-40%
1830s Reward of Merit, Photograph Curtiss Family New York Massachusetts Document
$ 26.4
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
Lot Type: Framed Document & Photograph
Title:
Reward of Merit
Autograph:
Mary A. Porter [Teacher]
Awardee:
Thomas Curtiss [Thomas Dwight Curtiss (1828-1866)]
Location:
probably New York
Date:
1835-1840
Size:
6 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches (frame), 2 1/4 x 3 3/16 (photograph)
Content:
“REWARD OF MERIT.
This Certifies, That Mr. Thomas Curtiss for diligence and attention to studies, and good conduct in school, merits my approbation and esteem.
Mary A. Porter
Instructor.”
On the frame backing a person with the initials
M.L.T.
wrote,
“This was given to my grandfather Thomas Dwight Curtiss when he was a small boy in school. He died in 1866 when Mother was 2 years o[ld].
M.L.T.
This teacher, Mary D. Porter also taught my father.”
The mounted photograph shows a couple outside of a house.
History:
This Reward of Merit and photograph came from the same estate auction lot in Northern Virginia. I have decided to keep them together.
Thomas Dwight Curtiss (1828-1866) was born in New York to Theodore Curtice and Rebecca Curtice. He was married to Mary D. Desmond (1833–1887, m. 1856) in Massachusetts. Thomas Dwight Curtiss is buried at Water Street Cemetery in Great Barrington, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
I have not been able to determine who
M.L.T.
was and I cannot account for the discrepancy in the middle initial of the teacher. I have not opened the frame and have decided to keep the document in the wood frame. I do not want to damage the information on the back by trying to remove the document from the frame.
I have no other information on the couple other than the photograph came with the reward of merit.
Condition:
The reward of merit appears to be soiled and discolored, I do not see any tears, but the edges are hidden by the frame. The frame has some wear and soiling. The photograph has some wear, etc. See the pictures for more.
References:
“Thomas Dwight Curtiss, 1828-1866.”
MyHeritage (online)
“Thomas Dwight Curtiss.”
Find a Grave (online)
Item Number:
000005