Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861
Stephen Meekins at Washingtons Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861
Item Information
Title:
Stephen Meekins at Washington's Tomb Ambrotype, c. 1855-1861
Description:
This hand-tinted, quarter-plate ambrotype in leather case with rectangular brass mat, (3 inches w. x 4 inches h.), c. 1855-1861, shows Williamsburg, Mass., resident Stephen Meekins (1812-1884) sitting on a bench at the entrance to President George Washington's tomb at Mount Vernon, on the Potomac River in Virginia. Meekins had a particular interest in President Washington and owned contemporary books written by and about him. Meekins was not known to travel, so this trip was unusual. Meekins was an industrious, thrifty and prosperous farmer in Williamsburg, raising sheep and growing teasels (a prickly herb with a flower head used to raise a nap on cloth when dried). Meekins married Williamsburg resident Wealthy Bradford (1812-1875) in 1835. They had no children. Meekins was a benefactor of Williamsburg, Mass. A free town library, named for him, was the 'hobby and dream of his life.' He left a bequest of more than $30,000 for that purpose when he died in 1894, and the library was established by 1895. The library building was dedicated on February 1, 1897. Meekins is buried in the Village Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg, his grave on the hill marked by a large granite monument.
Permission to publish the image must be obtained from the Meekins Library by writing to ddarienzo@cwmars.org or Meekins@cwmars.org. Meekins Library, Williamsburg, Mass. must be credited as the original source of the item for all use.
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![Group [A.O.C.?] portrait on Meekins Library steps, 1900](https://bpldcassets.blob.core.windows.net/derivatives/images/commonwealth:fb494v61c/image_thumbnail_300.jpg)
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