Beschreibung:

Lot consists of six letters spanning 1785-1791, with the majority of letters written to William Thornton’s wife, Anna Maria Brodeau Thornton, who he married in 1790. William Thornton (1759-1828) was a British-born American best known today as the first Architect of the Capitol as well as the physician who sought to resurrect President George Washington’s corpse. In his time, however, Thornton was a well-connected man of many talents who played an important role in the early days of the nation’s capital. He was a physician, inventor, painter, and an architect. His design for the United States Capitol was chosen in 1793 as the winner of a design competition, and thereafter Thornton embarked upon a prominent career which included appointments as a “Commissioner of the Federal District” for laying out the new capital city of Washington D.C., the first Architect of the Capitol, and Superintendent of the Patent Office. Born to a slave-holding family on the island of Tortula in the British Virgin Islands, Thornton was sent at a young age to England for his formal schooling. He emigrated to the United States in 1786, became a citizen in 1788, and while living in Philadelphia met the woman who would become his wife. Anna Maria Brodeau (1775?-1865) is believed to be originally from England, but moved with her mother to Philadelphia at a young age. In 1790, William Thornton and Anna Maria Brodeau were married. The couple would ultimately move to Washington D.C. and become integral members of the new city’s growing political and social scene, counting George and Martha Washington, John Quincy and Louisa Catherine Adams, and James and Dolley Madison among their personal friends. Before this, however, the young couple began their married life together on William’s island home of Tortula where they resided for approximately two years, October 1790-October 1792. The majority of letters in this collection date from this period, and are written to the young Anna Thornton following her departure from Philadelphia. One letter in the collection pre-dates their marriage, and is written to William Thornton from a friend in England. The letters in this collection are from the personal family papers and collections of Virginia Miller. Miss Miller was the daughter of noted Washington, D.C. physician Dr. Thomas Miller who purchased the home of Anna and William Thornton sometime after the death of William Thornton in 1828, but allowed Anna Thornton to continue to board there. Little correspondence to or from the Thorntons has made its way to auction, making this collection particularly unique. Letters in the collection are as follows: Crosfield, Joseph. ALS, 4pp, 10.75 x 17.5 in., Yanwath [England] 3 mo. 23 1785 and added to on 4 mo. 27 1785. Addressed to “Esteemed Friend.” Includes a few personal notes and then a lengthy transcription of pages from Sir Bulstrode Whitlock’s "Discourses on the Necessity of the Light, Power & Guidance of the Holy Spirit of God to make Men and Women the true children of God." Letter was written to William Thornton in the year before he moved to the United States. Note that this letter is toned, delicate and brittle, with several small holes. Also separation along some folds and three small pieces separated entirely from the larger document. Some portions of text are affected but majority of document is intact and legible. Bourke, M. ALS, 3pp, 7.5 x 8.75 in., “St. Croix.” November 27, 1790. To Mrs. Thornton on Tortola. Discusses her sadness for Anna to go back to Tortula, the beauty of the islands, the wishes of the ladies on St. Croix to be remembered by her, and their hope for a letter from her. Whyte, P. ALS, 4pp, 7.25 x 8.25 in., Islington [England]. Dec. 29, 1790. Addressed to Anna Thornton. Relates her surprise at the news Anna was married and moved to Tortula and her hopes that Mr. Thornton will bring her back for a visit. ALS from "Mrs. [Illegible] & family." 4pp, 7.5 x 9 in, Islington [England]. Feb 23, 1791. Addre