Boston « The Anglophile

April 27, 2012

BOSTON’S 18TH AND EARLY 19TH CENTURY TIES WITH ENGLAND

Filed under: Boston,THE MOORE FAMILY — tmooresr @ 10:57 am

Mrs. Moore inherited a few wonderful family heirlooms. We were just in Boston to pack family antiques and were pleased to pass some of the most precious family possessions on to another generation. In an 1802 diary of Enoch and Mary Swett of Boston, Massachusetts, there is a very interesting diary entry which says that the Boston couple had just returned from a six-month stay in Britain where Mary Fowler Swett purchased household items for her home in Boston and a miniature portrait of her husband Enoch and a small walking stick with an “exotique canine” handle for herself. We were thrilled to inherit these wonderful items. The cane handle is splendidly carved ivory with cornelian and jet eyes; it is the work of a wonderful artist. For me, this is another example of the close ties between England and the the young United States. This Transatlantic cross took place ten years before the War of 1812, and Atlantic crossings at this time were very dangerous and lengthy. I am only sorry that Enoch Swett does not comment on his crossing. Perhaps it was so horrific that he didn’t wish to remember the details. We do know that three generations of the Swett family crossed the Atlantic for Britain between 1750 – 1860. Two of the families lived in London for long periods of time. I think this is a great family story with fine antiques to highlight the Swett diary story.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 31, 2012

THE OLD FAMILY ATTIC: An early 1800′s grandfather clock found in pieces *** a great family TREASURE

Filed under: antiques,Boston — tmooresr @ 10:07 am

Our visit home to Boston has been eventful. This morning, my wife and I decided we wanted to check out the old attic of this family home. I am sure Stephanie’s mother Louise thought we were crazy, but we were determined to go on a hunt under the roofs of this old New England home. We found boxes of old family books and picture frames–just like everyone else’s attic. Suddenly, I spotted a clock face and a bonnet of an old clock. As my excitement mounted, I could hardly wait to crawl across the attic flooring. Suddenly, I was sitting in front of an old family clock– which long before any living member of the family lived in this 18th century house– struck hour after hour, week after week, even century after century. It was in pieces. I don’t know how the clock fell into disrepair, but I knew that I was going to restore it to its original beauty. The clock was made in Oakhampton, and on the back the date 1802 is written on the back of the face. I have checked with the family history and find that one branch of the family, the Williams, came to Boston in 1807 from Oakhampton. Before Stephanie and I started to move the pieces of the clock out of the attic, I decided I wanted to photograph the clock in the spot where it has been stored for many years. I thought my readers would enjoy this story. It has been a really exciting morning in overcast and cool Boston.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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NAHANT, MASSACHUSETTS: “Home again, home again–jiggedy jig?

Filed under: Boston — tmooresr @ 3:05 am

Boston, Massachusetts is where my wife calls HOME. Stephanie spent her early years here until she left for University life and marriage in the Wild West. But in her heart, Massachusetts is still, in some ways, home. Growing up between Boston and Nahant, a small island connected to the North Shore by a causeway, was an idyllic life of wonderful old homes, the ocean, rooms filled with family history and treasures, and lots of family who often vacationed between New Hampshire and Nahant. We are here this week in Massachusetts to collect and bring to our home in the West family treasures which have been given to my wife by her aging mother. Her mother’s Staffordshire collection and her father’s ivory carvings will now live with us. But being in New England in this rich culture where wonderful cabinets and desks are filled with diaries and letters all dating to 1820, 1830 and 200 year old paintings hang on the walls is inspirational. The sea coast with its rocky shores and splashing waves, clam chowder, lobster, wonderful vegetables including very sweet parsnips, and free range eggs bring back great memories. I love clam chowder and fried clams and oysters at the Barnacle in Marblehead. But nothing matches the magnificent views on Nahant Island. In some ways, it is the closest I can get to the fishing villages on the south coast of England where clapboard houses still remind me of New England. Let me share a few photographs of my wife’s world on this beautiful, idyllic island: Nahant.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 26, 2012

THE CARROLL-HARTSHORN HOUSE, Reading, Massachusetts (www.londonconnection.com) — 1790-1810 paintings of an historic House in our family’s collection

Filed under: Boston — tmooresr @ 12:10 pm

Mrs. Moore and I leave for Boston tomorrow. We always love to return to Stephanie’s world around Boston, but this is going to be an unusual trip because we are bringing to our home Stephanie’s Boston family Staffordshire figures which are really wonderful. Staffordshire pairs of King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, historic figures, Scottish themes, and of course Biblical figures dominate this large family collection. I am delighted to have them because they have belonged to my wife’s family and also because they are such a part of Victorian England. The other reason is Stephanie is inheriting her father and mother’s carved ivory collection. Magnificent pairs of Chinese figures, tusks, horses mounted with oriental figures–it is a splendid collection of great sentimental value. I will photograph the collection as we pack and care for the fine items. We are flying to Boston and then driving to the West in a rental car; I just won’t trust the entire collection to a shipping company. Two beautiful needle worked French chairs belong to two of my daughters, and they will come back with us as well. It will be wonderful to have these wonderful treasures to assure that the collections will not be disbursed, but it is sad to see a lovely grandmother start to disburse his family’s personal possessions. This is an old Boston family with ancestors dating back to the first half of the 17th century in this country. Their family home has been Beacon Street and Nahant Island for many generations.

The second reason I am going is to meet the owners of the CARROLL-HARTSHORN HOUSE in Reading, Massachusetts. They don’t know we are coming, but we will knock on their 18th century door to bring them good news. We have three paintings which hung on the walls of the Carroll-Hartshorn House in Reading, Massachusetts, since early in the 19th century. These paintings came into our family about 30 years ago when the Carroll family who owned the house for years sold them to us. Two of the pictures–the ca. 1810 portrait of the house and the 1835 portrait of a resident–have hung on the wall of this historic house for nearly 175 years. I am not willing to return them, but I am eager to provide photographic copies on canvas to the current owners. I hope the visit will be an exciting experience. I spent years going in and out of that house, and I know it well.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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March 18, 2012

MRS. MOORE AND I RETURN TO BOSTON THIS WEEK: Boston Fine Arts Museum, here we come!

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,Boston — tmooresr @ 9:52 pm

My wife’s mother has decided that it is time that her extensive Staffordshire figures collection should come to us. They have been gathered over many years, and Stephanie and I are eager to see that the collection stays together and in good hands. The family’s ivory collection of figures, horses, tusks, children is to come to us as well. Two Louis XVI walnut chairs which Stephanie and I covered in needlepoint which we worked when we were young and foolish are to come to two of our daughters. So, Mrs. Moore and I are going home to Boston to gather and pack these fine family heirlooms. We have decided to pack a car and drive across the country so we can have a few days enjoying the country landscapes in the beauty of early spring. But while in Boston, there are two places I want to visit. One of them is a third visit to Braintree to see the home of John Adams and his posterity. The second place is the Boston Fine Arts Museum to see the portraits by John Singleton Copley. Every time I see the equestrian portrait of George IV when Prince of Wales, I have to remind myself that his later life was spent in London where he died. Copley’s family members were Loyalists; however, the artist’s heart was in the colonies on his land on the Charles River. He never returned to the young United States because of his commissions and financial responsibilities in London. Don’t you agree that a double-take is warranted when one encounters this portrait of the Prince Regent, painted in 1810 in London, on a large wall in the Boston Fine Arts Museum? How it came to Boston is another great story. What a wonderful painting to enjoy as we close this Sunday evening.

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Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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November 14, 2011

THE EDUCATION OF HENRY ADAMS: That was an experience!

Filed under: Boston,LITERATURE,USA — tmooresr @ 11:08 am

I have just finished THE EDUCATION OF HENRY ADAMS by Henry Adams. I am a bit out of breath. For those of you who love history, this is a MUST READ. I had not read any of Henry Adams except the multi-volumes of THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES which was overwhelming. I am really encouraging my good readers to take on THE EDUCATION OF HENRY ADAMS. My wife’s family is an old Boston family, so I have understanding of the Adams family background and taste. THIS IS A VERY WORTHWHILE READ. If you want to understand 19th century Europe through the eyes of a privileged American, this is the publication. Take it on, you won’t be sorry. Very insightful. Wow!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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November 3, 2011

STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURES IN A BOSTON HOUSE: Massachusetts families and their ties to Britain

Filed under: antiques,Boston — tmooresr @ 7:16 pm

Yesterday, as I was reading in Stephanie’s mother’s house, I looked around me in the informal rooms of this old house, and I could spot Staffordshire figures in almost every room. This Staffordshire collection has been gathered by several generations of my wife’s family–all during Victorian 19th century. Several of the pieces would have been purchased during their travels to England, but others would have been bought in the shops of 19th century Boston, all up and down Charles Street. Several of them would have been on the mantels of the fireplaces in the house on Beacon Hill and others are in the place for which they were purchased for the house in Nahant. But what struck me most was the ties between Bostonians and England all during the last century. The English Staffordshire figures are evidence of the shared taste between the two countries. I love Staffordshire figures; however, they are not to everyone’s taste. Every mantel in British cottages would have had a pair of Staffordshire dogs, and the old oak hutch would have had Staffordshire blue and white platters with Staffordshire cottage figures tucked in between. To some degree, in many Amerian homes of the period, these same figures would have been prominently displayed. They have been the “taste and style” of my wife’s family for generations. I thought I would share a few images of these figures; you will think you are in an English cottage in the Cotswolds. Well, you aren’t. You are in an old house in Nahant, Massachusetts, a few miles from the port where they were first imported. I love them.

Historical themes Staffordshire figures

The Empress Eugenie who was very popular in England and eventually lived in Britain in exile

I love the old Staffordshire cow in the oak cupboards in the game room downstairs

Dick Turpin sits proudly in the oak cupboards downstairs

Uncle Tom and Eva from UNCLE TOM’S CABIN was on every cottage mantel in England as well as in America. It was the most popular book written during the 19th century.

Staffordshire dogs were on every 19th century mantel–they were King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, of course

A very early Staffordshire figure of Rebecca at the well

Toby jugs were very popular–many were seen in public houses

The Scottish theme was popularized by Queen Victoria’s devotion to the Highlands.

A robust figure of Napoleon III who had just come to Windsor Castle and charmed the young Queen who found him charming and his wife beautiful. So, of course, they end up in Staffordshire.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing these Staffordshire figures which bring great charm to this New England house. Lovely.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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BOSTON: AMERICA’S MOST BRITISH CITY. “Farewell” We return to Salt Lake City tomorrow

Filed under: Boston — tmooresr @ 1:36 am

Stephanie and I seem to be traveling somewhere all the time; we barely empty one suit case when we are packing another for another jaunt somewhere. Boston holds a dear place in our hearts as it is the center of Stephanie’s family where this old New England “clan” has lived for decades–in fact for more than three centuries. We walk through Boston Common, down Beacon Hill, up Charles Street, over to the State House and through and down all the lanes of this historic old city. So, it is with a bit of a heavy heart that today we prepare to be on the move again. We are going to Revere Beach for fried clams at Kelly’s and then for a long walk through Nahant and around the old family home. I thought of our two weeks visiting Stephanie’s aging mother and older sister, but it is her brother David that wins my heart. We talk about politics and history; he is a great scholar and we share wonderful times together. There have been several “highs” during this visit, but three events have to be the stars, moon, and the sun: The Stuart portraits of Martha and George Washington in the Boston Fine Arts, the Boston Massacre image in the Boston Fine Arts, and our visit to the house of John and Abigail Adams. Those were the top three moments which brought tears to my eyes. With a very British perspective from my family, being in Boston completes the story of two great cities: London and Boston. My son Thomas Jr. left Salt Lake this early morning for London to sign contracts for additional flats for our company; he is a capable young man with an amazing desire to provide the best accommodations possible for our guests. Certainly through his veins runs a great heritage with another generation of our family tying together two countries with great history. He will be in London when Stephanie and I return to Salt Lake tomorrow, so we won’t be able to compare notes for almost a month. Thomas will be busy in London while I will be back at my desk helping people choose the accommodation best suited for them. What in the world would we do without Cristina in London and Becky in the home office in Utah! Goodness, it has been a long and exciting journey creating a company out of the things which are most meaningful to this family. Thanks very much for coming along with us. It is indeed an exciting journey: London. I hope we are serving you well.

Goodness, isn’t this the most magnificent image!

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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November 1, 2011

MARIKA’S ANTIQUE SHOP ON CHARLES STREET, BOSTON

Filed under: antiques,Boston — tmooresr @ 1:21 am

Our family has been buying at Marika’s Antique Shop on Charles Street for fifty years. A visit to Boston is never complete without checking out this fine old antique shop. My wife’s aunt who also lived on Beacon Hill used to come into Marika’s on a regular basis and was a good friend of this fine old world dealer. The two ladies had lunch together, talked about enamels, fans, Staffordshire, on and on. Marika would save some of her best things for Mrs. Swett, and many of those items are now in my wife’s family homes. When I came on the scene, Marika became a good friend of mine. She knew what I had inherited and what I liked, and she added many items of the best quality to my “pile.” When I go into the shop now, I like to see Marika’s picture on the wall as if she were still there. Her nephew took over the shop to carry on Marika’s honorable place on Charles Street. I love wandering down Charles Street in and out of all the shops. If you are in Boston and if you like the dust and clutter of a great old antique shop, don’t miss Marika’s. I love to listen to all the collectors and friends who gather in the shop and talk about the recent shows and up-coming auctions. it is really fun. You will probably find something you cannot live without.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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October 31, 2011

AUGUSTUS ST.- GAUDENS: Shaw and the 54th Afro-American Massachusetts Voluntary Infantry

Filed under: Art and Sculpture,Boston — tmooresr @ 6:00 am

An early morning walk today has found me standing in front of the Augustus St.-Gaudens’ memorial to Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Afro-American Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The magnificent memorial by St.-Gaudens is a complicated and skillful tribute to this brave group of Afro-Americans who volunteered to fight in the cause of the North during the Civil War. Again, I reflected on the sculptures of London and realized that the statue of Lincoln on Parliament Square is another memorial sculpture by St.-Gaudens. Recently I finished McCullough’s book THE GREATER JOURNEY where several pages are dedicated Saint-Gaudens’ life in Europe, particularly in France. What stunning objects these sculptures are: Boston, New York, Dublin, and GOLD 20 US DOLLAR COINS. As I stood on the Boston Common and thought about this great sculptor, I could only admire the great contributions of this amazing man. Absolutely wonderful. I had to post a comment; I was touched.

Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918

http://www.londonconnection.com

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