The Founders (Volume 2); Portraits of Persons Born Abroad Who Came to the Colonies in North America Before the Year 1701, With an Introduction, Biographical Outlines and Comments on the Portraits

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1919. Excerpt: ... The Van Schoenderwoert-Bleecker portrait reproduced here is owned by Mrs. James Bayard Speyers, of New York, who writes that family tradition has always given the name of Rutger Jacobsz Van Schoenderwoert, the Albany miller, fur trader, and brewer, to this canvas. The figure has the same pose as that of Simon Volckertse Veeder, who died about 1696. The wig, stock, buttonholes, and pockets seem to be of an era later than 1665, the year in which Rutger is said to have died, although substantially the same costume covered a long period of time. The arms of New York on a seal, dated 1686, have for one of the supporters a man dressed after this fashion. The "Albany Chronicles" of Cuyler Reynolds assigns the picture to Jan Janse Bleecker, born in 1641 and mayor of Albany. This Bleecker was a son-in-law of Van Schoenderwoert, but there appears to be no source of information now accessible to confirm or throw light on this attribution. Bleecker did not die until 1732, and he reached middle life, as he appears in the portrait, during the period when the costume was in use. Several portraits in the "Albany Chronicles" are open to question, so that inclusion there as Bleecker does not in itself carry conviction. Wilson, Rev. John, 1588-1667. So called. (owen?.) This picture, owned by the Massachusetts Historical Society since 1798, has long been in dispute. In September, 1867, Dr. John Appleton suggested that the technique and costume are later than Wilson's day; but if we adopt the very promising hint given by Frank E. Bradish, Esq., in November, 1909, we shall call the picture a portrait of Rev. John Owen, 1616-1683, who was Wilson's contemporary. The technique and costume, therefore, would seem to be too late for Owen if too late for Wilson. The case for Owen seems to be stronger than the c...