American School 18th Century, A Portrait Miniature of New York City Merchant and Firefighter, Thomas Franklin (1762-1830)

the gilt locket case engraved on verso, "Thomas Franklin/ Born 1762," watercolor, together with a volume of The American Magazine: Containing A Miscellaneous Collection of Original and other Valuable Essays in Prose and Verse..., New York, June 1788 to November 1788, pp. 435-882, in original leather binding and inscribed with signature, "Thos Franklin Junr," followed by later inscriptions, "Amelia F. Smith, daughter/Mary F. Smith-grand daughter/Russell S. Cox, son of M/ Margorie Cox Hook-daughter of R."

1 7/8 x 1 3/8 inches (sight).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

By descent in the family of the sitter to his daughter, Amelia Franklin Smith (1806-1864), to daughter, Mary Franklin Smith Cox ( born c.1838) to son, Russell Smith Cox (1869-1935) to daughter, Marjorie Cox Hook, thence to nephew and present owner

Note:

Thomas Franklin was born in Manhattan to Quakers John Franklin (1731-1801) of Westchester, New York and Deborah Morris (1736-1787) of Philadelphia.

He married Sarah Polhemus (1764-1791) in 1783. After Sarah's death, Franklin married Mary Haviland (1773-1854) in 1793. From 1800 to 1805 Franklin, by trade a merchant, was in partnership with George Newbold (1780-1858) as "Franklin & Newbold," New York City importers of tools, hardware, iron, cotton and rice. A passionate firefighter, Franklin joined Engine Company 12 in 1783. He was appointed Assistant Engineer of the Volunteer Fire Department of the City of New York in 1799, and eventually appointed Chief Engineer in 1811. He held the post until 1824 and was fondly known as "Uncle Tommy" by his fellow firefighters.

American School 18th Century, A Portrait Miniature of New York City Merchant and Firefighter, Thomas Franklin (1762-1830)

American School 18th Century, A Portrait Miniature of New York City Merchant and Firefighter, Thomas Franklin (1762-1830)