Part I: The Early Years


Portrait, Ann Cascoline Merrill Staples, ca. 1835

Portrait, Ann Cascoline Merrill Staples, ca. 1835
Item 14677   info
Maine Historical Society

Middle-class families -- like the Merrills, Staples, and others -- hired artists to paint portraits that documented appearances of loved ones and demonstrated their place in society.

Ann Cascolina Merrill married Ai Staples in 1832.

They may have had this portrait painted when they achieved some success in the chandlery business.

It is attributed to William Matthew Prior.

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