(late 18th century)

Heraldic crest with three stags, surmounted by a profile with palm fronds, unsigned, inscribed verso "Capt. Dyer", oil on canvas, 12-1/2 x 10-1/2 in.; gilt wood frame, 14-5/8 x 12-3/4 in.

Note: For a brief history of the Dyer Family see: https://dyerlibrary.org/about/dyerfamily.html

Descendants of William and Mary Dyer, Quaker founders of Rhode Island. In 1635 William and Mary Dyer sailed from England to Boston to escape persecution for their Quaker faith. Realizing the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Colony were not tolerant of Quakerism, the Dyers joined Anne Hutchinson and others moving to the colony of Rhode Island. William Dyer helped found the towns of Portsmouth and Newport, signing the compact for the official formation of the Colony of Rhode Island. Mary Dyer returned to Boston to spread the Quaker religion and was executed on June 1, 1660 on grounds of religious rebellion. She was buried on Boston Common and nearly 300 years later, in 1959, a bronze statue of her was erected in front of the Boston State House overlooking the common as a reminder to all of us of our right of religious freedom granted by the United States Constitution. For the next two centuries the Dyer family was active in Rhode Island politics. Elisha Dyer (1811-1890) was a two term Governor of Rhode Island and captain of the volunteer forces from Rhode Island during the United States Civil War. Elisha?s son, Elisha Dyer, Jr., would later follow in his father?s footsteps, serving as Governor from 1897-1900.

Provenance: Presumed by Descent in the Dyer Family; Northeast Auctions, October 25, 2009 lot 158 for $16,000; Collection of C.L. Prickett

original wood strainer, crackle, surface dirt; frame with wear