My People: The Works of Ammi Phillips – Volume 1 806.
Haxtun family member, probably William Edward Haxtun (1832-1900) – Beekman, Dutchess Co., N.Y., c. 1839 [DRA]. 39" x 31". Son of Elnathan Haxtun [q.v.]. Brother of Sarah E. Haxtun [q.v.]. Grandson of James de Long [q.v.]. Inscr. (verso): The canvas bears a partially-obscured stamp “JOHN & DAN… / BELFAST” which corresponds to linen merchants John & Daniel Curell, Belfast, Ireland, active under that name circa 1837-43. Descr.: Child with short, side-parted blond hair, wearing red dress with short balloon-sleeves and white lace trim, white pantalettes with lace trim, taupe slippers; standing facing p.r., r. hand resting on brown and white dog sitting at feet, l. hand holding sprig with small flower buds; dark (near black) background. Bio.: b. 20 Jan 1832, son of Elnathan Haxtun (1795-1862) and Maria (DeLong) Haxtun (1801-1860); m. 27 Oct 1858 to Sarah Ann Brundige (1838-1913); res. Beekman, Dutchess Co. N.Y., 1850 to 1875 (farmer), and Kewanee, Henry Co., Illinois, 1880 to 1900 (real estate investor, inventor and industrialist); d. 14 Jun 1900 in Kewanee, Henry Co., Illinois; bur. Pilgrim’s Rest Cem., Hopewell Junction, Dutchess Co., N.Y. [DRA] Provenance: The subject’s daughter, Annis B. Haxtun (Mrs. George McKinney Strong, 1864-1941); to her son Frederick Haxtun Strong (1895-1968); to his 2nd wife, Lillian (Wyss) Neff Strong (1904-1997); to his son (her step-son) George Trowbridge Strong (1920-2000); by continued family descent to the recent owner; Olde Hope Antiques, New Hope, Pa. and New York, N.Y. (2022). Status: Private collection as of 2022. See Volume 2.
807.
Ada Kesting (Mrs. Georg Kesting) – Berkshire Co., Mass. or vicinity (probably), circa 1850’s. [DRA] 33-1/2" x 27-1/2" [NEA]. One of a pair. Wife of Georg Kesting [q.v.]. Note: No record of Georg or Ada Kesting has been located. Descr.: Dark-haired, brown-eyed young woman; wearing black dress with pointed lace collar and cuffs, small black and gold octagonal collar brooch; seated facing p.r. on red-upholstered sofa, r. wrist resting on sofa arm, l. hand in lap with index finger extended and holding small, closed black book with gilt spine. Dark neutral background. [DRA] Cond.: Excellent condition with minor restoration. [NEA] Provenance: A descendant of the subjects; by whom sold to Raymond M. Spiller, Norristown, Pa. (dealer); Collection of Thomas F. Schutte and Tess L. Schutte, Ipswich, Mass.; New England Auctions, Branford, Conn. (October 10, 2024) lot 252, sold $9,500+28% the pair (est. $5-7,000). Status: Sold at auction 2024. See Volume 2.
808.
Georg Kesting – Berkshire Co., Mass. or vicinity (probably), circa 1850’s. [DRA] 331/2" x 27-1/2" [NEA]. One of a pair. Husband of Ada Kesting [q.v.]. Note: No record of Georg or Ada Kesting has been located. Inscr. (book spine): “HISTORY”. Descr.: Brown-haired, blue-eyed young man with neck beard; wearing black jacket and vest, white pleated shirt with upturned collar, black stock without bow; seated facing p.l. in red-upholstered armchair, r. arm resting on chair arm, r. hand holding closed black book with gilt spine (see inscription). Dark neutral background. [DRA] Cond.: Excellent condition with minor restoration. [NEA] Provenance: See Ada Kesting. Status: Sold at auction 2024.
809.
William Learned Marcy (1786-1857) – Troy, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., c. 1816-18. 281/2" x 24-1/4". Descr.: Fair-haired, blue-eyed man with strong jaw, swept-forward hairstyle, sideburns; wearing high-collared black jacket, white shirt and stock tied with bow in front, cream-colored and patterned vest; seated facing p.r. in paintdecorated arrow-back side chair, r. arm resting on chair back, l. hand not shown; blue drapery on r. side and u.r. corner of canvas. Bio: b. 12 Dec 1786 in Southbridge, Worcester Co., Mass., son of Jedediah Marcy (1757-1811) and Ruth (Learned) Marcy (1764-1848); res. Troy, Rensselaer Co., N.Y., 1820; Associate Justice, New York Supreme Court (1829-31), U.S. Senator from New York (1831-33), Governor of New York State (1833-38), U.S. Secretary of War (1845-49), and U.S. Secretary of State (1853-57); d. 4 Jul 1857 in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., N.Y.; bur. Albany Rural Cem., Menands, Albany Co., N.Y. [DRA] Provenance: A Worcester, Mass. estate; Bonhams Skinner, Marlborough, Mass., August Americana, Sale 32309 (August 3-13, 2026) lot 77 (est. $5-7,000). Status: To be sold at auction 2026. See Volume 2. 272