David McCann with the Gilbert Stuart portrait of Samuel Miles that was pulled out of storage at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Not all GS works are constantly on display. The photo below shows David involved in his mission to study the social history of his ancestors Samuel and wife Catherine Wister Miles.
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Colonel Samuel Miles; Gilbert Stuart c 1800
in the collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art
The genius of Gilbert Stuart, acknowledged during his lifetime & today as well, was his ability to nail the likeness of the sitter onto the canvas.
From Lawrence Park:
Born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He served in the French and Indian wars and in 1761 settled in Philadelphia as a wine merchant, becoming also a large landholder in Chester County, where he founded the town of Milesburg. He was a member of the Assembly in 1772-1776, and was appointed brigadier-general of the Pennsylvania forces in 1776 after having been taken prisoner at the battle of Long Island in the previous August. He was exchanged in 1778 and became successively Judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals, member of the city council of Philadelphia, alderman and mayor. His autobiography, written in 1802, was published in 1873 in the "American Historical Record," Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, c. 1800. Panel, 29x 23 1/2 inches. This bust portrait shows him turned half-way to the right, with his grayish-blue eyes directed at the spectator. His thin locks, sparse on top, but long at the back of his head, are grayish-white. He wears a black coat, white neckcloth and lace jabot. The order of the Society of the Cincinnati is suspended from his left coat lapel. The background is in tones of olive, shading to almost black towards the left. At the right is a draped curtain of brownish-plum.
Presented in 1909 by Miss Elizabeth F. McKean to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washinton, D.C.
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David McCann notes about Mile's captivity by the British; "In correspondence from General William Howe, Colonel Miles was granted a two-week parole provided, under the strictest of regulations, he did nothing to further the patriot cause. ...in December, 1777 he [Miles] made good use of [this] time as he was reunited with Catherine [see entry before this one, Catherine Miles] at their Spring Mill home. John Wister Miles was born on September 9, 1778. The John Miles branch of the family would lead to me; hence John’s birth takes on greater significance. His Majesty’s Government of King George III is to be thanked for its benevolence. "
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Aren't genetics amazing? Look at how much they resemble each other.
ReplyDeleteNot only do we get to see great art, we also get fascinating history as well! Great blogg Beth!
ReplyDeleteCol Samuel Miles was my 5th greatgrandfather it is really nice to see pictures of my ancetor's
ReplyDeleteLaDonna
My Sister Ladonna sent me the url to your site here.
ReplyDeleteWe are just beginning to gather info on the Miles. We decend from Samuel Miles Grandson of Col. Samuel Miles. I'd like to here what other info you have on the family if you would write to me at mercerd@charter.net I would appreciate it.
Dear LaDonna and sister,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for writing. Has David written you? He can send you more information...I will write him to.
I am interested in the business dealings of Col. Miles in the period 1795-1802. I would appreciate any information.
ReplyDeleteRalph Seeley
Colonel Samuel Miles is also my great 5x's grandfather. While I have always had an interest in family history, it's only recently that I became aware of Colonel Samuel. Commenter LaDonna and I come down the same family branch...our grandparents were siblings. I would be interested in any other family history, i.e. photos that you have. Do you photos of John Wister Miles or his son Samuel Miles? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCol. Samuel Miles was my 5th great grandfather as well. I am just getting into the Miles side of my family genealogy so if anyone has information to share i would really appreciate it. My Great Grandfather was Anna Margaret Linnard Miles, born January 14th 1852. I have a fair bit of info on the family and would love to share with anyone. Nancy Malcolm James
ReplyDeleteSamuel Miles with my 7th great grandfather....small world :)
ReplyDeleteColonel Samuel Miles was my 5th great grandfather. Any suggestions for finding genealogical information on his father, James; grandfather, Richard; and greatgrandfather, James; would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteTo VMiles - Under the name of Skein Lane I posted that Colonel Samuel is my 5x's great grandfather as well. I have a little information re: his father and granfather. I am in touch with David, Nancy and LaDonna..all who have posted here. You can contact me at skeinlane@aol.com. Would love to hear from you. Which branch do you come from?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteApologies for the previously deleted comment.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn - Based on limited genealogical information I have access to, I am a descendant of John Wistar Miles (1778-1830), son of Colonel Samuel Miles and wife Catherine. Having researched the Miles lineage for only the past several days has often been frustrating and confusing.
To VMiles - I am also a direct descendant of John Wister Miles. His son Joseph Green Miles is my grandmother's grandpa. Which of John Wister Miles children is your branch? I have a lot of Miles family history info and I am happy to help if you would like more info.
ReplyDeleteTo VMiles - whoops the hour is late and I mixed up the Josephs. As you pointed out in email Joseph Green Miles is your branch. My Joseph Miles is the son of Rev Samuel Miles (brother of Joseph Green Miles). Glad to be in touch!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Art Miles. My father Rich Essington Miles is also a great 5x's grandfather of Col Samuel Miles. We've had handed down to us for 5 generations some portraits of John Wister Miles (son of Col Miles) and John's wife Catherine Essington Miles. The portraits were created by the famous painter Gilbert Stewart around 1823. I'd like to send a photo of the paintings but I'm not sure how to do that on this web page. Does anyone know how to do this? We also have a copy of the last will and testament of Col Miles!
ReplyDeleteMy email is Art.Miles@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMy dad's is REMiles7@aol.com
if you have any questions!
I forgot, I also have the John Wister Miles antique bedroom set at my home in Orlando!
My Great x 6 Grandfather Is Samuel Miles and I have been Studying Our family line back as far as i can but I would love to learn more is there a way to contact David on this subject? if so email Shanam42@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Shana Miles
Good Morning to you Beth - ! And thank you for your ongoing efforts with the Gil;bert Stuart blog! To Shana - I am delighted to have forwarded information about Samuel - the nation's first faithless elector - interesting particularly as we once again grapple with the value of the Electoral College!
ReplyDeleteGood Afternoon, Samuel Miles was my great great grandfather on my mother's side. HIs daughter Anna Margaret Linnard Miles, married to Soloman K Spears/Speers. I have spent quite a few years looking for information on their daughter Helen Pauline Spears Querrie Brisbois. She passed away when my mother was 8 and we have very little information on her or her siblings. THanks to anyone who can help me with this
ReplyDeleteSamuel Miles was my grandfather as well. im a direct decendent of the Potts family.abigal miles married david potts I believe who with Thomas potts came to putnum.. now Zanesville ohio. issac potts owned the forge in the valley,,Vally Forge,his home was washingtons headquarters. I am in possession of 1 of what was a brace of silver mounted flintlock pistols owned by col. Miles,passed down to me. im trying to locate the other which was sold by my aunt Ida Potts in the 1940"s. any help or interest or help would be loved ! JOE Morrison.Zanesville Oh. joebad7349@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJust saw your post and it is most interesting. I now have a blog related to our Miles family history as well as a Facebook page "Pugh and Miles Family History". It would be wonderful to post a picture of the flintlock pistol and its history. Is that something you would be willing to do? I can be reached at skeinlane@aol.com. Here are the links to the blog and page.
ReplyDeletehttp://fredpughfamily.wordpress.com/
can't grab the link for FB right now...but it is Pugh and Miles Family History. If you are on FB you can search for that page.
Thanks,
Carolyn Pugh
My direct ancestory is Reverend Samuel Miles
to CAROLYN ,, I SENT A RESPONSE TO YOUR POST. I CAN BE REACHED AT Morrison.joe8156@yahoo.com on facebook or via gmail at joebad7349@gmail.com thanks !!
ReplyDeleteSamuel Miles was my 4X great grandfather. His bio is a fascinating look at a man of many facets who was one of colonial times and early U.S. development.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Dowd....can you share your line from Samuel Miles? It's always so fascinating to see how so many of us are connected.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Pugh
David, thank you for enriching us with details of their lives. Like many others here, I am also a descendant of Samuel and Catherine. Their busy lives were intriguing as they accomplished so much. Truly a love story and lots of historic tales. When I was young, I remember dressing up in the time period attire and walking in the Milesburg bicentennial parade. My grandmother, Verna (John) Miles was pictured in the National Geographic magazine at this parade. If anyone knows where I can obtain a copy, I would so much appreciate it. Natalie (Miles) Moore. ososweetz28@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteNo one has mentioned yet that Samuel Miles was the first "faithless elector" in US history, in 1796. He was elected to vote for John Adams, but went with Thomas Jefferson instead.
ReplyDeleteSamuel and Catherine's niece Sarah is known for "The Diary of Sally Wister" recounting her family's evacuation during the war. Their great-grandnephew Owen Wister, Jr wrote The Virginian, adapted into a TV series in the 1960s.