REMARKABLE FOLK ART. HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT.
Jackson Morton (1794-1874)
Soldier, U.S. Senator, & Secessionist
Ca. 1815. 

General of volunteer militia
Antebellum U. S. Senator (Florida)
Active in the development of the Confederacy
Congressman of the Confederate States during the Civil War.
Met with Lincoln to try and prevent War.

Stunningly stylized, a sensational example of folk portraiture. Watercolor ‘cutout’ mounted on paper (believed to be originally done in this manner.) On the back is a drawing of an American ship, documentation stating that it was done in Virginia around 1815.

Jackson Morton (1794-1874), born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Attended Washington College (now Washington and Lee) in 1814. Graduated from William and Mary in 1815. President Florida Territorial Legislative Council,1837. In 1838, delegate to the constitutional convention for the first Florida Constitution. U.S. Navy agent 1841-1845. U.S. Senate 1848-1855 (Whig Party-Florida) From a letter written in 1962 by ‘Bessie Morton __ipscomb’ (presumably a descendant) accompanying the portrait: “In 1860, he was one of a group of Southern Commissioners, who met Lincoln, on a Gun Boat, in the Potomac River, attempting to persuade President Lincoln to surrender the forts of the Southern States, with the view of preventing war”. In 1861 he was a Deputy to the Provincial Congress that met in Alabama of the Confederate States of America. He served [in the CSA] during the war. Very good condition with toning, the toning character adding. Original frame about 11 inches x 9 (losses to frame as shown).

Provenance includes: Pre-1900: Anne Terrel Wolfe, Charlottesville, VA; Kara Markwood Wolfe who’s grand daughter brought it to Jacksonville, FL about 1900. PRIVATE COLLECTION SINCE THE 1960’S.