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Portrait of William Sinton (1787-1860)
No image number on slide

Portrait of William Sinton (1787-1860)

Date1835-1840
Attributed to Charles Burton (1782 - after 1847)
OriginAmerica, Virginia, Richmond
Mediumwatercolor and graphite on paper
DimensionsUnframed: 10 1/4 x 8 1/4in. (26 x 21cm) and Framed: 14 x 12in.
Credit LineGift of Louise Sinton Clay and Caryl Sinton Carlson in memory of their father, Admiral William Sinton, USN (Ret)
Object number2001.300.1
DescriptionA bust-length profile portrait of a man facing left, shown within a fully furnished interior. He has sideburns and curly hair, a white stock and shirt and black coat. He faces a window whose curtain is held back by a drapery tie-back. A framed portrait hangs on the back wall, a patterned rug covers the floor, and a side chair with an oval back splat is on the far wall.
Label TextIncluded among the numerous Richmond, Virginia, portrait subjects depicted by Charles Burton are at least a dozen members of William Sinton's extended family. The bust-length and profile format of this portrait are typical of the larger group, as is the significant amount of detail in the background.
William Sinton grew up near Rich Hill (County Armagh), Ireland, and was a member of the Society of Friends. In 1810, he immigrated to Richmond, Virginia, where his aunt and uncle, John and Hannah Watts Clarke, were already well established. He had only been in Richmond a short time when he sent home a candid description of his first cousins, the Clarkes' children. Some of these kin were not at all to William's liking, but he found Rebecca Clarke to be a "lively funny girl with a good deal of humour." He married Rebecca on December 7, 1816. Shortly thereafter, both were disowned at the Friends Henrico Monthly Meeting for marrying "contrary to discipline."
InscribedA modern label on the backboard reads, "JOHN SINTON/B/ 1813 D. 1878". [This suggests that the frames for 2001.300.1 and 2001.300.3 were switched at some point, it is not known why]. A pencil inscription upside down in the middle back of the lower frame member reads, "4".
ProvenanceFrom the subject to his grandson, Arthur C. Sinton (1854-1933); to his dauther, Mrs. Howard Sutton (Ellen Binford Sinton) (1884- 1968); to her brother, Admiral William Sinton (1896-1977); to his wife, Mrs. William Sinton (Christine Lincoln)(1902-1988); to her daughter, Mrs. Harry F. Carlson, Jr. (Caryl Sinton), who is AAFFAM's donor.