Family collection of lost letters, diaries and objects found in attics and archives retrace archetypal ancestors' footprints to discover their lost life stories
Lost + Found Friendship: stories of lore and legend, and never before seen Civil War heirlooms found in attics and archives retrace my family’s Civil War footprints and friendship they shared with the Lincolns. From their first days in Washington until their last— the Lost + Found Friendship story offers a rare glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
LOST + FOUND FRIENDSHIP
Lost + Found Friendship: is presented for the first time in 155 years. Featuring family Civil War letters, heirlooms, and friendship keepsakes discovered in family attics and archives. Preserved over four generations, the items retrace one family’s Civil War footprints and the friendship they shared with the Lincolns — from their first days in Washington until their last.
Lost + Found Friendship shares a unique glimpse into the lives of the Lincolns from a new vantage point.
Lost + Found Friendship program is available as virtual or live event for public libraries, house museums or historical groups.
Dixon-Welling home at 159 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT with Elsa Welling readingDixon-Welling home at 159 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT with Josephine Toy and Elsa Welling
In the center of the photos above is a beautiful and extremely rare japanned high chest.
The high chest shown in the images above is currently on exhibit in the American galleries exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
In an old 2002 antiques article I discovered the whereabouts of my aunt’s high chest she reluctantly sold in the 1970’s. Along with the whereabouts of the high chest, I gained a new appreciation for piece’s craftsmanship and aesthetic value.
In 1976 Zeke Liverant, an antique dealer from Colchester, CT purchased the high chest for Albert Sack and the Kaufman’s, renown collectors and philanthropists. In 1980’s, the high chest was part of an exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. In 1991 Israel Sack, Inc bought it back for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where it is today.
The high chest had been a treasured family heirloom for more than 250 years being passed down over the generations from our New England ancestors. Collectors and museums value our high chest because it is the only known example of Boston japanned furniture by John Scottow, who had been a neighbor of the Abbott and Cogswell families of Boston.
Up until 1970’s family papers or items with historical significance were never sold to private collectors. They were always donated to the Connecticut Historical Society. our gr-gr grandfather began the legacy in 1842 as a life member of the Connecticut Historical Society at the Wadsworth Atheneum.
Rest easy dear aunt, the high chest you so treasured now has a notable home, not in our family parlor but accessible to museum visitors and furniture historians of the future — your high chest now resides as the anchor for American collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art.
Paul and I discuss Civil War heirlooms that retrace my family’s Civil War footprints and friendship with the Lincolns, from the Lincolns’ first days in Washington until their last.
Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln
Until now, little is known about these lady friends of Mary Lincoln who witnessed Lincoln’s death.
We discuss, the possibly as to, why it’s taken 155 years to learn who they were and why these friends were at the Petersen House.
Elizabeth Dixon, Mary Lincoln at Lincoln’s deathbed
Mrs. Mary C. Kinney and Miss Constance Kinney, future Countess Gianotti, wife of Count Caesar Gianotti of Italy.
Shown on the top, is my great-great grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth L. C. Dixon with outstretched Mary Lincoln and the dying president.
Below are two other family members who witnessed Lincoln’s death– the sister of Elizabeth L.C. Dixon, Mrs. Mary C. Kinney and niece, Miss Constance Kinney, future Countess Gianotti, wife of Count Caesar Gianotti, of Italy.
Please listen to the episode and let me know if you find it informative and/or interesting.
For a glimpse back in time and estate of the family of Sen. James Dixon in Hartford head to Hartford, Connecticut, and head west from the downtown area.
On the left side of Farmington Avenue, in what is now historical neighborhood of Asylum Hill, you will see the site where once stood Rose-Mount, the estate of Senator James Dixon, his wife, Elizabeth Lord Cogswell and their children.
The Dixons purchased the tract of 14 acres of land in 1840 and built was a large mansion, several small out-buildings and a barn. Their beautiful gardens, inspired them to name their home: Rose-Mount. Mrs. Sigourney wrote in of the the Dixon’s wonderful home;
“Many of the residences on Asylum Hill are conspicuous for their elegance and grace. Among these, Rose-Mount, the seat of James Dixon, Esq., is particularly distinguished by the.extent and arrangement of its grounds. Fourteen acres, highly cultivated, are divided into lawns, gardens, and groves, and embellished with parterres of flowers, hedges, and a variety of shrubs, fruits, and forest-trees. All is found here to constitute a delightful retirement for the man of letters and of taste, where cultivated intellect may enjoy the luxuries of literature, or woo the willing muse.” Scenes In My Native Land [1]
Paradise Lost The Dixon–Welling Place
Over the years, Rose-Mount became known as the Dixon–Welling Place, daughter Clementine married James C. Welling, editor of Washington, D.C newspaper National Intelligencer and was host to many of our nation’s most celebrated writers, poets, dignitaries and military leaders of the day. For more than 70 years the Dixon and Welling family lived here until 1929 when they sold the 12 acre property to the Aetna Insurance Company.
Today, the only remnants of this paradise lost are several copper beach trees on the grounds and the Dixon’s large bell that hung outside the main house to summon the gardeners.
LOST + FOUND HISTORY 