Huntington family papers, 1792-1901

Collection Information

Size: 1 Microfilm reel

Summary: 342 letters, 1792-1901, chiefly addressed to Benjamin and Faith Huntington, including frequent correspondence with Faith's siblings Ann Channing Richards, Daniel Huntington, Elizabeth Moore Huntington and Harriet Smith DeWitt. Included are ca. 35 letters, ca. 1840s, from Daniel mainly to his father, his brothers Gurdon and Jedediah Vincent, his brother-in-law Cornelius Ver Bryck, written from London, Florence, Rome and New York, describing his travels throughout Italy, his New York studio and the visitors there, and discussing his current portrait and allegorical work, including his proposal to complete Henry Inman's work for the Rotunda left incomplete at his death in 1846. Letters from the 1870s-1890s are addressed to his nephew Channing.

Also included are an 11 p. draft of an article about Daniel Huntington; excerpts from the Book of Revelation on "Future Life and Rewards"; a poem "To Charlotte"; calling cards; a photograph of Daniel Huntington; household accounts possibly of Faith Huntington; stocks and bonds; a mortgage; and two deeds. Total microfilmed: 1 linear ft.

Biographical/Historical Note

Daniel Huntington (1816-1906) was a portrait painter from New York. His father, Benjamin, married Faith Trumbull in 1812, daughter of Revolutionary War general Jedediah Huntington (1743-1818). Daniel Huntington spent a year at Yale before entering Hamilton College in New York where he met Charles Loring Elliot who encouraged him to paint. Upon graduation in 1836, he returned home to New York City where he studied under Samuel F.B. Morse and Henry Inman. Beginning in 1839, he made several extended journeys to Europe, spending three years in Rome just after his marriage in 1842 to Harriet Sophia Richards, and seven years in London from 1851-1858.

Provenance

Lent for microfilming 1993 by Channing M. Huntington II, whose great grandfather was Daniel Huntington's brother, Gurdon.

Language Note

English .

Location of Originals

• Originals returned to lender after microfilming.