Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861

Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861

Item Information

Title:
Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861
Description:
This hand-tinted, quarter-plate ambrotype in leather case with rectangular brass mat, (3 inches w. x 4 inches h.), c. 1855-1861, shows Williamsburg, Mass., resident Stephen Meekins (1812-1884) sitting on a bench at the entrance to President George Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River in Virginia. Meekins had a particular interest in President Washington and owned contemporary books written by and about him. Meekins was not known to travel, so this trip was unusual. Meekins was an industrious, thrifty and prosperous farmer in Williamsburg, raising sheep and growing teasels (a prickly herb with a flower head used to raise a nap on cloth when dried). Meekins married Williamsburg resident Wealthy Bradford (1812-1875) in 1835. They had no children. Meekins was a benefactor of Williamsburg, Mass. A free town library, named for him, was the 'hobby and dream of his life.' He left a bequest of more than $30,000 for that purpose when he died in 1894, and the library was established by 1895. The library building was dedicated on February 1, 1897. Meekins is buried in the Village Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg, his grave on the hill marked by a large granite monument.
Name on Item:
Photographer unknown
Date:
[ca. 1855–1861]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Meekins Library
Collection (local):
Meekins Library, Williamsburg, Mass., Local History, Historic Photographs Collection
Subjects:
Meekins, Stephen, 1812-1894
Ambrotypes
Portraits--19th century
Williamsburg (Mass.)
Washington, George, 1732-1799--Tomb
Tombs--Virginia--Mount Vernon
Meekins Library
Bradford, Wealthy, 1812-1875
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampshire (county) > Williamsburg
Virginia > Fairfax (county) > Mount Vernon (historic site)
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/47429c46r
Terms of Use:
Permission to publish the image must be obtained from the Meekins Library by writing to ddarienzo@cwmars.org or Meekins@cwmars.org. Meekins Library, Williamsburg, Mass. must be credited as the original source of the item for all use.
Contact host institution for more information.
Language:
English
Notes:
Part of the Meekins Library, Williamsburg, Mass., Local History, Historic Photographs Collection. http://www.meekins-library.org/
Identifier:
Meekins Library-Local History-Historic Photographs Collection-Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb
stephen_meekins_at_washingtons_tomb_ambotype_c1855-1861