a genuine salt, with a face as red as Bardolph's and an expression of satisfaction which nothing but beef and brandy could afford him.

In contrast, we have the picture of a French physician, a second Dr. Caius, with the true Gallican grimace and shoulders that almost shrug while you are looking at his likeness. At fifty, his complexion is that of a dull parchment, and he has as many small wrinkles as most men who have gone beyond their rime, the result of unrestrained indulgence in coffee and tobacco. There is a lecture in every line of his face, and as the writer is fond of smoking, he felt an admonition to break his pipe. But who reforms at forty?

There are other portraits in the room - of artists, of businessmen, and also of commonplace creatures who have no more character than a cow pumpkin.

Mr. Brewer has established himself among us, and we hope he will be encouraged as his genius merits. His work must plead for him, however, and so we ask all who feel interested in art to visit his studio. It is worthwhile.

The Marietta Times, November 25, 1869:

Calling at Mr. Brewer's studio over the Island Drug Store one day this week, we noticed the excellent portraits of Colonel John Mills, William F. Curtis and R. M. Stimson, which have just come form his pencil. They are admirable as likenesses, for not only is the countenance accurately mapped out in each picture, but the expression is life-like and natural. It is not often that portraits as good as these are met with, and there are none better. We advise all who are interested in works of art to call at Mr. Brewer's room and look at them. 

The Marietta Times, December 9, 1869:

Our people should see the portraits of Colonel Mills and William F. Curtis at Mr. Brewer's studio over Pearce & Triem's Drug Store. As likenesses, they cannot be bettered. Besides, the artist has shown consummate skill in every detail of the work before him.

We cannot but express the hope that Mr. Brewer will be appreciated and patronized, as he should be, in a community like this. It is seldom that one so thoroughly master of his profession is at the service of those who wish to procure excellent portraits of themselves or of their friends. 

It is folly or nonsense to engage pictures - as some do - by having a photograph taken here, while the work of the painter is done elsewhere. The proverb, Descriptions decide nothing, is absolutely true in respect of persons. To make a good likeness, the artist must see the subject of his pencil, even though casually and but once. Otherwise, the portrait will be weak and unsatisfactory.

The Marietta Times, December 30, 1869:

 Mr. Brewer is now at work on portraits of President Andrews; W. H. Oldham, Esq.; William Warden, of the National House; and Dr. Stout. The pictures, as yet, are unfinished, but sufficient progress has been made to show that they will be good likenesses. 

It is worth the time and trouble to pay a visit to Mr. Brewer's studio over Pearce & Triem's Drug Store, on the Island. We have, heretofore, spoken in decided terms of his merits as an artist, and we could now but repeat what we said then. We do not believe that better work than his can be procured in the large cities, and we are certain that in Cincinnati, pictures greatly inferior to those which he produces, command twice the price he asks for a portrait.

The Marietta Times, January 27, 1870:

Mr. Brewer has finished a crayon portrait of W. H. Oldham which is worth seeing. It is not only a good likeness in that the features of his face are all there, but the vigor and force of expression which he has managed to throw into it make it one of the best pictures we ever saw.

A portrait of Mr. Warden of the National House, done in oil colors, will be recognized at once by anyone that has ever seen him. There are besides, admirable likenesses of other Marietta men - Col. Mills, W. F. Curtis, President Andrews, R. M. Stimson, and N. Fawcett.

Mr. Brewer will stay but a little while longer, and those who wish to have first-rate portraits should now avail themselves of this, the best opportunity they will ever have. No better pictures can be produced anywhere. To satisfy yourself of this, call at his studio, over Pearce & Triem's Drug Store.

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Note - John S. Brewer, or John James Scriven Brewer, was born in Canada in 1824, the son of Richard and Ann Scriven Brewer. He died February 22, 1881, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Painting by Marietta Artist Given High Praise

Marietta Daily Times, January 4, 1917

Friends of August J. Weber, Marietta boy doing art work in Cincinnati, will be interested in the following clipping reproduced from "The Week in Art Circles" column of the Cincinnati Enquirer. It related to an over-mantle allegorical decoration, conceived and painted by Mr. Weber.  It was exhibited in the Queen City, and is to be shown in New York:

"Miss Elizabeth Fangmeyer pays August J. Weber the following charming tribute: 'Does the Princess live here? I paused and gazed at that creation of color.  Could any ordinary mortal have portrayed this airy bubble of fairyland upon a square of canvas? Was it true that a human hand had tinted those garden walls that brilliant sapphire hue and built that pearly crystal palace in the distance? To me this was art. Not alone the art of the brush and palette, but also a truer and nobler art, a vivid idealistic fancy that only a master might possess.'"

Portrait Painting

Marietta Register, February 3, 1870

This fine art is now carried to great perfection in Marietta; though it seems strange that our citizens should not be aware of it, or, knowing it, do not avail themselves of the opportunity presented of securing perfect pictures of themselves and friends.  Recently we dropped into the studio of the artist, Mr. Brewer, over Pearce & Triem's Drug Store, and were delighted with the familiar faces we there recognized on canvass - faces that look ready to walk out of the canvass with a "How do you do?" greeting.

Among others, we recognized portraits of Col. John Mills, President I. W. Andrews, N. Fawcett, W. C. Hood, Wylie Oldham, and W. F. Curtis.  Mr. Brewer also has some beautiful fruit pictures, painted in oil, and so natural that all can recognize in them premiums of their kind.  Mr. Brewer designs leaving Marietta when warm weather sets in; therefore all who would take advantage of his skill must do so soon.

 

The First Court in Washington County and the Northwest Territory

The Marietta Register, October 27, 1881

Upon opening the October term of Court, the conspicuous feature of the Court room was a large oil painting on the wall above the Judge's bench, by Sala Bosworth, of this city.  The subject of the painting was the First Court held in the Northwest Territory at Marietta on September 2, 1788.  

This painting is in size about 3 by 4 feet, and is full up to the other work of this well-known artist.  The whole tone of the picture is dark.  The Judges, Gen. Rufus Putnam and Gen. Benjamin Tupper, sitting in the background on a platform somewhat raised above the floor are prominent figures.  The scene is taken at the time Col. Ebenezer Sproat, the Sheriff, was making proclamation of the opening of the Court.  

Williams new History of the County gives the following account of the opening of the Court:

 "The first Court held in the Territory was that of the Court of Common Pleas at Campus Martius, September 2, 1788.  A procession was formed at the Point, where most of the settlers resided in the following order:  The high Sheriff with drawn sword; the citizens; the officers of the garrison at Fort Harmar; the members of the bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and Clergymen; the newly-appointed Judges of the Court, Gens. Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper.  Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler, one of the Directors of the Ohio Company, then here on a visit, opened the Court with prayer, and Col. Ebenezer Sproat, the Sheriff, made official proclamation that 'a Court is opened for the administration of even handed justice, to the poor and the rich, to the guilty and the innocent, without respect of persons.'  Gen. Putnam, alluding to this first Court, says:  Happily for the credit of the people, there was no suit, either civil or criminal, brought before the Court."

Several ladies appear in the painting, the costume of one of whom behind a Judge's chair makes her an important factor in the make up of the colors of the painting at least.  On the whole this work is well done.  If it had been within the rules of art, however, we would like to have seen the picture divided, one part showing the make up of the procession from the point to the Campus Martius, with a sprinkling of Indians in the background or foreground or somewhere.  This, however, might be a subject for a companion piece.  There are several more fruitful subjects, that properly studied and properly brought out, on canvas, would add much to our knowledge of the early history of the county, and in view of our approaching centennial would find an appropriate place and ought to command a ready sale.

S. J. H.

Daniel Hovey - Obituary

American Friend, December 11, 1823

Died, in Sutton township, Meigs County, Ohio, on the 4th instant, Mr. Daniel Hovey, aged 19 years, a native of New York, and eldest son of Mr. Eleazer Hovey, (formerly of Richmond, Ontario county, and Patentee of Hovey's celebrated Shearing Machine, of great repute among Clothiers and Manufacturers in the United States,) and for a few years past a resident of the state of Indiana.

It is seldom in obituary notices that we have it in our power to speak with such satisfaction of the virtues and amiable qualities of individuals, as of those of this promising and worthy young man.  With a temper and disposition formed by nature to conciliate and please, he secured the friendship of his numerous acquaintances, whilst his correct and unexceptional conduct inspired confidence and procured respect.

On his arrival in this place he was employed as a School teacher, in which situation he continued but about three months, at which time he was more severely attacked with the consumption and confined to his room, where he continued till the time of his decease.  In his death the public have sustained a loss which cannot be easily repaired, and his pupils and examplary instructor; independent of the feelings of friendship and regard, fostered and produced by time and education.  He was an extraordinary natural genius; a poet, painter and engraver; he excelled most painters of our acquaintance, in Portrait, Landscape and Miniature Paintings; in poetry we have but little to judge from, his last production appeared in the 11th number of the "Marietta Gazette" (October 9th,) with the initials of his name, and wrote since his confinement to his death bed; as engraver, his last specimen, (and the only one in  letter press, ) appeared in the "American Friend" No. 52, Vol. 7th, (June 19th, 1823).  Though he had but few relations in this place to consecrate his ashes with their tears, yet the sorrow and regret of his more numerous acquaintances and friends accompanied his earthly remains to the grave.  In the death of childhood there is little interest, in that of age there is nothing unnatural or unexpected; but the fall of youth, just opening into manhood, awakens the tenderest sympathies and emotions of our hearts.  Thus we pass unheeded the mouldering trunk of the once vigorous and majestic oak which has fallen beneath the weight of years, whilst we pause, and contemplate, with pity, the prostrate ruins of the youthful magnolia, which grew in solitary beauty, but which fell, with all the foliage and fragrance of its expanding blossoms, beneath the sweeping tempest.

Communicated.

                                          American Friend, June 19, 1823

                                                                                   

The Arts in the West (Lilly Martin Spencer)

Marietta Intelligencer, September 12, 1839

I have very recently seen the drawings and paintings of a young girl of this vicinity, and have not only been delighted, but surprised.  I cannot give to any one an idea of the ensemble of Miss Martin's pictures; but I cannot refrain from drawing some attention to extraordinary merit.

Miss Martin is between 16 and 17 years of age, the daughter of M. Martin, who lives on a farm, very retired, and in rather plain but rural style.  His daughter has been required to share the toil of the house and field, and with little opportunity to study, and with no one to teach, she has found sufficient leisure to display extraordinary taste, talent, and genius.

Her first work was on the unwhitened plastered wall of her chamber.  She commenced with a piece of charcoal and common chalk, using her finger to stamp with.  She has recently obtained some poor crayon and a few paints and brushes.  With these instruments, she has covered the sides of her room with splendid pictures.  Some of her drawings are copied from an old annual, but most of them are entirely the creation of her own fancy, or the scene described in some book she has read.  One side of the room presents a view from a public piazza out upon a water scene bordered by hill and dale, and field and forest; all original, and beautifully conceived.  Groups are presented on the piazza, in various employments, and the figures present not only an accurate proportion, but some of them are shaded and finished in the most exquisite manner.  There are some talking politics and some making love.  One picture presents a boy playing with the dog and cat; the dog and cat are fighting, and the boy has thrown his cap over the head of the dog, and is exulting at the advantage thus given to puss.

There is a large picture on another side, "la premier pas."  A child, with laughing eye, but timid look, is adventuring a first step.  The mother is bending over it to prevent a fall, and a little sister is coaxing it forward, with open arms ready to receive it.  Puss is sitting in a chair, a careless observer of the scene.

And there is a moonlight scene; I will call it "the serenade," in which there is much taste and skill of design and execution.

On the other side is a tragic scene, suggested from reading a romance, difficult but well delineated.  The figures stand out from the wall, and the countenances bear the impress of the passion designed to be expressed.

But the best hit of all is "the young baker."  Mrs. Martin had sent her daughter to make bread, and while engaged, the child (for she has only the appearance of a child,) conceived the idea of drawing a like figure on the wall.  And there it is, not in rude unfinished outline, but a well finished and most strikingly rich crayon drawing.  This picture being alone, in a rough room, full of barrels, meal tubs, and rubbish, and being drawn on the rough plaster, has the most extraordinary effect.  It represents a girl with a very pretty face, bending over her work, her hair disheveled and yet ornamental; the cape tied loose about her neck, and turned round to the side, sleeves rolled up, and both hands delving in the dough.  One could not conceive of any thing more natural.  This picture, alone, is worthy of more than I can write, and no one can have any idea of it without seeing it.

I can only say, that the circumstances of this display of talent are the most extraordinary.  I cannot associate the work and the author together, so strange is the contrast!  One gazes at the pictures and glances at the child, who appears to gaze totally unconscious of the merit they possess.

Morton, en passant.

The opinion of Morton is so much more valuable than our own, that we give his communication a place to the exclusion of some matter we had prepared upon the same subject.

Mr. Charles Sullivan's Studio

The Marietta Gazette, July 25, 1835

It is, perhaps, not generally known that some beautiful productions of the pencil, by a native artist, of no common genius, are to be seen, at present, in an upper room of the new court house. Whoever has an eye and a heart for the unsurpassed beauties of the Ohio scenery, may spend an hour, with peculiar pleasure, in the study of Sullivan’s splendid pictures. His studio at present exhibits some exquisite landscapes, in a finished state; where strength and clearness of color is united with fine drawing and accurate study of nature.

I have spoken of Mr. S. as a native artist, it may be added that he is almost wholly self taught. His principal studio has been La belle riviere, where the ever varying enchantments of the earth and the heavens, beneath skies burning in golden tints, or frowning with the thunder cloud, were his books and his models. The landscape painter, more than any other, realizes Mr. West’s maxim, that “light and shadow never stand still,” and the principal charm of Sullivan’s canvass is its sky – the touchstone in landscape painting. He has most happily verified the oft repeated assertion, that “the poet and the painter are one.” He is the poet and painter of nature.

One of the subjects in our own lovely Marietta. The individual householder, may, perhaps, feel dissatisfied with this picture, because he does not find in it, as large as life, every stick and stone upon his own premises. But to the eye which, from a distant point of observation, looks upon the town as a single feature upon the face of the landscape – a striking one, indeed, amid all the attributes of loveliness which it possesses – will admire the judgment and skill which have harmonized and subordinated it to the other objects. The coloring of this picture has been thought too vivid, or, as it is technically termed, too warm. I do not think so. Let it be remembered that the foliage is that of autumn. May I attempt to describe it? I would do it thus: One night of frost, one breath from the cold northwest, and the morrow’s sun looks out upon colors bright as his own beams, and more variegated than the tints of his many colored bow. It is as if the earth were spanned by one great Iris, throwing its beauties over mountain and valley and stream. If the sunset skies of Italy are flushed with a more gorgeous radiance, they look not, as ours do, on an earth which gives back a picture of magnificent coloring, that even the glories of the firmament do not outshine: it is as if the very air were painted. The colors below so mingle and harmonize with the colors above, that there seems a very blending of earth and sky. Such are the sky and the foliage which Mr. S. has copied with so much truth and spirit in his view of Marietta.

His studio is not without a more general attraction – some fine portraits. To the many, it is the portrait of myself, my wife, my children, or my friends, that interests more than any delineation of natural scenery, or composition of historical event. This is not peculiar to any place or country: it is so in New York, and London, and Paris, as well as in the villages of the interior. If any desire to secure likenesses that seem “veritable flesh and blood,” living and breathing, as it were, in the very atmosphere surrounding them, Mr. S. can given them. He has executed, by way of first studies in this branch of his art, three portraits, the originals of which being resident here, the fidelity of the likeness can be satisfactorily determined. No one, I am persuaded, who has ever seen our Prosecuting Attorney [Arius Nye] before the Court, illuminating “a point of law,” would hesitate a moment in recognizing the Websterian bumps of his ample forehead, as the original of this portrait.

Mr. S. has made also a splendid painting of the soi-distant “Emperor of the World.” The drawing is very accurate – the likeness is perfect – and he has happily seized the expression of Mr. [Edward Postlethwayt] Page’s really fine face, at the moment when it is glowing with his most “sublime and mysterious ken.” “All things,” says the Padra, “are doubled, one against another,” and in this portrait, we have the “Page of Nature” in a Page of Art. There was never anything half so magnificent as his drapery possessed by “Hindoo Chrishna’s 16000 women,” or “160000 sons.” This portrait alone, would repay the trouble of a visit to Sullivan’s studio.

The other portrait is one of our clergy. Not being familiar with his face, I cannot say how good the likeness may be; but as a composition, it is well drawn and firmly painted.

Mr. S. is engaged, moreover, in giving lessons to a class of young gentlemen. I have seen some of their performances. They are equally creditable to the master and his pupils. There can be no greater mistake than the general impression, that drawing is a mere feminine accomplishment. In truth, there is scarcely a profession or pursuit in life, where it is not highly desirable, and frequently important to possess a competent knowledge of this art. And all the time and money expended in the acquisition of it will be richly remunerated in the taste for the refined and innocent pleasure which it gives at home, in place of the doubtful, and often dangerous, relaxations of youth abroad. Mr. Sullivan has two pupils in oil painting: one of them, well known among us, for his original efforts as an amateur, has seized so readily, and so boldly, the scientific principles of the schools, as to give large promise of eminence in the art. Indeed, his last production places the fact of his possessing a high order of talents, beyond doubt. He has only to persevere in a course so worthily and laudably begun, to be entitled to take rank with the distinguished sons of American genius. Mr. S. speaks highly also of his other pupil’s talent, and casts his horoscope among the stars of the first magnitude.

May I not conclude with the expression of the hope that this “seat of learning,” as it is well entitled to be called, will foster, with becoming liberality, this one of the Fine Arts? It is characteristic of genius and extraordinary merit, to be modest and retiring; the subject of this article is eminently so. This public notice of him will be, I doubt not, as annoying to his diffidence, as I trust it will be gratifying to your numerous readers.

W.

A Rare Opportunity

Marietta Gazette & Washington County Agriculturalist, June 29, 1839

J. W. Dodge, Artist from New York city, being unavoidably detained at Harmar, for a short season, would respectfully announce to its citizens, and also those of Marietta, and their vicinities, that he has decided, during his stay, to pursue his profession in the execution of Miniature Likenesses.  To those who wish to possess correct representations of themselves or friends, he would suggest the propriety of an early application.

His "studio" is at the house of Mr. John Delavergne where several specimens of his painting may be seen.

J. W. D., would remark, that he has in his possession, certificates from many of the best judges in the country, in proof of his miniatures being unsurpassed by those of any other Artist in the United States.