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Morse-Lea photograph collection

Creation: circa 1800-circa 1840
 Collection
Accession: 1970-018

Abstract

The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Falls, north of Wilmington, Delaware, since the 1770s, when Thomas Lea (1757–1823) joined in partnership with Joseph Tatnall (1740–1813). The album contains considerable genealogical information on the Lea family, as well as thirty-eight silhouette portraits of members of the Lea and related families. These include family names such as Tatnall, Baily, Bellah, Warner, Pusey, and Rodman.

Dates

  • Creation: circa 1800-circa 1840

Creator

Extent

31 item(s)

General Physical Description

1 album (38 silhouettes); 15 x 19 cm and 30 items: silhouettes ; 12 1/2 x 11 cm. or smaller.

Biographical Note

The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Falls, north of Wilmington, Delaware, since the 1770s, when Thomas Lea (1757–1823) joined in partnership with Joseph Tatnall (1740–1813). After his death, his son, William Lea (1805-1876), took over operation of the mills in 1837. In 1864, William Lea brought his sons Henry Lea (1839-1888) and Preston Lea (1841-1916) into the firm, changing the name to William Lea & Sons Company. The Lea family was prominent in Wilmington and Brandywine Village, and married into several other prominent Delaware business families.

An appraisal of this collection in 1969 determined that the bulk of the silhouettes were made at the Peale Museum in Philadelphia, possibly by more than one hand. According to the appraiser: "Peale silhouettes are not easily come by. They were made to order by individuals, at the Museum and were cut from a piece of Whatman paper, French fold, resulting in 4 finished profiles, approximate finished size 4 x 5 in. high. They were generally blind-stamped with the Museum logo, probably before cutting and which may or may not show in the finished product. They are characterized by a high degree of artistic ability and generally show a uniform treatment of the bust cut-off and the loose strands of hair which are almost always present in the female profiles. A comparison made with the Peale collection of file copies in possession of the Library Company of Philadelphia confirm (sic.) the above."

Scope and Content

The album, which is marked "Profile Book" on its spine, contains considerable genealogical information on the Lea family, as well as thirty-eight silhouette portraits of members of the Lea and related families. These include family names such as Tatnall, Baily, Bellah, Warner, Pusey, and Rodman. There are also twenty-six loose silhouette portraits of the same families. An additional four silhouette portraits of members of the Lovett and Lea families are matted together in one frame.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Morse-Lea photograph collection
Author:
Laurie Rizzo
Date:
2013
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Audiovisual Collections Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400