The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-08-05
PORTRAIT OF CAPT.
DEWEY GIVEN TO
SOCIETY
Unusual Painting Presented to
Historical Association.
is REVOLUTIONARY HERO
Picture Which is Remarkable One
Presented in Memory of Ger
trude cuyster HubbelI

Hanging in the reception room OF
the caretaker's home on the Benning-
ton battle monument grounds is
large oil portrait of Captain Elijah
Dewey, the present of a group of
|. prominent local men to the Benning-
ton Battle Monument and Historical
association The picture was pur-
chased recently from Mrs. Nellie
Brayton Wilson and hung in the
lodge last Thursday 1t is a well ex-
ecuted portrait OF that notable char
acter and is said to be a very good
| resemblance.
A little more than two years ago
number of prominent men deter
mined to purchase this picture, which
had been in the possession of the
| Dewey descendants for a long time.
After the death of Miss Gertrude C.
| Hubbell the painting reverted to her
niece, Mrs. Nellie Brayton Wilson. 1t
was from Mrs. Wilson that the paint
ing was purchased, the fund for this
purpose having been raised by sub
scription.
II is not necessary 70 give the his
tory OF Captain Dewey, as he is well
known to all loyal Benningtonians A
brief synopsis would, however, not be
out OF place Elijah Dewey was born
in Westtield, Mass, In November
1744. He was the son of Rev. Jele-
diah Dewey, the first pastor Of the
First Congregational church in Ben
nington. He led very active life
and is known chiefly for his participa-
ton in the battle of Bennington.
where he Yves in command of com
pany OF Bennington men, ana also
served In other engagements of the
war Capt elijah Dewey was the
landlord Of Dewey's Tavern, the pre-
decessor of the Walloomsac Inn,
where large gatherings were held 10
discuss those stirring times. lie was
afterward a captain Of the militia. It
was at this inn that his wife stayed
during the progress Of the battle and
cooked all day in anticipation Of the
return of the hungry men from the
front Captain Elijah Dewey died in
Bennington October 16, 1919.
The portrait Is the work Of Artist
Earle. a paiate- of considerable re
puta.ion in the eaily days 1t vas
painted in 1898. This artis- also
painted a picture showing Bennington
when the town was young.
The picture is that of a life sized
sitting figure OF a man of probably
some so years. At the first glance
as Il should be in all portraits, the
eye is attracted TO the face and head
In the slightly more than three quar-
ters view a somewhat long face is
seen, not the typical long and usually
cynical face. but one in which a Ger.
tain air of plumpness Is suggested.
probably because Of the rather heavy
iowls. The brown eyes are keen and
penetrating. but are al the same time
both frank and indicative Of a char
acter in which kindness and gentle
ness plays no small pGrs The nose
is OF the high acquiline narrow nos
trilled type-a type lone considered
mark OF aristocracy
About the corners of the tightly
compressed lips are the suggestions
OF a lurking smile. The mouth, which
is perhaps little small, contains evi-
dence of frmness of character This
trait and that of austerity is further
emphasized by the prominent chin
and the strong square cut determined
jaws The black, grey tinged haii
+. is brushed tightly back from the face
b. and in the back is quite long, reach
4 ing to the shoulders.
- To the observer the impression con
r veyed Is that a man of an highly up
b right and Just character. II is the
1 face of man of aggressiveness anC
innexbility. The twinkle in the wild,
{ ly set brown eyes and the slightly
I smiling mouth shows that the nee
A essary saving grace of humor is no
e wanting and that the man. although
4 known to history as stern soldier
\ could in his position as proprietor o
n an inn, swap jokes and quips and ap
h preciate the lighter side of life al
e we'll as any OF his neighbors.
@ He is pictured as wearing a coat
4 tight fitting about the waist but larg,
h and full at the collar OF coarse home
/. spun black material pleasing
|. touch of white lace at the throat
formed by the picturesque stock
- worn at that period. and the bits o
n lace at the wrist relieves the sugges
e tion of solemnity about the dark-coa
4 The right arm is resting on a small
4 table, the top of which is covere,
y with cloth OF dark green frnge'
}. with gold. The left hand holds
~ pamphlet or newspaper The red
II dish colored brass studded chair ny
D. on which he Is seated adds welcome
n bit of color 10 the picture.
e Behind the figure Is draped darl
red. almost brown, curtain, whicl
h. blends tremendously with the red o
IS the chair the black clothing, tn
r. tint of the face and the BACKGROUND
~ OF greyish blue.
e. At the left OF the figure is the oil
Walloomsac Inn, OF which Capt. Dew