Rhoda Goodrich (Mrs. William Northrop) Bentley and Daughter1815–182034 x 27 " (86.4 x 68.6 cm)
Frame: 37 x 30 x 1 1/2 " (94 x 76.2 x 3.8 cm)Oil on canvas; in original frameGift of Ralph and Bobbi Terkowitz2019.3.101566816731P1.2018.1Ammi PhillipsPaintingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain.Lebanon SpringsLebanon SpringsUnited StatesNew YorkPaintingsLebanon SpringsThe portrait of Mrs. William Northrop Bentley (Rhoda Goodrich 1786–1842) and her daughter Maria Louisa H. Bentley (1813–1901), was painted by Ammi Phillips as a companion to the portrait of Captain William Northrup Bentley (1777–1849). In his portrait, Captain Bentley holds a book whose title references the biblical freeing of the Hebrew slaves. In the portrait of Mrs. Bentley her daughter holds a slice of watermelon. Both portraits thus make oblique reference to the “peculiar institution” of slavery. A state law abolishing slavery was passed in New York on July 4, 1799 thus ensuring that the children of slaves were free, but full freedom did not pass until July 4, 1827. The Bentleys were the proprietors of Columbia Hall in Lebanon Springs, New York. Columbia Hall was the first spa and largest hotel in Lebanon, with 300 rooms. It was visited by George Washington, General Lafayette, and other early American luminaries. The hotel remained in the family until it was sold in 1846 and later destroyed. After Rhoda Bentley died, William went to Chicago with his daughter Maria Louisa and her family, where he died of cholera in 1849.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgP1.2018.118151820 2019 3 1 The portrait of Mrs. William Northrop Bentley (Rhoda Goodrich 1786–1842) and her daughter Maria Louisa H. Bentley (1813–1901), was painted by Ammi Phillips as a companion to the portrait of Captain William Northrup Bentley (1777–1849). In his portrait, Captain Bentley holds a book whose title references the biblical freeing of the Hebrew slaves. In the portrait of Mrs. Bentley her daughter holds a slice of watermelon. Both portraits thus make oblique reference to the “peculiar institution” of slavery. A state law abolishing slavery was passed in New York on July 4, 1799 thus ensuring that the children of slaves were free, but full freedom did not pass until July 4, 1827. The Bentleys were the proprietors of Columbia Hall in Lebanon Springs, New York. Columbia Hall was the first spa and largest hotel in Lebanon, with 300 rooms. It was visited by George Washington, General Lafayette, and other early American luminaries. The hotel remained in the family until it was sold in 1846 and later destroyed. After Rhoda Bentley died, William went to Chicago with his daughter Maria Louisa and her family, where he died of cholera in 1849.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org