Martha Benton
PhotographerPhotographed by
Unknown
DateJune 1857
MediumDaguerreotype; silver-plated copper plate in brass mat package in tooled leather-covered wooden case; red velvet pad in left side of open case
DimensionsPlate (height x width): 3 × 2 3/4in. (7.6 × 7cm)
Other (case height x width x depth): 3 5/8 × 3 1/8 × 1/2in. (9.2 × 7.9 × 1.3cm)
Other (case height x width x depth): 3 5/8 × 3 1/8 × 1/2in. (9.2 × 7.9 × 1.3cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionSixth plate daguerreotype of Martha Benton at the age of 71 in 1857. She is wearing a dress with vertical pleats along the bodice, bishop sleeves with caps/epaulettes at the upper arm, and what appears to be a rounded waistline. It looks as though the dress fastens in the front. There is a piece of white (or light-colored) fabric worn either under the neckline of the dress or attached to it, and this is fastened with a brooch. On her head, she wears a daycap with frills around her her face. It is positioned toward the back of her head so that one ringlet is visible peeking out from the left side of her face. She is sitting in an ornately carved chair.
Object number2025.1.3
InscribedTranscribed from envelope: "(scratched on plate: "Age 71 years / Martha Benton / mother [sic] of Samuel & Prudence (Seymour) / Benton born at Hartford 1st May 1786 / She married the 30 Nov. 1878 / Frederick Lathrop / This picture taken in June 1857"Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
1845-1850
